Stay Faithful to the Gospel
Series: St Paul's in January
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 28th January 2024
Passage: Jude 1-25
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 If you can be a sibling of someone famous, who will it be?
00:00:06 --> 00:00:08 And how will you live differently?
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 If you're a sport fan, maybe you want to be one of Williams or Watts,
00:00:14 --> 00:00:19 or if you enjoy movie and entertainment, how about being one of the Hemsworths,
00:00:19 --> 00:00:24 or the White Brothers of Aviation or the Kennedys in American politics.
00:00:25 --> 00:00:32 Let's play a guessing game, okay, to see whether you can recognize those siblings of the foreign peoples.
00:00:32 --> 00:00:36 The hints are their siblings is in entertainment industry.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:41 They go, Kimon, very obvious.
00:00:42 --> 00:00:44 Got resemblance, this is issues.
00:00:44 --> 00:00:45 This is harder.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:47 Steve might know this one.
00:00:47 --> 00:00:54 We all know this.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:58 The next one should be easy for all the Yanwans.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:02 Yeah.
00:01:05 --> 00:01:06 Very well.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:09 Great job in working out who these people are.
00:01:10 --> 00:01:12 But do you remember my original questions?
00:01:14 --> 00:01:15 There are two questions.
00:01:15 --> 00:01:18 The first is, whose sibling do you want to become?
00:01:19 --> 00:01:21 And what about the second questions?
00:01:24 --> 00:01:26 Wendy, can you hold back a bit on that one?
00:01:30 --> 00:01:30 Yes.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:36 I think the second question is comparatively a bit more important.
00:01:37 --> 00:01:41 And I won't ask for a show of hands, but I'm confident around half of us,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:45 so many of us will forgot that question, is how will you live differently?
00:01:46 --> 00:01:53 Which is about what changes people will see in your life to show that you are a member of a particular family.
00:01:55 --> 00:02:00 I'm confident, for I know that I myself often miss important parts of a conversation
00:02:00 --> 00:02:07 because I'm very frustrated on some earlier parts or become very quick to react.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:16 One of the writers in the New Testament, James, teach us from his book in chapter 1, verse 19 to 20,
00:02:16 --> 00:02:20 that my dear brothers and sisters, take note of this.
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry
00:02:25 --> 00:02:30 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
00:02:31 --> 00:02:35 Learning to hold back our reaction, being quick to listen and slow to speak,
00:02:36 --> 00:02:39 and or slow to become angry is such a lifelong lesson.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:45 It's much easier to stay angry and demand justice, an eye for an eye.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:52 But take note of James' warning that human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires,
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 which is end up causing you to become ungodly.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 Ash preached last week about how the gospel,
00:03:01 --> 00:03:04 the good news of God's action to save people through Jesus,
00:03:04 --> 00:03:06 bring everyone into a family.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:26 Talking about family and sibling,
00:03:27 --> 00:03:32 we read today that James also has a brother who wrote a letter in the New Testament.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:33 His name is Jew.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:37 Jew, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
00:03:38 --> 00:03:40 he wrote a letter to those who have been called,
00:03:40 --> 00:03:44 who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ,
00:03:45 --> 00:03:49 to encourage them to content for the faith,
00:03:49 --> 00:03:51 deliver once and for all to the saints.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:57 My intention today is to explore three questions from Jew's letter.
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 Who is Jew?
00:03:59 --> 00:04:00 Who are the ungodly?
00:04:00 --> 00:04:04 And how do we stay faithful to the gospel?
00:04:05 --> 00:04:10 We know from what we have read that Jew is James' brother.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 The beginning of the letter can also be translated as,
00:04:14 --> 00:04:19 I, Judas, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James,
00:04:19 --> 00:04:22 writing to those loved by God the Father,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 called and kept safe by Jesus Christ.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:30 We can make three observations of this different translation.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:35 Firstly, Jew and Judas are interchangeable names.
00:04:36 --> 00:04:40 Matthew 13, verse 54 to 55 says,
00:04:40 --> 00:05:05 So, apart from being the brother of James,
00:05:05 --> 00:05:09 Jude or Judas is also a brother of Jesus Christ.
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 Chapter 3 of Mark's gospel says,
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 Jesus' family went to take charge of him
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 because they thought he has gone out of his mind
00:05:17 --> 00:05:22 for being so busy dealing with people and even skipping meals.
00:05:23 --> 00:05:28 But Acts 1, 14 indicates that Jesus' brother later become his follower.
00:05:28 --> 00:05:33 And Paul, right in 1 Corinthians 9, verse 5,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:39 implied that Jesus' brother become traveling missionary later in their life.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:44 James and Jude's writings provide so much for us
00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 to learn about how to live as a follower of Christ.
00:05:47 --> 00:05:52 I urge you to set your goal this year to read their writing
00:05:52 --> 00:05:54 and be familiar with their teaching.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:59 The second observation is about the term a slave to Jesus Christ,
00:05:59 --> 00:06:02 which is the first lesson we can learn from Jude.
00:06:02 --> 00:06:06 Jude did not claim his status as a brother of Jesus Christ,
00:06:07 --> 00:06:10 but addressed himself as a slave to Jesus Christ
00:06:10 --> 00:06:14 because he was fully committed to glorifying Jesus.
00:06:14 --> 00:06:18 He does not want anything to distract his audience.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:23 Being a slave is a much stronger term than being a servant.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:29 Jude's self-destination describes his complete devotion to Jesus.
00:06:30 --> 00:06:34 Jude is an ordinary person who became special
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 through his association with Jesus.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 And the association is not through being his sibling,
00:06:40 --> 00:06:45 but through his submission to Jesus as a slave to his master.
00:06:47 --> 00:06:50 Jude is a person who knows his standing with God.
00:06:51 --> 00:06:56 His identity comes from his heart to serve and glorify God.
00:06:56 --> 00:06:58 It does not come from his status
00:06:58 --> 00:07:01 or standing among the believing community
00:07:01 --> 00:07:03 or his position in the church.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:07 He wants the best for his audience
00:07:07 --> 00:07:10 because he's writing to those loved by God,
00:07:11 --> 00:07:12 which is my third observation.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:16 The love that Jude referred to
00:07:16 --> 00:07:18 is a completed action
00:07:18 --> 00:07:21 that continues in the same state.
00:07:22 --> 00:07:25 God continues to love the people Jude is writing to
00:07:25 --> 00:07:29 because they are called and kept safe by Jesus.
00:07:30 --> 00:07:33 Jesus is the ultimate carekeeper
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 of all those who follow him.
00:07:35 --> 00:07:38 Jesus is the only person
00:07:38 --> 00:07:41 who ensures his followers' abundance
00:07:41 --> 00:07:44 in mercy, peace, and love.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 And Jude is very confident
00:07:46 --> 00:07:49 that Jesus continues to keep his followers safe.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:54 Jude loved the followers of Jesus
00:07:54 --> 00:07:55 as much as Jesus loved them.
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 And in his letter,
00:07:57 --> 00:08:01 he provides bookends of encouragement and praises
00:08:01 --> 00:08:03 for the faithful followers.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:09 His letter may seem heavy and sober in the middle,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:13 but we must remember that Jude writes it
00:08:13 --> 00:08:14 out of love and encouragement.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:17 The faith that was once for all
00:08:17 --> 00:08:19 and trusted to God's holy people
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 frames the whole body of the letter.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Jude writes to remind
00:08:24 --> 00:08:27 and to urge his readers to remember that faith.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 It was once and for all
00:08:30 --> 00:08:33 and trusted to them who are God's holy people.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:37 It will not change, diminish, or be taken away.
00:08:38 --> 00:08:41 Faithful followers knew how to behave
00:08:41 --> 00:08:43 and only needed to be reminded
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 of what they had already learned and demonstrated.
00:08:47 --> 00:08:50 Nick reminded us in his preaching a couple of weeks ago
00:08:50 --> 00:08:53 from Ephesians that Jesus' followers
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 are God's holy people
00:08:55 --> 00:08:58 who have a glorious inheritance waiting for them.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:01 There is such a true hope
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 and an incomparable great power
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 for those who believe.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:08 Jesus' believers and followers
00:09:08 --> 00:09:12 are special because Jesus calls and keeps us.
00:09:14 --> 00:09:16 Jude told us that he originally intended to write
00:09:16 --> 00:09:19 about their common salvation in Jesus Christ,
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 but had to change subject
00:09:21 --> 00:09:25 to provide with tools to defend their faith.
00:09:25 --> 00:09:29 His strong warning is necessary
00:09:29 --> 00:09:31 because there are ungodly people among his readers.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 Dear friends,
00:09:33 --> 00:09:35 although I was very eager to write to you
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 about the salvation we share,
00:09:38 --> 00:09:40 I felt compelled to write and urge you
00:09:40 --> 00:09:43 to contend for the faith that was run for all
00:09:43 --> 00:09:45 and trusted to God's holy people.
00:09:45 --> 00:09:47 For certain individuals
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 whose condemnation was written about long ago
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 have secretly slipped among you.
00:09:53 --> 00:09:55 They are ungodly people
00:09:55 --> 00:09:58 who have preferred the grace of our God
00:09:58 --> 00:10:01 into a license of immorality
00:10:01 --> 00:10:04 and denied Jesus Christ our only Savior and Lord.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:08 Jude told us that the ungodly people
00:10:08 --> 00:10:10 are those who preferred the grace of our God
00:10:10 --> 00:10:12 into a license of immorality
00:10:12 --> 00:10:16 and denied Jesus Christ our only Savior and Lord.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:20 The critical word here is only.
00:10:20 --> 00:10:22 Jesus is our only Savior.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:27 Ungodly people have an incorrect understanding
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 of what it takes to be saved
00:10:29 --> 00:10:31 and live in a moral life,
00:10:31 --> 00:10:34 which if followed will be detrimental.
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 There's nothing and no one else can save us
00:10:38 --> 00:10:41 or keep us safe except Jesus.
00:10:42 --> 00:10:44 False teacher create problems,
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 abuse the support of the Holy Ghost church,
00:10:48 --> 00:10:50 and claim to have particular inspiration
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 from the Holy Spirit.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:55 They will claim to know better
00:10:55 --> 00:10:57 than your leaders in how to do things.
00:10:58 --> 00:11:01 At the beginning of our summer series a few weeks ago,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:04 Steve preached about Jonathan Edwards
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 and how he should be added
00:11:05 --> 00:11:07 to the list of faithful people
00:11:07 --> 00:11:09 mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11.
00:11:10 --> 00:11:12 You can revisit all those sermons
00:11:12 --> 00:11:15 by Steve, Ash, and Nick on our website
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 or visit our YouTube live stream.
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 The Bible has many positive examples
00:11:21 --> 00:11:23 of how God encourages a follower
00:11:23 --> 00:11:25 to stay faithful to him.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:29 And they are also examples of those
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 who suffer the punishment
00:11:31 --> 00:11:33 of their rebellion towards God.
00:11:34 --> 00:11:36 And Jude uses many negative examples
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 from the Old Testament,
00:11:37 --> 00:11:39 from verse 5 to 19.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 Hebrews 11 and Jude provides
00:11:42 --> 00:11:44 a positive and negative examples
00:11:44 --> 00:11:46 of faithful interaction with God.
00:11:47 --> 00:11:49 If you're not familiar with them,
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 you should make it your goal
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 to read through them
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 so that you will not fall
00:11:53 --> 00:11:55 into the same punishment
00:11:55 --> 00:11:57 as those who rebel against God.
00:11:58 --> 00:12:00 I have compiled this leaflet
00:12:00 --> 00:12:02 of how Jude used the Old Testament.
00:12:03 --> 00:12:05 So take a copy as you leave
00:12:05 --> 00:12:07 and familiarize yourself
00:12:07 --> 00:12:09 with the negative example
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 so that you can take
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 Jude's warning to heart.
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 But Jude compiles a summary
00:12:14 --> 00:12:16 that the ungodly people are
00:12:16 --> 00:12:18 those who do not believe.
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 They abandoned their proper dwelling
00:12:21 --> 00:12:23 and gave themselves up
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 to sexual immorality and perversion.
00:12:26 --> 00:12:28 They polluted their bodies,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 rejected authority,
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 and hid abuse on celestial things.
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 He further explained that
00:12:33 --> 00:12:35 these people slander
00:12:35 --> 00:12:37 whatever they do not understand.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 Jude go on to say,
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 these people are blamishers
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 at your love feast,
00:12:44 --> 00:12:44 eating with you
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 with their slightest crime,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:48 and shepherds who feed only themselves.
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 The ungodly people
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 present a worrying problem
00:12:53 --> 00:12:55 not because they actively
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 oppose the church.
00:12:57 --> 00:12:57 They are a problem
00:12:57 --> 00:12:59 because they have secretly
00:12:59 --> 00:13:02 slipped in among the believers
00:13:02 --> 00:13:04 and infiltrate the community.
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 They appear to have
00:13:06 --> 00:13:08 your interest in their mind.
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 They enjoy the fellowship
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 and may even hold
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 leadership positions
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 shepherding others.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:16 But all their care and concern
00:13:16 --> 00:13:17 are themselves.
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 Jude described the ungodly people
00:13:20 --> 00:13:22 as cloud without rain,
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 blow along by the wind,
00:13:24 --> 00:13:26 autumn trees without fruits
00:13:26 --> 00:13:28 and uprooted tristead.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:30 They are wild waves of the sea
00:13:30 --> 00:13:32 forming up their shame,
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 wandering stars
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 from whom
00:13:34 --> 00:13:36 blackness
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 has been reserved forever.
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 They are like clouds
00:13:41 --> 00:13:43 that overshadow others
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 but never bring the rain
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 that will nourish
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 and produce growth.
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 They like to keep you
00:13:49 --> 00:13:51 under their control.
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 They are fruitless trees
00:13:53 --> 00:13:55 and spiritually dead.
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 Their fires
00:13:57 --> 00:13:59 often seem possible
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 but will not help you
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 to grow closer
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 to God or his people.
00:14:04 --> 00:14:06 They do not hold back
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 from telling others
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 about their experience
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 or achievements.
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 They appear
00:14:10 --> 00:14:12 to be committed
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 to God or the church.
00:14:15 --> 00:14:15 Stars
00:14:15 --> 00:14:17 serve a great purpose
00:14:17 --> 00:14:19 of giving travel
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 a direction at night,
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 pointing the lost
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 to a safe place.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 As followers of Christ,
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 we are to point people
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 to Jesus
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 for salvation.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 But the ungodly people
00:14:28 --> 00:14:30 are wandering stars
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 who lead people
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 away from God.
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 And if people rely
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 on their advice
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 or follow them,
00:14:35 --> 00:14:35 they will not grow
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 in their faith
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 as God's intended.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:40 So Jude continues
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 saying,
00:14:41 --> 00:14:42 these people
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 are grumbler,
00:14:43 --> 00:14:44 fault-finder.
00:14:45 --> 00:14:45 They follow
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 their own evil desires.
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 They boast about
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 themselves
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 and flatter others
00:14:49 --> 00:14:51 for their own advantage.
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 They grumble,
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 they find faults
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 in others,
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 especially those
00:14:56 --> 00:14:56 leading them.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 The ungodly people
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 often complain
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 behind their leader's back
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 and use flattery
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 to manipulate
00:15:03 --> 00:15:05 and gain an advantage
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 in getting what they want.
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 They are scoffers
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 who follow
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 their own ungodly desires.
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 People will divide
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 the community
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 by following
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 merely human instincts
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 and do not have the spirit
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 because they care
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 most about
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 getting what they want,
00:15:20 --> 00:15:20 even if it means
00:15:20 --> 00:15:22 stepping on others
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 to get it.
00:15:23 --> 00:15:24 They are sometimes
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 very subtle
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 but other times
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 apparent
00:15:26 --> 00:15:28 in how they gain
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 their influence
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 over other believers.
00:15:31 --> 00:15:33 We live in a society
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 that demands
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 the church
00:15:35 --> 00:15:35 to change
00:15:35 --> 00:15:37 with the times
00:15:37 --> 00:15:37 to take advantage
00:15:37 --> 00:15:39 of most modern view
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 of what it means
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 to be a Christian.
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 And the demands
00:15:42 --> 00:15:43 are even coming
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 from within
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 the community
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 of believers
00:15:45 --> 00:15:48 who to redefine
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 the basic meanings
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 of even being
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 human
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 in terms of
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 gender
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 and marriage.
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 We're in our
00:15:55 --> 00:15:56 current day and age
00:15:56 --> 00:15:58 where personal
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 and individual freedom
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 has been elevated
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 so high
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 as a failure of life,
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 where self-indulgence
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 and self-persevation
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 is of high priority
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 of a lot of people,
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 especially Yarn Edo's.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 The warning of Jews
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 against ungodliness
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 is very relevant
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 to Jesus' followers.
00:16:16 --> 00:16:19 So how are we
00:16:19 --> 00:16:21 going to content
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 for the faith
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 that was once for all
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 and trusted
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 to God's holy people?
00:16:26 --> 00:16:27 How are we going
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 to stay faithful
00:16:28 --> 00:16:28 to the gospel?
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 Before we think
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 about what we need
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 to do,
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 I must reassure you
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 again that
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 God is the one
00:16:35 --> 00:16:37 who keeps us
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 from stumbling.
00:16:38 --> 00:16:40 We are loved by God
00:16:40 --> 00:16:40 and called
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 and kept saved
00:16:41 --> 00:16:41 by Jesus.
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 God will present
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 his people
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 to himself
00:16:45 --> 00:16:47 as perfect reflection
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 of his son Jesus
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 to display his glory
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 and share his eternal joy
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 with his people.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 But you,
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 dear friends,
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 by building yourself up
00:16:57 --> 00:16:59 in your most holy faith
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 and praying
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 in the Holy Spirit,
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 keep yourself
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 in God's love
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 as you wait
00:17:03 --> 00:17:04 for the mercy
00:17:04 --> 00:17:05 of our Lord Jesus Christ
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 to bring you
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 to eternal life.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 Jew gives us
00:17:09 --> 00:17:11 three specific instructions
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 to how to stay faithful
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 to the gospel,
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 content for our faith,
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 fight and struggle,
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 exert intense effort
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 like an athlete
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 or one in warfare.
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 But he again
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 assures us
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 in verse 24
00:17:25 --> 00:17:26 that God,
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 the glorious,
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 majestic,
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 powerful,
00:17:30 --> 00:17:30 authoritative,
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 only God,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:32 our Savior,
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 is at work,
00:17:34 --> 00:17:34 who is able
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 to keep you
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 from stumbling
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 and to present you
00:17:37 --> 00:17:39 before his glorious presence
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 with a thought
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 and with great joy.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 God's hope
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 and power
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 are sufficient
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 to sustain us
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 in the face
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 of what God brings
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 into our life.
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 Even a few ungodly people
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 or situations,
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 God is the one
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 who will work in you
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 as you joy
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 lean to him.
00:17:58 --> 00:17:58 Interacting
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 with people
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 who doubt
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 and wonder
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 requires deep knowledge
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 of our weaknesses
00:18:04 --> 00:18:07 and failure.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:09 It requires maturity
00:18:09 --> 00:18:09 of faith.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 That is why
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 Jude's first
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 specific instruction
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 is to build
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 ourselves up
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 in faith.
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 Romans 10, 17
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 says,
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 faith comes from
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 hearing the message
00:18:20 --> 00:18:22 and the message
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 is heard
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 through the word
00:18:24 --> 00:18:24 about Christ.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 Because we are prone
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 to forget
00:18:27 --> 00:18:29 what God has done
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 for us,
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 we must constantly
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 expose ourselves
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 to God's word,
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 which is where
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 faith comes from.
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 Regularly reading
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 the Bible,
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 hearing preached
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 and taught,
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 memorizing scriptures
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 and discusses
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 with others
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 are ways
00:18:45 --> 00:18:45 we build
00:18:45 --> 00:18:46 ourselves up
00:18:46 --> 00:18:46 in faith.
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 God has given us
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 patterns in the scripture
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 as a warning.
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 As we see
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 the numerous examples
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 of those who
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 turn away from the Lord
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 to fold their sinful ways,
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 we should pray
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 and ask God
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 to show us
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 an area of our life
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 where evil desire
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 may lurk.
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 And that's the second
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 specific instruction.
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 We pray for the Holy Spirit
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 to work in our life.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 And by building
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 ourselves up
00:19:12 --> 00:19:12 this way
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 and praying
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 in the Holy Spirit,
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 we keep ourselves
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 in God's love
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 as we await
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 his mercy
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 on the last day.
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 That's the third
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 instruction.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 The way
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 we can keep ourselves
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 in God's love,
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 apart from reading
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 the Bible
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 and praying,
00:19:31 --> 00:19:33 is to be merciful
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 to those who doubt.
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 Save others
00:19:35 --> 00:19:36 by snatching them
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 from the fire.
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 To others show mercy,
00:19:39 --> 00:19:40 mixed with fear,
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 hating even the clothing
00:19:42 --> 00:19:42 stink
00:19:42 --> 00:19:44 by corrupt flesh.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 As believers,
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 our hope is set
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 on Christ's mercy
00:19:49 --> 00:19:49 towards us.
00:19:50 --> 00:19:52 So we are to show mercy
00:19:52 --> 00:19:52 to those
00:19:52 --> 00:19:53 caught in sin
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 and deception
00:19:54 --> 00:19:56 while keeping ourselves
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 from that sin
00:19:57 --> 00:19:59 that has trapped them.
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 all of this
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 require
00:20:01 --> 00:20:03 intentional effort
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 and active
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 participation
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 in the body
00:20:06 --> 00:20:06 of Christ.
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 We are vulnerable
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 in mistaking
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 our desires
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 for God's will.
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 The false teaching
00:20:14 --> 00:20:15 of those ungodly
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 people may seem
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 good and reasonable
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 at first.
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 And a false teacher
00:20:19 --> 00:20:21 may appear authentic.
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 It ends up
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 pointing away
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 from God
00:20:23 --> 00:20:25 and towards destruction.
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 To avoid
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 being led astray,
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 we must rely
00:20:29 --> 00:20:29 on the scriptures,
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 on the spirit's guidance
00:20:31 --> 00:20:33 and invite other believers
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 to help
00:20:33 --> 00:20:35 hold us accountable.
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 We should take advantage
00:20:37 --> 00:20:39 of these safeguards,
00:20:39 --> 00:20:41 stay on the gospel path
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 and assist those
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 who are wavering.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 A sure sign
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 of ungodly people
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 is that they like
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 to fight
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 with others,
00:20:50 --> 00:20:51 especially their leaders.
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 So let me introduce you
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 to this book
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 called Fight for
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 Your Pastor.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 A pastor
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 is someone
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 that's leading your life.
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 Again,
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 this will help you
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 to come back
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 ungodliness.
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 I bought this book
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 last year
00:21:07 --> 00:21:09 and gave out copies
00:21:09 --> 00:21:09 to the church.
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 So please
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 dust them
00:21:11 --> 00:21:13 off your shelf.
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 We'll read them
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 again this year.
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 And if you haven't
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 got a copy,
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 we've got copies
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 out there
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 as you go out.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 Please consider
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 also donating
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 to the church
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 as we can
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 make more resources
00:21:24 --> 00:21:26 available to you.
00:21:26 --> 00:21:28 less content
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 together
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 for the faith
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 that was once
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 and for all
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 and trusted to you
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 and me,
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 God's holy people.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 To him
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 who is able
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 to keep you
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 from stumbling
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 and to present you
00:21:39 --> 00:21:41 before his glorious presence
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 without thought
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 and with great joy,
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 to the only God
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 our Savior
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 be glory,
00:21:46 --> 00:21:46 majesty,
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 power,
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 and authority
00:21:48 --> 00:21:50 through Jesus Christ
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 our Lord
00:21:50 --> 00:21:52 before all ages
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 now and forever.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 Amen.