Living in the Last Days

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: 1 John 2:18-19As children of God, we cannot afford to be ignorant of the dynamic days in which we’re living.The sands of time are running low for this generation, and history as we know it is headed for a climax. 1 John 2 gives clear instruction for those living in the last days.First, we need to be awake.1 John 2:18 says, “Little children, it is the last hour…”We’re not just moving toward the last days, we’re living on the edge of them. We are not waiting for any sign, no event must take place—the Second Coming of Jesus Christ is imminent.Adrian Rogers says, “All of the Bible teaches that we’re on the very edge, on the very brink, and therefore we should be yearning and not yawning.”Second, the antichrist is coming and we need to be aware.“...and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18).The time is ripe for the appearance of a person the Bible calls the antichrist. He’s the beast of a man lurking in the shadows of history, ready to step from the wings to center stage. The antichrist is devilish and divisive; he is the diabolical substitute who opposes God and exalts himself. He is deceptive and, as a result, he is destructive. Being a master liar, he constantly attacks our understanding of who Jesus is.Finally, this passage reminds us of our triumph.Our Lord is on His way and we need to be abiding.“Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.” (1 John 2:24-25)If we are not anchored in Scripture, we will be blown away. And if we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts, the Lord Jesus Christ will be revealed in our lives.Apply it to your lifeBecause we are living in the last days, we must:-Be awake: the antichrist is coming.-Be aware: our Lord is on His way.-Be abiding: abide in the Word, the Spirit, and the Son of God.