TLDR;
The sermon "Living in the Last Days" explores the concept of living with spiritual urgency in light of Jesus's imminent return, based on the book of 1 Thessalonians. It addresses the question of whether we are living in the last days, affirming that the last days began with Jesus's ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The message encourages believers to turn away from idols, serve the living God, and actively wait for Christ's return, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, sharing faith, focusing on eternity, and trusting in God's grace.
- The last days began with Jesus's ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
- Believers are called to turn away from idols, serve the living God, and actively wait for Christ's return.
- Key aspects of living ready include forgiveness, sharing faith, focusing on eternity, and trusting in God's grace.
Introduction: Are We Living in the Last Days? [0:00]
The sermon begins by addressing the question of whether we are living in the last days, given the current state of the world with its wars, natural disasters, division, and the rise of AI. It references the concerns of early Christians in Thessalonica and introduces the message series based on 1 Thessalonians, titled "Living in the Last Days." The speaker affirms that, according to the Bible, the last days began with Jesus's ascension into heaven and the Pentecost, marking the start of the final chapter of God's redemptive plan. Every generation since then is called to live with spiritual urgency, anticipating the return of Jesus Christ.
Context of 1 Thessalonians: Paul's Relational Approach [3:40]
The context of 1 Thessalonians is explored, highlighting the concerns of the new Christians in Thessalonica about the future. Paul wrote this letter not to scare them, but to steady their faith. Paul's letter is relational, expressing thankfulness and remembrance of their work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope in Jesus Christ. The church in Thessalonica was established during Paul's second missionary journey around 50-51 AD. Despite his short stay of about three weeks, Paul's preaching led to a revival, but also persecution from non-believing Jews, causing him to leave the city.
God's Love and Power: The Foundation of Faith [6:17]
Paul's letter emphasizes God's love and power, assuring the Thessalonians that God is with them, has chosen them, and that the gospel came to them not just with words, but with power, the Holy Spirit, and deep conviction. The gospel is presented as power to change lives, break chains, and heal what's broken, urging believers to tap into the power of God to overcome temptations and defeat darkness. While God's love secures believers, His power strengthens and transforms them to live victoriously in the last days.
Three Ways Believers Live Ready: Turn, Serve, Wait [8:27]
The sermon outlines three actions for believers to live ready in the last days: turn, serve, and wait. Turning involves turning from idols that deceive to the God who saves. Serving means serving the living God, not dead idols. Waiting is defined as actively preparing for the return of Christ.
Turn: From Idols to God [9:07]
Turning involves rejecting idols and committing to Jesus as Lord. In Thessalonica, this meant turning away from pagan gods and even the worship of Caesar. Today, while literal idol worship may be less common, idolatry persists in the form of success, pleasure, relationships, personal image, and self-worship. An idol is anything that takes God's place or is asked to do what only God can do. Paul warns of terrible times in the last days, marked by self-love, love of money, boastfulness, pride, and other sinful behaviors. Believers are called to repent, turning away from the lower things of the world and toward the higher things of God's kingdom.
Serve: The Living God [17:02]
Serving involves serving the living God rather than dead, deceptive idols that promise freedom but enslave. While turning to God for salvation happens once, serving God is a daily, continuous act of complete loyalty, putting God's will above one's own. The Greek word "douleuo" is introduced, emphasizing serving with complete loyalty and surrendering one's agenda to God.
Wait: Active Preparation for Christ's Return [20:45]
Waiting is not passive but active, involving preparation for Christ's return. It includes waiting actively and faithfully with great expectation. The Greek word "anamenein" is explained, combining "anna" (again, intensely) and a form of "meno" (remain, abide), to mean waiting actively and faithfully with great expectation. This means living each day with the awareness that Jesus could return at any moment, loving people, serving Jesus, and focusing on the kingdom of God.
Four Questions for Self-Examination [25:11]
The speaker shares four questions for self-examination to prepare for Christ's return: Have I forgiven those who hurt me? Have I shared my faith with those who need Jesus? Am I more focused on this world than on eternity? Am I trusting in God's grace alone to save me? Forgiveness is crucial because Jesus said that if we do not forgive others, our Father will not forgive us. Sharing faith involves reaching out to those in our sphere of influence who need to know Jesus. Focusing on eternity requires examining whether we love this world too much, allowing it to distract us from the things of God. Trusting in God's grace alone is essential, as salvation is a gift from God, not earned by good works.
Final Encouragement and Call to Action [29:48]
The sermon concludes by reiterating that while the exact time of Jesus's return is unknown, believers are living in the last days and time is short. The call to action is to turn from idols and sin, serve the living God, and wait actively for His return, pursuing holiness and living with spiritual urgency. A final appeal is made to those unsure of their readiness for Christ's return to examine themselves, seek forgiveness, and surrender their lives to Jesus, trusting in His grace alone for salvation.