Exhortations to the sanctified!
Warnings to the sanctified - Book of Jude • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 57:30
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The need to contend further described
The need to contend further described
Jude had a plan, a good plan but it was changed because of a need (Jude3). Warning signs, reminders, instructions are oftentimes given to help protect people, in our case the sanctified, the beloved.
We a plan change because of a need (Jude3)
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.
We have looked at the condemnation of the ungodly (Jude5-7)
Using history Jude reminds them of history and condemnation even of those who once God saved. Using the Hebrews coming out of Egypt as well as the angels thrown out of heaven. As well as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The depiction of the the ungodly (Jude9-16)
They speak evil, speaking of things they do not know
They are like brute beasts, they are greedy, they are rebellious.
They serve themselves, they are like clouds without water, raging waves of the sea.
They will be judged for ungodly ways!
They are grumblers, complainers walking in the lust of their flesh.
Tonight we look at some exhortations to the godly to stay the course by reminding them and directing them (Jude17-23)
As we get into these verses you see the word “beloved” you have seen it before when we did 1John, and Paul used it, as did Peter as well as the Hebrew writer.
(transition) Remember the recipients of this letter are the beloved, they are people Jude knew, loved, cared for, had many things in common with them and he wants to warn and protect them. So, these exhortations are given to help keep them from being misled by the ungodly.
So, hopefully this is how we will approach our passage tonight.
Remember God’s word (Jude17-19)
Build up your godly character, your Christian life (Jude20-21)
Exercise spiritual discernment (Jude22-23)
Remember God’s word
Remember God’s word
These exhortations are being spoken to keep the Christian from stumbling. There is much we can glean from them. First and foremost from God’s word.
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”
19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.
Who is Jude addressing (v.17)? instructing them to do what?
What is the warning found in (v.18)?
What are the division causers devoid of (v.19)?
Remember who spoke, who gave the words (vv.17-18)
It was the apostles of Jesus Christ, there were many disciples but only a few chosen as apostles (ones sent with message and authority with power; witnesses of Jesus Christ (consider Act1:21-22; 1Cor9:1)
This was mentioned by Jude for Just as Jesus said, Peter said, Paul said there would be fake, counterfeit, false apostles, teachers. So these words are being spoke to remind and encourage the readers to know where the word came from and the authority in which it came.
Christ had committed the faith to his apostles (Jude3). So one of the main things we should use as a litmus test of the teaching, is, is this in line with what the apostles taught?
If someone tries to offer you a “new revelation” best it by what the apostles wrote and by what Jesus taught and you will discover that the revelation is a lie.
Remember what they said (2Pt3:1-3; 2Tim4:2-4)
There was prophesy that in the last times, last days there would be mockers (v.18) but not just by Jude, look what Peter said. And maybe even consider what Paul said.
1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles. 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts,
and the words of Paul
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
Oh wait, note down (1Jn2:18:ff, 1Jn4:1-6): in summary there are many antichrists out there, they deny Jesus is the Christ, they deny Jesus came in the flesh. They speak as from the world and the world believes them. - - - - with so many people, Jude, Peter, Paul, John, Jesus himself giving these warnings, think maybe we better pay attention?
These certain people who crept in unaware (Jude3) are walking after their own lusts; so be sure you have, know God’s word: (2Pt2:3)
They want to take God’s truth and discount it, minimize it, so they can replace it for selfish purposes. So now, remember why it was said (Jude19; Act20:30)
19 These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit.
These people want to cause divisions, are causing divisions and are leading people within the church away from the truth and from the church, into a false fellowship where there is no salvation. This is not anything new
30 and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
And it is very dangerous, they are draw away disciples (followers of a teacher, that teacher being Jesus) after them.
False teachers do not only divide the church, they deceive the church. They are sensual not having, or being void of the Spirit. (1Cor2:14-16)
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one.
16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.
May we be people who do not get caught up in religious showmanship but moved and sustained by God’s word. Please be a good Berean and make sure what you hear is true (Act17:11).
Be a person of the word that can divide the soul and the spirit (Heb4:12)
12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
It takes the Spirit of God to work with our spirit (Rom8:16) to make us more like, to be conformed to be like Christ (Rom8:29)
Build up your godly character
Build up your godly character
From words of admonishment to words of encouragement, and come on now, who does not like to be encourged? Not just encouraged but instructed too.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
Again, who is he speaking to (v.20)?
the beloved, the called, the sanctified, the kept (v.20, 1)
What are the instructions given (v.20)?
Build yourself up, not just build something but build up in your holy faith. The faith we need to contend for (v.3). The changed reason for this letter.
How are you to fulfill the instructions (v.20-21)?
Pray in the Holy Spirit, Keep yourself in the love of Christ, wait anxiously for the mercy Of our Lord taking us into eternal life.
We are not to be stand still Christians, for if you are standing still you are really slipping backwards. A house left to itself will fall apart, it needs to be maintained. Apostates want to tear down, where Christians are to build up.
Building on your Christian character, Christian life.
Know your foundation (v.20); the faith that was delivered (v.3)
20 But dear friends, use your most holy faith to build yourselves up, praying in the Holy Spirit.
God’s word is important, a central part of our spiritual growth
Interesting illustration coming from China, the members of a Chinese church under the leadership of Watchman Nee used have a saying “No bible- No Breakfast” - the word (spiritual food) was put before (physical food).
Ever wonder if we are malnourished?
The power for the building up comes from prayer (v.20); it works hand in hand with the word of God (Rom10:17; Act6:4 1Jn5:14-15)
20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,
And we know that faith, holy faith comes from the word of God (Rom10:17 ref)
The apostles but prayer and the word together like this.
4 “But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Billy Sunday used to tell new believers, new converts some general things to help them build up their most holy faith.
Read the bible daily so to let God speak to them.
Pray daily so to speak to God
Share daily so put into action what you heard and what you said.
Praying in the Spirit is not about speaking in tongues, it is about speaking earnestly, for God’s will to be done here on earth not trying to get God to do our will. May you consider
14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Other scriptures referenced or used (Mt6:6; Rom8:26-29; Eph1:15ff; Jm1:5; Eph2:18)
Here is some food for thought about praying in Holy Spirit
Pray in solitude (Mt6:6); but know you are not alone (Rom8:26-28)
Pray asking for knowledge (Eph1:15ff), wisdom (Jm1:5), knowing God will give abundantly, and that we have access through the Son (Eph2:18)
So, our building up our christian character, your Christian life involved the Word, the Spirit, and prayer, but wait, there is more, Jude adds more.
21 staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!
Staying right at the center, keeping in God’s love. Christian effort! This is not about salvation, but about sanctification and about protection against those who can mislead, misguide the saved, take them right out.
Keeping in the love of God, is abiding in God’s love (Jn15:9; Jn14:21-24; 1Jn2:5; Ps97:10)
9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
So, how do we do it, let’s again turn to John
21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, “Lord, what then has happened that You are going to disclose Yourself to us and not to the world?”
23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.
How do we abide in God’s love (Jn14:21, 23-24)?
God’s love is perfected
5 but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
God’s perfect love is to love what God loves and hate what God hates
10 Hate evil, you who love the Lord, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Keeping in God’s love, looking for God’s mercy (v.21; Tit2:13; 2Pt3:12: 1Jn3:3; Heb6:19)
Keeping yourself, Your responsibility, in the love of God, all the while looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ into eternal life (v.21).
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Look how it is said in Titus
13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Or what Peter said
12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!
Keeping in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of God puts in a place where we want to be purified, keep purified for the glory of God.
3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
For this hope, hope filed on Him is our anchor
19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,
(transition) We still have one more point to get through tonight, bear with me a few minutes longer
Exercise spiritual discernment
Exercise spiritual discernment
Spiritual discernment in simplest form is understanding truth from error, right from wrong, and the growing Christian needs to practice spiritual discernment.
22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
What are the instructions, given, who are the ones needing spiritual help in (vv.22-23)?
Mercy on the doubting
the doubting are the wavering, maybe as Peter notes the unstable souls
14 having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children;
Our responsibility is to have mercy on them, to show compassion and to lead, guide, teach them the truth so not influenced by the apostates, the false teachers.
Be loving, be caring, be compassionate, be prepared. Emphasis what we have in Christ Jesus, the truth, the things the apostates, the false teachers cannot offer
Every young Christian needs mature Christians to come along side them to encourage them, to help build them up in their most holy faith.
Snatching others out of the fire
There are who were people who have left the most holy faith and have gone back out from us (as John noted 1Jn2:19) They were among us, but not really of us.
They need to be led back out, just as the angels took Lot by the hand to lead him out (Gen19:16)
Hating, but having mercy with fear on others who are polluted by the flesh.
With fear, meaning with awareness, with caution, trying to help those who have left the faith, are erred in the faith but not getting led away yourself and taken captive again. Paul said it like this.
1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
or look at
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
as we close out this evening, may we look at the passage one more time and pray then for understanding and application.
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.”
19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
(pray) (exit)