2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT: "1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!"

Romans 13:11-14 NLT: "11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires."

Three Responses to the Days We Are Living In:

1. WAKE UP!

Ephesians 5:14-17 NLT: "14 For the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, ‘Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' 15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."

• Wake up to SALVATION. Many people have to be woken up from the delusion and distraction of the world.
• Wake up to OPPORTUNITY. In these last days, there has never been more opportunity for advancing God's kingdom.
  • Opportunities for ministry
  • Opportunities for leadership

2. Take off DARKNESS.

• People, even some Christians, are still debating the matter of sin just as they were doing many years ago.
• Paul would argue that by the Spirit's power, we put to death the works of the flesh.
• Colossians 3:5-10 NLT: "5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him."

3. Put on CHRIST.

Galatians 3:27 NASB: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." * When you put on Christ, it changes who you are. * Clothe yourself in the armor of right living. When you live righteously in an unrighteous world, you shine for the world to see, and you keep yourself unspotted from the world. Clothe yourself in the presence of Jesus.

• Allow Him to fill you.
• Allow Him to overflow within you.