WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.459 It begins at verse 20. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:34.219 With fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 00:00:35.700 --> 00:00:47.200 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless, faultless before the presence of his glory with great joy. 00:00:47.200 --> 00:01:01.020 To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority before all time and now and forevermore. Amen. 00:01:02.080 --> 00:01:02.900 Please be seated. 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:10.260 Thus far the reading of God's powerful, inerrant, inspired word. 00:01:10.260 --> 00:01:17.580 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever, and no word from God shall be void of power. 00:01:18.980 --> 00:01:19.740 Let's pray. 00:01:29.580 --> 00:01:35.240 Oh Lord, you alone are able to keep your people, and you promise that you do keep your people. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:38.560 And the stern warning that there is fire. 00:01:39.640 --> 00:01:47.859 There is deep gloom and darkness awaiting those who refuse you and who do not run to Christ. 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:53.739 We pray, Lord, that you will snatch us and pull us back to Jesus Christ. 00:01:55.399 --> 00:01:58.979 Lord, the words in these verses are words of life and death. 00:01:58.980 --> 00:02:06.300 And we pray that whoever has an ear to hear will receive your promise, that it's for them. 00:02:07.020 --> 00:02:12.379 It's for each one of us who will come to Jesus Christ by faith alone, not by anything we do. 00:02:13.140 --> 00:02:15.060 We pray that this will be clear, Lord. 00:02:16.020 --> 00:02:18.180 We pray that your people will receive it. 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:25.340 We pray that you'll soften hearts who need this glorious salvation that you have accomplished through your Son. 00:02:25.960 --> 00:02:27.300 That you will be glorified. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:29.360 We ask all of this for his name. 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:30.240 Amen. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:43.300 Here's a question that every soul has wrestled with at some point. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:48.439 Even the most mature Christians that have suffered and been sanctified the most. 00:02:50.500 --> 00:02:52.800 In the words of John Owen, here's the question. 00:02:52.800 --> 00:03:03.320 Have you ever wondered whether the spark of faith that is within us will be kept in the midst of the sea that is around us? 00:03:04.900 --> 00:03:05.980 What a visual. 00:03:07.060 --> 00:03:09.380 The faith inside a true believer like you and me. 00:03:10.060 --> 00:03:11.460 It's like a spark. 00:03:12.360 --> 00:03:17.220 You might have done a bonfire this summer and you see that tiny little ember just, you know, flutter away. 00:03:17.219 --> 00:03:19.800 And then quickly turn to gray ash and dust. 00:03:21.080 --> 00:03:23.219 Sometimes it feels like that's my faith. 00:03:23.460 --> 00:03:26.139 And what it's surrounded with is an ocean. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:26.900 It's a sea. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:34.719 We read John 17 that in this world you will have trouble. 00:03:36.640 --> 00:03:38.960 What's going to keep that little spark alive? 00:03:39.580 --> 00:03:41.599 What will keep your faith in mine? 00:03:42.460 --> 00:03:44.400 What will secure our faith in Christ? 00:03:44.400 --> 00:03:48.800 So that we can know it will not be pushed out. 00:03:50.560 --> 00:03:58.560 If it's like over a sea or an ocean, I mean, the tiniest little gust of wind and water, a little vapor would put out that flame. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:03.500 Will your spark of faith make it to the end? 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:07.939 We do have an exhortation here in verse 21. 00:04:08.080 --> 00:04:08.840 Would you look at that? 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:15.520 He tells the local church, keep yourselves in the love of God. 00:04:15.879 --> 00:04:21.279 This is a command to a real church in history, most likely than also shared among other real churches. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:24.600 And it's a command that they do together in the plural. 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:25.920 Keep yourselves. 00:04:26.459 --> 00:04:27.259 How do you do that? 00:04:27.560 --> 00:04:29.600 Keep yourselves in the love of God. 00:04:30.120 --> 00:04:31.459 How do we know God's love? 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:33.659 Look at Jesus Christ and his work. 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:35.899 That's what the church does together. 00:04:37.799 --> 00:04:42.719 So I want to open up that theme, that command with four movements today. 00:04:42.919 --> 00:04:43.959 The first one is this. 00:04:44.680 --> 00:04:47.240 We are to keep one another in the love of God. 00:04:48.379 --> 00:04:55.579 Jude had warned the church that there are these waves coming up like straight from hell and destruction and death like the flood. 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:59.979 And they're spewing up the foam of their own shame was his language. 00:04:59.980 --> 00:05:04.379 And it's an image of chaos and gloom and eternal darkness. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:06.680 And it's tumultuous. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:07.600 There's no order. 00:05:08.340 --> 00:05:12.759 It's like the waters of the deep and the Lord called out order in his creation. 00:05:12.879 --> 00:05:14.240 And he does that within the church. 00:05:14.580 --> 00:05:19.060 Whereas with these threats on the church, there's chaos, division, attacks. 00:05:19.060 --> 00:05:25.120 And it's the tone of Psalm 12 verses 3 and 4. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:28.879 We saw this one how David prays, 00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:34.199 May the Lord cut off all their flattering lips of those who do this within the body. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:36.800 The tongue that makes great boast. 00:05:36.939 --> 00:05:39.379 Those who say with our tongue, we will prevail. 00:05:39.879 --> 00:05:43.240 Our lips are with us who is master over us. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:51.160 See, these are intruders who had grabbed God's glory for themselves. 00:05:51.160 --> 00:05:56.720 And as they got followers, they believed themselves to be majestic, 00:05:56.720 --> 00:06:03.160 even to the point of denying that this God has a wrath against sin and rebellion. 00:06:04.520 --> 00:06:08.340 They committed the same error of those angels who forgot their place, 00:06:08.440 --> 00:06:12.320 even in heaven before the full manifestation of the glory of God. 00:06:12.319 --> 00:06:16.719 These were intruders who were claiming dominion over God's people, 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:22.719 undermining Christ as the all-powerful deliverer and high priest of God's people. 00:06:23.339 --> 00:06:26.579 And then in verse 20, the church is addressed again, 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:34.259 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith. 00:06:35.300 --> 00:06:38.959 A church is built up on the common faith that it shares. 00:06:39.360 --> 00:06:41.699 It's the faith that this church professes together. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:43.719 We will study this faith. 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:47.519 We will understand it as best we can by faith together. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.819 We will encourage one another in the faith in Jesus Christ. 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:55.719 Build yourselves up, church, in the love of God, 00:06:56.039 --> 00:07:02.099 looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:04.719 Praying in the Holy Spirit as one body. 00:07:05.279 --> 00:07:06.339 Pray in the Holy Spirit. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:08.159 Wait on the Lord together. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:12.840 The tone remains urgent. 00:07:13.680 --> 00:07:17.720 But the exhortations are pointing us right back to Jesus Christ. 00:07:18.080 --> 00:07:19.560 To depending on his Holy Spirit. 00:07:19.900 --> 00:07:20.660 Trusting in him. 00:07:21.020 --> 00:07:22.060 Waiting upon the Lord. 00:07:22.740 --> 00:07:23.080 Together. 00:07:24.680 --> 00:07:26.160 Romans 8.13 says, 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:29.140 If you live according to the flesh, you will die. 00:07:29.580 --> 00:07:34.640 But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:38.120 I think this one illuminates the other here. 00:07:38.280 --> 00:07:39.880 Keep yourselves in the love of God. 00:07:40.980 --> 00:07:42.960 Pray together in the Holy Spirit. 00:07:44.840 --> 00:07:47.360 Depend on the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:48.220 How long? 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:49.540 Until eternal life. 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:51.360 Keep doing that continuously. 00:07:51.360 --> 00:07:58.360 That's what it means together for a body to live by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:00.360 --> 00:08:06.639 How is it that God sanctifies his people and preserves them corporately together? 00:08:07.840 --> 00:08:09.439 John Owen wrote this. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:14.160 God's Spirit works within the local body. 00:08:14.240 --> 00:08:15.219 Within our lives. 00:08:15.740 --> 00:08:17.199 And he works in us. 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:19.259 And with us. 00:08:19.519 --> 00:08:21.560 That means it's an internal work. 00:08:21.860 --> 00:08:22.399 Powerful. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:23.600 By the Holy Spirit. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:24.839 Inside the believer. 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:27.199 And he also works with us. 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:31.199 Our will, apart from Christ, hates to be sanctified. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:33.100 Our flesh rebels against it. 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:35.139 But he works with us. 00:08:35.139 --> 00:08:36.899 In other words, he transforms our will. 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:39.399 Makes us desire what he's doing. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:40.460 In our lives. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:42.600 He works in us and with us. 00:08:42.980 --> 00:08:44.200 Not against us. 00:08:44.500 --> 00:08:46.800 And not without us. 00:08:48.180 --> 00:08:54.040 He will draw us, body and soul, to desire more and more of Christ. 00:08:55.900 --> 00:09:01.840 In the fight against sin, the Holy Spirit brings into his use. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:05.600 He employs all of our human faculties. 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:12.560 It's the whole person walking as a disciple of Jesus Christ within his local church. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:14.120 What a great promise we have. 00:09:14.500 --> 00:09:16.440 This is what this verse teaches us. 00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:19.340 To keep one another in the love of God. 00:09:19.560 --> 00:09:21.560 Encourage one another on this walk. 00:09:21.559 --> 00:09:24.119 In verse 22. 00:09:24.119 --> 00:09:29.019 This is the one that consumed most of my meditation this week in preparation for today. 00:09:29.539 --> 00:09:31.019 It's a different message. 00:09:31.619 --> 00:09:33.679 He says in verse 22. 00:09:34.719 --> 00:09:36.579 Pull one another out of the fire. 00:09:36.839 --> 00:09:38.379 Back to the love of God. 00:09:38.899 --> 00:09:39.879 Look at verse 22. 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:45.559 On some have compassion, making a distinction. 00:09:46.559 --> 00:09:51.799 But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:56.120 Hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:10:11.799 It seems like this congregation to which he wrote tended to show compassion on all indiscriminately to the point that they are excusing some of sins that are offensive to God. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.659 And unacceptable within the body of God in the local church. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:21.840 Excusing some people on their way to hell, at least so to speak. 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:25.519 Hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:28.519 He says instead, pull them out of the fire. 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.879 Save others with fear. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:39.139 I don't fully know what this means or what the wise application of it is. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:49.600 But I know that it's unloving to let a person go on in a way that leads to perdition and destruction and death and the judgment of a holy God. 00:10:49.600 --> 00:10:57.240 And so Jude commands that his church, the local body, have compassion. 00:10:57.740 --> 00:11:01.100 And he also qualifies how we are to have compassion. 00:11:01.480 --> 00:11:02.600 He says on some. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:07.580 Then he quickly adds, make distinction. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:14.860 The church is to hate ongoing sin within members of the body of Christ. 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:22.639 In the first part of this, he's warning the church against those who do not belong to Christ. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:27.680 But now it seems like there's also two voices even for those who do belong to Christ. 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:31.679 These are ones who will be saved from the fires of hell. 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:37.579 But they need a voice that, in the New King James at least, it's with fear. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.719 Again, I don't know the wise application. 00:11:39.879 --> 00:11:42.599 I won't pretend that I will be able to get this right ever. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:47.080 But it's there and we can't skip over whatever this does mean for the church. 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:59.920 I was helped with 2 Timothy 4.2, as I mentioned a moment ago, and even to shed some light on how this might need to sound and what is such a tone. 00:12:01.019 --> 00:12:02.820 I'll read that verse for us once more. 00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:04.639 Preach the word. 00:12:05.860 --> 00:12:08.440 Be prepared in season and out of season. 00:12:09.560 --> 00:12:10.000 Correct. 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:11.879 Rebuke. 00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:14.139 And encourage. 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:20.120 With great patience and careful instruction. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:27.659 Well, men march in where angels fear to tread, right? 00:12:27.879 --> 00:12:29.200 Who can do this? 00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:34.740 No one without God's help and even then stumbling and needing his grace always. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.840 It's so easy to err on either side. 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:43.460 But it's the New Testament that gives us the strongest language against both of those errors. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:50.259 For those who do not correct or rebuke or even warn of, you know, using fear. 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:51.799 Those are called flatterers. 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:52.639 Those are called flatterers. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:57.179 And the New Testament holds no punch against flatterers or ear ticklers. 00:12:57.539 --> 00:12:58.559 We know that's wrong. 00:12:58.559 --> 00:13:04.179 On the other hand, exercise great patience. 00:13:04.179 --> 00:13:08.899 No one is more patient and compassionate than Jesus Christ. 00:13:08.899 --> 00:13:11.579 And as we minister his word to one another. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:18.079 We need to have the patience and the compassion of Jesus Christ one with another. 00:13:18.080 --> 00:13:21.520 Lord, I don't model this well. 00:13:21.520 --> 00:13:22.700 Certainly not perfectly. 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:26.379 But I want you to hear my desire to not compromise on either front. 00:13:26.379 --> 00:13:33.960 And that we can, Lord willing, build one another up in the faith with his help in this way. 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:41.340 I do see also the timing here on how a congregation has a role to do this. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:45.000 How is it that we pull one another out? 00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:54.000 We show compassion, but we also warn and don't just promise like a easy believism or a false assurance indiscriminately. 00:13:54.000 --> 00:13:57.960 I think the two ways a local church officially does this. 00:13:58.360 --> 00:13:59.360 One is up front. 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:03.940 Be clear up front on who is part of a local church. 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:08.639 How you do that, there's different varieties, but that has to happen. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:14.139 One way to do it is through a public profession of your shared faith in Christ. 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:18.320 Evaluated by members, affirmed, and publicly celebrated. 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:19.100 Praise the Lord. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:20.679 We share a common faith. 00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:22.419 Praise the Lord. 00:14:22.500 --> 00:14:23.779 You're not ashamed of God now. 00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:26.259 You've publicly professed you belong to him. 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:32.839 The orderly way that this congregation does that is through the membership process. 00:14:33.039 --> 00:14:34.039 That's up front. 00:14:34.179 --> 00:14:42.959 But then there's also an ongoing way of building one another and warning one another and saving one another out of the fire with warning. 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:47.299 And that's to continually bring each other back to Christ. 00:14:47.980 --> 00:14:49.959 This is what true compassion is. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.679 And you are good at this. 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:59.919 If a brother or sister has not been able to join us for a variety of different reasons, you're really good at reaching out to one another. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:00.959 Leave a voice message. 00:15:01.439 --> 00:15:02.339 Try to meet up. 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.279 See how they're doing. 00:15:03.439 --> 00:15:04.319 Check in on one another. 00:15:04.459 --> 00:15:05.259 Pray for one another. 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:08.059 We keep bringing each other back to Christ. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:11.059 We show true compassion not by saying, it doesn't matter. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:13.319 You just drift away for three weeks. 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.220 It's okay. 00:15:14.620 --> 00:15:15.419 No, you care. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:16.220 You truly care. 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:19.420 And we keep pursuing one another in Christ. 00:15:19.860 --> 00:15:22.040 Pulling them back to Christ in his love. 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:30.419 We pull each other to the presence of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:33.379 The glowing, shining, bright face of Jesus. 00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.899 Warning one another. 00:15:36.719 --> 00:15:37.519 Be in Christ. 00:15:38.319 --> 00:15:44.579 Because when you're in Christ, all those dark, shadowy lusts of the flesh have no place to hide. 00:15:44.580 --> 00:15:49.000 This is the most compassionate place to be is with Jesus Christ. 00:15:49.680 --> 00:15:56.300 And it takes care of holiness and remaining sin in his own way and in his own time with each of us. 00:15:57.160 --> 00:16:01.480 So we pull one another out of the fire back to the love of God. 00:16:03.280 --> 00:16:06.240 The third observation from this passage is this. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:11.580 Remind one another of why God is able to keep you and me. 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:18.379 Remind one another of all the ways you can think of and keep studying them and piling them on and see what else the church has said. 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:19.540 And study this. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:22.120 Why is God able to keep you and me? 00:16:23.420 --> 00:16:28.180 And this is where this glorious doxology begins in verse 24. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:33.420 Now to him who is able to keep you. 00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:37.720 He is able to keep you and me. 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.759 Even from stumbling. 00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:42.419 It doesn't excuse our sin. 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:48.299 It's reminding us the power against sin is in God who is able to keep us from stumbling. 00:16:48.939 --> 00:16:50.519 Now think of the other side of that. 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:52.919 Did God keep you this week from stumbling? 00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:58.819 Well, I'm sure he kept every one of us from stumbling in so many more ways that we could have. 00:16:59.399 --> 00:17:02.419 We should consider that realistically for a brief moment. 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:05.519 If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from us. 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.519 How many? 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:10.779 I would have been one that I'm sure would have probably been behind bars in prison. 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:14.399 Who knows what the remaining sin is capable of? 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:16.619 It's the Lord who keeps us from stumbling. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:22.619 And so to the extent that you see that in one another and in your own life, give him glory and praise. 00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:26.659 He keeps us from stumbling because he's powerful. 00:17:27.479 --> 00:17:29.099 And this is where the church can help us. 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:37.319 The church has meditated and built itself up over the centuries on all the different ways God is able to keep his people to the end. 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:43.179 What's a concise way to just read in one paragraph what the church has seen? 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:47.779 Well, you can turn, if you like, to the Second London Confession of Faith, 00:17:48.319 --> 00:17:54.939 which is the expression in the second generation after the Reformation that this church teaches. 00:17:55.919 --> 00:17:59.740 It's in that confession, chapter 17, paragraph 2. 00:18:01.179 --> 00:18:06.599 And I've broken this down into, I think, six observations from our confession. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:13.619 Your perseverance in this life does not depend on you for six reasons. 00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:16.639 Why does it not depend on you? 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:20.839 Because it is God who mercifully saved you in Christ. 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.259 Why did God do this? 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:25.119 He did this for his own glory. 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:31.799 God is the one who is able to keep you because your perseverance in Christ also does not depend on you. 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:37.359 Your perseverance flows from the free and unchangeable love of God. 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:42.099 God makes your salvation certain and secure. 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:43.940 Six proofs for this. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.139 Ready? 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:48.919 Number one, because saving you is God's pleasure. 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:52.399 That's why your salvation is certain and secure. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:55.059 That's why God will preserve you to the very end. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:57.339 Romans 9, 15 and 16 say, 00:18:57.879 --> 00:19:04.339 I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion. 00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:10.899 So then it is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:20.700 Romans 9, 11 says that the purposes of God, according to election, might stand, not of works, but of him who calls. 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:29.700 God saved you and God will preserve you for his own good pleasure. 00:19:30.860 --> 00:19:35.960 Second reason why your preservation in Christ is certain and secure. 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:42.580 It's because God's eternal pleasure is expressed to us in his word by way of covenant. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:50.220 The covenants of God throughout the scriptures are the way that God has expressed, communicated to people like you and me. 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:53.720 That we are secure in him by his work alone. 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:56.220 Hebrews 6, 17 and 18 says, 00:19:56.360 --> 00:20:02.400 God, determining to show, to express the immutability of his counsel, 00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:07.980 confirmed it by an oath so that by two immutable things. 00:20:08.620 --> 00:20:10.140 Remember, this is a letter to the Hebrews. 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.100 They need two witnesses. 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.140 What are the two witnesses? 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:14.500 God himself, who is immutable, 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:18.360 and his oath because God cannot lie. 00:20:18.359 --> 00:20:29.139 We might have strong consolation then who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us in Christ Jesus. 00:20:29.919 --> 00:20:37.579 He expressed his will to save sinners like you and me by way of covenant for our strong consolation. 00:20:38.439 --> 00:20:40.559 That's what Hebrews 6 says. 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:46.539 I love that hymn that expresses this love of God. 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:52.799 The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:58.399 It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell. 00:20:59.700 --> 00:21:02.379 The guilty pair bowed down with care. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.740 God gave his son to win. 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:10.019 His erring child he reconciled and pardoned him from his sin. 00:21:10.019 --> 00:21:14.819 Remind one another of why God is able to keep you. 00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:18.359 Those are two of the six reasons from our confession of faith. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:20.200 Here's the remaining ones. 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:28.680 Your preservation in Christ is certain and secure because of the nature of the covenant of grace. 00:21:29.180 --> 00:21:32.440 Jeremiah 32, 40 says, and this is God speaking, 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:39.840 I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will not turn away from doing them good, 00:21:39.840 --> 00:21:45.980 but I will put my fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from me. 00:21:47.080 --> 00:21:50.460 God binds his people to himself in the covenant of grace, 00:21:50.460 --> 00:21:55.880 and it's the Holy Spirit inside his people that cause you and me to not turn away from God. 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:57.960 What a blessing. 00:21:58.800 --> 00:21:59.780 Here's the fourth reason. 00:22:00.120 --> 00:22:08.280 Your preservation in Christ is certain because of the efficacy and the merit of the intercession of Jesus Christ. 00:22:09.080 --> 00:22:11.560 Why is our salvation certain and secure? 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:15.400 It's because Jesus is meritorious. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:19.940 His work fully satisfied the requirement of God himself, 00:22:19.940 --> 00:22:25.840 and his prayer, therefore, is the prayer of the only fully righteous man by his own standing, 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:28.380 and the prayer of Christ will not fail. 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:31.140 It works powerfully as it is working. 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:39.380 The fifth reason that your preservation in Christ is certain and secure is because of your union with him. 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:41.520 Romans 5, 9 and 10 says, 00:22:41.520 --> 00:22:47.960 Having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath through him. 00:22:48.520 --> 00:22:53.400 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, 00:22:53.500 --> 00:22:58.740 much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:02.460 In Romans 5, Paul is explaining, 00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:06.300 there are two federal heads. 00:23:06.520 --> 00:23:08.700 All have sinned under Adam, the first one. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:11.680 But if Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior, 00:23:11.799 --> 00:23:13.539 you are united to him in his death, 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:16.680 how much more are you united to him in his resurrection? 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.960 You are his. 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:20.440 You belong to him. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:22.640 Your soul is already united to him, 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:24.039 though he's in heaven and you're here. 00:23:24.340 --> 00:23:26.000 By the Spirit, you are his. 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:30.080 And your union to Christ cannot be broken. 00:23:30.840 --> 00:23:33.420 It's a bond that cannot be severed. 00:23:34.299 --> 00:23:35.759 And here's the sixth reason. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:42.460 Your preservation in Christ is certain and secure because of the abiding of his Holy Spirit in you. 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.720 John 14, 17 and 18. 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:48.140 The words of Jesus Christ himself. 00:23:48.140 --> 00:23:53.180 I will not leave you orphans. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:24:00.320 I will come to you in the Holy Spirit that he may abide with you forever. 00:24:00.319 --> 00:24:06.139 And so the seed of truth, I'm sorry, the Spirit of truth, Jesus said, 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:12.500 you know him for he dwells with you and he will be in you. 00:24:13.359 --> 00:24:14.819 In 1 John 3, 9, 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:20.579 whoever has been born of God, God's seed remains in him. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:22.700 It will never leave you. 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:31.159 It's certain and secure that you are Christ because his Holy Spirit abides in you now and forevermore. 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:38.759 I ask you that question that John Owen wrote about 400 years ago. 00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:47.019 Have you ever wondered whether the spark of faith that is within us will be kept in the midst of the sea that is around us? 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:58.019 Here's the conclusion that John Owen came to after wrestling with this for much of his life and pouring over the scripture and these promises of God that we just now rehearsed. 00:24:59.019 --> 00:25:00.119 John Owen wrote, 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:15.659 What that means is if you grasp Christ, even a little with a weak faith, you have Christ fully. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:23.179 You depend on him alone for your salvation and therefore you are completely right with God. 00:25:24.459 --> 00:25:25.739 He went on to write, 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:34.920 Others may be holier than you, but no one is more righteous than you. 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:43.599 You who have but a weak faith must know that your faith is in a strong Christ, 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:49.620 so that if all the world should set itself against your little faith, it will not prevail. 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.500 Sin cannot do it. 00:25:51.900 --> 00:25:53.220 Satan cannot do it. 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:57.100 Hell itself cannot take away your faith. 00:25:57.880 --> 00:26:03.180 Though by faith you take but weak and faint hold of Christ, 00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:11.039 He, by covenant, takes strong and sure and incomparable hold on you. 00:26:12.160 --> 00:26:17.240 Jesus Christ takes special care of you that are weak of faith. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:30.559 So the last encouragement for us as a church is keep reminding ourselves of the end for which you are kept. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:41.039 Verses 24 and 25 tell us how long and for what end God keeps us. 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:52.420 He is able to keep you until he presents you faultless before the presence of his glory. 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:58.539 Verse 25 elevates our faith to Christ's throne in heaven. 00:26:59.379 --> 00:27:05.619 Verse 25 he describes God our Savior who alone is wise. 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:16.679 The more that we keep giving one another God's word and Jesus Christ in his word, 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:21.539 the more we see the wisdom of God in Christ and in his word. 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:21.919 Amen. 00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:26.099 Isn't that the great delight of growing and building each other up in the faith? 00:27:26.219 --> 00:27:29.779 It's seeing Christ in all of his word more and more and more. 00:27:29.779 --> 00:27:34.559 To God our Savior who alone is wise. 00:27:35.639 --> 00:27:40.779 The Greek word there, it's mono, is the prefix mono, like monolithic. 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:48.440 It's an adverb describing something done in a single, unified, in an often massive way, 00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:52.220 in a manner characterized by total uniformity. 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:55.299 God alone is wise. 00:27:55.299 --> 00:28:00.159 He is uniquely wise in a holy way. 00:28:01.659 --> 00:28:04.379 His wisdom is assay. 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:07.779 And that means it depends on none other. 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:10.720 The wisdom of God is holy wisdom. 00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:12.940 It's otherworldly wisdom. 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:18.960 God has a creatorly wisdom that creatures can never fully grasp, 00:28:19.039 --> 00:28:20.879 though we do truly apprehend it. 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:24.940 We truly hold on, though we can't wrap our minds all the way around it. 00:28:25.720 --> 00:28:28.559 Because he alone is wise. 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:33.759 And his wisdom is one at which we must marvel. 00:28:34.720 --> 00:28:37.820 And our minds even spin in the best way. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:41.559 And our hearts are stirred to even greater worship. 00:28:43.080 --> 00:28:47.360 To esteem this monolithically wise God. 00:28:47.359 --> 00:28:48.939 He says, 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:53.119 To this God, our Savior, be glory and majesty. 00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:57.919 Literally be esteem and mega togetherness. 00:28:57.920 --> 00:29:06.120 See, the glory and majesty of God are not to be given to any man or person or institution, 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.620 but to God alone. 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:15.220 There's no other relationship that can bear the glory that God alone can bear. 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:20.279 To do so is to make that thing an idol, to set it up for disappointment. 00:29:20.279 --> 00:29:24.799 The word of majesty. 00:29:25.799 --> 00:29:28.319 It's a throng of people. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:36.099 A massive, vast congregation gathered in great unity to do one thing. 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:40.659 To esteem the God of our salvation. 00:29:43.119 --> 00:29:45.779 To God, our Savior, be all dominion. 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:49.219 His rule over his people's life is real. 00:29:49.220 --> 00:29:54.500 His rule over his church is real. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:58.259 To God, our Savior, be all power. 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:02.680 He is truly, powerfully at work. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:06.640 He is powerfully able to keep you and me from stumbling. 00:30:09.920 --> 00:30:14.480 To him be all the glory, both now and forevermore. 00:30:14.480 --> 00:30:22.279 See, as we put our eyes on God, as we sing the doxology together, this one, 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:27.039 and all those that we've received as his people from his church, 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:31.660 the end of this is what he promises at the end of verse 24. 00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:33.220 Would you look there one last time? 00:30:34.819 --> 00:30:40.720 God will present you and me, who Christ purchased, faultless, 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:48.100 before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. 00:30:51.100 --> 00:30:52.740 The throne of heaven, 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:57.620 those that God has kept to the very end, 00:30:58.620 --> 00:31:00.680 presented back to himself 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:04.500 with great joy. 00:31:04.500 --> 00:31:12.319 We can only experience joy through our vessels that are broken 00:31:12.319 --> 00:31:13.859 and limited as bodies. 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:17.339 But we know joy is a real thing. 00:31:19.180 --> 00:31:22.640 This is the joy of God being described, 00:31:22.779 --> 00:31:23.839 who is limitless. 00:31:24.519 --> 00:31:26.279 There are no bounds for his joy. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:30.779 And what is it that causes this exceeding joy, 00:31:31.440 --> 00:31:33.799 at least in the language that we're given, 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:36.359 to express the essence of God's holiness 00:31:36.359 --> 00:31:37.960 and purity, 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.599 receiving us 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:41.259 for his glory. 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:43.519 And the church from all the centuries 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:45.599 is esteeming him highly 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:47.440 as our holy, 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:49.059 wise God, 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.819 who alone deserves all the praise. 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.539 John Flavel. 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:59.059 Ask this question for you and me, 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:02.359 who wrestle with assurance of our salvation. 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:05.899 Do you want full evidence 00:32:05.899 --> 00:32:10.299 that Christ will finish his work to sanctify us? 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:14.420 Simply see how he finished his work to redeem us. 00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:18.240 His finished work to justify us would be in vain 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:22.700 should he not also finish his work to sanctify us. 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:24.120 First, 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:27.400 he offered up himself as the perfect sacrifice 00:32:27.400 --> 00:32:29.480 to finish our redemption. 00:32:30.420 --> 00:32:30.779 Next, 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:35.400 he must offer up everyone perfect and complete 00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:37.160 whom he redeemed. 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:39.200 He will do this 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:42.319 because he will not lose the end 00:32:42.319 --> 00:32:44.120 of all his sufferings. 00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:47.919 To what purpose would his meritorious work be 00:32:47.919 --> 00:32:51.619 without complete and full application? 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:56.039 He will present you and me 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.279 faultless 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:59.959 before his own throne 00:32:59.959 --> 00:33:01.799 for the glory of God 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:03.119 with exceeding joy. 00:33:03.119 --> 00:33:07.739 And the end of this doxology says, 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:08.959 this is true of God 00:33:08.959 --> 00:33:10.759 and this is true of God's people 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.599 now 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:13.679 and forevermore. 00:33:14.639 --> 00:33:15.679 This is already 00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:17.339 your justified status. 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:18.979 This is already the reality 00:33:18.979 --> 00:33:20.959 that you and I share in Christ, 00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:22.299 our union to him. 00:33:22.839 --> 00:33:24.159 And it is true now. 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:26.459 It will be true forevermore 00:33:26.459 --> 00:33:27.379 in this life, 00:33:27.639 --> 00:33:28.619 in the life to come, 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:30.199 and for all eternity. 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:32.980 So brothers and sisters, 00:33:33.360 --> 00:33:34.819 trust this promise 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:38.100 that God will keep you in his love 00:33:38.100 --> 00:33:39.900 through his church. 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:43.759 This is the love he has shown to you and me 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.900 through Jesus Christ. 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:47.600 And he will present you faultless 00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:49.220 before his presence 00:33:49.220 --> 00:33:50.779 as he does now. 00:33:51.340 --> 00:33:54.019 He will keep you in Christ forevermore. 00:33:55.680 --> 00:33:57.120 Let's thank our great Lord 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:59.259 for this awesome salvation. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.600 Father, thank you for 00:34:02.600 --> 00:34:05.039 the promises you've given to us, 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:05.519 your people, 00:34:05.920 --> 00:34:06.700 through your word. 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.139 Thank you for who you are 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.619 and that you draw 00:34:10.619 --> 00:34:12.619 people like us, 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.199 sinners, 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:15.099 that you have saved and washed, 00:34:15.760 --> 00:34:16.860 that you adopt, 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:19.059 that you love 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:21.300 so lavishly, generously 00:34:21.300 --> 00:34:22.579 in Christ. 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:25.280 You reassure us of your promise 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:26.320 by the Holy Spirit. 00:34:26.860 --> 00:34:27.599 We pray, Lord, 00:34:27.599 --> 00:34:28.420 that by your work 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.759 we will receive this promise. 00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:31.500 We pray for those 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.259 who don't know you 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:34.719 but need the gospel truth 00:34:34.719 --> 00:34:35.360 in their lives 00:34:35.360 --> 00:34:36.440 that they will come to you, 00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:36.739 Father. 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:39.380 We pray that 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:41.000 you will prepare us, 00:34:41.799 --> 00:34:43.900 prepare us for that wonderful day 00:34:43.900 --> 00:34:45.059 where you will present us 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:46.099 faultless 00:34:46.099 --> 00:34:48.199 because you have kept us 00:34:48.199 --> 00:34:49.460 in Christ all the way. 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:52.019 In his name we pray. 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.739 Amen. 00:34:52.739 --> 00:34:52.860 Amen. 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:52.900 Amen. 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:52.900