Main Verse: Jude 1: 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.
We live in a world with people who create division. They fight against your faith. They stand against what you're trying to accomplish in the Lord. And then there are others in your life, who live in a doubtful posture, they are constantly speaking negatively. They're constantly casting doubt on the work of the Lord, and what God is doing in your life. And then there is a third group of people who continue in disobedience. They're not necessarily opposing you, but they're living a life that is contrary to the will of God for their life. And so the writer of Jude gives us some instructions. He says, to stand in a world that is falling around you, there are some things that you need to do:
Number one, build yourself up in faith. Now, one of the ways that you can build yourself up in faith is by praying the Word of God, by reading the Word of God, and by listening to messages that are preached about the Word of God.
Number two: He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. This is an advantage for those who are filled with the Holy Spirit, and who use their prayer language. And you can pray and build yourself up in faith as you pray in the Spirit.
Number three: Keep yourself in the love of God. As a result of these extra efforts, these disciplines that you're putting into your life, you will be kept in the love of God.
Now, what are you supposed to do with the people in your life that are living as opposers? They're fighting you or they're walking in disobedience or they're struggling? He gives examples for us. He says, Show mercy. And then he says, serve the sinner - snatch them from the fire. And so we're not supposed to live in a posture that makes us enemies. No, we are to serve them to win them. As you know, one of our values at ICON Church is “serving is winning”.
One final encouragement today is found is verses 24 and 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 to the only God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, but before all time, now and forever, amen.”
Our God can keep you even in the difficult age in which we live. Our God can stand with you.
And so as you build yourself up in faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, it says, Keep yourself in the love of God. And so I believe these things will help you stay in the love of God as we walk forward in faith. Be Iconic Action Item: Keep doing your devotions. Pray in the Holy Spirit. Serve others. DAY SEVEN | STAND on faith | Pastor Tony Colson | Fast Forward 24 | ICON Church