Introduction:     What time to be alive (expound v.7). (Illus: great days past…the greatest is yet to come.) This is a message to the suffering. When Jesus comes again suffering will end. There are here four attitudes to avoid as we near the end.

I.          THE ATTITUDE OF PRAYERLESSNESS (V.7)

How can we be prayerless since the end is near?

            A.        The Startling Nearness Of Eternity

“Sober” = a settled mind; a steady and sound mind. I cannot pray in the Spirit if my mind is not on the Lord. I cannot worship in Spirit and truth if my mind is not settled on Jesus. I cannot live for the moment, the end is near. I cannot play church, the end is near.

            B.         The Strategic Importance Of Prayer

“Watch” = to be alert. We are to pray as if our very lives depend on it. (Illus: the forces of evil seem to be overrunning the world. Why? Because Christians won’t pray! It’s in prayer that we bring down the strongholds of unbelief. Its prayer that will meet every need (expound). (Illus: Peter had learned a lesson in the garden. Jesus said that it was going to be difficult, watch and pray. Three times Jesus returns and says “wake up!” Watch and pray! The last time He comes He says sleep on). How many times has God come to this church and found this one asleep, or passing notes, or playing with a child. Time and time again God looks for a church that will make a difference in their community but they’re not watching and praying they’re asleep and Jesus say just sleep and He takes His hand of that church.

II.         THE ATTITUDE OF LOVELESSNESS (V.8)

            A.        Love Forbears

“Fervent” = to stretch out. Like a runner stretching for the finish line. It takes effort and sacrifice to love people. The time before Jesus comes will be a time of hatred. As blood bought children of God we are to avoid the attitude of lovelessness and understand that love is of God.

            B.         Love Forgives

“Cover the multitude of sins." Only Jesus can forgive sin. This means when I love you I’m not going to broadcast your sins. It means that when I love, that I’m so busy being like Jesus that I don’t have time to sin and that covers a multitude of sins. It means that as I choose to forgive someone that has hurt me and love them in return that love covers a multitude of sins.

III.       THE ATTITUDE OF SELFISHNESS (V.9)

We live in a selfish time. The Bible says that this is a sign of the end times. (2 Tim 3:1-2) "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. {2} For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," What are we to do? Use hospitality.

            A.        Minister To Others With Caring

In a cold and cruel world we ought to hospitable. Showing strangers the love of God through caring.

            B.         Minister To Others Without Complaining

This ought to be enjoyed. Not done grudgingly. How much of what we do is done with grudging? How much of what you did this morning was done grudgingly? The Bible says to enjoy what God has called you to do. Do what God called you to do without complaining.

IV.       THE ATTITUDE OF GODLESSNESS (V.10-11)

(2 Th 2:3) "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;"

(1 Tim 4:1) "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

People today are forgetting God. He’s missing from government, schools, homes, and even churches. What should we focus on as believers? In these last godless days, the world can say what it will about God but we through our worship and ministry will not let them off the hook. They may ignore Him, they may deny Him but we’re here to declare that there is a God and His name is Jesus!

            A.        God Is Our Source (v.10)

Everything we have is a gift from God. Don’t panic Christian God has put what you need to serve Him in your hand.

            B.         God Is Our Subject (v.11a)

We need to talk more about God. (Illus: every time you hear someone damn the name of God, say praise the Lord!) I’m going to cancel out what he said. What if it offends them? They just offended me and my heavenly Father.

            C.        God Is Our Strength (v.11b)

I don’t have to be strong because He is strong.

            D.        God Is Our Sovereign (v.11c)

We are to glorify God in everything we do. Watch this - the end of all things is near. This world system is coming to an end. The end of temptation, the end of sickness, the end of all our misery is near. But did you notice, there is some in the end of this verse that will never end that is the rule and reign of our God. That means praise will never end, blessings will never end, the fellowship we have with Jesus will never end.

Conclusion:       The end is near come to Jesus today!