Summer Sins
Lord's Day Sermon
This sermon was preached at King’s Cross Church in Moscow, Idaho on June 7, A.D. 2026.
Text: Romans 13:8–14
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (NKJV).
Introduction
As we enter the summer season, with all its God-given goodness, it would be wise for us as a church to consider and plan for the unique temptations that accompany this time of year.
A wise man plans ahead and prepares. For the summer, planning is not just needed for Airbnb bookings and National Park passes. It also involves preparing your hearts and your families spiritually for what is ahead. By this, I mean that you are called to consider the circumstances coming up, and be “watchful” against the various temptations you may encounter. Of course, there is nothing inherently immoral about summer—not at all. Despite the topic of this sermon, I am not a summer-hater… but I am a sin hater.
There are some unique opportunities that this season brings, which can also increase the potential for particular sins. And so this attitude of “watchfulness” does not dampen any summer fun, But is actually meant to protect and increase the blessings that God has in store for you over the next couple months. So this morning we will walk through a somewhat extended summary of the passage before us, and then turn to apply it in four specific areas.
Summary of the Text
Our passage this morning begins with an exhortation from the Apostle Paul to owe no one anything, except love (v. 8). This teaching connects to verse 7 just prior to our passage which reads, “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Most interpreters do not see this statement as absolutely forbidding all borrowing and lending—which the Bible acknowledges and regulates, albeit with strong warnings. Rather, it is a command to pay what is owed and to fulfill your agreements. As Psalm 37 states, “the wicked borrow and do not repay.” But love will treat the one you owe as you would like to be treated. And so we are to have no outstanding debt, except a debt of love. For love is a debt we owe all men and one that can never be fully satisfied—it will always be owed.
The Apostle Paul then lists five of the Ten Commandments that have to do with how we treat our neighbors, and he explains that each of them, and in fact all of God’s commandments, can be summarized in the command “to love your neighbor as yourself” (vv. 9–10). The Apostle Paul then gives urgency to this command to love. He says you are to do this “knowing the time” that you are in, that it is “high time” to awake out of your sleep, for “salvation is nearer” than when you first believed, and that the night is coming to an end with day at hand (vv. 11–12).
But what does he mean by saying that his readers should know the time? What time is it? And what does it mean that their salvation is closer and the day is at hand? I believe there are two realities in mind for the Apostle Paul. First, on a very practical level, the Roman Christians’ salvation, and yours, is nearer than when you first believed because you are coming closer to both your own personal final salvation, which comes after this life, and the final day of the Lord in which all will be judged. So often, when we think of salvation, we think primarily in terms of a past event. “I have been saved by the Lord.” But Scripture actually speaks in past, present, and future tenses with regard to salvation. Consider Romans 5:9, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Second, with the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Christ, light has entered the world and is ever-filling it. Jesus is the “light of the world.” And as the Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians quoting Isaiah, he said, “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” And there is coming a day when all the darkness will be gone, and we will be swallowed up in the light of the Lamb. Therefore, it is time for all people, but especially Christians, to awaken from any slumber that they are in. To leave the darkness of night behind, and to walk in the daylight, which is Christ.
Now, throughout the rest of this passage, the Apostle Paul continues pressing this motif of darkness and light, night and day. Throughout the New Testament, night and darkness represent the kingdom of Satan, where sin and death reign. Whereas the day is the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, who again is the light of the world. Therefore, because “the night is far spent” and “the day is at hand,” the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to cast off the works of darkness, which are sin, and to put on the armor of light (end of v. 12). You are called to walk as you are supposed to, in the daylight, and not in the darkness, which leads to revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife, envy, and all manner of sin (v. 13). Not only are you to put down or discard sin, but you are to make no provision for it, which would allow you to fulfill your sinful desires (v. 14).
Now note that phrase “make no provision.” To make “provision” for something is to prepare for it. To budget for it. To draw out plans or to make something possible to happen. If you make provision for something, you are using foresight to take care that it can come to fruition. And so to make no provision for the flesh is to simply give no opportunity to fulfill the sinful desires and lusts of the flesh. And the Apostle Paul says the way to do this is to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ.” He is your armor of light that Paul mentioned in verse 12. In Galatians, Paul teaches that in the waters of baptism you have put on Christ (3:27). It is something that has been done. It is a past event. And at the same time, it is a present event, as you must continue to put on Christ daily—putting off your old self and its sinful desires, and putting on His righteousness to walk in the good works He has prepared for you.
And so what I want you to see here in our passage this morning is that darkness and light are absolutely opposed. They cannot co-exist. If Christ is the light of the world, and you are united to Christ, you have no business continuing to walk in the dark. Instead, you must continue to put on Christ and walk in love, reminded that judgment day is ever closer. To live in the flesh, and to make habits of the sinful deeds of darkness is to make yourself at home in the world that is perishing, the night which is vanishing and headed for destruction. Therefore, Christians must not walk in the darkness, because we are “children of light” (Eph. 5:8). You were once sons of disobedience, blinded by your Satan and your sin, but now you have been washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of God. You have arisen from your sleep and put on Christ. Therefore, live like it.
And so with that general exhortation from our passage, I now have before you four specific temptations or sins to be on guard against this summer.
Vacation Snarls
We all know that vacations are meant to be a break from the busyness of life, from work, and from school. They are a time to get away and explore—and vacations are meant to be fun. And yet how do they usually begin?
With an argument the night before, as your wife is surrounded by a pile of laundry and open suitcases…
Or with the impatience of a husband in the driveway the next morning, waiting for what feels like an eternity to leave…
Or with the kids in the back seats bickering one mile down the road…
The reality is that underneath the surface of many a vacation is a slow boil of stress, which when given the opportunity, bubbles up with impatience, exasperation, snappy and unkind responses to your spouse, and sour and sinful attitudes from both parents and children.
Have you ever wondered why it is that we treat those closest to us the worst sometimes? Why do we treat those outside our family better than those inside our family—our own flesh and blood? Why do you speak to your husband or wife in a way that you would never imagine talking to a friend or stranger? Why are you so impatient with your own children, the ones you are called to nurture and care for?
There are probably a few reasons for these things, but one of them is that home is where we let our guard down, allowing whatever is churning in our hearts to come out. As our Lord once taught, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Lk. 6:45). In public, for perhaps both good and self-serving reasons, we usually do not let the nasty things in our hearts come out… or at least we keep up our appearances. But in the family, it can sadly be a different story. And this should not be the case…
Yes, we are called to honor all men, but there should be a special love and devotion given to those closest to us. In our passage this morning, the Apostle Paul exhorts you to love your neighbors as yourselves. And who are your most immediate neighbors? Your spouse is your nearest neighbor. Your children are your closest neighbors. And the command to love means doing no harm to your neighbor, especially those who are precious to you. Therefore, knowing the temptations that often come with vacation and travel, you are called to prepare your hearts—to give no provision for the flesh. Putting on Christ, or walking by the Spirit, is a very practical thing. Making no provision for the flesh is not just a spiritual saying but involves a proactive choice to be disciplined in your pursuit of holiness and love.
And so, when it comes to vacations, you need to keep your expectations realistic, remembering that plans are only plans at best, kids get sick, the hotel may be less than advertised, and the perfect vacation really only exists in your Instagram feed. If you know you may be tempted to be short with your wife because you get stressed before heading out on a trip, you need to remind yourself of that and ask the Lord for help to love your wife well. If, as a wife, you are tempted to complain about packing up all the kids’ clothing, you need to earnestly attempt to accomplish that task without grumbling. When you do sin… when you speak harshly to your children in the back seat or to your spouse… you must be quick to confess your sin, seek forgiveness, and remain in fellowship with your family. And when you are sinned against, you must endeavor to forgive from the heart. As we are told in 1 Peter, “Have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’”
It really is such a blessing to live in a time and place that allows you to travel with your families and to have the means to do so—whether that’s a day trip to Coeur d’Alene or a flight on a plane. Family trips are often when lasting memories are made, when time slows down, and the good busyness of life is momentarily set aside to enjoy one another and the world God has made. Therefore, to receive this gift well from your Father, you must endeavor to vacation with a heart of gratitude and with genuine love for one another.
Prioritizing Lord’s Day Worship
Many otherwise solid and faithful Christians use vacation as an excuse to skip attending church. But vacation is not a reason to set aside God’s clear commandments.
In the fourth commandment, God’s people are called to honor and observe the Sabbath day and to keep it holy (Ex. 20, Dt. 5). Christians observe the Sabbath on the Lord’s Day, on Sunday, and this day is to be set aside for the corporate worship of God, rest from our vocations and labor, and fellowship with the saints. Additionally, the author of Hebrews exhorts believers not to forsake or neglect meeting together (Heb. 10:25).
These commandments to honor the Lord’s Day and to gather together in worship are not seasonal or optional. Which means that—all things considered—if you are in or near a town with an evangelical church, you should make plans to attend that church. You should set aside about two hours on Sunday morning to worship the Lord—no matter where you are. Now, I do say “all things considered” because if you are camping in the forest for the weekend or in a location that genuinely lacks a church, that is a different situation. In those cases, I would still encourage you to set aside specific time to honor the Lord in family worship. Still mark the day as especially devoted to the Lord. But also do not make a habit of being off-the-grid half the Sundays of the summer.
This is not legalism—but a call to basic Christian faithfulness. Sundays are for worship, even when away from your home church. This devotion not only honors the Lord, but it also teaches your family what matters most in life. Your children will be blessed to have grown up in a family that prioritized Lord’s Day worship, even when on the road.
As with all of God’s commandments, there are great blessings to be had from obeying them. And in the case of attending Lord’s Day worship when out of town, it really is a blessing to find yourself far from home yet find unity in the faith among fellow believers. This is especially true if you are able to visit more like-minded Reformed or Presbyterian churches while on vacation.
My wife and I are both from New Jersey, and during our most recent trip to visit family, we decided to attend a conservative Presbyterian church that we had never been to before and knew no one at. It was a very small church, and when we walked in, we were greeted right away by a husband and father of little kids who said, “I recognize you…” As I began to explain that we had never been there before, he said, “You’re from Moscow.” Unfortunately, in the Reformed world, you never know if that is a good or bad thing, but we were delighted to learn in this case it was very good, and his family had greatly benefited from the resources our community produces. And our family had a great time worshiping with our Presbyterian brothers and sisters, whom we had never met before.
Now, one interesting piece of American history that I recently came across is that during the late 1800’s, upperclass families would take extended summer vacations on New England lakes and shores, where the weather was milder than in the cities to the south. Do you know what you can still find in these locations? Old “Summer Chapels” that were specifically built to facilitate Lord’s Day worship for the temporary residents. They could have said, “Oh well, we don’t need to go to church because there are none up here and it’s just a temporary stay.” But instead, there was both a desire to reach these families from the clergy and a desire from the people to attend church even while away from home.
One of the great things about these Summer Chapels was that they fostered interdenominational unity—with Presbyterians, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, and more worshiping together in a service led by pastors from these various denominations. Now “Summer Chapels” may not be as prevalent today—and unfortunately, if they were, I wouldn’t trust the orthodoxy of the preachers presiding—but this is an encouragement to occasionally attend churches that are outside your tradition.
Sometimes, out of necessity or curiosity, you will attend an evangelical church that you would never become a member of if you had your way. But there is a blessing to be had in these situations as well. While you may walk away from a service not agreeing with everything the pastor said, or still recovering from the light show… it really is a good reminder to your family that God has His people everywhere. It is a great opportunity to love the brethren, as we are told in 1 John, even those who are in some ways quite different than you. And I do really believe it is good for our children to learn about the diversity of traditions in the evangelical faith, to know that they exist and how to think about them, and for your families to be able to have conversations about these differences without mocking fellow believers. While we do not agree on every point of doctrine and practice—and some of them are very important—there still is a fundamental unity in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pursuing Modesty
Now let’s address the sometimes controversial topic of modesty, particularly with summer clothing (or lack thereof).
In 1 Timothy 2, the Apostle Paul exhorts women to adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, rather than with elaborate hairstyles, jewelry, or expensive clothing – all of which communicated both inappropriate extravagance and sensuality. The word here translated as modesty conveys the sense of being dressed with decency, moderation, and self-respect.
And yet while the topic of summer modesty obviously refers to outward clothing, before we even speak of clothing, we must remember that true modesty begins in the heart. It is an inward posture of the heart. It is a desire to honor the Lord with your body and clothing, to love one another, and to pursue true feminine beauty. When the heart is made right before God—when a woman isn’t seeking the wrong kind of attention because she is content and secure before the Lord—modesty then flows organically outward and is displayed in her conduct—whether it be in demeanor, speech, or clothing. In fact, absent this inward modesty, outward rule-keeping or fastidiousness can only go so far. A woman can actually be covered head to toe in clothing and still lack modesty in the way she carries herself.
Now, we won’t get very descriptive in do’s and don’t’s, as that is a conversation best had amongst yourselves. But to be plain, we are talking about not taking the summer temperatures and activities as a reason to dress in a sexually suggestive way, displaying parts of your body that ought to be covered when in the presence of others. And so there are four main admonitions under this header of modesty I want to give this morning.
First, for women—it is your responsibility to give thought to your clothing and prepare for your needs this summer, such as what you will wear at the beach or wherever you may be. Because in our age stores are filled with clothing that is purposefully not modest—it does take certain effort to find what you want. In general, if you are unsure about something, you should get a second opinion or simply put on something else. Better to be sure and confident than uncomfortable and potentially embarrassed. You do need to understand that a call to modesty is not a call to frumpiness or dour attire. It is good to desire to be beautiful and attractive, but that is different than being overtly sexual and an attraction. So this is a call to true feminine beauty that honors the Lord.
My next point is for husbands and fathers. You are called to give reasonable and kind feedback to your wives and daughters. You should proactively have expectations discussed, understood, and agreed upon for your families—with the input of your wives—so that you are not surprised last minute by an outfit for the park or the pool. And if, as you are getting ready, your wife’s clothing does give you pause, you want to be the person who gently points it out to her, rather than leaving that potentially uncomfortable conversation to someone else, or to no one at all.
And third, for older women—Titus 2 teaches that it is the role of older women to teach younger women to be discreet and chaste—to be self-controlled and pure. This means that when necessary, it is appropriate for you to help a younger woman who is clearly struggling in this area. But you must remember to do so with great wisdom, care, and gentleness, recognizing that such a conversation may likely cause embarrassment. Therefore, if you ever find yourself in such a position, you should speak in a way that you would have appreciated being spoken to when you were a younger woman.
Lastly, there are two contrasting kinds of responses when seeing someone dressed immodestly, whether a believr or unbeliever. The obvious sinful response that most think of is that of lust. Of indulging in sinful thoughts regarding the woman you have taken notice of, which you must resist by the grace of God. But another sinful response is that of a haughty spirit. Of looking down in compassionless judgment on a person, forgetting both the ways in which the Lord has opened your eyes to various sins in the past, and the ongoing presence of other sins in your life right now that you still need His grace to overcome.
Remaining Sober
And our final specific application is regarding the enjoyment and abuse of alcohol.
Late nights around a fire with friends, afternoon picnics, and camping trips often include alcoholic drinks, which are a gift from God to be enjoyed. Psalm 104 tells us that “wine makes glad the heart of man,” and the Preacher of Ecclesiastes commends his readers to drink wine “with a merry heart.” And so, as a church community, we broadly have cultivated a culture of liberty and enjoyment when it comes to beer, wine, whisky, and the like.
At the same time, we would be foolish to ignore what else Scripture has to say about this topic. Proverbs 20 tells us that “wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.” Proverbs 23 speaks of those with sorrow and redness of eyes, warning, “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; At the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper.” Isaiah declares woes against those who drink into the night “until wine inflames them” and those who are “mighty at drinking wine.” The Apostle Paul lists drunkards—those who are enslaved to drink, without a genuine desire to fight their sin—as the kind of person who in the end “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:11). And lastly, the Apostle Paul used the same night and day theme of our passage when writing to the Thessalonians, stating, “You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night” (1 Thess. 5:5–7).
I have laid these warnings down one after another not to diminish or tarnish the blessing of alcoholic drinks, but to warn you in order to protect that gift from being destroyed.
You must walk as children of light, casting off the works of darkness—which means you may not become drunk. You must walk properly as in the day, which means exercising self-control, remaining sober-minded, and not becoming intoxicated. Drunkenness is a sin that God hates. It results from a lack of self-control, which is a fruit of the Spirit, and often is tied to other hurt or pain or discouragement that the Lord wants healed the right way.
Likewise, you should also know that flirting with drunkenness by purposefully getting “buzzed” is, at best, extremely imprudent and, at worst, an alarming disregard for God’s call to holiness and a sin. No one who is endeavoring to love the Lord, and who desires to be holy, would spend their time seeing how close they can get to real transgression without crossing the line.
Additionally, you must not allow your brothers or sisters to get drunk either. Of course, you cannot control them, but you can help by “making no provision for the flesh” by setting the tone for when you are hanging out. And if they get drunk or demonstrate a desire to be loose concerning alcohol, you are called to admonish and exhort them lest they be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Heb. 3:13).
And lastly, remember that reputations matter. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). A good reputation is gained by ordinary faithfulness over an extended period of time. A good reputation is earned by walking uprightly before the Lord and men consistently. But a bad reputation can come in an instant. A bad reputation can result from one foolish decision, whether in the presence of a few or many. It is not vain to care about your good name. You should desire a good reputation for yourself and for your family, because having one usually means that you are endeavoring to love the Lord and those around you.
If drunkenness is a sin that you personally have or are struggling with, I do want to encourage you to get help. You are not the only one. Reach out to a pastor or your parish elder, share with a close friend… do whatever you need to do to get in the light. And hear this—if you have historically struggled with the sin of drunkenness, you need to know that there is absolutely nothing wrong with deciding that alcohol isn’t for you. Nobody here will notice, and if they do pick up on it, nobody will care. There is nothing wrong with deciding that in your pursuit of holiness, alcoholic drinks simply aren’t worth the risk of temptation. That can be a prudent decision for some and fulfills the Apostle Paul’s command to “make no provision for the flesh.”
Conclusion: Summer Opportunities
In conclusion, I do want to emphasize again that the summer season is truly a blessing from God. Which is why we want to guard against wasting it with the foolishness of sin.
Scripture calls us to “practice hospitality,” meaning that extending hospitality is meant to be a normative, ongoing part of the Christian life and not a random occasion. And the warm weather of spring and summer offers additional opportunities to extend such hospitality even outdoors, whether in your backyard or at a local park. If this is an area you struggle with, I have two suggestions.
First, simply make the decision to do it. Decide with your spouse, or with your roommates, that you are going to welcome people in your home, and find a good day to do so in the near future. And second, make two lists. Make a list of friends you would like to spend more time with, and another of people in the church you would like to get to know. And simply work through those lists at a pace that makes sense for your family and your season of life.
Additionally, do make an effort to rest and enjoy your families this summer, preferably outside in God’s creation. You don’t need to go anywhere to do this. Dads—put down the phone, put away work or side projects, and play with your kids outside. Go to Idler’s Rest or the city pool or build a fort in your backyard. Give your family your undivided attention and delight in your children while they are still in your home.
Colossians 3:17 says that “whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” This summer that is a good word to live by. If you know deep down that your attitude, or your words, or your actions are not in accordance with God’s will—that you can’t do it in the name of Jesus with thanksgiving—then humble yourself and repent. Cast off the works of darkness and turn to the Lord, that you may walk in the light. And if you can give thanks to God for whatever you are doing—do it then with great joy—and do it in the name of the Lord who is good.