Keep yourselves in the mercy of God

Keep yourselves … looking for the mercy of

our Lord Jesus Christ

Jude 1: 21

This is one of the promises

given to the Church this year

2014

It is small in size – people despise small & insignificant

thingsIt is strange in content – it demands further study for

correct understanding

It is severe in style – people normally like to live in

fantasy than reality

is a neglected book in the Bible because

Jude is written by Jesus’

brother Judas

Strangely Judas calls himself the ‘bond servant of the

Lord Jesus’

Why?Why doesn’t Judas calls himself the brother

of Jesus?

Jesus’ family hadn’t believed Jesus as the Messiah ref. Mark 3: 20-31

Jesus’ disciples hadn’t believed Jesus really• Peter - Mark 14: 66-72; • Thomas - John 20:24-25• Judas Iscariot - Matthew 26:15

Notice the dramatic changes 1. in the disciples. They went from a group of men

frightened and in hiding to strong, courageous witnesses sharing the gospel throughout the world.

2. in the life of the apostle Paul. What changed him from being a persecutor of the church into an apostle for the church?

3. in his own family. Jude calling himself the bond servant of Jesus

4. In you and me & in every Christian

BUT

What causes this sudden

change in people’s perception?

It’s Jesus’ DEATH

BURIALRESURRECTION

&

It’s through the RISEN LORD you & I will

• be raised to eternal life just as He was • have the power to live victoriously over sin • receive the resurrection body• have ultimate victory over death

This the blessed hope of a Christian

(1 Corinthians 15: 20-58)

1.God reaches down to man in Jesus because you can’t reach up to Him through your own efforts.

2.God proposes a relationship with him but not a system of do’s and don’ts to appease God

3.God offers the singular source of Truth in the Bible

4.God offers eternal life through the most amazing event in all of human history—the resurrection.

Sothe Christian faith is Unique

Now look at what Jude says

here verse 21

But ye, beloved, 1building up yourselves on your most holy faith, 2praying in the

Holy Ghost, 3Keep yourselves in the love of

God, 4looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto

eternal life.

People in Sodom & Gomorrah

Cain, Adam’s son

But God had to deal with these people severely:

Israel in the wildernessFor disobedience & idolatry (Exodus 32)

Even angels in heavenFor disturbing God’s order of life

For sexual immorality & perversion (Genesis 19)

Korah, Moses’ cousin

Balaam, the prophet

For jealousy & anger (Genesis 4)

For rebellion & ambition (Numbers 16)

For greed & love of money (Numbers 22)

Why, what’s

gone wrong

with these people?

Creed

Character

Destiny

dete

rmin

es

dete

rmin

es

If your creed (what you believe) is corrupted, your conduct will go haywire

(they became arrogant, rebellious, selfish, greedy and what-not)

(God’s judgment was upon them)

(they took the grace of God lightly)

What is your view of God?• Sentimental view or Scriptural View?

God does not simply overlook our sin and say, ‘that’s OK’ He actually

deals with it. How? Jesus fully took OUR sin on

Himself and paid for our sin by His death on the cross. Our sin is serious

and

it cost Jesus incredible suffering. 

So, ‘dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning

after we have received knowledge

of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover

these sins.’Hebrews 10:26

However, ‘my dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have ONE who speaks to the

Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the

atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the

sins of the whole world.’1John 2:1,2

Some people say you cannot sin anymore In fact you have to follow certain do’s and don’ts

Legalism

Forgiveness. What’s it?

Some say that you can sin because there is forgiveness always. All that you need to say is ‘Sorry Lord’

Liberalism

But the actual fact is

You are FREE not to sin

What is your view of Jesus?• Syncretistic view or Scriptural View?

Jesus claims, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father

except through me’ (John 14:6)and ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to

men by which we must be saved’ (Acts 4:12).

It’s an exclusive claim not inclusive of other options

Your Creed

Your Character YourConversation

Your Destiny

Grumbling & fault-findingBoasting & flattering

dete

rmin

es

dete

rmin

es

determines

So your view of God i.e.

Jude 1:16

SO WE HAVE TO BE

How do we fight

for our faith?

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You

shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and

with all your soul and with all your might. And these

words that I command you today shall be on your

heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children,

and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and

when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and

when you rise. ~ Deuteronomy 6:4-7

1

2

1. Wavering brothers2. Backslidden ones3. Defiled brothers

Be ready to rescue

3