Life.Church with Craig Groeschel

Episode: End Times: Signs You Can’t Ignore | Living in the Last Days: Part 3
Date: October 19, 2025
Speaker: Lead Pastor Craig Groeschel & Assistant Pastor

Overview

This episode, the conclusion of a series on 1 Thessalonians, unpacks Christian teachings about the "end times," exploring biblical signs, personal readiness, and spiritual responses to living in what many consider "the last days." Pastor Craig Groeschel emphasizes that while Scripture doesn't specify when the end will come, it gives clear guidance for how believers should live in anticipation of Jesus’ return. The conversation moves through Paul’s counsel to the Thessalonians, offering practical shifts in mindset applicable to contemporary Christian life.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Study the End Times? (00:28–02:21)

• Popular Fascination: Many are interested—or anxious—about future events, as seen in constant social media speculation (blood moons, World War III, AI, cashless society).
• Modern Morality: There is widespread disregard for God and truth, with sin and immorality celebrated (00:56).
• Historical Parallels: Early Christians in Thessalonica had similar questions about Jesus’ return and how to live in uncertain times. Paul wrote 1 Thessalonians to provide guidance.

"He doesn't tell them when the end will come, but he tells them how to live until it does."
— Lead Pastor (01:40)

• Prayer for Urgency: The episode opens with a prayer for spiritual urgency and transformation (02:18).

2. Three Spiritual Shifts (02:21–28:16)

Paul urges believers towards three fundamental shifts:

a. From Sinfulness to Sanctification (02:21–11:13)

• Justification vs. Sanctification: Justification is being made right with God instantly upon faith; sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more Christlike (04:53).
• Cultural Context: The Thessalonian culture normalized and celebrated sexual immorality. Paul challenges them—and by extension, us today—to sexual purity.
• Relevance Today: Pornography, hookup culture, and "anything goes" sexuality are our era's challenges.
• Spiritual Growth: Sanctification isn’t just about sexual integrity—God wants to transform our attitudes, habits, forgiveness, and self-control.

"God is not holding out on you. He's not keeping you from the good stuff. He's setting you apart for something way better."
— Lead Pastor (09:37)

• Personal Reflection: Listeners are encouraged to ask God what needs to be sanctified in their own lives.

b. From Confusion to Clarity (11:13–20:25)

• Hope in Grief: Paul reassures believers that death is not the end; Christians grieve differently—with hope—because of belief in Jesus’ resurrection (11:14–14:30).
• Personal Example: Pastor Craig describes two funerals—the difference in hope was palpable (12:29–14:30).
• Christian Eschatology: Explanation of the classic Christian timeline:
  • The Rapture: Dead in Christ rise first, then living believers are "caught up" (harpazo) to meet Jesus (17:08).
  • Tribulation: Seven-year period marked by increasing evil and the rise of the Antichrist (17:55).
  • Second Coming: Jesus returns with the Church to judge evil, ushering in the millennial reign, then final defeat of Satan and new heaven/earth (18:34–19:56).
• Approach to Doctrinal Disagreements: Recognizes multiple interpretations, urges unity and encouragement rather than division (16:33–17:07).

"You're not afraid of it. You don't worry about it. ... Encourage each other with these words. This is good news."
— Lead Pastor (19:56)

c. From Passivity to Readiness (20:25–29:26)

• Be Ready, Stay Awake: Paul urges believers to reject spiritual complacency and remain alert for Christ’s return, which will come "like a thief in the night" (21:02–23:12).
• False Security: Critiques the notion that peace comes from politics, culture, or technology—real and lasting security is only in Christ (21:49–23:12).
• Spiritual Vigilance: Use the armor of God and stay spiritually sober and alert, as our adversary is active (23:12–24:44).
• Sense of Urgency: Time is short, eternity is real, and people are dying without Jesus. Every day counts (24:47–25:19).

"Time is short, eternity is real, and people are dying every day without Jesus."
— Lead Pastor (24:47 & 25:16)

• Group Reflection Question:
  • "What would I change if I really believed Jesus could return at any moment?" (25:56)

3. Living in the Last Days: Practical Applications (25:43–28:47)

• Life Group Challenge: Encourage discussion of readiness and personal transformation based on belief in Jesus’ imminent return.
• Recentering the Christian Life:
  • Week 1: Turn, Serve, Wait (active anticipation).
  • Week 2: Speak Boldly, Live Purely, Love Deeply, Endure Faithfully.
  • Today: Move from sinfulness to sanctification, confusion to clarity, passivity to readiness.
• Call to Action:
  • This is an urgent time, not for comfortable or casual faith, but for bold, holy living.
  • God wants to stir, shake, and move believers into greater faithfulness and impact.

"This is not the time for casual faith or comfortable Christianity. This is the moment to step into your calling, to be holy and set apart..."
— Lead Pastor (28:16)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Sin and Sanctification:
  "God may want to sanctify your mouth when you're driving your car, or sanctify a particular finger when someone cuts you off in traffic."
  — Lead Pastor (06:30)

• On Hope in Grief:
  "For one family, death felt final. The other family, it didn't feel like a goodbye. It felt like a we'll see you again in the presence of Jesus."
  — Lead Pastor (14:10)

• On Readiness:
  "Live awake, be alert, be on your guard, be ready. Be sober minded. ... We put on the full armor of God and we stand our ground by faith."
  — Lead Pastor (23:12–24:44)

• On Urgency:
  "If he doesn't return in our lifetime, you still got not a whole lot of time."
  — Lead Pastor (25:22)

Important Timestamps

• Why talk about the end times? 00:28–02:21
• Three shifts: sinfulness to sanctification 02:21–11:13
• From confusion to clarity, hope in death 11:13–14:30
• Overview of end times events (Rapture, Tribulation, etc.) 15:17–19:56
• From passivity to readiness 20:25–24:44
• Urgency, group reflection question 25:56–26:17
• Summary of series and final challenge 27:37–29:26

Final Reflections & Call to Action

• Personal Prayer:
  • Listeners are challenged to personally ask God: "What do you want to do in me because time is short?" (30:18–30:49)
• Invitation to Salvation:
  • For those unsure of their standing with God, an invitation is extended to receive forgiveness and become ready for Jesus’ return (32:27–35:47).
• Encouragement:
  • Live with urgency, expectation, and faith; share hope with others; be ready for Christ’s return.
  • Encourage one another. "Our king is coming back ... He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. Our king is coming soon." (29:26)

Episode’s Central Message:
Live awake and ready—moving from sin to sanctification, from confusion to clarity, and from passive waiting to active readiness—believing that Jesus may return at any moment. Let your hope in Christ stir you towards holy living, urgency, and sharing the gospel.