Living Boldly in Faith During Uncertain Times

Today, we gathered as one church across many locations, united in expectation that God would move among us. In a week marked by tragedy and loss, we remembered the bold faith of Charlie Kirk, whose legacy challenges us to live courageously for Christ, especially in these uncertain times. As we continue our series on the end times, we turned to the practical wisdom of Peter, who speaks directly to how we should live as we await Christ’s return.

Peter’s counsel is refreshingly straightforward. He urges us not to react with panic or reckless decisions, but instead to anchor ourselves in earnest and disciplined prayer. In these last days, our greatest need is to stay close to God’s heart, making prayer a non-negotiable priority. Alongside this, Peter calls us to show deep, sacrificial love for fellow believers—supporting, encouraging, and even sharing our homes and resources with one another. This kind of love, Jesus said, is the mark by which the world will recognize us as His disciples.

Peter also warns that in the end times, scoffers will mock the truth and the promise of Christ’s return, tempting us to complacency or doubt. Yet, God’s apparent delay is not slowness, but patience—His desire is that none should perish, but all would come to repentance. This truth should ignite urgency in us: to live each day as if it could be our last, boldly sharing Christ’s love and message with a world in need.

Peter reminds us that God is both gracious and just. Just as in the days of Noah and Lot, God’s patience has a limit; judgment will come. Therefore, we are called to live holy and godly lives, marked by continual repentance, humility, and a longing for Christ’s return. When we live this way, we can look forward to the day of the Lord with hope, not fear.

Finally, Peter paints a picture of the church as a grove of mighty redwoods—our lives intertwined, supporting one another through every storm. We are called to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, never isolating ourselves, but becoming deeply connected with other believers. In these last days, this kind of community is not optional—it is essential for standing firm and shining bright.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Bold Faith in Uncertain Times In a world that often mocks truth and faith, we are called to live with boldness—not out of anger or superiority, but with a love that is both courageous and compassionate. Our legacy should be one of unwavering faith, visible to all, especially when the world is at its darkest. This boldness is not self-generated, but flows from a deep relationship with Christ and a commitment to His truth. [24:21]
• 2. Practical Holiness: Prayer, Love, and Generosity Peter’s instructions are intensely practical: pray earnestly and with discipline, love other believers deeply, and cheerfully share what you have. These are not mere religious duties, but lifelines that keep us anchored to God and each other in turbulent times. Holiness is not abstract; it is lived out in daily choices to draw near to God and sacrificially serve others. [32:58]
• 3. Living with Urgency and Expectation The reality that Christ could return at any moment should infuse our lives with urgency—not anxiety, but a passionate desire to make every day count for God’s kingdom. Complacency is the enemy of faithfulness; we are called to live as if today could be our last opportunity to love, serve, and witness. This urgency is fueled by the knowledge that God’s patience is for the sake of more souls coming to repentance. [41:37]
• 4. God’s Grace and Judgment: Two Sides of His Character God’s heart is both gracious and just—He longs for all to be saved, yet He will bring judgment on unrepentant sin. The stories of Noah and Lot remind us that God’s patience has an end, and that salvation is found in surrendering to Christ. Living in light of both grace and judgment keeps us humble, repentant, and eager to share the hope we have. [46:51]
• 5. Rooted Together: The Power of Spiritual Community Like the redwoods whose roots are intertwined, we are called to be deeply connected with other believers. This kind of community is not just for comfort, but for survival and flourishing in the last days. When our lives are engrafted with others, we can withstand the fiercest storms, share resources, and grow together in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. [54:48]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:30] - Honoring Charlie Kirk’s Bold Faith
• [04:45] - The Urgency of the End Times
• [07:10] - Lessons from Jesus, Daniel, and Paul
• [12:30] - Introducing Peter’s Practical Wisdom
• [15:05] - Planning for the End: Peter’s Approach
• [18:20] - Pray Earnestly and Stay Close to God
• [21:00] - Deep Love and Generosity Among Believers
• [24:21] - Living Boldly Without Fear or Anger
• [26:34] - The Hope of Christ’s Return
• [31:05] - Avoiding Panic and Foolish Decisions
• [32:58] - Practical Steps for End-Time Living
• [35:22] - The Power of Christian Community
• [39:51] - Scoffers, Mockers, and the Call to Urgency
• [41:37] - Living Each Day with Eternal Perspective
• [46:51] - God’s Grace and Coming Judgment
• [51:40] - Living Holy, Peaceful, and Repentant Lives
• [54:48] - The Redwood Analogy: Rooted in Community
• [57:19] - Prayer and Commitment to Bold Faith
• [58:03] - Closing Blessing and Challenge

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:7-9 (ESV) — > The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

2 Peter 3:3-14, 17-18 (ESV) — > (Selected verses)
> 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” ... 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God... 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace... 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John 13:35 (ESV) — > By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Peter 4:7-9, what three practical instructions does Peter give for living in the “end of all things”?
2. In 2 Peter 3, what reasons does Peter give for why Jesus has not yet returned? ([44:25])
3. What does Jesus say will be the mark by which the world recognizes his disciples, according to John 13:35?
4. In the sermon, what analogy does the pastor use to describe the kind of community believers should have in the last days? ([54:48])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Peter emphasize earnest and disciplined prayer as a priority for believers living in the last days? How might this help us avoid panic or reckless decisions? ([32:58])
2. What does it mean for love to “cover a multitude of sins” in the context of Christian community? How does this relate to the way we handle conflict or disappointment with other believers? ([35:22])
3. Peter says that God’s delay in Christ’s return is not slowness, but patience. How should this truth affect the way we view our time and purpose on earth? ([44:25])
4. The sermon describes God as both gracious and just, referencing the stories of Noah and Lot. How does living with an awareness of both God’s grace and judgment shape our daily choices and attitudes? ([46:51])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to live with “bold faith” that is courageous and compassionate, not angry or superior. In what situations do you find it hardest to be bold for Christ without becoming defensive or prideful? ([24:21])
2. Peter calls us to make prayer a non-negotiable priority. What specific step could you take this week to make your prayer life more earnest and disciplined? ([32:58])
3. Think of a time when you were tempted to isolate yourself during a difficult season. How might you have benefited from being more deeply connected to other believers, like the redwoods’ intertwined roots? ([54:48])
4. The sermon says that sacrificial love and generosity are “lifelines” in turbulent times. Is there a practical way you can show deep love or share your resources with someone in your church family this month? ([35:22])
5. Peter warns that scoffers will try to shake our faith and make us complacent. Are there voices or influences in your life that tempt you to doubt or become spiritually lazy? How can you guard your heart against them? ([39:51])
6. The reality of God’s coming judgment is meant to keep us humble and repentant. Is there an area of your life that you need to surrender or repent of today? What would it look like to take that step? ([46:51])
7. The pastor described the church as a grove of redwoods, where believers support and nourish each other. What is one way you can intentionally “engraft” your life with others in this group or in the wider church community? ([54:48])