Eternal Echoes of the Return of Jesus

In today’s culture, filled with distractions, division, and spiritual apathy, the return of Jesus Christ can feel like a distant theological concept. But in Echoes of Eternity Part 7, Pastor Andrew Thurber reminded the congregation that eternity is not a future event—it is a present reality that requires urgent attention and spiritual preparation.

Preaching from Passionate Life Church in Littleton, Colorado, Pastor Andrew continued his church’s powerful series with a compelling message titled “Eternal Echoes of the Return of Jesus.” He laid out not only the biblical signs of the last days but also what they mean for us today—and how we should respond as followers of Christ.</p>

Why Preach on the Return of Jesus?

Pastor Andrew opened by stating the purpose behind the message: to prepare the Church—not just Passionate Life Church, but the global Body of Christ—for the return of the Savior.

“If Jesus comes back on a Sunday morning, there will be some churches that are still full,” Pastor Andrew said. “That should never be the case.”

He challenged his congregation with the reminder that our lives on earth have an eternal impact. Our faith, obedience, and actions today echo across generations. And this means that everything we do—every act of faith or disobedience—matters in the eternal timeline.

He drew from Hebrews 1:1–2, where the writer explains that “in these final days,” God speaks to us through Jesus. This confirms that the “last days” are not a future timeline—they began when Christ entered the world. That “final days clock,” Pastor Andrew said, has been ticking for over 2,000 years.

Living in Difficult Times: What Paul Says About the Last Days

The message’s core text came from 2 Timothy 3:1–5, where the Apostle Paul warns Timothy of the signs of spiritual decline in the end times.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy…” (2 Timothy 3:1–2)

Pastor Andrew unpacked each sign with clarity and conviction, challenging believers not just to spot them in culture, but to search their own hearts. He urged believers to dive into Scripture readings regularly to grow in discernment.

Lovers of Self: The Rise of Self-Worship

Paul’s first warning is about people who love themselves. Pastor Andrew explained how self-obsession has infiltrated society through social media, identity confusion, and an overemphasis on self-care.

“Jesus didn’t say love yourself first. He said love God and love others,” he emphasized.

He clarified that while healthy "identity in Christ is essential, the self-centeredness Paul describes is idolatrous and leads to spiritual blindness.

Lovers of Money: The god of Greed

Pastor Andrew continued with Paul’s second warning: the love of money. While money itself isn’t evil, loving it opens the door to all kinds of sin—lust, pride, addiction, and abuse.

“When you love money, there’s no amount that will satisfy,” Pastor Andrew said.

Pride Comes Before the Fall

Paul’s next two signs—pride and arrogance—describe a world filled with self-importance and boasting. Pastor Andrew offered sobering insight

“If I stop being obedient as a Pastor, God will remove me and replace me. Because I’m not that important.”

Abusive: A Culture Lacking Love and Respect

Abuse is another sign Paul lists, and Pastor Andrew didn’t shy away from its reality. Whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, abuse stems from a lack of love and respect, and it reveals a deeply broken society.

“Abuse is a violation of the command to treat others with dignity. It’s the opposite of the gospel.”

He acknowledged that nearly everyone has experienced abuse on some level, reminding listeners that God grieves with the broken—and offers hope through healing scriptures

Disobedient to Parents: The Collapse of Family Structure

Many dismiss this warning as minor, but Pastor Andrew emphasized its significance

“Disobedient children become disobedient adults. And disobedient adults won’t submit to God.”

Ungrateful: A Heart Condition That Blocks Blessing

Gratitude is essential to spiritual health. Pastor Andrew compared the Israelites’ wilderness complaints to modern-day entitlement:

“God doesn’t bless ungratefulness. He’s a good Father, and He wants us to say thank you."

Unholy: Forgetting What God Calls Sacred

The final sign Pastor Andrew addressed was unholiness, which he defined as living without reverence for God or the things He calls sacred. He reminded believers of what is sacred to God:

The Word of God – Only 10–12% of American Christians believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. This has led to spiritual malnourishment and false doctrine.

The Church– The Church is Christ’s bride. “You can’t say ‘I love Jesus but hate the Church.’ That’s His bride.”

Human Life – Every life is sacred, formed in the womb by God with divine purpose.

Sacred Places and Sacred Time – Personal worship spaces, corporate gatherings, and moments of devotion matter to God. Resources like the Psalm 91 scripture reading remind us of His protection and presence.

So, What Now? Responding to the Signs of the Times

Pastor Andrew challenged the congregation to examine their hearts:

  • Are any of these signs showing up in your life?
  • What has God asked you to repent of or surrender?
  • What is the Holy Spirit prompting you to pray into—family, politics, or personal growth?

His call to response included a heartfelt reminder: one moment of obedience can realign us with God’s will. The service concluded with communion, prayer stations, and time for people to bring their struggles, sins, and surrender to the cross. Believers were also invited to submit a prayer request, take their Next Steps, or reach out on the Contact Page to connect with the church community.

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