Sermon Central
-
God’s Grace In Jude Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 21, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: The praise and exaltation that Jude shows us in his doxology ought to be what drives us every day to share Christ with others. His love is never-ending, which means His grace is always available in abundant form!
God’s Grace in Jude
Grace Sermon Series, Part 8
Introduction
- Turn to the book of Jude (right before Revelation)
- God’s grace produces tangible results in our lives
-- It gives us peace for the future and hope to stand firm during trials
-- God has given us His grace as proof of His love for His own
- When we see the results of grace we become strengthened
-- It’s why we can face an uncertain future without fear of the unknown
-- Sure, we may be uncertain in situations; but God is STILL God
-- He is where our hope comes from, and where our focus must be
- Remember: Grace is His benevolence to the undeserving (you and me)
- Let’s consider this morning God’s grace proclaimed in Jude’s doxology
- Read Jude 17-25 (focus is on 24-25) / Pray
∆ Point 1 – Let us Adore Him who can keep us from Falling
A. We need keeping from falling; we need to be preserved from having:
• Error of Doctrine; which is abundant in this age
o Lots or preachers trying new things fail to ask, “Is it scriptural?”
• Error of Spirit; do I desire the things of God more than the world?
o IMP: even the “best” can (will) fall when not focused on God
• APP: We should not think of ourselves higher than anyone else
B. None but the Lord can keep us from falling
IMP: We cannot keep ourselves without Him – literally, He keeps us!
• No place guarantees security; the church, the closet, the communion table
• These are all are invaded by temptation (sin in church still happens)
- There are no rules and regulations that will secure us from stumbling
-- APP: Even stereotyped habits can only conceal hidden sin (i.e., church rituals)
C. The Lord however, can keep us from falling – it’s only through Him!
• He is “able to keep”
• He is the “only God, our Savior”
• IMP: His wisdom is part of His ability; it’s where we can lean
D. He keeps us from falling in many ways, sometimes they are very obvious
1) Keeps us by warning us … how?
• By our noting the faults of others (learn from others)
• By inward promptings (that still small voice inside of you)
• By the reading/preaching of His Word (brings conviction; instruction)
2) Christ keeps us by wisdom which removes us from opportunities to sin
-- APP: It is God who is in charge; we must listen to the promptings He gives
3) Keeps us by a bitter sense of sin; it makes us dread being a part of sin
-- APP: Does sin make your stomach turn? Do you fear His wrath more …?
4) Keeps us by His Holy Spirit; He renews us as the Spirit calls us back to Him
-- APP: We must submit when He calls – this is the part MOST don’t like
APP: Our adoration for Him is what should keep our focus on His ways!
- TRANS: Not only does He keep us from falling, but He will present us to God
∆ Point 2 – Let us adore Him who will present us in His Courts as Faultless
A. None can stand in those courts that are sinful (rebellious, unrepentant, etc.)
-- Isaiah 59:2, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he … will … not hear.” (ouch)
B. None can deliver us from former guilt or keep us from daily fault in the future
-- APP: Only Jesus is able to deliver us from these feelings; He is the Savior!
C: His promise to us is simple: “He will do it!”
-- Colossians 1:22, “But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.”
-- APP: We should not be urged to praise Him for something He would not do
-- Since we are encouraged to praise Him in this … it means He will do it!
D. He will do it “with great joy”! He does this both to Himself and to us!
-- It gives Him pleasure to fulfill the Father’s will; this is why He came and died
-- IMP: Without the death, there is no fulfillment … it’s how Grace is offered!
- TRANS: If He will present us, then we should adore ALL that He’s done!
∆ Point 3 – Let us adore Him with the highest ascriptions of Praise
- We celebrate by proclaiming His glory, majesty, dominion, and power
-- These are confessions, or proclamations, of who He is! He is Lord!
1. We credit these to Him as in the past; He is “before all ages”; before time
