“Who We Are: The Nature of Our Family”

in the Truth. Through us he told you the Good News. Through us he called you to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
 Calls unto into the context of a family that celebrates good news
 This is consistent with
o God’s desire that "all men be saved" - 1 Ti 2:3-4
o God’s offer of His Son as "a ransom for all" - 1 Ti 2:5-6
o God’s unwillingness that "any should perish", but that "all should come to repentance" - 2 Peter 3:9

iii. TO MAKE OUR "CALLING AND ELECTION SURE"
 This requires much diligence on our part - 2 Pet 1:10-11
 Otherwise, we will be like the Israelites in the wilderness - Heb 3:12-19; 4:1-2,11
 All were called by God to enter the Promised Land of rest but most were unable to enter because of unbelief that led to lack of diligence!
 Many warnings against apostasy found in the Scriptures - why Jude felt it necessary to write his epistle!

Application:
• Rejoice
 Everybody has a chance
“For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this not by yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Eph. 2:8)
 Everybody is given a chance
Change produces new prospect – “dish cloth tun table cloth”
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:9)

• Redesign our Evangelism
 SCOPE. It must be geared to everyone (outcast, ordinary). Jesus took a special interest in those who lived on the fringes/edge of society (Blind Bartimeaus, Woman with issue of blood, Zaccheaus)

 PURPOSE. It is not an end in itself. But “…to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Eph. 4:12,13)

B. Christians - LOVED
Why are Christians called? It is because God the Father loves us; not because we loved God but because he loved us.

i. Christian is “loved by God”
 Love of God in Sending Jesus

ii. BUT ALSO Christian is “beloved in God”
 “For you died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” (Col. 3:3)
 Speaks to: new identity, security,

iii. We are “loved by God” and “loved in God” -

Application:
 Appreciate your SECURITY
 Embracing Promise in an insecure world - “loved by God and His love enfolds us”. This is a double guarantee - protection outside and strengthening within.
 Power of the entire Trinity - What a privilege this is, to be loved by God. You may still have problems, but you know this: the Triune God loves you.

 Maintain your STONGHOLD
 Remain in His Love.
 Love your brother - Your brother is ALSO beloved.

C. Christians – KEPT
Christians are also "kept" by Christ. Jude speaks of others as being "kept" for judgment. Note John 17: Christ’s prayer to protect his own--he has personally taken on responsibility for us, for our ultimate safety.
Why is it that Christians need to be preserved by God?
i. Propensity to falling
 Word “KEPT” comes from the word ("tereo") "to guard (from loss or injury)"
 It is used to describe that which is closely watched and guarded...
1. Such as those