Be Blessed: ‘he Keeps.’ Series

SERMON OUTLINE:

BACKGROUND:

The letter is small.

The letter is strange.

The letter is suspect.

The big picture

The letters outline.

BENEDICTION:

God is able to secure us (vs 24a).

God is able to accept us (vs 24b).

God is able to receive from us (vs 25).

SERMON BODY:

Ill:

• A collector of Books – is called a Bibliophile.

• A collector of Stamps – is called a Philatelist.

• A collector of Artwork – is called a Virtuoso.

• A collector of Fossils – is called a Palaeontologist.

• A collector of Fridge magnets – is called a Memomagnetist.

• Collectors of Autographs – is called a Philography.

• A collector of Coins – is called a Numismatist.

• A collector of Postcards – is called a Deltiologist.

• TRANSITION:

• I think of Jude as a postcard rather than a letter,

• One of its themes is, God keeps, he collects,

• He holds on to his people.

• We are secure in Jesus Christ!

Note:

• I am aware that there are some very difficult verses,

• In the New Testament,

• That suggest a believer can lose their salvation.

• But there are so many clear-cut verses that suggest you can’t.

• That I think we should always interpret the difficult verses,

• In light of the more direct and clear-cut verses.

Ill:

• This afternoon at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park London.

• A Moslem man will point out a verse in John’s gospel,

• And use this to prove his point.

• But you don’t interpret John’s gospel by one verse,

• You don’t prove or disprove a doctrine by one verse.

• Rather you always let the rest of the book,

• Or chapter or paragraph, interpret that one verse.

• TRANSITION:

• Because there are so many clear-cut verses,

• That I believe teach you cannot lose your salvation.

• That I think we should always interpret the difficult verses,

• In light of these more direct and clear-cut verses.

Ill:

• Watchman Nee was one of China’s,

• Most influential Christian church planters, leaders,

• And evangelists during the twentieth century.

• He spent the last 20 years of his life in prison,

• And died there in 1972.

• Watchman Nee tells the story.

• Of how a new convert who came to see him in deep distress.

• He said to Watchman Nee:

“No matter how much I pray, no matter how hard I try, I simply cannot seem to be faithful to my Lord.

I think I’m losing my salvation.”

Watchman Nee said,

“Do you see this dog here? He is my dog. He is house-trained.

He never makes a mess; he is obedient; he is a pure delight to me.

Out in the kitchen I have a son, a baby son.

He makes a mess, he throws his food around,

he fouls his clothes; he is a total mess.

But who is going to inherit my kingdom?

Not my dog; but my son who is my heir.

You are Jesus Christ’s heir because it is for you that He died.”

• TRANSITION:

• We are Christ’s heirs, not through our accomplishments,

• But by means of his grace.

• And what we have in Christ,

• No-one can take away!

Note:

• The letter of Jude is one of the least read,

• And therefore, least known parts of the New Testament!

• It’s a book preachers avoid,

• (When did you last hear a sermon on Jude - me neither!)

Joke:

• Right now, as you are finding it in your Bibles,

• I can see little puffs of dust rising up!

• Quote: Jude has been called,

• “the most neglected book in the New Testament.”

• And there are a number of reasons for this:

REASON #1: IT'S SMALL

• Along with Philemon and 2 and 3 John,

• It is one of the smallest books in the New Testament.

• Just one chapter, 25 verses.

• The fifth shortest book in the Bible.

• Question: Can you name the other four that are shorter?

• (i.e. counting the number of verses not words.)

• Answer:

• Joint 4th place: Philemon (25 verses) & Jude (25 verses).

• 3rd place: Obadiah (21 verses),

• 2nd place: 3 John (15 verses),

• 1st place: 2 John (13 verses),

• These New Testament postcards often get overlooked.

• Either they are too hard to find or in this case,

• “Maybe size does matter!”

REASON #1: IT'S STRANGE

• As you read this postcard,

• You encounter puzzling references.

• e.g. The Archangel Michael arguing with Satan over Moses' body.

• What does that refer to?

• There is no mention of that taking place,