Looking For The Mercy

LOOKING FOR THE MERCY

SCRIPTURE: Jude 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”

INTRODUCTION:

5083 tereo {tay-reh'-o} from teros (a watch, perhaps akin to 2334); TDNT- 8:140,1174; v

AV- keep 57, reserve 8, observe 4, watch 2, preserve 2, keeper 1, hold fast 1; 75

1) to attend to carefully, take care of [If you do nothing else in life, “take care” to be in the love of God.]

1a) to guard

1b) metaph. to keep, one in the state in which he is

1c) to observe

1d) to reserve: to undergo something

Keep yourselves — not in your own strength, but “in the love of God,” that is, God’s love to you and all His believing children, the only guarantee for their being kept safe. Man’s need of watching is implied; at the same time he cannot keep himself, unless God in His love keep him. Jamison, Fauset & Brown

Jude v. 21 refers to the second coming; keep your hope sharp and bright, looking for the intervention again of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ray Stedman

As we keep the blessed hope of Christ's immanent return alive in our hearts, this effectively keeps us in the love of God, and helps us to not give away our faith. David Guzik

None but those who“keep themselves” are likely to “save” others. JFB

looking for — in hope. JFB

4327 prosdechomai {pros-dekh'-om-ahee} from 4314 and 1209; TDNT - 2:57,146; v

AV - look for 4, wait for 3, receive 3, waited for + 2258 1, allow 1, take 1, accept 1; 14

1) to receive to one's self, to admit, to give access to one's self

1a) to admit one, receive one into intercourse and companionship

1b) to receive one (coming from some place)

1c) to accept (not to reject) a thing offered

2) to expect: the fulfilment of promises

1656 eleos {el'-eh-os} of uncertain affinity;TDNT - 2:477,222; n n AV - mercy 28; 28

1) mercy: kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them

1a) of men towards men: to exercise the virtue of mercy, show one's self merciful

1b) of God towards men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing

and offering to men salvation by Christ

1c) the mercy of Christ, whereby at his return to judgment he will bless true Christians with eternal life

I. LOOKING FOR THE MERCY OF SALVATION

How many here can say like John Newton in his song Amazing Grace, “I once was lost”?

A. Personal Testimony - Dec. 5, 1982

1. At the end of my rope.

2. In fear of judgment.

3. In need of mercy.

4. I went to the House of God . . . looking for the mercy.

Titus 1:3 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his

mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the

Holy Ghost;”

5. He saved me!!!!!! According to His mercy, He saved me!!!!!!

Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” Ephesians 2:5 “Even when we were dead in sins, hath

quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

B. To Seek And To Save

Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:

for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 8:25 “And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save

us: we perish.”

Matthew 14:29 “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.”

How many times has this call gone out?

How many times has He answered the call?

Matthew 14:31 “And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”

Matthew 18:11 “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”

From the very beginning to the very end, it was a ministry of mercy.

C. Look back yourself to the that time when you came . . . looking for mercy.

I Corinthians 6:9 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of

God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”