Living in the Last Days—Preparing for the Return of Christ
Week 1
Living Ready Series: Preparing for the Return of Christ
We're living in unprecedented times. Wars, natural disasters, artificial intelligence, political division—the world seems to be spinning faster than ever. And if you've ever wondered whether we're living in the last days, you're not alone. In fact, believers have been asking this question for 2,000 years.
The truth is, we are living in the last days. We have been since Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out His Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From that moment forward, humanity entered God's final chapter of redemption. Every generation since has carried the same call: to live with spiritual urgency, knowing that each day brings us closer to the return of the King.
But here's the question that should grip our hearts: Are we ready?
The Church at Thessalonica: A Mirror for Today
Around 50-51 A.D., the Apostle Paul planted a church in Thessalonica, a major port city and the capital of Macedonia. He preached there for only three weeks before angry mobs forced him to flee for his life. Left behind were brand-new believers—fresh converts who had just turned from paganism to Christ—and they were scared, confused, and asking urgent questions: When is Jesus coming back? What are we supposed to do now?
Paul wrote them a letter—what we know as 1 Thessalonians—not to frighten them, but to steady their faith. His message to them is the same message we need today: believers must live ready in the last days by turning, serving, and waiting.
Turn from Idols That Deceive to the God Who Saves
Paul commended the Thessalonians for one clear reason: "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
In ancient Thessalonica, idolatry was everywhere. People worshiped Greek gods like Zeus and Apollo. They revered Caesar as lord. They kept household figurines and prayed to them for protection, fertility, and financial blessing. When these new believers turned to Christ, their transformation was unmistakable. Everyone knew they belonged to Jesus now.
But what about us? We may not bow to Zeus, but we absolutely have idols.
An idol is anything we put in God's place—anything we ask to do what only God can do. For some, it's success and the endless hustle to climb the career ladder, believing our worth is in what we produce. For others, it's pleasure, comfort, and material possessions—the bigger house, the luxury car, the dream vacation. We can idolize relationships, putting a spouse or children above God. We can worship technology, scrolling endlessly through social media, craving digital approval. We can idolize politics, placing our hope in human government rather than God's kingdom. And perhaps most dangerously, we can idolize ourselves—living for our own happiness, our own truth, our own way.
Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, people would be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
Sound familiar?
Living ready means making a conscious choice: Will we follow Christ or the world? We cannot straddle the fence. Like Joshua, we must declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Serve the Living God with Complete Loyalty
Turning to God is a one-time event—the moment of salvation when we are justified by Christ's blood and made new. But serving God faithfully is a daily decision.
The Greek word for "serve" in 1 Thessalonians is douleuo, which means to serve with complete loyalty, putting the will of another above your own. This is what the old saints meant when they said they were "sold out for Christ." Serving Jesus isn't a Sunday religious activity; it's a daily surrender.
It's not "God, bless my agenda." It's "God, I exist to serve Your agenda."
We serve the living God—the God who hears our prayers, speaks, moves, and saves. Unlike lifeless idols that promise freedom but deliver enslavement, our God is alive. He's the one who conquered death, rose from the grave, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.
Serving God should never be a burden. It's the highest honor—knowing that the Creator of the universe has chosen us to play a part in bringing His kingdom to earth. What a privilege!
Wait Actively, Preparing for His Return
Paul told the Thessalonians to "wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
But waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. The Greek word for waiting—anameno—means to remain, to stay, to abide with intense expectation. It's the same language Jesus used in John 15 when He said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you."
We wait actively. We wait faithfully. We wait with great expectation because today could be the day.
When Jesus' disciples asked when He would return, He said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). We don't know when, but we do know we're one day closer than we were yesterday.
So how should we live?
Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That order still stands. Our job is to get as many people to Christ as humanly possible while God gives us time. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth—loving people, forgiving those who've wronged us, and sharing the gospel with urgency.
Four Questions to Ask Yourself
As we live in these last days, consider these sobering questions:
1. Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
Jesus said, "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15). Are you holding a grudge?
2. Have I shared my faith with those who need Jesus?
God has strategically placed you in the lives of people who are far from Him—family members, friends, coworkers. Have you told them about Christ?
3. Am I more focused on this world than eternity?
James asks, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Are you living for the temporary or the eternal?
4. Am I trusting in God's grace alone to save me?
"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" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation cannot be earned. Have you simply received the gift?
The Trumpet Could Sound at Any Moment
Jesus could return at any moment. Not someday. Not maybe. At any moment, the trumpet could sound, the sky could open, and every knee would bow.
And here's what we must understand: when that trumpet sounds, it will be too late for those who aren't in Christ. There will be no do-overs, no second chances.
That's why it's so urgent to be ready now.
The good news is this: Jesus isn't trying to condemn you. He's calling you. His arms are open. His grace is still available. His blood still washes away every sin.
Today is the day of salvation.
Turn from your idols. Serve the living God. Wait actively with joyful expectation.
Because our King—He's coming soon.
Join Us at New Life Church
If you're looking for a church in Rocky Mount, NC or the surrounding communities, we'd love to welcome you to New Life Church. Join us each Sunday as we worship together, study God's Word, and grow in faith.
Whether you're new to church or searching for a church home, you're invited.
? Plan Your Visit
Living Ready Series: Preparing for the Return of Christ
We're living in unprecedented times. Wars, natural disasters, artificial intelligence, political division—the world seems to be spinning faster than ever. And if you've ever wondered whether we're living in the last days, you're not alone. In fact, believers have been asking this question for 2,000 years.
The truth is, we are living in the last days. We have been since Jesus ascended into heaven and poured out His Holy Spirit at Pentecost. From that moment forward, humanity entered God's final chapter of redemption. Every generation since has carried the same call: to live with spiritual urgency, knowing that each day brings us closer to the return of the King.
But here's the question that should grip our hearts: Are we ready?
The Church at Thessalonica: A Mirror for Today
Around 50-51 A.D., the Apostle Paul planted a church in Thessalonica, a major port city and the capital of Macedonia. He preached there for only three weeks before angry mobs forced him to flee for his life. Left behind were brand-new believers—fresh converts who had just turned from paganism to Christ—and they were scared, confused, and asking urgent questions: When is Jesus coming back? What are we supposed to do now?
Paul wrote them a letter—what we know as 1 Thessalonians—not to frighten them, but to steady their faith. His message to them is the same message we need today: believers must live ready in the last days by turning, serving, and waiting.
Turn from Idols That Deceive to the God Who Saves
Paul commended the Thessalonians for one clear reason: "They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thessalonians 1:9).
In ancient Thessalonica, idolatry was everywhere. People worshiped Greek gods like Zeus and Apollo. They revered Caesar as lord. They kept household figurines and prayed to them for protection, fertility, and financial blessing. When these new believers turned to Christ, their transformation was unmistakable. Everyone knew they belonged to Jesus now.
But what about us? We may not bow to Zeus, but we absolutely have idols.
An idol is anything we put in God's place—anything we ask to do what only God can do. For some, it's success and the endless hustle to climb the career ladder, believing our worth is in what we produce. For others, it's pleasure, comfort, and material possessions—the bigger house, the luxury car, the dream vacation. We can idolize relationships, putting a spouse or children above God. We can worship technology, scrolling endlessly through social media, craving digital approval. We can idolize politics, placing our hope in human government rather than God's kingdom. And perhaps most dangerously, we can idolize ourselves—living for our own happiness, our own truth, our own way.
Paul warned Timothy that in the last days, people would be "lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
Sound familiar?
Living ready means making a conscious choice: Will we follow Christ or the world? We cannot straddle the fence. Like Joshua, we must declare, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Serve the Living God with Complete Loyalty
Turning to God is a one-time event—the moment of salvation when we are justified by Christ's blood and made new. But serving God faithfully is a daily decision.
The Greek word for "serve" in 1 Thessalonians is douleuo, which means to serve with complete loyalty, putting the will of another above your own. This is what the old saints meant when they said they were "sold out for Christ." Serving Jesus isn't a Sunday religious activity; it's a daily surrender.
It's not "God, bless my agenda." It's "God, I exist to serve Your agenda."
We serve the living God—the God who hears our prayers, speaks, moves, and saves. Unlike lifeless idols that promise freedom but deliver enslavement, our God is alive. He's the one who conquered death, rose from the grave, and is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.
Serving God should never be a burden. It's the highest honor—knowing that the Creator of the universe has chosen us to play a part in bringing His kingdom to earth. What a privilege!
Wait Actively, Preparing for His Return
Paul told the Thessalonians to "wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath" (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
But waiting doesn't mean doing nothing. The Greek word for waiting—anameno—means to remain, to stay, to abide with intense expectation. It's the same language Jesus used in John 15 when He said, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you."
We wait actively. We wait faithfully. We wait with great expectation because today could be the day.
When Jesus' disciples asked when He would return, He said, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36). We don't know when, but we do know we're one day closer than we were yesterday.
So how should we live?
Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). That order still stands. Our job is to get as many people to Christ as humanly possible while God gives us time. We are to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth—loving people, forgiving those who've wronged us, and sharing the gospel with urgency.
Four Questions to Ask Yourself
As we live in these last days, consider these sobering questions:
1. Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
Jesus said, "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins" (Matthew 6:14-15). Are you holding a grudge?
2. Have I shared my faith with those who need Jesus?
God has strategically placed you in the lives of people who are far from Him—family members, friends, coworkers. Have you told them about Christ?
3. Am I more focused on this world than eternity?
James asks, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). Are you living for the temporary or the eternal?
4. Am I trusting in God's grace alone to save me?
"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" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation cannot be earned. Have you simply received the gift?
The Trumpet Could Sound at Any Moment
Jesus could return at any moment. Not someday. Not maybe. At any moment, the trumpet could sound, the sky could open, and every knee would bow.
And here's what we must understand: when that trumpet sounds, it will be too late for those who aren't in Christ. There will be no do-overs, no second chances.
That's why it's so urgent to be ready now.
The good news is this: Jesus isn't trying to condemn you. He's calling you. His arms are open. His grace is still available. His blood still washes away every sin.
Today is the day of salvation.
Turn from your idols. Serve the living God. Wait actively with joyful expectation.
Because our King—He's coming soon.
Join Us at New Life Church
If you're looking for a church in Rocky Mount, NC or the surrounding communities, we'd love to welcome you to New Life Church. Join us each Sunday as we worship together, study God's Word, and grow in faith.
Whether you're new to church or searching for a church home, you're invited.
? Plan Your Visit
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