“It” Will Change Your Life

Wake Up and Get “It” Back

Scripture References

Primary text

• Revelation 3

Other references

• Psalm 42:4-5
• Psalm 77:11-12
• Galatians 5

Overview

Craig Groeschel calls followers of Jesus to recognize when the flame has dimmed and to reclaim the vibrant closeness with God they once knew—or to discover it for the first time. Using Jesus’ words to the church in Sardis, he lays out three clear actions: remember what God has already done, finish the unfinished acts of obedience, and hold tightly to Christ. The repeated rally cry, “Wake up,” presses listeners to move from spiritual sleep to active, fruitful faith.

Context

• The message opens with a searching question: “Were you ever closer to God than you are now?”
• Many identify with a season when faith felt alive—prayers answered, Scripture speaking directly, worship overflowing—yet now find that passion dulled.
• The sermon grows from Craig’s personal stories of early-conversion zeal, ministry highs and lows, and the realization that even pastors can drift into a part-time walk with Jesus.

Main Points

When You Realize You’ve Lost “It”

• “It” = a vibrant, unmistakable nearness to God marked by passion, faith, and spiritual fruit.
• Symptoms of loss: attendance without anticipation, outward busyness with inward detachment, nominal Christianity.

• “You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” (Revelation 3 read aloud)

Jesus’ Wake-Up Call to Sardis

• Sardis’ history: wealthy, seemingly secure city that fell when guards grew complacent—mirrors spiritual complacency.
• The church had activity but little fruit; their deeds were “unfinished.”
• Urgency flows from Jesus’ warning: no guaranteed tomorrow to make things right.

Three Actions to Get “It” Back

1. Remember It

   • Ongoing discipline: keep recalling what you received and heard (Revelation 3:3, present-imperative).
   • Psalm 77:11-12 models rehearsing God’s past works until gratitude rises.
   • Story: Craig recounts deliverance from alcoholism, answered prayers, and early‐college evangelism to stir listeners’ own memories.

2. Finish It

   • Identify whatever obedience remains incomplete—giving, confessing, reconciling, serving, breaking off a harmful relationship.
   • Illustration: Prompted once to give a stranger $100, Craig hesitated; unfinished obedience still grieves him.

3. Hold It Close

   • “Hold it fast” = treasure the relationship, never treat grace casually.

   • “When you draw near to Him, He draws near to you.”

   • Illustration: His daughter Joy sprinting across a lobby into his arms—picture of holding what matters most.

The Power of a Faithful Few

• Even in Sardis a remnant “dressed in white” kept their garments clean.
• God regularly uses a single awakened person—David, Esther, you—to change families, workplaces, and cities.

Rally Cry: “Wake Up”

• Repeated exhortation energizes the close of the message.

• “Wake up, strengthen what remains and is about to die.”

• Listeners stand, declare renewed commitment, and many respond to Christ.

Key Truths

• Spiritual drift is usually gradual; recognizing it is the first mercy of God.
• Remembering God’s past faithfulness fuels present obedience.
• Unfinished obedience can block present intimacy with God.
• Intimacy with Jesus must be guarded—held tightly—because complacency invites loss.
• One awakened believer can spark renewal far beyond himself or herself.

Response

• Admit where passion has cooled and call it what it is.
• Recall specific moments of God’s rescue or provision until gratitude stirs.
• Complete the last clear instruction God gave—today.
• Tighten daily habits that keep you close: private prayer, Scripture for yourself, gathered worship.
• Share the story of God’s work in you with someone this week.
• Declare “wake up” over any area—family, finances, ministry—that has drifted to sleep.

Closing

Craig ends with an altar-style invitation to “wake up” through rededication or first-time surrender to Christ, stressing that public confession matters. The congregation prays for renewed passion and a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, committing to be the light of the world.

“Wake up, strengthen what remains… Don’t let your faith—or the faith of the next generation—die.”

Prayer

The congregation prays aloud, giving their lives afresh to Jesus, asking for forgiveness, Spirit-filling, and power to live out God’s will and share “it” with others.

Resources

• Craig Groeschel, Lead Like It Matters (revised and expanded edition; all proceeds donated to church-planting)