YouTube video feed

Turn, Serve, Wait: Living Ready in the Last Days

Scripture References

Primary text

• 1 Thessalonians 1

Other references

• Acts 17
• 2 Timothy 3
• John 15

Overview

We are already living in the last days—the period that began when Jesus ascended and the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. Because every sunrise brings us one day closer to Christ’s return, followers of Jesus must cultivate spiritual urgency. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 1, Craig Groeschel shows that believers live ready by doing three things: turning from idols, serving the living God, and waiting with active expectation.

Context

Paul’s first letter to the young church in Thessalonica (written after his brief, three-week visit recorded in Acts 17) aims to steady new Christians who were suffering persecution and anxious about the future. Paul reminds them of God’s love and power, then explains how to live faithfully in the final chapter of God’s redemptive plan.

Main Points

The Gospel comes with power, not words alone

• Paul opens by thanking God for the Thessalonians’ “work produced by faith…labor prompted by love…endurance inspired by hope.”

• “Our gospel is not just words, but power.”

• God’s love secures believers; God’s power strengthens and transforms them through the indwelling Spirit.

Turn: From deceptive idols to the God who saves (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

• Thessalonica was saturated with idols—Greek deities, household statues, even emperor worship.
  • Illustration: Citizens called Caesar “lord”; Craig joked that thankfully we no longer worship politicians, then noted how easy it is to let modern loyalties take God’s place.
• An idol is anything we ask to do what only God can do—success, comfort, relationships, image, even our children.
• Paul’s end-times warning (2 Timothy 3) lists self-love, money-love, pride, and pleasure-love as marks of the last days.
• Repentance is a decisive turn: away from lower, temporary things and toward the higher things of God.
  • “Somebody say, ‘I’m turning.’”

Serve: Daily loyalty to the living and true God (1 Thessalonians 1:9)

• Turning to God for salvation is a one-time event; serving God is an everyday posture.
• Greek “douleuo” = to serve with complete loyalty, putting another’s will above your own.
• Not Sunday religion but daily surrender: “Your will be done on earth through my life.”
• Now—not later—is the time to serve the One who loves, empowers, and is coming again.

Wait: Actively preparing for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 1:10)

• Waiting (anamenien) means abiding again and again—with intensity.
• Believers wait “for His Son from heaven…Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.”
• Active waiting looks like wholehearted love, bright witness, and holy living because “today could be the day.”
  • Story: As a new Christian Craig read the book “88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Take Place in 1988,” pranked friends by hiding behind trees or laying out empty clothes to simulate the rapture—illustrating youthful expectancy he’s now reclaiming.

Four readiness questions (for LifeGroups and personal reflection)

1. Have I forgiven those who hurt me?
   • Jesus warns that unforgiveness blocks the Father’s forgiveness.
2. Have I shared my faith with those who need Jesus?
   • Think of family, coworkers, teammates—people within normal relational reach.
3. Am I more focused on this world than on eternity?
   • Possessions, schedules, and responsibilities can quietly eclipse kingdom priorities.
4. Am I trusting in God’s grace alone to save me?
   • Salvation is “by grace…through faith…not by works” (allusion to Ephesians).

Key Truths

• The last days began with Christ’s ascension; every generation must live with urgency.
• God’s gospel delivers both love that forgives and power that transforms.
• Repentance is a clear, often costly break from culturally accepted idols.
• Daily service to God flows from complete loyalty, not convenience.
• True waiting is active—abiding in Christ and advancing His mission until He appears.

Response

• Repent from any idol that has rivaled God’s place in your life.
• Submit each day’s agenda to Christ and look for ways to serve His purposes.
• Live alert: speak the gospel, love people deeply, and pursue holiness as though Jesus could return today.
• Work through the four readiness questions with trusted believers this week.
• Trust wholly in grace; rest from all attempts to earn God’s acceptance.

Closing

Time is short, and “at any moment the trumpet of God could sound.” Craig urged every listener to be ready by turning, serving, and waiting in active faith.

“We turn, we serve, we wait.”

Prayer

The pastor asked God to awaken spiritual urgency, empower believers to love boldly, break attachment to worldly things, and ready the church for Christ’s return.

Resources

• 88 Reasons Why the Rapture Will Take Place in 1988 (book)