Living with Urgency: Love and Community in the Last Days

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Urgency and Purpose

In the "last days," which began with Jesus' first coming and will conclude with His return, believers are called to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. This period is characterized by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, urging us to remain patient and faithful despite the apparent delay in Christ's return. Understanding that God's perspective on time is vastly different from ours can help us maintain our focus and commitment. What seems like a long wait to us is but a moment to God, and this realization should inspire us to live intentionally, making the most of every opportunity to serve and glorify Him. [03:01]

"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you live with a greater sense of urgency and purpose today, knowing that God's timing is different from yours?

Day 2: Prioritizing Prayer Over Productivity

Prayer is a vital connection to God that requires sobriety and self-control, free from the distractions of worldly productivity. In a culture that often values busyness and tangible achievements, prioritizing prayer can be a counter-cultural act of faith. It is essential to approach prayer with a sober mind, recognizing it as more than a ritual but as a lifeline to God. By setting aside time for prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on Him and open ourselves to His guidance and strength. [06:37]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 4:2, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to prioritize prayer over productivity in your daily routine?

Day 3: Love as a Heartfelt Commitment

Love, as described by the Apostle Peter, is not merely an action but a heartfelt commitment that covers a multitude of sins. In times of stress and difficulty, love becomes the glue that holds communities together, enabling us to practice radical hospitality and support one another. This kind of love requires intentionality and a willingness to put others' needs above our own, fostering unity and strength within the body of Christ. [09:54]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience your earnest love today, and how can you show it to them in a tangible way?

Day 4: Practicing Radical Hospitality

Opening our homes and hearts to others is a survival strategy for the church in the end times. Hospitality without grumbling is a radical act that fosters community and provides refuge in times of need. By welcoming others into our lives, we create spaces of safety and belonging, reflecting the love and acceptance of Christ. This practice not only strengthens the church but also serves as a powerful witness to the world. [12:50]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice radical hospitality this week, and who might God be calling you to welcome into your home or life?

Day 5: Embracing Forbearance and Forgiveness

While forgiveness is ideal, forbearance is essential when differences cannot be reconciled. Bearing with one another, even amidst disagreements, is a testament to the love that covers all things and is crucial for the endurance of families and churches. This kind of love requires patience and humility, recognizing that unity is more important than uniformity. By choosing to forbear, we demonstrate the grace and mercy that God extends to us. [17:35]

"Bear with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." (Colossians 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: Is there someone you need to forbear with today, and how can you extend grace to them despite your differences?

Sermon Summary

In this message, we explore the profound implications of living in the "last days," a period that began with the coming of Jesus and will culminate in His return. This era is marked by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the call to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. The Apostle Peter reminds us that, in God's perspective, time is vastly different from our own; what seems like a long delay to us is but a moment to Him. This understanding should inspire us to live with self-control and sobriety, especially in our prayer lives. Prayer is not just a ritual but a vital connection to God that requires vigilance and a sober mind, free from the distractions and intoxications of worldly productivity.

As we navigate these challenging times, the call to love one another earnestly becomes even more critical. Love, as Peter describes, is not merely an action but a deep, heartfelt commitment that covers a multitude of sins. In times of stress and difficulty, when our patience is tested, love becomes the glue that holds communities together. It is through love that we can practice hospitality without grumbling, opening our homes and hearts to one another. This radical hospitality is not just a social nicety but a survival strategy for the church in the end times.

Moreover, the message emphasizes the importance of forbearance and forgiveness within our communities. While forgiveness is ideal, there are times when differences cannot be reconciled, and in such cases, forbearance becomes essential. Bearing with one another, even when disagreements persist, is a testament to the love that covers all things. This kind of love is what enables families and churches to endure and thrive despite the inevitable conflicts and challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. control, free from the distractions of worldly productivity. It is a vital connection to God that should not be hindered by life's busyness. Prioritizing prayer over productivity is a counter-cultural act of faith. [06:37]
3. Loving Earnestly: Love is not just an action but a heartfelt commitment that covers a multitude of sins. In stressful times, love becomes the glue that holds communities together, enabling us to practice radical hospitality and support one another.

4. Radical Hospitality: Opening our homes and hearts to others is a survival strategy for the church in the end times. Hospitality without grumbling is a radical act that fosters community and provides refuge in times of need.

5. Forbearance and Forgiveness: While forgiveness is ideal, forbearance is essential when differences cannot be reconciled. Bearing with one another, even amidst disagreements, is a testament to the love that covers all things and is crucial for the endurance of families and churches.

** [06:37]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:21] - Understanding the Last Days
[01:02] - The Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
[02:17] - Scoffers in the Last Days
[03:01] - God's Perspective on Time
[04:30] - The Call to Prayer
[05:24] - Sobriety in Prayer
[06:37] - The Struggle with Productivity
[07:39] - The Spirit of the Age
[08:11] - Loving One Another Earnestly
[09:54] - The Role of Love in Community
[11:08] - Radical Hospitality
[12:50] - The Importance of Community
[14:04] - Love and Forbearance
[17:35] - The Necessity of Forbearance

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:

1 Peter 4:7-9
Acts 2:16-17
Hebrews 9:26

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Observation Questions:

According to 1 Peter 4:7, what is the significance of being self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers? How does this relate to the concept of the "last days"? [00:21]
In Acts 2:16-17, what does the outpouring of the Holy Spirit signify about the "last days"? How does this connect to the sermon’s message about living with urgency and purpose? [01:02]
How does Hebrews 9:26 describe the role of Jesus' sacrifice in the context of the "end of the ages"? What implications does this have for our understanding of the "last days"? [01:54]
The sermon mentions the importance of love covering a multitude of sins. How is this concept illustrated in 1 Peter 4:8? [09:36]

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Interpretation Questions:

How does the understanding of God's perspective on time, as mentioned in the sermon, influence our patience and faithfulness in the "last days"? [03:01]
The sermon emphasizes the need for sobriety in prayer. What might be some modern-day "intoxications" that hinder our prayer life, and how can we overcome them? [06:37]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that love acts as a "glue" for communities, especially during stressful times? How does this align with the biblical call to love earnestly? [09:54]
The sermon discusses forbearance and forgiveness. How do these concepts contribute to the endurance of families and churches, according to the sermon? [17:35]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on your current prayer life. Are there specific distractions or "intoxications" that you need to address to prioritize prayer over productivity? How can you make changes this week? [06:37]
Think of a time when you were under stress and found it difficult to love others earnestly. What practical steps can you take to ensure love remains the "glue" in your relationships during challenging times? [09:54]
Radical hospitality is described as a survival strategy for the church. How can you practice hospitality in your own life, even if it feels inconvenient or challenging? [12:50]
Consider a relationship in your life where forgiveness has been difficult. How might practicing forbearance help you maintain that relationship? What steps can you take to bear with one another in love? [17:35]
The sermon highlights the importance of community in the end times. How can you actively contribute to building a supportive and loving community within your church or neighborhood? [11:25]
Reflect on the idea that love covers a multitude of sins. How can you apply this principle in a specific relationship or situation where you have been hurt or offended? [15:29]
The sermon suggests that understanding God's perspective on time can help us remain patient. How can this perspective change the way you approach long-term goals or challenges in your life? [03:01]

Sermon Clips

The end of all things is in the New Testament the period of time that begins with the coming of the Messiah and ends at the second coming. I think chapter 1 verse 20 he was forn Jesus was forn before the foundation of the world but was made manifest best in these last times for your sake. [00:00:34]

Do not overlook this one fact beloved with the Lord one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. It's been two days since Jesus died that's the way God sees it and the reason that's relevant to say is because he says it in the context of being accused that the last days are getting a little long to be last. [00:02:47]

The end of all things is at hand therefore be self-controlled sober minded for the sake of your prayers back in chapter 3 remember he he talked about husbands don't let your prayers be hindered by living with your wife in a way that dishonors her be vigilant don't let anything come between you and and answered prayers. [00:04:11]

Guard your prayer life you do that the word here is just sober it's translated sober minded just to draw out the fact that it's a metaphor but I I I like thinking sober before I think it's a metaphor because the word sober like not drunk is used because when I think of the the literal word that's used for the image ideas start multiplying in my mind. [00:05:05]

I know I walk into my room I have a prayer Nook over there I have a desk over here desk is where I work think right that's where I don't work and I don't write I do think and I'm on my knees and I'm just talking to God or singing to God and I'll tell I will walk in my room and the tug to my desk is enormous. [00:06:08]

Above all keep loving one another earnestly because it's one of those because since love covers a multitude of sins particularly show Hospitality to one another without grumbling. Pray Love Open Your Home what is that I think he just he's been talking about being maligned and being reviled and judgment coming over the world like a flood and we're can escape through faith in Jesus. [00:08:28]

As the end comes and life is harder we need each other more and we sin against each other more let me just ask yourself do you sin against people more when you're under stress or when you're happy as a clam we sin against each other more when stresses are multiplied our fuses are shorter we have less emotional resource for handling problems. [00:09:49]

When the end comes stresses will multiply Jesus said that it will be a time of stress he said which means we're going to the church people are going to be angry at each other more we're going to be harder to get along with and so Peter is pleading not to let that happen because at those moments you're going to need each other more. [00:11:08]

Peter just saying be radical be crazy radical with your house you got a little I mean they sell apartments that are this Wide in Manhattan right and you flop down the bed and in a little little microwave at the end for $1,000 a month two people can fit in there maybe even three and I'm not thinking in bed either. [00:13:43]

Loving each other earnestly from the heart and with our homes is an Endtime radical lifestyle without which we won't survive so start now practice now it's pretty easy now the days will come when somebody has to leave their home and they'll have no place to go but your house so get used to it. [00:14:47]

A huge dimension of Love is what what Paul calls forbearance for forgiveness and forbearance Colossians we'll do look at this and then take a break put on then as God's chosen ones holy and beloved compassionate hearts kindness humility meekness patience excuse me bearing with now that's that's forbearance enduring is the word bearing with enduring forbearing one another. [00:15:36]

I could wish that in every relationship church or home forgiveness would solve all problems you sin against me you recognize your sin call it sin name it ask for forgiveness I forgive you restoration wonderful it happens it ought to happen what if the person sinning against you does not think they're sinning and you tell them they're sinning and they're offended is it over is the relationship over or is there another category there is another category that's that right there it's forbearance. [00:16:43]

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Living with Urgency: Love and Community in the Last Days

Devotional

Day 1: Living with Urgency and Purpose

Day 2: Prioritizing Prayer Over Productivity

Day 3: Love as a Heartfelt Commitment

Day 4: Practicing Radical Hospitality

Day 5: Embracing Forbearance and Forgiveness

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Living with Urgency: Love and Community in the Last Days

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