WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.759 Well, good evening. Thanks very much for the kind and warm welcome, and thanks as well 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:14.419 to Fergus for leading us through the first part of our service. I think the verses might 00:00:14.419 --> 00:00:21.339 come up on the screen. Are they? No, sorry. That's okay. Well, if you've ever got a Bible, 00:00:21.960 --> 00:00:28.780 then please open up the letter of Jude. I will focus on the last two verses, the doxology, 00:00:28.780 --> 00:00:36.280 verse 24 and 25. And just as you turn up, let me lead us in a short prayer to ask God 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:43.120 for his help. Let's pray together. God, our Father, we give you thanks for your word, and 00:00:43.120 --> 00:00:48.579 we pray just now as we open it together, as we look at it together and think about it, 00:00:48.939 --> 00:00:55.460 we ask that you might open our hearts, that you might give us receptive hearts, and that 00:00:55.460 --> 00:01:00.480 we might hear your voice. Would you do us good and lead us forward in our faith as we 00:01:00.480 --> 00:01:03.340 ask it? In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:03.340 --> 00:01:13.480 Well, there's a fairly well-known story about a turtle and a scorpion. Some of you maybe 00:01:13.480 --> 00:01:21.420 know it, but I'll tell it anyway. One afternoon, a turtle was swimming happily along a lake, 00:01:21.920 --> 00:01:27.580 and as the turtle was nearing the land, he heard a scorpion calling him from the shore. 00:01:27.579 --> 00:01:33.439 The scorpion, being a poor swimmer, he asked the turtle if he would carry him on his back 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:40.259 across the lake. The turtle thought that this was the craziest thing he'd ever heard. He said, 00:01:40.340 --> 00:01:47.140 why would I carry you on my back? You'll sting me while I'm swimming, and then I'll drown. 00:01:47.140 --> 00:01:56.460 My dear turtle friend, the scorpion replied, if I were to sting you, you would drown, and I would go 00:01:56.460 --> 00:02:04.120 down and drown as well. Now, where is the logic in that? The turtle eventually agreed, you're right, 00:02:04.460 --> 00:02:12.819 hop on, and so they started to go over the lake. Halfway across the lake, the scorpion gave the turtle 00:02:12.819 --> 00:02:21.840 a big sting, and he started to drown. As they both sank into the water, the turtle turned to the scorpion 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:31.740 and said, my dear scorpion friend, why did you sting me? Now we're both going to drown. Where is the logic 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:44.020 in that? It has nothing to do with logic. The scorpion sadly replied, it's just my nature. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:54.680 Even though the scorpion perhaps didn't want to sting the turtle, he explains that even though it made 00:02:54.680 --> 00:03:02.700 absolutely no sense to do so, he just couldn't help it. It's his nature. It's what he does. He's unable to 00:03:02.700 --> 00:03:14.379 do anything otherwise. And in the letter of Jude, he is aware of our nature. He's aware that we as humans 00:03:14.379 --> 00:03:24.300 are weak sinners by nature, and that there's nothing we're able to do about it. Within his short letter, 00:03:24.300 --> 00:03:32.700 Jude is writing to encourage a group of Christians to contend for the faith, to stand firm for the 00:03:32.700 --> 00:03:39.939 truth, despite the pressures coming from people who have crept into their church unnoticed and who are 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:48.620 perverting the grace of God, denying our master, the Lord Jesus Christ. And so Jude calls out these 00:03:48.620 --> 00:03:55.560 false teachers in the main body of his letter. He refers to them, you might have noticed, as these 00:03:55.560 --> 00:04:02.439 people several times. And he goes on to tell his recipients of the letter, and by extension us, 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:11.740 what these people are like. In verse 10, he says, they are like unreasoning animals. They're 00:04:11.740 --> 00:04:19.579 ungoverned by anything other than their natural instincts, following only their sinful nature. 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:27.300 Verse 11, they have abandoned themselves for the sake of gain, like Balaam of old, who went astray and 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:34.759 sought gain from wrongdoing. Something I guess we still see going on within the church across the 00:04:34.759 --> 00:04:41.319 world today, with the prosperity gospel. False teachers seeking gain from wrongdoing. Many 00:04:41.319 --> 00:04:47.819 promising health and wealth to those who believe, but mainly to those who give large sums of money. 00:04:48.920 --> 00:04:54.699 And yet in these churches, the only people that become rich or who get any gain are the so-called 00:04:54.699 --> 00:05:03.899 ministers. Verse 16, these people are grumblers, following their own sinful desires. They are loud-mouthed 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:13.419 boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. And Jude says, listen to them carefully and watch them 00:05:13.419 --> 00:05:23.019 closely. It will become clear whose agenda they are serving. Jude is clear throughout that these people 00:05:23.019 --> 00:05:30.139 will come under judgment for their actions. And that is just. That is what they deserve because 00:05:30.139 --> 00:05:37.979 they are causing harm within this church. And as Jude calls these false teachers out, while calling upon 00:05:37.979 --> 00:05:45.419 the true believers to persevere and to contend for the faith, I think it is also made clear that Jude 00:05:45.419 --> 00:05:53.819 knows fine well that if these Christians are focusing upon themselves for the strength to contend for the 00:05:53.819 --> 00:06:03.019 faith, they will likely be tripped up. They will likely give in to their own sinful nature, which is to rebel 00:06:03.019 --> 00:06:10.259 against the living God. And although it's illogical, like the story with the scorpion, it's simply human 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:20.060 nature. And so Jude here reminds them who it is we look to for strength, who it is that keeps us in his love. 00:06:20.060 --> 00:06:26.360 And he actually bookends his letter with that idea. In verse 1 he says, 00:06:26.699 --> 00:06:33.879 to those who are called beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. That word, 00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:41.540 kept, we don't depend upon ourselves to keep us, but we are kept firmly in the grip of the living God 00:06:41.540 --> 00:06:49.100 who will never let us fall. And then we turn to the closing verses of the letter and he returns to that 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:55.060 idea. Saying, now to him who is able to keep you. 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:00.300 Saying, now to him who is able to keep you. 00:07:00.720 --> 00:07:04.220 Jude is being realistic there. He knows in a world that 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:09.439 sets itself up against the living God, that we're going to be drawn in. 00:07:09.700 --> 00:07:13.600 There's going to be temptation and our sinful nature is going to cause us 00:07:13.600 --> 00:07:20.800 to slip up. But Jude is encouraging the believers here. Reminding them and reminding us that the gospel 00:07:20.800 --> 00:07:27.680 doesn't call upon us to do it on our own strength. But instead it calls upon us to look away from 00:07:27.680 --> 00:07:33.939 ourselves and to depend upon the one who promises to keep us for eternity. 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:42.920 This doxology, these closing verses at the end of Jude, they're often read at the end of a worship service. 00:07:43.560 --> 00:07:49.360 And I think they're great words to close a worship service on. But it can perhaps make it seem like 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:55.879 this doxology is just stuck on at the end, almost separate from the letter. 00:07:55.879 --> 00:08:03.120 But as we've just considered some of the content of the letter, the reality of what the false teachers 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:08.519 were like, the pressure the Christians would have been under to conform rather than contend 00:08:08.519 --> 00:08:17.639 for the faith. I hope that we can see just how essential this doxology is to the message of Jude. 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:23.199 Without it, the letter would end on a note where we think we have to do all the contending. 00:08:23.199 --> 00:08:27.860 Where the focus is on our ability to remain firm in our faith. 00:08:28.620 --> 00:08:32.399 But these closing verses, they flip that on its head. 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:36.960 And they remind us of who it is that keeps us. 00:08:39.340 --> 00:08:44.960 As I've mentioned, a big theme in Jude's letter is him calling upon his readers to contend 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:49.720 for the faith. And that's really his primary purpose in writing this letter. 00:08:49.720 --> 00:08:53.920 He outlines in verse 3 for us, saying that. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:59.620 So he really gives us the instruction. He tells his readers what they're to do. 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:02.139 They're to contend for the faith. 00:09:02.660 --> 00:09:08.820 He then, in the main body of the letter, explains why his readers are to do it. 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:11.600 Why they're to contend for the faith. 00:09:11.660 --> 00:09:15.860 Because of all that was going on with the false teachers. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:19.200 And so, he gives us the what and the why. 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:23.539 And then in these closing two verses, I think what he gives us there is the how. 00:09:23.639 --> 00:09:27.019 He tells us how we are able to contend. 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:32.019 And so, we're going to look at each verse and turn verse 24 and verse 25. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:37.860 And so, verse 24, I think, really offers us the answer to that question of how do we contend. 00:09:37.860 --> 00:09:43.399 And so, our title here is, We Contend by Looking to Him. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:50.820 Usually, in this life, when we think about contending, the emphasis is on ourselves. 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:55.360 Whether you're a boxer looking to contend with an opponent. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:59.560 Whether you're contending against a rival in an argument. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:03.800 It all depends on your own ability. 00:10:03.799 --> 00:10:13.120 Jude says here, Not so in regards to contending for our faith. 00:10:13.779 --> 00:10:21.459 He says to his readers and to us, that we ought to look to Him who is able to keep us from stumbling. 00:10:22.179 --> 00:10:23.099 Or from falling. 00:10:23.699 --> 00:10:27.199 Here, Jude is talking about God's ability to not let us go. 00:10:27.639 --> 00:10:32.120 That once He has called us to Himself, He will keep us. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:36.500 That we cannot stumble or fall or wriggle out of His grip. 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:43.779 In the context of this letter, he's telling his audience that God is able to keep them from turning away from Him. 00:10:43.820 --> 00:10:45.740 And joining these false teachers. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:52.539 People will, of course, go through periods of up and down in their faith. 00:10:53.159 --> 00:10:55.440 But Jude is assuring his readers here. 00:10:55.899 --> 00:10:58.180 That God will keep them through it all. 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:59.060 In His grip. 00:10:59.059 --> 00:11:03.779 That they'll not be able to turn from Him in a permanent sense. 00:11:04.459 --> 00:11:06.599 That He will indeed keep them. 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:16.019 And as a Christian, being certain of this truth is one of the greatest encouragements that we can ever experience in our lives. 00:11:16.559 --> 00:11:20.199 How often can we feel tossed around by life? 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:24.440 How often can we feel like we're taking blow after blow? 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:26.560 That things just seem to keep going wrong. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:31.140 And at times it can feel like our whole world is caving in around us. 00:11:31.640 --> 00:11:36.500 That we can become overcome with doubts, concerns about our faith. 00:11:37.200 --> 00:11:44.580 Doubts about whether we're able to keep contending for the faith amidst some of the tragedies that we face in this life. 00:11:44.580 --> 00:11:48.060 And maybe that's how some of us are feeling today. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:51.460 Maybe it's the person sat right beside you. 00:11:52.280 --> 00:12:01.680 Perhaps life has you questioning whether you can go on living life as a Christian in this fallen and broken world. 00:12:02.120 --> 00:12:05.259 Maybe it feels like it's all becoming too much. 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:10.399 And well to us this evening, Jude says that you're right. 00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:14.340 You can't go on living life as a Christian. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.340 Life is too much. 00:12:16.439 --> 00:12:17.259 It's too difficult. 00:12:18.100 --> 00:12:18.860 It's too hard. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:23.639 Like the scorpion, our nature wants to reject God and His authority. 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:30.759 But Jude also says at the same time, that's the beauty of the gospel. 00:12:30.759 --> 00:12:34.840 We, on our own strength, can't do it. 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:37.100 But He can. 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:39.840 He says look away from within. 00:12:40.059 --> 00:12:43.200 Look away from our own weaknesses and our own shortcomings. 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:47.840 Look away from our own inability to not stumble and fall. 00:12:47.939 --> 00:12:50.139 And instead, look to Him. 00:12:50.860 --> 00:12:53.480 Fix our eyes upon Him. 00:12:55.080 --> 00:13:01.899 He's the one who promises to bring to completion the work that He's begun in us. 00:13:01.899 --> 00:13:06.759 And this is a truth that's not only found here, but elsewhere in the Bible. 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:10.779 Jesus Himself says in John 10 verse 28, 00:13:10.779 --> 00:13:26.220 Once we, as God's people, are in the grip of the Good Shepherd, He will never let us go. 00:13:26.299 --> 00:13:29.699 And no one will be able to snatch us from His hand. 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:32.940 It's an incredible truth for all believers. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:40.879 But it's also an incredible truth for the person who's on the cusp of placing their trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:48.280 Perhaps someone here this evening hasn't quite taken that step of faith. 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:51.400 That they're anxious to take that step of faith. 00:13:51.399 --> 00:13:56.139 Because perhaps they think they would never last as a Christian in this world. 00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:58.799 And there's too many temptations around. 00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:04.480 And again, Jude says to such people that, of course, you're right. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:09.019 But in your weaknesses, it is Him who will keep you. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:12.220 You don't trust in yourself to not fall. 00:14:12.220 --> 00:14:14.560 But you trust in the living God. 00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:17.960 The one who is able to keep you from stumbling. 00:14:19.040 --> 00:14:23.259 The one who is able to keep you from permanently abandoning the faith. 00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:32.580 Many Christians throughout history have joined monasteries to try and develop a more spiritual life. 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.180 Because they see the world as too evil. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:42.219 And so they want to withdraw to a separate community where there's perhaps less distraction and temptation. 00:14:43.159 --> 00:14:46.959 But Jude says to all of us that God is able to keep us. 00:14:47.120 --> 00:14:49.579 Even as we engage with the world. 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:55.179 He will not allow the world or anything in it to snatch us from His hand. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:56.979 It's impossible. 00:14:58.359 --> 00:15:01.899 This doesn't mean we live like the world. 00:15:01.899 --> 00:15:04.939 But that we live like God's people. 00:15:05.179 --> 00:15:07.919 While we engage with the world. 00:15:09.699 --> 00:15:12.299 One question we might have is, 00:15:12.599 --> 00:15:17.000 How do we know for sure that we are being kept by God? 00:15:17.099 --> 00:15:20.379 That we really are firmly within the grip of the Good Shepherd? 00:15:21.079 --> 00:15:25.799 And I think verse 21 helps us to answer that question. 00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.659 Where Jude writes, 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:29.959 Keep yourselves in the love of God. 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:35.059 Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus that leads to eternal life. 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:38.319 So Jude is saying that God will keep us. 00:15:38.739 --> 00:15:42.959 But he also says that we ought to keep ourselves in His love. 00:15:43.439 --> 00:15:46.459 And it sounds like he's giving us mixed signals. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:48.599 As though he's contradicting himself. 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:51.759 But of course that's not the case. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:54.620 And I think the easiest way to understand this. 00:15:54.620 --> 00:16:00.019 Is that if we are visibly trying to keep ourselves in God's love. 00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:05.419 If we are seeking and desiring to live in a way that honors the living God. 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:11.240 If we're desiring to be faithful to Him despite the pools of the world. 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:13.560 Despite the temptations that surround us. 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:21.899 Then that itself is evidence that we are being kept by Him. 00:16:22.779 --> 00:16:27.759 The only way that it's possible for us to truly desire to live as God's people in this world. 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:30.500 Is if we are in His grip. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:33.680 If He is keeping us from stumbling. 00:16:34.359 --> 00:16:37.319 It's similar to what James writes in his letter. 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:40.179 He says that we know our faith is genuine. 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:43.239 If it is visible through our works. 00:16:43.799 --> 00:16:48.679 Well here we know that we are truly being kept by the living God. 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:51.679 If it is visible through how we live. 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:55.259 And the fact that we even desire to stay in His love. 00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:57.299 Is evidence in itself. 00:16:57.799 --> 00:17:00.059 That He is keeping us. 00:17:00.059 --> 00:17:02.779 And the reason that He is keeping us. 00:17:03.259 --> 00:17:05.740 Is that He wants to present us blameless. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:08.480 Before the presence of His glory. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:10.559 Which actually is the opposite. 00:17:11.159 --> 00:17:13.700 To what these false teachers desire. 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:17.159 They want to lead people astray. 00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:19.119 They want to lead them to an eternity. 00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:21.179 Without Jesus. 00:17:22.399 --> 00:17:24.599 But we see here that God's desire. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:28.539 Is to present us blameless. 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:31.399 To welcome us into His presence. 00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:34.319 Without spot or blemish. 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:37.099 And He will surely do it. 00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:39.700 Because it is Him who is able. 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:42.220 Through what the Lord Jesus has done. 00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:44.240 For us on the cross. 00:17:44.680 --> 00:17:48.019 Where He was the blameless one. 00:17:48.139 --> 00:17:51.539 Choosing in a sense to take our blame upon Himself. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:55.299 Taking our filth and giving us in return His righteousness. 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:57.639 It is through that reality. 00:17:57.919 --> 00:18:00.419 That we can stand before God. 00:18:00.919 --> 00:18:05.000 That we will one day be presented blameless in His presence. 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:08.079 On account of the work of our Savior. 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:11.960 And it will be an experience of great joy. 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.039 For us. 00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:15.019 But also for God. 00:18:15.419 --> 00:18:18.799 We will experience joy like we have never known before. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:23.399 I have been trying to think of a way to illustrate the kind of joy. 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:26.960 But even the greatest joy that we experience in this life. 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:31.480 Is not comparable to the joy we will experience on that great day. 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:36.119 On that day we as God's people will be made perfect. 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.460 Sin will be no more. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:41.839 Every sinful inclination that we have. 00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.379 It will be gone. 00:18:44.399 --> 00:18:45.419 It will not exist. 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.220 In this life. 00:18:46.580 --> 00:18:49.519 Sin really is at the root of all evil. 00:18:49.860 --> 00:18:51.480 All that is wrong in this world. 00:18:51.680 --> 00:18:53.759 Finds its root in sin. 00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:58.000 But when we are presented blameless. 00:18:58.880 --> 00:19:00.560 Before His glory. 00:19:00.860 --> 00:19:02.740 There will be no more sin. 00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:05.640 There will just be pure joy. 00:19:06.360 --> 00:19:07.279 On our part. 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.519 And on God's part. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:11.400 As He delights in presenting us. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:12.440 Blameless. 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.180 Before His glory. 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:17.720 So we are able to contend. 00:19:18.080 --> 00:19:19.500 By looking to Him. 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:21.400 He will keep us. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:23.500 And He will present us blameless. 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.980 Before His presence. 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:27.240 And it will be an occasion. 00:19:27.880 --> 00:19:28.799 Of great joy. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:31.680 Secondly. 00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.720 Verse 25. 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.420 Because God promises. 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.660 To do this. 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.560 For us. 00:19:37.620 --> 00:19:39.380 There is a correct way. 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.779 For us to respond. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:43.160 And I think that is through praising. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:45.299 And worshipping God. 00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:46.940 We contend. 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.379 By looking to Him. 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.500 And secondly. 00:19:49.660 --> 00:19:50.500 We respond. 00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.960 By worshipping. 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:52.799 Him. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:55.579 Jude moves from focusing on. 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:56.960 What God is doing. 00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:58.240 And what God will do. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:19:59.220 For us. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:20:00.200 By bursting. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.500 Into praise. 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:03.519 After penning these. 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:05.000 Incredible words. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.079 In verse 24. 00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:07.859 He simply cannot. 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.119 Contain himself. 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.859 He goes on to declare. 00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.240 God's character. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.799 And His worthiness. 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.779 To the only God. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.740 Our Savior. 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:18.199 Through Jesus Christ. 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.240 Our Lord. 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.220 Be glory. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.079 Majesty. 00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.019 Dominion. 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:22.799 And authority. 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.480 Before all time. 00:20:24.899 --> 00:20:25.419 And now. 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.879 And forever. 00:20:27.559 --> 00:20:28.119 Amen. 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:30.539 To the only God. 00:20:30.539 --> 00:20:32.519 There is only one. 00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:33.740 And it is Him. 00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.500 Who is able. 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.420 To keep us. 00:20:35.500 --> 00:20:36.500 These false teachers. 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.399 They have it all wrong. 00:20:38.899 --> 00:20:39.519 Jude knows. 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.680 The only God. 00:20:40.740 --> 00:20:42.180 And he points his readers. 00:20:42.759 --> 00:20:43.680 And he points us. 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.559 To Him. 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.799 And he then uses. 00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:47.240 One word. 00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.299 To describe. 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.200 God. 00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.839 There is countless words. 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.720 That we can use. 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.680 To describe God. 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:54.319 But the one that Jude uses here. 00:20:54.700 --> 00:20:55.859 Is Savior. 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.180 To the only God. 00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.879 Our Savior. 00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.560 Acknowledging God. 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:02.040 As our Savior. 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:03.180 It encapsulates. 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.700 An immense amount. 00:21:05.060 --> 00:21:06.260 Of who He is. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.300 But also. 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:09.460 Of who we are. 00:21:11.260 --> 00:21:12.320 We are. 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:13.380 In need. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.600 Of being. 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.480 Saved. 00:21:16.040 --> 00:21:16.960 And He chooses. 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:18.220 To become. 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:19.340 Our Savior. 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.740 Through Jesus Christ. 00:21:21.060 --> 00:21:21.660 Our Lord. 00:21:21.980 --> 00:21:22.980 By sending Him. 00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:23.660 To die. 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.100 In our place. 00:21:25.520 --> 00:21:26.480 What a Savior. 00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.860 What a committed. 00:21:28.520 --> 00:21:28.820 Savior. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:29.700 A Savior. 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:29.740 A Savior. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.640 That deserves. 00:21:30.640 --> 00:21:31.580 Our praise. 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.620 And our worship. 00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:35.020 And He declares God. 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:36.260 To be our Savior. 00:21:36.260 --> 00:21:37.560 Through Jesus Christ. 00:21:38.040 --> 00:21:39.500 I don't think we can help. 00:21:39.760 --> 00:21:41.360 But have the cross. 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:42.360 On our minds. 00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.880 Because it was at Calvary. 00:21:44.160 --> 00:21:46.340 It was on that rugged cross. 00:21:46.600 --> 00:21:47.920 Where Jesus hung there. 00:21:48.260 --> 00:21:49.840 As our Savior. 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:52.360 And it was as He was hanging there. 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:54.420 That we so clearly see. 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.780 These attributes. 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:57.220 That Jude goes on. 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:58.340 To write down. 00:21:58.339 --> 00:22:00.099 As He hung there. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.119 As He hung there. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.220 Dying in our place. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.099 We see God's glory. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.559 His majesty. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.139 His dominion. 00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.439 His authority. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:11.179 Any selfless act. 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.099 That we do. 00:22:12.439 --> 00:22:13.279 In this life. 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:13.959 It is given. 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:14.939 Honor. 00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:16.079 And glory. 00:22:16.659 --> 00:22:17.859 And so how much more. 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:18.899 Glory. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:20.019 Does God deserve. 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.819 As a result. 00:22:20.819 --> 00:22:20.839 As a result. 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:22.819 Of selflessly giving. 00:22:23.359 --> 00:22:24.299 His own son. 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.480 In the place. 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.559 Of sinners. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.639 At the cross. 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.920 We see His majesty. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.480 At His beauty. 00:22:32.019 --> 00:22:33.420 And the selfless use. 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:35.319 Of His sovereign power. 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:38.139 We see that He has complete authority. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.519 Over all things. 00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:39.799 But. 00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.639 Namely. 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.940 Even over death. 00:22:42.359 --> 00:22:43.059 Itself. 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.599 As He rises. 00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:45.920 To new life. 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:47.759 He has complete dominion. 00:22:47.860 --> 00:22:48.519 The earth. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.519 Is His. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.660 Footstool. 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.860 And one day. 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.980 Every knee. 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:54.000 Will bow. 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:55.120 And every tongue. 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:56.460 Will confess. 00:22:56.720 --> 00:22:57.880 That Jesus Christ. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.640 Is Lord. 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.480 To the glory. 00:23:00.060 --> 00:23:00.660 Of God. 00:23:00.920 --> 00:23:01.519 The Father. 00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:03.539 These attributes. 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.940 Are rightly. 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.859 Ascribed. 00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:07.319 To the only God. 00:23:07.400 --> 00:23:07.879 Our Savior. 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.460 Through Jesus Christ. 00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:10.379 Our Lord. 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.299 In response. 00:23:11.740 --> 00:23:12.819 To all that He's done. 00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.319 All that He's doing. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.819 And all that He. 00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.099 Will do. 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.619 This doxology. 00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:21.019 At the end of Jude. 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.519 It's not. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:22.440 Just. 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.819 Beautiful words. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:24.700 It's. 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.619 Essential. 00:23:26.039 --> 00:23:26.900 To the message. 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:27.720 Of Jude. 00:23:27.779 --> 00:23:28.160 And when. 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.119 I read. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.940 And understood. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.019 In the context. 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:32.299 Of Jude's letter. 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.460 And the weight. 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:34.279 Of these words. 00:23:34.339 --> 00:23:34.619 I think. 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:35.139 Has. 00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:36.460 So much harder. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.740 If Jude. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:38.339 Called upon. 00:23:38.339 --> 00:23:38.960 His readers. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.160 To contend. 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.859 For the faith. 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.220 And then. 00:23:41.299 --> 00:23:41.960 Reminded them. 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.160 Of. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.240 How hard. 00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.639 It is. 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.680 To contend. 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.319 Faithfully. 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.740 In this broken world. 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:47.799 And then. 00:23:47.879 --> 00:23:48.460 Just finish. 00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:48.980 His letter. 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.339 There. 00:23:50.420 --> 00:23:50.759 Then. 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.220 There would be. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.019 No encouragement. 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.799 For us. 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.819 As believers. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.160 But no. 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.299 These closing verses. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.339 Are essential. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.019 In light. 00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.619 Of what was said. 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.940 Of what He has laid out. 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.680 In His letter. 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.339 They are the perfect way. 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:04.259 To end. 00:24:04.660 --> 00:24:05.660 After highlighting. 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:07.000 The reality. 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:07.720 That we live. 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:09.119 In a broken world. 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.759 He doesn't place. 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.319 The emphasis. 00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.519 On our ability. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.639 To contend. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.579 Because He knows. 00:24:15.180 --> 00:24:16.299 That like the scorpion. 00:24:16.420 --> 00:24:17.460 It is our nature. 00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:21.019 To sin. 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:21.839 And to rebel. 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.319 Against the living God. 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.279 That as humans. 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.039 That is just. 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.000 What we do. 00:24:26.000 --> 00:24:27.079 And so. 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:27.579 What He does. 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.619 Is He takes the emphasis. 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.380 Away. 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:31.019 From ourselves. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:32.640 He says. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:33.920 That we have to fix. 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.079 Our eyes. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.279 Upon Him. 00:24:36.839 --> 00:24:37.599 Who is able. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.720 To keep us. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.440 From stumbling. 00:24:39.599 --> 00:24:40.079 On Him. 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:41.500 Who will present us. 00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.119 Blameless. 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:43.200 Before His glory. 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.980 With great joy. 00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:46.599 And so. 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.480 As His people. 00:24:47.960 --> 00:24:48.339 Today. 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:49.599 In the 21st century. 00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:51.000 We can take. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.059 Confidence. 00:24:52.160 --> 00:24:52.720 That as we. 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:53.740 Venture. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.759 Into the world. 00:24:55.600 --> 00:24:56.319 And we're pulled. 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:56.960 This way. 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.000 And that way. 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.079 He. 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.279 Will keep us. 00:25:00.860 --> 00:25:01.779 As we face. 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:03.100 Hard times. 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.579 When we feel weak. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:05.460 He. 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.680 Will keep us. 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.579 When we're low. 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:10.420 He will keep us. 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.620 And as He keeps us. 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.319 We will be empowered. 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.100 To keep ourselves. 00:25:16.680 --> 00:25:17.700 In His love. 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:18.460 As we. 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.539 Live out. 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:21.000 Our salvation. 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:22.579 For all around us. 00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:24.059 To see the work. 00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.819 That the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.339 Is doing. 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.759 In our lives. 00:25:28.400 --> 00:25:29.620 So may each of us. 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.559 Always. 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.559 Look away. 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:32.640 From ourselves. 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:34.200 And fix our eyes. 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:34.660 Upon. 00:25:35.160 --> 00:25:35.620 The one. 00:25:36.079 --> 00:25:36.779 Who is able. 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.759 To keep us. 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:38.799 From stumbling. 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.860 Let's pray together. 00:25:45.339 --> 00:25:46.079 Father God. 00:25:46.140 --> 00:25:46.960 We give you thanks. 00:25:47.559 --> 00:25:48.500 For your word. 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.900 We give you thanks. 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.180 That. 00:25:50.660 --> 00:25:51.559 You've given it. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.179 To us. 00:25:52.559 --> 00:25:53.419 For the privilege. 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:54.019 We have. 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.019 This evening. 00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:55.519 To have. 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:56.919 Spent some time. 00:25:57.119 --> 00:25:57.899 Thinking about it. 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:58.720 Together. 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.359 We thank you that. 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.679 Salvation. 00:26:01.899 --> 00:26:02.879 Is completely. 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:04.099 A work. 00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:04.980 Of you. 00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.399 That Jesus. 00:26:06.779 --> 00:26:07.039 Is. 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.279 A complete. 00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:08.679 Savior. 00:26:08.679 --> 00:26:09.419 That we do not. 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:10.339 Add or contribute. 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.359 To our salvation. 00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.679 We only. 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.480 Receive. 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:14.359 From you. 00:26:14.359 --> 00:26:15.919 And we thank you. 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:16.500 That you. 00:26:17.219 --> 00:26:17.659 Promise. 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.339 To bring to completion. 00:26:19.699 --> 00:26:20.079 The work. 00:26:20.199 --> 00:26:20.779 That you've begun. 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.659 In us. 00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.079 We pray that. 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:24.319 As we go through. 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.399 This life. 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.899 At times. 00:26:27.399 --> 00:26:28.559 Finding things difficult. 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.219 Struggling. 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.519 Would you help us. 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.719 To. 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.500 Be encouraged. 00:26:32.719 --> 00:26:33.519 By the truth. 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.319 That. 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:35.299 Those. 00:26:35.719 --> 00:26:36.899 You have called. 00:26:37.419 --> 00:26:38.019 You will. 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:38.919 Keep. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.959 For eternity. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:41.620 Help us to. 00:26:41.980 --> 00:26:42.720 Look away. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.920 From ourselves. 00:26:44.579 --> 00:26:45.500 To look to you. 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:46.579 And to trust. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:47.440 In you. 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.480 And in your word. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:49.340 And as we do so. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.279 Would you help us. 00:26:50.779 --> 00:26:51.880 To live lives. 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:53.180 That are faithful. 00:26:53.819 --> 00:26:54.559 And that we. 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.380 Might. 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.519 Yeah. 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.759 Hold out the gospel. 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:59.100 To others around us. 00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.440 Through the way that we live. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.440 And conduct ourselves. 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.160 Would your spirit. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.700 Lead us. 00:27:03.039 --> 00:27:03.700 And guide us. 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:04.579 Each day. 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:06.400 That we might glorify you. 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.539 Our savior. 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.220 And whose name we pray. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.480 Amen. 00:27:12.480 --> 00:27:13.559 We're going to finish. 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:15.000 Our worship service. 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.100 With a song. 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:17.700 That really picks up. 00:27:17.799 --> 00:27:18.500 On that theme. 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.279 Of. 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.680 Not us. 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.059 But looking to God. 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.500 And so. 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:24.120 I will finish by singing together. 00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.480 Yet not I. 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:26.860 But through Christ. 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:27.860 And me. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.440 And we'll stand to sing this.