Fight: A study of Jude 17-23

Strategies to remain faithful (in the last days)

Welcome

Pastoral Burdens: End of the year giving- How will we engage and why? Praying for our nation/those affected by no SNAP benefits- our response?

Prayer

Read Jude 17–23 “But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”

** May the lord have blessing on the reader, hearers, and doers of His word**

Title: Strategies to remain faithful

Introduction: Central Idea: Strategies to remain faithful in the last days.

quick recap on Jude 5-16. — description of ungodly (false teachers). Jude 17-23.— are strategies to remain faithful despite the ungodly (false teachers) destructive ways/teachings.

Movement 1: Strategies to remain faithful requires REMEMBERING Read Jude 18-19.

A) Prediction of the apostles of our Lord Jesus

Jesus spoke/taught about it— Matthew 7:15-16.

Paul spoke taught about it — Acts 20:29.

B) In the last times (days)…

will be scoffers— “mockers”

Mocking God & God’s ways- “where is your God?” “Living God’s/Jesus way wont get you there” “Why live like christ? His grace saved you, live as you please”

2 Peter 3:8–9.??

follow own ungodly passions (desires)

cause division — divisive

worldly people — “guided by natural instincts”

Devoid of the Spirit - don’t have the Holy Spirit

Signs of the Last days:

1 Timothy 4:1–2 “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,”

2 Timothy 3:1–5 “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, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”

Movements 2: Strategies to remain faithful requires REMAINING in God’s love READ Jude 20-21.

Primary Command — KEEP/REMAIN yourselves in the Love of God (v.21).

Three imperative clauses in v20-21 are Judes instruction on how believers can keep themselves in the Love of God.

John 15:9–10 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”

A) Building each other up in the most holy faith

Build on the foundation of Jesus Christ — The cornerstone.

Be mindful how/what you build

not just for self but others: Be in the word of God (individually and together), Serve others, give to others, pray for others all to edify each other — The temple of God.

Col.2:6-7 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

B)Praying in the Holy Spirit

Pray in tongues only? - NO! Pray in tongues is included (I believe) but not limited to.

Be led, guided, controlled by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

C) Waiting for the mercy of our lord Jesus that leads to eternal life

Movement 3: Strategies to remain faithful requires RESCUING READ Jude 22-23.

Believers are called to live out MERCY— Now that believers have received mercy from Jesus our Lord & Savior. Believers are called to exercise mercy to people affected by the false (ungodly) teachers ways & teachings.

Jude is calling the believers to engage with people the SAME way he engage with you:

A) Show (have) mercy to those who doubt

Deal Gently with those who waver (doubt)

B) Snatch (rescue) them out of the fire

Deal quickly those who are in danger

C) Show mercy with fear, hate even garments stained by the flesh

Deal carefully with those who are defiled