Last Lesson in Jude

We were able to finish up our last lesson in Jude this Sunday. We had a great time - and God really blessed our group. We are praying that God would help us to keep ourselves clean from the characteristics of these "counterfeit Christians" that have crept in unawares.

 

vs. 17-18 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;  How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

• Jude is calling us to remember what the apostles taught
• Warning us of mockers in the last days
• Walk after their own lusts and desires - not Christ's

vs. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

• They separate themselves - they can't and don't want to function as a true and genuine part of the body of  Christ - they are joined to the devil, the world, and the flesh
• They are sensual - dealing in the realm of the flesh - fleshly desires - fleshly thoughts
• They have not the Spirit - so they cannot be truly spiritual

vs. 20-21 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

• How do we "build" ourselves up? By reading and studying God's Word - this is our spiritual exercise
• Praying in the Holy Ghost - the study of God's Word must be accompanied by prayer He speaks to us through His Word - we speak to Him through prayer. Our prayers avail much when the are in the "Holy Ghost"
• Keep yourselves in the love of God - stay close to Him - ask for His mercy to help us - Remember the characteristics of our "first love" - that hunger for Him - that reckless abandon to tell others about the wonderful gift of salvation - desire to be at His feet as much as possible.
• Encourage one another to stay in the love of God

vs. 22 - 23 And of some have compassion, making a difference:  And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

• And of some have compassion - we must watch over one another - be accountable if you will - faithfully reproving and exhorting one another - this must be done with compassion
• Some we must treat with tenderness - others save with fear - stressing God's judgement
• Each method must be accompanied by a horror of sin - abhorring the connection to the "old" life

vs. 24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen

• He alone can keep us from falling - keep us from these sinful characteristics named througout Jude
• He delights in presenting us to His father... though we have been so vile through His righteousness we can be presented without fault
• As He presents us this way - His work has come full circle - giving Him much joy
• We so often act ashamed of Christ - but He is not ashamed of us - He presents us - once wicked and sinful - but justified through His sacrifice - to His Father 
• Glory be to Him who has done all of this!