Jude: Stand Up and Be Counted

2021-12-19

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

The short epistle of Jude is a clear reminder of the importance of being faithful in a time of evil. This letter, written by the brother of Jesus, is one which serves as a wake-up call to the lost, the hypocritical…and the faithful.

Jude 3 (CSB) Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all.

1. We are called to stand up for what we believe in

“appealing to you to contend for the faith”

  • We are commanded to stand in truth no matter the circumstances, no matter the consequences
  • Evil people are always attempting to corrupt the church and the faithful, we must “contend” for what is right (verses 4-19)

2. We are called to grow in what we believe

Jude 20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit

  • Build (epoikodomeō – to build upon)
  • “Fundamental to such growth is to learn as much as possible of the truth of Scripture and to set one’s life to believe and obey it.” – David Walls[1]
  • “I have yet to meet a strong, fruitful Christian who ignores his Bible.” – Warren Wiersbe[2]

[1] David Walls and Max Anders, I & II Peter, I, II & III John, Jude, vol. 11, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 266.

[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 559.


3. We are called to love through what we believe

Jude 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life

  • To keep oneself in “the love of God” is to love Him completely which will lead to us obeying Him completely


4. We are called to help others in their belief

Jude 22-23 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh

 

5. We are called to spend eternity with Him

Jude 24-25 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

  • 3 Groups are addressed here:
  1. The saved who waver
  2. The unsaved who we are called to reach
  3. The lost who may never find Christ

Jude 20-25 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.

  • He is “able” to protect you if you are growing in Him
  • As a result, He will present us to the Father for promise of eternity
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