Signs of the End Times Part 1: A Wake-Up Call to the Church
In a powerful message titled Signs of the End Times Part 1, Pastor Andrew Thurber of Passionate Life Church in Littleton, Colorado, began a bold, theologically deep series addressing one of the most pressing topics of our time—the last days. Centered around 2 Timothy 3:1–5, this sermon laid the groundwork for believers to identify not only the external signs of the end times but also the internal attitudes that reflect spiritual drift.
Far from being a fear-driven message, Pastor Andrew emphasized that this teaching was meant to be encouraging and awakening. The goal: prepare the Church to stand firm and live transformed lives as the return of Christ draws near.
Context: Paul’s Warning to Timothy—and to Us
Pastor Andrew opened by giving background on 2 Timothy 3, explaining that Paul was writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, who pastored a large church in Ephesus. This wasn’t just a letter about cultural commentary—it was a leadership manual for navigating difficult spiritual seasons.
“Paul is telling Timothy, ‘Look for these signs in your community. And when they creep into the church, you need to call them out and remove them.’”
Pastor Andrew reminded listeners that these signs aren’t just out there in the world. Some may be alive within us. The Church is called not only to recognize darkness in the culture but to confront areas where darkness has been allowed to grow within our own hearts.
Sign #1: Unloving – The Breakdown of Family Bonds
The first word Paul uses is unloving. In the original Greek, the term “astorgos” refers to a lack of natural affection, especially within the family. Pastor Andrew highlighted several manifestations of this in American society:
“This is a society where even the bond between a mother and child is broken. That’s what unloving looks like.”
He quoted Romans 1:31, where Paul says those who turn from God become “heartless.” Furthermore, he pointed out that modern parenting trends that exclude discipline are a form of unloving behavior. According to Proverbs 13:24, discipline is a sign of love.
Sign #2: Unforgiving – A Barrier to Healing
Pastor Andrew spent a significant portion of the sermon addressing the danger of unforgiveness. The Greek word “aspondos” describes an unwillingness to reconcile or make peace. He taught that holding onto bitterness blocks spiritual growth, often leading to:
“Unforgiveness can literally block the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life.”
He encouraged the congregation to release those who had wronged them by physically writing their names on a card and placing it at the cross in the sanctuary—a symbolic act that produced real freedom.
Pastor Andrew also shared his own story of wrestling with self-forgiveness. After a rebellious season in his youth, he believed he had forfeited God’s plan for his life. It wasn’t until a 21-day fast that he experienced a breakthrough.
“The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, ‘Andrew, I don’t know those stories.’ I realized I was the one holding onto my past—God wasn’t.”
For those walking through similar struggles, resources like Identity in Christ scriptures are powerful reminders of who we are in Him.
Sign #3: Slanderous – Taking on the Nature of the Enemy
The Greek word used for slanderous is diabolos, the same word from which we get “devil.” Slander, gossip, and character assassination are tools of the enemy meant to divide churches and communities.
“When you slander someone, you are literally taking on the character of the devil.”
Pastor Andrew warned that the Church often disguises gossip under the pretense of “concern.” He urged listeners to be careful about their motives when sharing information, as unchecked slander can destroy relationships and derail ministries.
Sign #4: Without Self-Control – A Culture of Excess
A lack of self-control is rampant in our culture, and it’s not limited to drugs or alcohol. Pastor Andrew named several subtle but dangerous areas where believers may lack restraint:
“We see a world out of control. But as followers of Jesus, we should live under the control of the Holy Spirit.”
Referencing Galatians 5:22–23, he reminded the church that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit—and evidence of a transformed life.
Sign #5: Brutal – A Culture Numb to Compassion
The term brutal in Greek (anemeros) refers to savagery or a beast-like nature. Pastor Andrew connected this to modern imagery—zombie-like drug users in urban areas and violent entertainment that desensitizes viewers to human suffering.
"When a society lacks empathy and compassion, it becomes brutal.”
He acknowledged that even believers struggle with compassion, especially when it comes to the homeless or mentally ill. The solution isn’t shame—it’s spiritual awakening. As Psalm 91 promises God’s protection, the church points to resources like the Psalm 91 scripture reading for comfort and courage.
Sign #6: Without Love of Good – Rejection of Biblical Morality
A society that calls good evil and evil good is fulfilling Isaiah 5:20. Pastor Andrew identified several cultural shifts that indicate a rejection of God’s standards:
“We have a governor in Colorado who supports minors transitioning their gender. That’s not love—it’s evil.”
He made it clear that the Church must remain loving and compassionate, but also firm in truth. Titus 1:8 commands leaders to be “lovers of good,” which means holding fast to God’s standards even when they’re unpopular.
Signs #7–11: A Cascade of Moral Collapse
Pastor Andrew briefly touched on the following five traits found in 2 Timothy 3:4:
Traitorous – Those who betray others for personal gain, like Judas. He asked the church: “Are you selling Jesus out when things get hard?”
Reckless– Living without regard for consequences or God’s will. Many churches have lowered the bar for discipleship to get people in seats, creating superficial faith.
Conceited – Spiritual pride that leads to blindness. Pastor Andrew referenced Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees, who were clean on the outside but spiritually corrupt on the inside.
Lovers of Pleasure Rather Than God – This trait defines modern Western Christianity. People will sacrifice for vacations, homes, and careers—but not for God.
“Are you sacrificing more for your own comfort than for the Kingdom?”
He noted that many pastors are leaving the ministry due to financial strain and lack of support, not a lack of calling.
An Invitation to Healing and Repentance
Rather than end with a message of doom, Pastor Andrew created space for healing and restoration. He invited congregants to:
“Some of you are carrying weight you don’t even know is there. Today is your day of freedom.”
He concluded by leading the church in a prayer of surrender and invitation for salvation, encouraging people to make a full commitment to Christ. For those seeking encouragement, Healing scriptures offer hope and renewal. Anyone needing prayer can submit a Prayer Request, take their first Next Steps, or reach out directly through the Contact Page.
Far from being a fear-driven message, Pastor Andrew emphasized that this teaching was meant to be encouraging and awakening. The goal: prepare the Church to stand firm and live transformed lives as the return of Christ draws near.
Context: Paul’s Warning to Timothy—and to Us
Pastor Andrew opened by giving background on 2 Timothy 3, explaining that Paul was writing to his spiritual son, Timothy, who pastored a large church in Ephesus. This wasn’t just a letter about cultural commentary—it was a leadership manual for navigating difficult spiritual seasons.
“Paul is telling Timothy, ‘Look for these signs in your community. And when they creep into the church, you need to call them out and remove them.’”
Pastor Andrew reminded listeners that these signs aren’t just out there in the world. Some may be alive within us. The Church is called not only to recognize darkness in the culture but to confront areas where darkness has been allowed to grow within our own hearts.
Sign #1: Unloving – The Breakdown of Family Bonds
The first word Paul uses is unloving. In the original Greek, the term “astorgos” refers to a lack of natural affection, especially within the family. Pastor Andrew highlighted several manifestations of this in American society:
- Rising divorce rates—both inside and outside the Church
- Fatherless homes and emotionally absent parenting
- Over 60 million abortions in the U.S. since 1973
“This is a society where even the bond between a mother and child is broken. That’s what unloving looks like.”
He quoted Romans 1:31, where Paul says those who turn from God become “heartless.” Furthermore, he pointed out that modern parenting trends that exclude discipline are a form of unloving behavior. According to Proverbs 13:24, discipline is a sign of love.
Sign #2: Unforgiving – A Barrier to Healing
Pastor Andrew spent a significant portion of the sermon addressing the danger of unforgiveness. The Greek word “aspondos” describes an unwillingness to reconcile or make peace. He taught that holding onto bitterness blocks spiritual growth, often leading to:
- Anxiety, depression, and stress
- Addictions and habitual sins
- Emotional and spiritual bondage
“Unforgiveness can literally block the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life.”
He encouraged the congregation to release those who had wronged them by physically writing their names on a card and placing it at the cross in the sanctuary—a symbolic act that produced real freedom.
Pastor Andrew also shared his own story of wrestling with self-forgiveness. After a rebellious season in his youth, he believed he had forfeited God’s plan for his life. It wasn’t until a 21-day fast that he experienced a breakthrough.
“The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, ‘Andrew, I don’t know those stories.’ I realized I was the one holding onto my past—God wasn’t.”
For those walking through similar struggles, resources like Identity in Christ scriptures are powerful reminders of who we are in Him.
Sign #3: Slanderous – Taking on the Nature of the Enemy
The Greek word used for slanderous is diabolos, the same word from which we get “devil.” Slander, gossip, and character assassination are tools of the enemy meant to divide churches and communities.
“When you slander someone, you are literally taking on the character of the devil.”
Pastor Andrew warned that the Church often disguises gossip under the pretense of “concern.” He urged listeners to be careful about their motives when sharing information, as unchecked slander can destroy relationships and derail ministries.
Sign #4: Without Self-Control – A Culture of Excess
A lack of self-control is rampant in our culture, and it’s not limited to drugs or alcohol. Pastor Andrew named several subtle but dangerous areas where believers may lack restraint:
- Overconsumption of social media
- Addictive eating habits (gluttony)
- Binge-watching TV and neglecting time with God
“We see a world out of control. But as followers of Jesus, we should live under the control of the Holy Spirit.”
Referencing Galatians 5:22–23, he reminded the church that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit—and evidence of a transformed life.
Sign #5: Brutal – A Culture Numb to Compassion
The term brutal in Greek (anemeros) refers to savagery or a beast-like nature. Pastor Andrew connected this to modern imagery—zombie-like drug users in urban areas and violent entertainment that desensitizes viewers to human suffering.
"When a society lacks empathy and compassion, it becomes brutal.”
He acknowledged that even believers struggle with compassion, especially when it comes to the homeless or mentally ill. The solution isn’t shame—it’s spiritual awakening. As Psalm 91 promises God’s protection, the church points to resources like the Psalm 91 scripture reading for comfort and courage.
Sign #6: Without Love of Good – Rejection of Biblical Morality
A society that calls good evil and evil good is fulfilling Isaiah 5:20. Pastor Andrew identified several cultural shifts that indicate a rejection of God’s standards:
- Redefining marriage
- Gender transitions for minors
- Abortion framed as healthcare
“We have a governor in Colorado who supports minors transitioning their gender. That’s not love—it’s evil.”
He made it clear that the Church must remain loving and compassionate, but also firm in truth. Titus 1:8 commands leaders to be “lovers of good,” which means holding fast to God’s standards even when they’re unpopular.
Signs #7–11: A Cascade of Moral Collapse
Pastor Andrew briefly touched on the following five traits found in 2 Timothy 3:4:
Traitorous – Those who betray others for personal gain, like Judas. He asked the church: “Are you selling Jesus out when things get hard?”
Reckless– Living without regard for consequences or God’s will. Many churches have lowered the bar for discipleship to get people in seats, creating superficial faith.
Conceited – Spiritual pride that leads to blindness. Pastor Andrew referenced Jesus’ rebuke of the Pharisees, who were clean on the outside but spiritually corrupt on the inside.
Lovers of Pleasure Rather Than God – This trait defines modern Western Christianity. People will sacrifice for vacations, homes, and careers—but not for God.
“Are you sacrificing more for your own comfort than for the Kingdom?”
He noted that many pastors are leaving the ministry due to financial strain and lack of support, not a lack of calling.
An Invitation to Healing and Repentance
Rather than end with a message of doom, Pastor Andrew created space for healing and restoration. He invited congregants to:
- Write their own names on the cross to release self-condemnation
- Forgive others who’ve wounded you
- Bring areas of spiritual compromise into the light
“Some of you are carrying weight you don’t even know is there. Today is your day of freedom.”
He concluded by leading the church in a prayer of surrender and invitation for salvation, encouraging people to make a full commitment to Christ. For those seeking encouragement, Healing scriptures offer hope and renewal. Anyone needing prayer can submit a Prayer Request, take their first Next Steps, or reach out directly through the Contact Page.
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