Series: Jesus’ Half Brother- Jude [#4]
YOUR SPIRITUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Jude 1:20-25
Introduction:
As we complete this study on the ½ Brothers of Jesus and the Book of Jude, we need to notice that the focus is taken off of the false prophets, false teachers, and counterfeit Christians; and placed upon the Christian’s life. In these last 5 verses of Jude, we are given instructions concerning our spiritual responsibilities. Notice that we must clean up our own lives before we can become effective with others. Let’s look at God’s instructions to His Children.
Jude 1:20-21
Your spiritual responsibilities…
1. Concerning yourself.
Christians are given 3 specific instructions on things that should be happening in their spiritual lives.
Christians should…
* Pursue growth.
This word “build” literally means to “build upon”. What are we to build upon? The foundation of Jesus Christ. Notice that the responsibility is placed on us. We are to pursue spiritual growth. We do this through the Word of God, fellowship with other believers, and prayer.
Christians should…
* Pray in the Holy Spirit.
When we are being led by the Holy Spirit, we pray to God in a pleasing way. The Holy Spirit knows what the Father is asking us to do. The Holy Spirit reveals to us unconfessed sin. When praying in the Spirit we ask God things according to His will.
Christians should…
* Persevere until the end.
Don’t stop! Keep serving God. The Christian walk is daily.
Jude 1:22-23
Your spiritual responsibilities…
2. Concerning others.
Christians are given 3 specific types of ways to minister to people depending on their spiritual condition.
Christians are to…
* Help the spiritual doubters grow.
This is saved people who often doubt their salvation and God’s will in their life. The reason Christians doubt their salvation or God’s presence in their life is unconfessed sin. These doubters are often times new believers. Christians are to help them grow. Babies need someone to feed them, change their diapers, hold them, and caudle them. Spiritual babies are no different.
Christians are to…
* Snatch the spiritually dead from the fire.
Those who are not saved are spiritually dead and are bound for the fire of Hell. Christians are to snatch them from the fire. The only way someone is “snatched from the fire” is by being given new life through Jesus Christ which occurs the moment a person accepts God’s gift of salvation. We are to lead people to Jesus Christ.
Christians are to…
* Correct the spiritually deceived in love.
This is talking about those who say they are Christians (and they may be); but the way they live their lives doesn’t reflect that. When a fellow Christian is hurting their witness and the witness of God’s Army by sinful living, we are to go to them. We correct them with a motive of love hoping that they will repent. As our text says we are to “show mercy, mixed with fear”. They must realize that it is a bad idea to play games with God. We must also notice that we are to hate sin; but love the sinner.
Jude 1:24-25
Your spiritual responsibilities…
3. Concerning God.
Christians are given 3 reasons to praise God.
Christians should praise God because…
* He keeps us.
There is nothing or nobody more powerful than God. When a person is saved, they become a member of God’s family, and no one can ever change that. Praise be to God.
Christians should praise God because…
* He will present us.
Through the blood of Jesus, we are made clean. It is only because of the blood of Jesus that we will be able to enter into Heaven for all eternity. We stand before God without fault and with great joy because of Jesus Christ.
Christians should praise God because…
* Of Who He is.
There is none like our God. There is none more powerful than our God. There is none that love like our God. Our God is to be given all the praise and glory.
