The End is Near: Living Faithfully While We Wait

Devotional

Day 1: Living in Hope: The End is Near, Jesus is Coming

The knowledge that Jesus will return and make all things right is not meant to fill us with fear or anxiety, but to anchor us in hope and shape how we live today. Rather than obsessing over predictions or worrying about the details, we are invited to fix our eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will bring about the new heavens and new earth, restoring all things to their intended glory. This hope is not escapism, but a call to live faithfully in the present, knowing that our story is moving toward a beautiful conclusion in Christ. [42:18]

1 Peter 4:7 (NIV)
"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus will return one day change the way you approach your daily life and decisions right now?

Day 2: Faithful Living: Love, Hospitality, and Service

As we wait for Jesus’ return, we are called to live out our faith in practical ways—by loving one another deeply, forgiving each other, showing hospitality without grumbling, and using our gifts to serve others. These everyday acts of love and service are not just good deeds; they are the very ways we prepare for Christ’s coming and reflect His grace to the world. In a world that often encourages self-preservation or fear, we are invited to be people who love, forgive, welcome, and speak life, embodying the heart of Jesus in our community. [49:54]

1 Peter 4:8-11 (NIV)
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally show love, hospitality, or forgiveness to this week, and what specific step can you take to do it?

Day 3: Enduring Suffering with God’s Strength

Suffering is a reality in this world, but as followers of Jesus, we are not left alone in our pain. We are encouraged to entrust ourselves to our faithful Creator, knowing that Jesus Himself suffered and walks with us in our trials. Rather than being surprised or discouraged by hardship, we can find hope in the promise that suffering is temporary and that God will use it to draw us closer to Him and to one another. In the midst of difficulty, we are called to endure together, supporting each other and trusting that God will ultimately restore and heal. [58:15]

1 Peter 4:12-19 (NIV)
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And, 'If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?' So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you experiencing suffering or hardship, and how can you entrust that situation to God’s care today?

Day 4: Shepherding Others with Willingness and Care

God calls each of us to shepherd and care for those He has placed in our lives, whether in the church, our families, or our workplaces. This is not about power or control, but about serving willingly, humbly, and with the heart of a true shepherd—guiding, nurturing, and tending to others as Christ does for us. We are invited to see ourselves as part of a spiritual family, where the wisdom and care of those who have walked with God longer can bless and support the younger or newer members. In every sphere of influence, we can reflect God’s love by shepherding with grace and humility. [01:05:16]

1 Peter 5:1-5 (NIV)
"To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, 'God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.'"

Reflection: Who has God placed in your life that you can shepherd, encourage, or care for this week, and what is one way you can do so willingly and with humility?

Day 5: Standing Firm in Humility and God’s Grace

The call to humility is an invitation to recognize our need for God and to cast all our cares upon Him, trusting that He truly cares for us. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but about seeing ourselves rightly in light of God’s love and grace. As we humble ourselves, we become more aware of our dependence on God and more able to resist the enemy’s schemes, standing firm in faith. God promises to restore, establish, strengthen, and support us, no matter what we face. Our task is to stand firm in His grace, knowing that He is faithful to complete what He has begun in us. [01:10:31]

1 Peter 5:6-11 (NIV)
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

Reflection: What is one worry, fear, or burden you need to humbly give to God today, trusting that He cares for you and will sustain you?

Sermon Summary

On this chilly Sunday, we gathered as a community to remember that every act of coming together—especially when it’s hard to leave the comfort of home—is itself a step of faith. Jesus meets us right where we are, offering freedom, healing, and hope, just as He did when He first read from Isaiah in His hometown. As we worship, we’re reminded that God is present, inviting us to bring our whole selves—our joys, our struggles, our questions—into His presence.

Today, we turned our attention to a topic that often stirs up anxiety and confusion: the end of the world. Rather than getting lost in predictions or fear, we looked at what Scripture actually says. Peter, writing to early Christians, gives only a brief mention: “The end of all things is near.” Instead of focusing on dates or disasters, Peter’s emphasis is on how knowing the end changes how we live now. Like watching a movie when you already know the ending, understanding that Jesus will return to set all things right should shape our present with hope, not fear.

Biblically, “the end” is not about destruction or escape, but about Jesus returning to restore and renew. Revelation’s focus is not on dragons or conspiracies, but on Jesus Himself. The commands are simple: keep your eyes on Him and do not be afraid. When our attention is fixed on Christ, fear loses its grip.

Peter then gives us practical instructions for living in this “in-between” time. We are called to be alert and prayerful, to love one another deeply, to practice hospitality without grumbling, to forgive, and to use our gifts to serve others. Our words should bring life, and our actions should reflect the grace we’ve received. Suffering is part of the journey, but we are not alone—God is faithful, and our community is a conduit of His grace.

Leadership, whether in the church or in our daily lives, is to be exercised with humility and a shepherd’s heart. We are to care for those entrusted to us, modeling the love and gentleness of Christ. Humility is foundational: we cast all our cares on God because He cares for us. We resist the adversary not by our own strength, but by standing firm in the grace and support God provides.

Ultimately, we are invited to stand firm in the true grace of God, to endure, to shepherd, to love, and to hope. Whatever our circumstances, Jesus is with us, and He will one day make every wrong thing right. Until then, we follow Him step by step, trusting in His faithfulness and generosity.

Key Takeaways

1. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not predictions The heart of biblical teaching about the end is not about knowing dates or deciphering signs, but about focusing on Jesus Himself. When our attention is on Christ—His character, His promises, His return—fear and anxiety about the future lose their power. The more we behold Him, the more we are anchored in hope and freed from the need to control or predict. [47:14]
2. Live faithfully in the “in-between” Knowing that Jesus will return should shape our present lives with purpose and love. We are called to be alert, prayerful, loving, hospitable, and forgiving—not as a way to earn God’s favor, but as a response to His grace. Our daily faithfulness is the way we prepare for His coming, and it is in these ordinary acts that we reflect His kingdom. [49:54]
3. Endure suffering with trust in God’s faithfulness Suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity to entrust ourselves to the One who knows our pain. Jesus, the suffering servant, walks with us in every trial. We are invited to endure, not by gritting our teeth, but by leaning into God’s strength and the support of our community, knowing that suffering is temporary and restoration is promised. [58:15]
4. Shepherd and serve with humility Whether leading in the church, at home, or in the workplace, we are called to shepherd others willingly and gently. True leadership is marked by humility, care, and a willingness to serve rather than dominate. In God’s family, we find spiritual mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters—each called to nurture and guide one another toward Christ. [65:16]
5. Stand firm in grace and cast your cares on God Humility is the soil in which trust grows. We are invited to cast all our anxieties on God, not because He is obligated, but because He genuinely cares for us. Standing firm in grace means resisting the adversary, not by our own might, but by relying on God’s promise to restore, establish, strengthen, and support us. [70:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[13:32] - Opening Prayer: God Who Shows Up
[19:46] - Introducing the Topic: The End of the World
[36:43] - Misconceptions and Baggage About the End
[39:27] - Peter’s Seven Words on the End
[42:18] - What Does “The End” Mean Biblically?
[45:13] - Jesus’ Teaching: Be Watchful, Not Predictive
[47:14] - Revelation’s Focus: Behold Jesus, Do Not Fear
[49:54] - Living in Light of the End: Practical Instructions
[51:14] - Love, Forgiveness, and Hospitality
[53:57] - Enduring Suffering and Entrusting Ourselves to God
[56:03] - Suffering, Community, and God’s Faithfulness
[60:37] - Shepherding and Leadership in the Church
[65:16] - Humility and Casting Cares on God
[70:31] - God’s Promise: Restoration and Support
[72:37] - Final Greetings and Cultural Notes
[75:03] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[78:31] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
[81:03] - Announcements: Generosity and Community Care
[85:24] - Testimony: God’s Faithfulness in the Everyday
[87:17] - Offering Firstfruits and Prayer
[91:22] - Blessing the Food and Fellowship

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:7–11 (NIV) — > 7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:6–11 (NIV) — > 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Mark 13:32–37 (NIV) — > 32 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36 If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:7–11, what are some specific ways Peter says we should live “because the end of all things is near”?
In 1 Peter 5:6–11, what does Peter say we should do with our anxieties, and why?
In Mark 13:32–37, what does Jesus say about knowing the timing of his return? What is the main instruction he gives his followers?
The sermon mentioned that Revelation’s main focus is not on “dragons or conspiracies,” but on Jesus himself. What are the two main commands given in Revelation, according to the sermon? ([47:14])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Peter spends so little time talking about the details of “the end” and so much time on how we should live right now? ([39:27])
The sermon compared knowing the end of a movie to knowing Jesus will return. How does knowing the ending change the way Christians are supposed to live in the present? ([36:43])
Peter tells us to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” What does it look like to actually do this in daily life? ([01:05:16])
The sermon says that suffering is not a sign of God’s absence, but an opportunity to trust him. How might this perspective change the way someone goes through hard times? ([58:15])

Application Questions

The sermon said, “When our attention is fixed on Christ, fear loses its grip.” Is there a specific fear or anxiety about the future that you need to bring to Jesus this week? What would it look like to “fix your eyes on Jesus” in that area? ([47:14])
Peter calls us to “love one another deeply” and to “practice hospitality without grumbling.” Who is someone in your life you could show deeper love or hospitality to this week? What is one practical step you could take? ([49:54])
The sermon talked about forgiving others as part of loving deeply. Is there someone you need to forgive, or a relationship that needs mending? What is one small step you could take toward forgiveness or reconciliation? ([51:14])
The message said, “Suffering is part of the journey, but we are not alone—God is faithful, and our community is a conduit of His grace.” When you face suffering or hardship, do you tend to isolate or reach out? How could you invite others into your struggles, or be a support for someone else this week? ([58:15])
Peter instructs leaders to “shepherd God’s flock… not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Where has God given you influence (family, work, church, friendships)? How can you lead or care for others with humility and a shepherd’s heart this week? ([01:05:16])
The sermon said, “Humility is the soil in which trust grows. We are invited to cast all our anxieties on God, not because He is obligated, but because He genuinely cares for us.” What is one area of your life where you need to practice humility and trust God more? ([01:05:16])
The message ended with the question, “What is the next step Jesus is inviting you into?” Take a moment to reflect: What is one step of faith, love, or trust you sense God is calling you to take this week? ([01:15:03])

Sermon Clips

God doesn't just burn it all down. God brings the new heavens and new earth down and restores all things to the glory that they should be. Isn't that beautiful? That's why I think kind of like that silly song, like, just you wait, hallelujah, I'm going up. I don't know if that is the best perspective to have, because biblically speaking, it actually says Jesus comes down. [00:44:01] (26 seconds) #JesusComesDown

``The book of Revelation says our two main tasks when it comes to thinking about this stuff. Keep your eyes on Jesus, behold him, and don't be afraid. And you know how you accomplish the second one? By obeying the first one. Because the more you see Jesus in all of his glory and his power, the more fear fades. The more you come alive to his love, it says in the book of John, perfect love casts out all fear. [00:48:16] (29 seconds) #PerfectLoveCastsOutFear

As you wait, as you wait for the return of Jesus, you are going to suffer. But as you do, entrust yourselves to your faithful Creator while doing what is good. This is the big idea he's getting at with this section and what he's gotten at with a lot of his talks about suffering. He's saying, I see you in your suffering. If you're going to suffer, if it's going to happen anyway, do it for being good rather than being silly. [00:55:46] (27 seconds) #SufferWellDoGood

Jesus was known as the suffering servant. Of all the ways He decided to come and save humanity, He did it by bearing our sufferings with us. When Jesus died on the cross, He died for every sin you and I have ever done, but He also died for the sin done to us. He took on the pain we have experienced in suffering in the cross. [00:58:15] (24 seconds) #JesusSufferedWithUs

The invitation of Peter here is, the end of all things is near. That's as if for him to say, I want to remind you it won't be forever. Keep your eyes on the Jesus who will do away with suffering forever. Don't ever lose sight of that. And in the meantime, you can endure because you can entrust yourself to the one who has been faithful to you. [00:58:56] (22 seconds) #EndIsNearStayFaithful

It's likely that as they heard this, as we hear this, we can think, okay, we can endure because we can entrust ourselves to a loving Creator, and the people around me are brothers and sisters in Christ who are conduits of God's grace. You're not meant to suffer alone. Don't be surprised when you suffer, but you have a God and you have a community to walk through this with you together. [00:59:38] (26 seconds) #NotAloneInSuffering

He invites us to humble ourselves. That is the invitation. And He reminds us that we have the ability to cast all of our cares upon God. And it's not because He has to. It's not because He's on call from 9 to 5 and He has to take your calls and complaints. It's because He cares about you. He's not annoyed when you're stressed and you want to talk to Him. [01:07:07] (26 seconds) #CastCaresOnGod

Humility is this place where we don't have to shrink ourselves or inflate ourselves. We can just be who we are. If we know that we are found in the love of a God who cares for us and loves us, I don't have to pretend to be a worm because I know He saved me. I also don't have to act like I'm all big and tough and strong because He saved me. [01:08:08] (23 seconds) #HumilityInFaith

Remember that the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory in Christ will restore you, He will establish you, He will strengthen you, and He will support you. You know what the craziest thing about Scripture is? One of the crazy things is whenever someone finds themselves in a battle, God says, hold up, I got this. [01:10:33] (23 seconds) #GodHasYouCovered

But I believe that the reality is that He wants to communicate His grace to you, that you could stand firm in it, and that you would find Him wonderfully bringing you home at the end of all things. Because whatever suffering it is, I'm not downplaying it. The invitation of Jesus is to remember I'm with you in it, and it will only be for a little while. [01:17:42] (23 seconds) #FollowAndStandFirm

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