Living Faithfully in the End Times

The reality of living in the end times is not meant to fill us with fear or confusion, but to call us to a life of faithfulness, urgency, and encouragement. Since the moment Jesus walked the earth, died, and rose again, the clock on the end times began ticking. We are now closer than ever to the return of Christ, and while we cannot control or predict the timing, we are called to live in a way that honors God and prepares us—and others—for that day.

Jesus and the writers of Scripture, like Daniel and Paul, consistently urge us to remain faithful and keep watch. Faithfulness is not about perfection, but about a steady, enduring commitment to Christ, even when life is comfortable or when challenges arise. The promise is clear: those who remain faithful will be rescued.

Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, teaches that the rapture—the sudden, unannounced gathering of the faithful to meet Jesus in the clouds—will happen in an instant. There will be no warning, no time to prepare at the last minute. The line is drawn between those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus and those who have not. This reality should stir in us a deep urgency, not just for our own readiness, but for the salvation of those around us.

This urgency is not driven by fear, but by love—the same love that God showed us in Christ. Our mission is to invite others into this journey, to refuse to follow Jesus alone, and to pray for open doors to share His love. Paul’s own heart broke for those who did not know Christ, and we are called to let that same passion move us beyond our fears and selfishness.

In these challenging days, encouragement becomes essential. Paul instructs us to encourage one another, to strengthen each other’s hearts, especially as opposition and difficulty increase. The power of encouragement is multiplied in the context of strong relationships, which is why being part of a life group or close Christian community is so vital. Encouragement is not just a nice gesture—it is a spiritual lifeline that helps us and others remain faithful and courageous until Christ returns.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Faithfulness Over Perfection The call is not to be perfect, but to be faithful. Faithfulness means staying committed to Christ through every season—when life is easy and when it’s hard. The promise of rescue is for those who endure, not for those who never stumble. In the end, it is the faithful, not the flawless, who will be gathered to Jesus. [12:22]
• 2. The Rapture: Sudden and Defining The rapture will occur without warning, separating those who have truly surrendered to Christ from those who have not. There will be no time for last-minute decisions; readiness is a daily posture. This reality should shape our priorities and keep us spiritually alert, living each day as if it could be the day we meet Jesus in the clouds. [22:21]
• 3. Urgency Rooted in God’s Love Our urgency to reach the lost must be fueled by the love God has shown us, not by guilt or fear. Paul’s example shows a heart so moved for others that he would give anything for their salvation. Letting God’s love overcome our fear and selfishness empowers us to invite others into the journey and to live for a mission greater than ourselves. [33:36]
• 4. Encouragement as a Spiritual Lifeline Encouragement is more than kind words; it is the strengthening of the heart, especially in difficult times. As opposition to faith increases, we need to build each other up, reminding one another of the hope and future we have in Christ. The strength of our encouragement is directly tied to the depth of our relationships—community is essential for thriving in the last days. [41:45]
• 5. Living as a Beacon: Community and Mission The church is called to be a city on a hill, shining the love of Christ with urgency and compassion. This means inviting others, praying for open doors, and refusing to walk the journey alone. By being the church—encouraging one another and reaching the lost—we reflect God’s heart and prepare ourselves and our communities for Christ’s return. [45:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:10] - Gratitude for the Church Family
• [03:00] - Introduction to “The End” Series
• [05:30] - When Did the End Times Begin?
• [07:45] - What Should We Do in the End Times?
• [12:22] - The Call to Faithfulness
• [18:07] - Losing What’s Important: A Parable
• [19:45] - The Rapture Explained
• [22:21] - The Suddenness of Christ’s Return
• [26:34] - Meeting Jesus in the Clouds
• [30:08] - Why We Want Heaven Filled
• [31:57] - How Should We Live?
• [33:36] - Urgency Rooted in God’s Love
• [39:14] - The Power of Encouragement
• [41:45] - Encouragement and Community
• [45:53] - Life Groups and Building Each Other Up
• [46:28] - Closing Prayer and Challenge

Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (ESV) — > For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Matthew 24:40-42 (ESV) — > Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV) — > For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Observation Questions

1. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, what will happen to believers when the Lord returns? How is this event described? [19:45]
2. In Matthew 24:40-42, what does Jesus say about the suddenness of His return? What examples does He use to illustrate this? [22:21]
3. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, what does Paul say should motivate the way we live as followers of Jesus? [32:49]
4. The sermon mentions that faithfulness, not perfection, is what Jesus and the writers of Scripture call us to. What does it mean to be faithful according to the message? [12:22]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that the rapture will happen suddenly, “in the twinkling of an eye,” with no warning? How might this affect the way believers live day to day? [19:45]
2. The sermon says, “Faithfulness is not about perfection, but about a steady, enduring commitment to Christ, even when life is comfortable or when challenges arise.” Why is it important to distinguish between faithfulness and perfection? [12:22]
3. Paul’s heart for the lost is described as so urgent that he would “be willing to be forever cursed…if it would save them” (Romans 9, referenced in the sermon). What does this reveal about the kind of love and urgency God wants us to have for others? [33:36]
4. The message says encouragement is a “spiritual lifeline” and that its power is multiplied in strong relationships. Why do you think encouragement is so vital, especially as opposition to faith increases? [41:45]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to live with a sense of urgency, not out of fear, but out of love for others. Who in your life do you feel a sense of urgency to pray for or invite into a relationship with Jesus? What is one step you can take this week to reach out to them? [33:36]
2. Faithfulness is described as “staying committed to Christ through every season—when life is easy and when it’s hard.” Think about your current season of life. What does faithfulness look like for you right now? Are there areas where you feel tempted to drift or get comfortable? [12:22]
3. The rapture is described as a sudden event with no time for last-minute decisions. If Jesus returned today, would you feel ready? If not, what needs to change in your relationship with Him? [22:21]
4. The message says, “Refuse to follow Jesus alone.” Are you currently walking with others in your faith journey, or do you tend to go it alone? What could you do to build deeper spiritual relationships? [45:53]
5. Encouragement is more than kind words—it’s “strengthening the heart.” Who has encouraged you in your faith recently, and how did it impact you? Who is someone you can intentionally encourage this week, and what will you do? [41:45]
6. The sermon talks about praying for “open doors” to share God’s love. When was the last time you prayed for an opportunity to share your faith? Will you commit to praying this prayer daily for the next week? [33:36]
7. The strength of encouragement is tied to the depth of relationships. Are you part of a life group or Christian community where you both give and receive encouragement? If not, what is holding you back from joining or starting one? [45:53]