When will Christ return?
… To the church of the Thessalonians … 2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thes 1:1-3
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction ... 1 Thes 1:4-5
3 Ways Believers Live Ready in the Last Days
- We turn.
- We serve.
- We wait.
1. We turn from idols that deceive to the God who saves.
They tell how you turned to God from idols … 1 Thess 1:9
An idol is anything you put in God’s place.
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, … lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Tim 3:1-5
2. We serve the living God, not dead idols.
They tell how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God … 1 Thess 1:9
douleuō
To serve with complete loyalty.
Putting the will of another above your own.
3. We wait actively, preparing for the return of Christ.
They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom [God] raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thess 1:9-10
anaménein
Ana—Again, intensely.
Menein—To remain, stay, abide.
To wait actively, faithfully, and with great expectation.
Questions I’m Asking in the Last Days
Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
Have I shared my faith with those who need Jesus?
Am I trusting in God’s grace alone to save me?
Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Eph 2:8-9
