If You Continue In The Gospel

I. CONTINUING IN THE FAITH

Jude 3

Jude 3 ESV

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

“The only proof of past conversion is present convertedness.” J. I. Packer

II. STABLE AND STEADFAST

“…if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard...” Colossians 1:23a

Where does one find this stability? The answer Paul gives is “the hope of the gospel that you heard.” This phrase recalls the words of Colossians 1:5–6. The Christian’s hope lies in the proclaimed and heard message of God’s saving acts in Christ. Ephesians–Philemon (Vol. XI, p. 227). Wheaton, IL: Crossway.

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,

III. AN INCLUSIVE MESSAGE

“…the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”