Perseverance in the Spirit

Jude 17–25 (ESV)
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

vs 3,4: Why write this letter?
vs 5-16: Why must we contend for the faith?
vs 17-25: How do we contend?

How do we contend?
I. What we must be firmly rooted into
II. What we must do for ourselves
III. What we can do for others
IV. What God will do for us

Firmly Rooted
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you…

What we must do
“…building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ…”

Our perseverance is the witnessing power that we belong to Him, and the personal assurance that He is keeping us.

What we can do for others
Matthew 13:29: “lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat.”

MERCY

Group 1: Have mercy on those who doubt.

Group 2: Save others by snatching them out of the fire!

Group 3: To others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Jude’s Doxology
What God does for us
1) Preservation
2) Presentation

“God Himself will have great joy. It will be infinitely displayed in the presence of all. As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall Christ rejoice over you.
Charles Spurgeon

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
“…he will rejoice over you with gladness…
he will exult over you with loud singing.”

B. GROUP DISCUSSION

1) Read Jude 17-25 and discuss what you find there. What things stand out to you as important or interesting?

2) Do you agree that we have more Biblically illiterate Christians than ever before in America? If so, why does this matter? Do you think churches want people to know their Bibles?

3) How do we build ourselves up or keep ourselves? What does it mean to pray in the Spirit?

4) We have a responsibility to help those who are shaky in their faith. How do we do that well? How do we do it when people seem like they have left the faith?

5) Read Jude’s doxology. What is the part that speaks to your heart the most?

6) Prayer and praise