WEBVTT

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 If you can be a sibling of someone famous, who will it be?

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 And how will you live differently?

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 If you're a sport fan, maybe you want to be one of Williams or Watts,

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 or if you enjoy movie and entertainment, how about being one of the Hemsworths,

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 or the White Brothers of Aviation or the Kennedys in American politics.

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 Let's play a guessing game, okay, to see whether you can recognize those siblings of the foreign peoples.

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 The hints are their siblings is in entertainment industry.

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 They go, Kimon, very obvious.

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 Got resemblance, this is issues.

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 This is harder.

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 Steve might know this one.

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 We all know this.

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 The next one should be easy for all the Yanwans.

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 Yeah.

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 Very well.

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 Great job in working out who these people are.

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 But do you remember my original questions?

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 There are two questions.

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 The first is, whose sibling do you want to become?

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 And what about the second questions?

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 Wendy, can you hold back a bit on that one?

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 Yes.

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 I think the second question is comparatively a bit more important.

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 And I won't ask for a show of hands, but I'm confident around half of us,

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 so many of us will forgot that question, is how will you live differently?

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 Which is about what changes people will see in your life to show that you are a member of a particular family.

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 I'm confident, for I know that I myself often miss important parts of a conversation

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 because I'm very frustrated on some earlier parts or become very quick to react.

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 One of the writers in the New Testament, James, teach us from his book in chapter 1, verse 19 to 20,

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 that my dear brothers and sisters, take note of this.

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 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry

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 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

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 Learning to hold back our reaction, being quick to listen and slow to speak,

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 and or slow to become angry is such a lifelong lesson.

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 It's much easier to stay angry and demand justice, an eye for an eye.

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 But take note of James' warning that human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires,

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 which is end up causing you to become ungodly.

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 Ash preached last week about how the gospel,

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 the good news of God's action to save people through Jesus,

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 bring everyone into a family.

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 Talking about family and sibling,

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 we read today that James also has a brother who wrote a letter in the New Testament.

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 His name is Jew.

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 Jew, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,

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 he wrote a letter to those who have been called,

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 who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ,

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 to encourage them to content for the faith,

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 deliver once and for all to the saints.

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 My intention today is to explore three questions from Jew's letter.

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 Who is Jew?

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 Who are the ungodly?

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 And how do we stay faithful to the gospel?

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 We know from what we have read that Jew is James' brother.

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 The beginning of the letter can also be translated as,

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 I, Judas, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James,

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 writing to those loved by God the Father,

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 called and kept safe by Jesus Christ.

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 We can make three observations of this different translation.

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 Firstly, Jew and Judas are interchangeable names.

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 Matthew 13, verse 54 to 55 says,

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 So, apart from being the brother of James,

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 Jude or Judas is also a brother of Jesus Christ.

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 Chapter 3 of Mark's gospel says,

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 Jesus' family went to take charge of him

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 because they thought he has gone out of his mind

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 for being so busy dealing with people and even skipping meals.

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 But Acts 1, 14 indicates that Jesus' brother later become his follower.

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 And Paul, right in 1 Corinthians 9, verse 5,

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 implied that Jesus' brother become traveling missionary later in their life.

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 James and Jude's writings provide so much for us

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 to learn about how to live as a follower of Christ.

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 I urge you to set your goal this year to read their writing

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 and be familiar with their teaching.

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 The second observation is about the term a slave to Jesus Christ,

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 which is the first lesson we can learn from Jude.

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 Jude did not claim his status as a brother of Jesus Christ,

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 but addressed himself as a slave to Jesus Christ

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 because he was fully committed to glorifying Jesus.

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 He does not want anything to distract his audience.

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 Being a slave is a much stronger term than being a servant.

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 Jude's self-destination describes his complete devotion to Jesus.

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 Jude is an ordinary person who became special

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 through his association with Jesus.

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 And the association is not through being his sibling,

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 but through his submission to Jesus as a slave to his master.

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 Jude is a person who knows his standing with God.

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 His identity comes from his heart to serve and glorify God.

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 It does not come from his status

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 or standing among the believing community

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 or his position in the church.

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 He wants the best for his audience

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 because he's writing to those loved by God,

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 which is my third observation.

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 The love that Jude referred to

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 is a completed action

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 that continues in the same state.

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 God continues to love the people Jude is writing to

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 because they are called and kept safe by Jesus.

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 Jesus is the ultimate carekeeper

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 of all those who follow him.

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 Jesus is the only person

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 who ensures his followers' abundance

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 in mercy, peace, and love.

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 And Jude is very confident

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 that Jesus continues to keep his followers safe.

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 Jude loved the followers of Jesus

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 as much as Jesus loved them.

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 And in his letter,

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 he provides bookends of encouragement and praises

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 for the faithful followers.

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 His letter may seem heavy and sober in the middle,

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 but we must remember that Jude writes it

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 out of love and encouragement.

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 The faith that was once for all

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 and trusted to God's holy people

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 frames the whole body of the letter.

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 Jude writes to remind

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 and to urge his readers to remember that faith.

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 It was once and for all

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 and trusted to them who are God's holy people.

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 It will not change, diminish, or be taken away.

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 Faithful followers knew how to behave

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 and only needed to be reminded

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 of what they had already learned and demonstrated.

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 Nick reminded us in his preaching a couple of weeks ago

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 from Ephesians that Jesus' followers

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 are God's holy people

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 who have a glorious inheritance waiting for them.

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 There is such a true hope

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 and an incomparable great power

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 for those who believe.

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 Jesus' believers and followers

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 are special because Jesus calls and keeps us.

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 Jude told us that he originally intended to write

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 about their common salvation in Jesus Christ,

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 but had to change subject

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 to provide with tools to defend their faith.

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 His strong warning is necessary

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 because there are ungodly people among his readers.

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 Dear friends,

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 although I was very eager to write to you

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 about the salvation we share,

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 I felt compelled to write and urge you

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 to contend for the faith that was run for all

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 and trusted to God's holy people.

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 For certain individuals

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 whose condemnation was written about long ago

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 have secretly slipped among you.

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 They are ungodly people

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 who have preferred the grace of our God

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 into a license of immorality

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 and denied Jesus Christ our only Savior and Lord.

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 Jude told us that the ungodly people

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 are those who preferred the grace of our God

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 into a license of immorality

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 and denied Jesus Christ our only Savior and Lord.

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 The critical word here is only.

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 Jesus is our only Savior.

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 Ungodly people have an incorrect understanding

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 of what it takes to be saved

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 and live in a moral life,

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 which if followed will be detrimental.

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 There's nothing and no one else can save us

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 or keep us safe except Jesus.

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 False teacher create problems,

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 abuse the support of the Holy Ghost church,

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 and claim to have particular inspiration

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 from the Holy Spirit.

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 They will claim to know better

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 than your leaders in how to do things.

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 At the beginning of our summer series a few weeks ago,

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 Steve preached about Jonathan Edwards

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 and how he should be added

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 to the list of faithful people

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 mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11.

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 You can revisit all those sermons

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 by Steve, Ash, and Nick on our website

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 or visit our YouTube live stream.

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 The Bible has many positive examples

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 of how God encourages a follower

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 to stay faithful to him.

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 And they are also examples of those

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 who suffer the punishment

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 of their rebellion towards God.

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 And Jude uses many negative examples

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 from the Old Testament,

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 from verse 5 to 19.

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 Hebrews 11 and Jude provides

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 a positive and negative examples

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 of faithful interaction with God.

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 If you're not familiar with them,

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 you should make it your goal

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 to read through them

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 so that you will not fall

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 into the same punishment

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 as those who rebel against God.

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 I have compiled this leaflet

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 of how Jude used the Old Testament.

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 So take a copy as you leave

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 and familiarize yourself

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 with the negative example

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 so that you can take

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 Jude's warning to heart.

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 But Jude compiles a summary

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 that the ungodly people are

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 those who do not believe.

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 They abandoned their proper dwelling

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 and gave themselves up

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 to sexual immorality and perversion.

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 They polluted their bodies,

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 rejected authority,

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 and hid abuse on celestial things.

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 He further explained that

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 these people slander

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 whatever they do not understand.

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 Jude go on to say,

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 these people are blamishers

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 at your love feast,

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 eating with you

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 with their slightest crime,

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 and shepherds who feed only themselves.

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 The ungodly people

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 present a worrying problem

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 not because they actively

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 oppose the church.

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 They are a problem

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 because they have secretly

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 slipped in among the believers

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 and infiltrate the community.

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 They appear to have

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 your interest in their mind.

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 They enjoy the fellowship

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 and may even hold

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 leadership positions

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 shepherding others.

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 But all their care and concern

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 are themselves.

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 Jude described the ungodly people

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 as cloud without rain,

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 blow along by the wind,

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 autumn trees without fruits

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 and uprooted tristead.

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 They are wild waves of the sea

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 forming up their shame,

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 wandering stars

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 from whom

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 blackness

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 has been reserved forever.

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 They are like clouds

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 that overshadow others

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 but never bring the rain

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 that will nourish

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 and produce growth.

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 They like to keep you

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 under their control.

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 They are fruitless trees

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 and spiritually dead.

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 Their fires

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 often seem possible

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 but will not help you

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 to grow closer

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 to God or his people.

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 They do not hold back

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 from telling others

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 about their experience

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 or achievements.

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 They appear

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 to be committed

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 to God or the church.

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 Stars

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 serve a great purpose

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 of giving travel

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 a direction at night,

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 pointing the lost

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 to a safe place.

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 As followers of Christ,

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 we are to point people

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 to Jesus

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 for salvation.

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 But the ungodly people

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 are wandering stars

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 who lead people

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 away from God.

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 And if people rely

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 on their advice

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 or follow them,

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 they will not grow

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 in their faith

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 as God's intended.

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 So Jude continues

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 saying,

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 these people

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 are grumbler,

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 fault-finder.

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 They follow

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 their own evil desires.

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 They boast about

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 themselves

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 and flatter others

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 for their own advantage.

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 They grumble,

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 they find faults

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 in others,

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 especially those

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 leading them.

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 The ungodly people

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 often complain

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 behind their leader's back

00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:02.740
 and use flattery

00:15:02.740 --> 00:15:03.879
 to manipulate

00:15:03.879 --> 00:15:05.379
 and gain an advantage

00:15:05.379 --> 00:15:06.600
 in getting what they want.

00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:08.639
 They are scoffers

00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.060
 who follow

00:15:09.060 --> 00:15:10.460
 their own ungodly desires.

00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.560
 People will divide

00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.259
 the community

00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:13.460
 by following

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:14.780
 merely human instincts

00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:16.200
 and do not have the spirit

00:15:16.200 --> 00:15:17.700
 because they care

00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:18.639
 most about

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.900
 getting what they want,

00:15:20.160 --> 00:15:20.980
 even if it means

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.040
 stepping on others

00:15:22.040 --> 00:15:22.519
 to get it.

00:15:23.420 --> 00:15:24.500
 They are sometimes

00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.259
 very subtle

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.419
 but other times

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:26.919
 apparent

00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:28.240
 in how they gain

00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:29.019
 their influence

00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.279
 over other believers.

00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:33.480
 We live in a society

00:15:33.480 --> 00:15:34.720
 that demands

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.220
 the church

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.820
 to change

00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:37.100
 with the times

00:15:37.100 --> 00:15:37.899
 to take advantage

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:39.500
 of most modern view

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:40.580
 of what it means

00:15:40.580 --> 00:15:41.159
 to be a Christian.

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.940
 And the demands

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.759
 are even coming

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.419
 from within

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.019
 the community

00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.679
 of believers

00:15:45.679 --> 00:15:48.080
 who to redefine

00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.620
 the basic meanings

00:15:49.620 --> 00:15:50.379
 of even being

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:50.980
 human

00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.679
 in terms of

00:15:51.679 --> 00:15:52.299
 gender

00:15:52.299 --> 00:15:53.159
 and marriage.

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:55.879
 We're in our

00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.879
 current day and age

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.279
 where personal

00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.560
 and individual freedom

00:15:59.560 --> 00:16:00.539
 has been elevated

00:16:00.539 --> 00:16:01.320
 so high

00:16:01.320 --> 00:16:02.860
 as a failure of life,

00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.600
 where self-indulgence

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.879
 and self-persevation

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:07.679
 is of high priority

00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:08.919
 of a lot of people,

00:16:09.139 --> 00:16:10.259
 especially Yarn Edo's.

00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:11.779
 The warning of Jews

00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.940
 against ungodliness

00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:14.899
 is very relevant

00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:16.519
 to Jesus' followers.

00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:19.620
 So how are we

00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:21.159
 going to content

00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:23.579
 for the faith

00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:24.600
 that was once for all

00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.319
 and trusted

00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.319
 to God's holy people?

00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.439
 How are we going

00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.139
 to stay faithful

00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:28.840
 to the gospel?

00:16:30.559 --> 00:16:31.559
 Before we think

00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.340
 about what we need

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.779
 to do,

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.139
 I must reassure you

00:16:34.139 --> 00:16:34.779
 again that

00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.879
 God is the one

00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:37.159
 who keeps us

00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.879
 from stumbling.

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:40.120
 We are loved by God

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.759
 and called

00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.399
 and kept saved

00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:41.980
 by Jesus.

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.639
 God will present

00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:44.399
 his people

00:16:44.399 --> 00:16:45.240
 to himself

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:47.100
 as perfect reflection

00:16:47.100 --> 00:16:48.240
 of his son Jesus

00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:50.100
 to display his glory

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.860
 and share his eternal joy

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.680
 with his people.

00:16:53.899 --> 00:16:54.759
 But you,

00:16:54.960 --> 00:16:55.600
 dear friends,

00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:57.759
 by building yourself up

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:59.080
 in your most holy faith

00:16:59.080 --> 00:17:00.000
 and praying

00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:01.000
 in the Holy Spirit,

00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.120
 keep yourself

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.879
 in God's love

00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.519
 as you wait

00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.220
 for the mercy

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.660
 of our Lord Jesus Christ

00:17:05.660 --> 00:17:06.559
 to bring you

00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.539
 to eternal life.

00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.640
 Jew gives us

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:11.240
 three specific instructions

00:17:11.240 --> 00:17:12.819
 to how to stay faithful

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.599
 to the gospel,

00:17:13.599 --> 00:17:15.319
 content for our faith,

00:17:15.679 --> 00:17:16.539
 fight and struggle,

00:17:17.639 --> 00:17:19.419
 exert intense effort

00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.279
 like an athlete

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.799
 or one in warfare.

00:17:22.759 --> 00:17:23.459
 But he again

00:17:23.459 --> 00:17:24.339
 assures us

00:17:24.339 --> 00:17:25.240
 in verse 24

00:17:25.240 --> 00:17:26.099
 that God,

00:17:26.819 --> 00:17:27.559
 the glorious,

00:17:28.119 --> 00:17:28.679
 majestic,

00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.839
 powerful,

00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.939
 authoritative,

00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:32.119
 only God,

00:17:32.199 --> 00:17:32.679
 our Savior,

00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:33.579
 is at work,

00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:34.779
 who is able

00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.399
 to keep you

00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.099
 from stumbling

00:17:36.099 --> 00:17:37.500
 and to present you

00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:39.179
 before his glorious presence

00:17:39.179 --> 00:17:40.199
 with a thought

00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.600
 and with great joy.

00:17:42.920 --> 00:17:43.539
 God's hope

00:17:43.539 --> 00:17:44.160
 and power

00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:45.100
 are sufficient

00:17:45.100 --> 00:17:46.500
 to sustain us

00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.140
 in the face

00:17:47.140 --> 00:17:48.380
 of what God brings

00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.299
 into our life.

00:17:49.799 --> 00:17:51.340
 Even a few ungodly people

00:17:51.340 --> 00:17:52.059
 or situations,

00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.600
 God is the one

00:17:53.600 --> 00:17:54.759
 who will work in you

00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:55.559
 as you joy

00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.380
 lean to him.

00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:58.660
 Interacting

00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:59.319
 with people

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.019
 who doubt

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.759
 and wonder

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.360
 requires deep knowledge

00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:04.980
 of our weaknesses

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.000
 and failure.

00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:09.039
 It requires maturity

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.720
 of faith.

00:18:10.159 --> 00:18:10.599
 That is why

00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.379
 Jude's first

00:18:11.379 --> 00:18:12.480
 specific instruction

00:18:12.480 --> 00:18:13.440
 is to build

00:18:13.440 --> 00:18:14.180
 ourselves up

00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.819
 in faith.

00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.619
 Romans 10, 17

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.200
 says,

00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.700
 faith comes from

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.960
 hearing the message

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.440
 and the message

00:18:22.440 --> 00:18:23.279
 is heard

00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.119
 through the word

00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:24.980
 about Christ.

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.899
 Because we are prone

00:18:26.899 --> 00:18:27.839
 to forget

00:18:27.839 --> 00:18:29.119
 what God has done

00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:29.579
 for us,

00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:31.119
 we must constantly

00:18:31.119 --> 00:18:32.700
 expose ourselves

00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.700
 to God's word,

00:18:34.200 --> 00:18:34.819
 which is where

00:18:34.819 --> 00:18:35.799
 faith comes from.

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.799
 Regularly reading

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.500
 the Bible,

00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.039
 hearing preached

00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:40.740
 and taught,

00:18:41.399 --> 00:18:42.500
 memorizing scriptures

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.819
 and discusses

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.460
 with others

00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.159
 are ways

00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.619
 we build

00:18:45.619 --> 00:18:46.240
 ourselves up

00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:46.759
 in faith.

00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.519
 God has given us

00:18:49.519 --> 00:18:50.759
 patterns in the scripture

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.579
 as a warning.

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.839
 As we see

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.899
 the numerous examples

00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.559
 of those who

00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.839
 turn away from the Lord

00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:57.220
 to fold their sinful ways,

00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.420
 we should pray

00:18:58.420 --> 00:18:59.579
 and ask God

00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.420
 to show us

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.339
 an area of our life

00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:02.579
 where evil desire

00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.220
 may lurk.

00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.460
 And that's the second

00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.519
 specific instruction.

00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.740
 We pray for the Holy Spirit

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.980
 to work in our life.

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.460
 And by building

00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.140
 ourselves up

00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.700
 this way

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.440
 and praying

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.259
 in the Holy Spirit,

00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:15.579
 we keep ourselves

00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.460
 in God's love

00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.339
 as we await

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.140
 his mercy

00:19:18.140 --> 00:19:19.259
 on the last day.

00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.559
 That's the third

00:19:20.559 --> 00:19:21.359
 instruction.

00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.440
 The way

00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.359
 we can keep ourselves

00:19:28.359 --> 00:19:29.059
 in God's love,

00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.039
 apart from reading

00:19:30.039 --> 00:19:30.980
 the Bible

00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.599
 and praying,

00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.120
 is to be merciful

00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.459
 to those who doubt.

00:19:34.979 --> 00:19:35.739
 Save others

00:19:35.739 --> 00:19:36.759
 by snatching them

00:19:36.759 --> 00:19:37.519
 from the fire.

00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.359
 To others show mercy,

00:19:39.819 --> 00:19:40.619
 mixed with fear,

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:42.339
 hating even the clothing

00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:42.839
 stink

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:44.259
 by corrupt flesh.

00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:46.179
 As believers,

00:19:47.159 --> 00:19:48.039
 our hope is set

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.019
 on Christ's mercy

00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:49.839
 towards us.

00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:52.139
 So we are to show mercy

00:19:52.139 --> 00:19:52.819
 to those

00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:53.959
 caught in sin

00:19:53.959 --> 00:19:54.679
 and deception

00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:56.479
 while keeping ourselves

00:19:56.479 --> 00:19:57.819
 from that sin

00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:59.099
 that has trapped them.

00:19:59.099 --> 00:20:00.919
 all of this

00:20:00.919 --> 00:20:01.459
 require

00:20:01.459 --> 00:20:03.199
 intentional effort

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:04.240
 and active

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:05.099
 participation

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:06.199
 in the body

00:20:06.199 --> 00:20:06.759
 of Christ.

00:20:07.919 --> 00:20:09.000
 We are vulnerable

00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:10.419
 in mistaking

00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:11.500
 our desires

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.679
 for God's will.

00:20:13.679 --> 00:20:14.500
 The false teaching

00:20:14.500 --> 00:20:15.379
 of those ungodly

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:16.119
 people may seem

00:20:16.119 --> 00:20:17.099
 good and reasonable

00:20:17.099 --> 00:20:17.799
 at first.

00:20:18.959 --> 00:20:19.799
 And a false teacher

00:20:19.799 --> 00:20:21.139
 may appear authentic.

00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.399
 It ends up

00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.099
 pointing away

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.639
 from God

00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:25.399
 and towards destruction.

00:20:26.459 --> 00:20:27.099
 To avoid

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.339
 being led astray,

00:20:28.339 --> 00:20:29.159
 we must rely

00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:29.879
 on the scriptures,

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:31.319
 on the spirit's guidance

00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:33.139
 and invite other believers

00:20:33.139 --> 00:20:33.859
 to help

00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.159
 hold us accountable.

00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:37.059
 We should take advantage

00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:39.099
 of these safeguards,

00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.159
 stay on the gospel path

00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:42.359
 and assist those

00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:43.159
 who are wavering.

00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.699
 A sure sign

00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:46.879
 of ungodly people

00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.959
 is that they like

00:20:47.959 --> 00:20:48.539
 to fight

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:49.799
 with others,

00:20:50.359 --> 00:20:51.539
 especially their leaders.

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.939
 So let me introduce you

00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.980
 to this book

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.299
 called Fight for

00:20:56.299 --> 00:20:57.439
 Your Pastor.

00:20:58.339 --> 00:20:59.399
 A pastor

00:20:59.399 --> 00:20:59.980
 is someone

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.980
 that's leading your life.

00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:02.039
 Again,

00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:03.439
 this will help you

00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.259
 to come back

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.399
 ungodliness.

00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.000
 I bought this book

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.579
 last year

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:09.339
 and gave out copies

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:09.959
 to the church.

00:21:10.619 --> 00:21:11.159
 So please

00:21:11.159 --> 00:21:11.779
 dust them

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:13.359
 off your shelf.

00:21:13.699 --> 00:21:14.259
 We'll read them

00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.919
 again this year.

00:21:15.740 --> 00:21:16.720
 And if you haven't

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.319
 got a copy,

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.199
 we've got copies

00:21:18.199 --> 00:21:18.679
 out there

00:21:18.679 --> 00:21:19.899
 as you go out.

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.639
 Please consider

00:21:21.639 --> 00:21:22.439
 also donating

00:21:22.439 --> 00:21:23.000
 to the church

00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.639
 as we can

00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:24.699
 make more resources

00:21:24.699 --> 00:21:26.159
 available to you.

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:28.019
 less content

00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.240
 together

00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.300
 for the faith

00:21:30.300 --> 00:21:30.880
 that was once

00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.560
 and for all

00:21:31.560 --> 00:21:32.680
 and trusted to you

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.220
 and me,

00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.779
 God's holy people.

00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.460
 To him

00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.980
 who is able

00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.500
 to keep you

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.180
 from stumbling

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:39.700
 and to present you

00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.160
 before his glorious presence

00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.040
 without thought

00:21:42.040 --> 00:21:43.019
 and with great joy,

00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.300
 to the only God

00:21:44.300 --> 00:21:44.759
 our Savior

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.440
 be glory,

00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.560
 majesty,

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.220
 power,

00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:48.980
 and authority

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.259
 through Jesus Christ

00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.740
 our Lord

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:52.040
 before all ages

00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:53.140
 now and forever.

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:54.280
 Amen.