Catch The Wind

CATCH THE WIND

Energized by the Power of the Holy Spirit

Jude 1:20-21

• Jude 1:20-21 (MsgB)

[20] But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

INTRODUCTION:

Perhaps you have heard about the ad placed in the “Lost and Found” section of the classifieds. It said, “LOST DOG—hinze 57 mutt, has only one eye, limps due to an accident with the car, hard of hearing, patches of fur missing from mange, ANSWERS TO ‘LUCKY.’”

Some folks are probably wondering, “Why is a dog like that called Lucky?” This poor mutt is lucky because someone cares enough to look for him. Despite all its misfortune someone loves that little dog just the way it is.

You and I are lucky too! We were all deformed by sin. Sin blinded us to the truth; sin hardened our hearts so we could not hear God’s voice. Sin had us limping down the wrong path; we were dirty and sickly. But God loved us enough to look for us anyway. The Holy Spirit tracked us down, and Jesus paid the ultimate price to free us from the kennel of sin.

Yes those who believe that Jesus died for their sins have been forgiven and set free from sin. But that is only the beginning! Jesus did NOT instruct his followers to go make converts; He didn’t tell them to just go out and find as many people who will believe. JESUS SAID MAKE DISCIPLES. Becoming a Christian happens in a moment; becoming a disciple takes a lifetime!

Notice how Jude begins his short letter:

• Jude 1:3 (NIV)

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.

I like how the Message Bible puts it, “I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish.” Jude was not satisfied that people believe in Jesus; he wanted them to press forward, to be a contender. Jude didn’t just want people to believe; he wanted them to grow in their faith.

Let me ask you a simple question, ARE YOU GROWING IN YOUR FAITH? Are you actively involved in a lifetime process of discipleship to become more like Jesus? Or are you just going through the motions; you believe that Jesus died for your sin, but you’re not growing; you’re not changing.

Jude knew something else: IF YOU ARE NOT GROWING, YOU ARE DYING. Furthermore, as much as Jude wanted to see believers grow in their relationship with Christ, he also knew there were others who would lead them astray.

• Jude 1:17-19 (NIV)

[17] But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. [18] They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." [19] These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Now if Jude and the apostles encouraged believers to beware of those who would lead them astray in the last days, THEN HOW MUCH MORE DO WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO BE LED ASTRAY?

Jude said there would be those who cause division within the church. Is it alright to tell the truth on Sunday morning? Division in the church follows division in the heart of individuals.

If you are pressing on and growing in your faith, then you will work through difficulties with other people; A GROWING FAITH WILL MAINTAIN AND BUILD UNITY IN THE BODY. However, if there is a division within your heart—if you waiver between the flesh and the Spirit, then the division of your heart will be seen in fractured and broken relationships.

Therefore, Jude encourages us to continually grow in the faith. Look again at what he says:

• Jude 1:20-21 (MsgB)

[20] But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

Notice Jude shows us three ways we can build ourselves up in the faith. Our faith is developed as we [1] pray in the Holy Spirit, [2] stay in the center of God’s love, and [3] keep open and ready for the mercy of Jesus. In other words, Jude says our faith is strengthened as we RELATE, REAMAIN and RECEIVE.