Living In The Last Days

THEME: When you consider all that’s been happening in our country and around the world just in the first half of 2020, anyone with even a minimal level of spiritual discernment can sense that the return of Christ is fast approaching. Recent events seem apocalyptic in nature and make it appear that we are living in the end times or what the Bible refers to as “the last days.” This significant phrase refers to the present era of redemptive history from the first coming of Christ to His return. In other words, “the last days” began when Christ came the first time and will climax at the next great event in God’s kingdom plan which is the second coming of Christ. Paul and the other apostles frequently used the prospect of the Lord’s imminent return to motivate believers to live a holy and pure life. In these four verses, Paul provided THREE ALARMING ADMONITIONS in order to confront any apathy, inactivity, or immorality in our lives and motivate us to live zealous, diligent, blameless lives in light of the fact that Jesus could come back at any moment.

1. WAKE UP! (vv. 11-12a)
2. CLEAN UP! (vv. 12b-13)
3. SUIT UP! (v. 14)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS

James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. What are some events that have happened in our world in recent years or in the last few months that indicate we are living in the end times? How does this make you feel (i.e. scared or excited)? Is there anything you are looking forward to more than the return of Christ?
2. Read Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 10:24-25, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 2 Peter 3:10-14, and 1 John 3:2-3. How often do you think about the return of Christ? How should thinking more frequently about the fact that Jesus could come back at any moment affect the way you live your life?
3. If you knew Jesus was coming back next month, what significant changes, if any, would you need to make in your lifestyle? What does this indicate about your present spiritual condition (i.e. sleepy or sober, indifferent or industrious, comfortable or committed, shameful or blameless)?
4. Read Galatians 5:19-21 and 1 Peter 4:1-4. Are there any sinful, worldly practices or patterns in your life that are unbecoming of a Christian that you need to lay aside in order to be unashamed when Christ returns (cf. 1 Jn. 2:28)?
5. Read Ephesians 4:24, Philippians 3:12-14, and Colossians 3:10-17. How do you practically put on or clothe yourself or abide with the Lord Jesus Christ on a daily basis?
6. Read Romans 13:14. What does it mean to make provision for the flesh? Is there anything/anyone in your life right now that has the potential to tempt you to sin? What are some things you can do to make it harder for you to sin (cf. Mt. 5:29-30; Rom. 8:13)?
7. Thank God for providing you with the blessed hope of Christ’s imminent return. Ask Him to forgive you for any apathy, inactivity, or immorality in your life. Ask Him to help you live a holy and blameless life in anticipation of the fact that Jesus could come back at any moment.

“We do not know and cannot know the hour of Christ’s coming. But we know that it is some 2,000 years closer than when Paul wrote his letter to Rome. We do not know how much sand remains in the top of the Lord’s ‘hour glass’ of human history as we know it, but there is abundant evidence that not much time is left. We know that we are nearer to the coming of our Lord…than any other generation in history. Every day we live, we come one day closer to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

John MacArthur, Romans, 261