Making It To The Future

Making It To The Future

(Jude 17-25)

17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.

19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

KJV

Introduction: We look today in the Book of Jude. As we know Jude like James is the brother of Jesus. Jude’s letter to the church was a charge. Jude realized the importance of contending for the faith. Many things had already come against the church and many more things were going to come against it. Jude knew that the church was going to be in the fight for their life with Satan. It was evident to Jude that church was in for the fight of their life. Literally they would be fighting for the life of the church. This fight was real. Folks it’s still real today. The church is still fighting for their life. Jude also wants us to know that though the challenge was great, but so is the God that we serve.

There are some essentials that are needed if we are going to allow God to take the church into the future. This church as a great history and we can all be proud of her history, but God has a great future for her as well. Mount Vernon has a great past but the future is what we need to look to and not the past. How then is Mount Vernon going to secure the future? As you begin to look for a pastor to lead you and as you also begin to look toward the future of this church what are some things that you will need to put in place? What are the essentials that will ensure that Mount Vernon will be hear 10 years from now or 20 years from now?

Let’s look at verses 19 – 23 and see the six things that we will need to either begin to do or continue to do.

1.) The Building Up Of Your Faith: (Vs. 20)

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

a.) It keeps you strong.

Colossians 2:6-7

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. NIV

b.) It keeps you sure.

Hebrews 6:10-12

10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. NIV

c.) It keeps you steady.

Romans 5:3-5

4 And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. TLB

2.) The Praying In The Spirit: (Vs. 20)

20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

a.) Praying for God’s direction.

Matthew 6:33

33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. NASU

b.) Praying for God’s development.

Isaiah 64:8-9

8 And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay and you are the Potter. We are all formed by your hand. TLB

c.) Praying for God’s discernment.

Philippians 1:9-10

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, NIV

3.) The Remaining In The Love Of God: (Vs. 21)