TEXT: Jude 1:20
READING: Psalm 29:1-11
SUBJ: The words of encouragement from Jude and in particular building up on the foundation of the faith once delivered considered in a devotional context and praying in the Holy Spirit.
AIM: That we might endeavor to do just that and that we study to be so built up as we pray.
INTR: Many of the directives in scripture aim at the individual believer while some are intended to be understood and applied to individuals as a group and especially a Church. Note, that most of the Epistles are addressed to Churches regarding specific issues.
1. The Epistle of Jude is general in nature (common salvation) but addresses things that are applicable to a group (crept in unawares).
2. The things spoken of in the beginning and the end of this Letter addresses things that involve individual behaviors that apply to and benefit a group.
3. There is a strong message here for a Church and therefore for us as we seek together to function in the true worship of God and the propagation of the Gospel.
THESIS: We begin with apostolic instruction (v. 17) then seek to be developed fully as the servants of our Lord that we may be used to His glory and our delight.
I. Ye beloved
1. Considered with affection from Jude as loved of the Lord – you who are loved.
2. Again, it is to be understood as addressing more than one (as in to a church)
3. A term often used when expressing concern for safety and well being.
4. See 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
II. Building up yourselves
1. Consider the analogy of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3.
1) 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
2) 1 Corinthians 3:11-12 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
2. Christ as the foundation is more than the mere mention of the name – It is Christ in the Gospel and Who is the Gospel – 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3. That which may be built are erected among God’s people such as: Character, Confidence, Ability, The true worship of God, and Many other things that pertain to the life of the believer and his relationship to God in Christ.
4. This work of building parallels with the idea of edifying: Ephesians 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ… -- that is instructing the mind and “building up.”
5. These directives are to be pursued by individual believers in a collective context.
6. Most Holy Faith
1) It is to be seen as objective and not just as something you do. It not the mere act of believing, it is that which is believed – the Gospel.
2) It is Holy in that It is centered in Christ, It is the Word of God, It is concerning the work of redemption that required the vindication of His Holiness
3) 1 Peter – a Holy Priesthood and a Holy Nation; Be ye Holy! Faith enables and looks to just that.
7. “Your” most Holy faith; That which is received in the Gospel; That which portrays eternal life as a possession on which we are to lay hold.
III. Praying in the Spirit – arguably the most opposed of Spiritual activity in that we are knowingly in the presence of God. He, the Holy Spirit is essential to every acceptable function of believers.
1. There is no more merit in prayer than what is supplied by the Blood of Christ and prayer without reference to the cross is empty and vain. “Prayer is beyond our natural power.” James Buchanan.
2. That we are to pray everywhere is evident in the Scripture (Luke 18:1). And we consider “Pray without ceasing,” Peter and “watch unto prayer,” Paul with “continuing instant in prayer,” and Jesus: Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)
3. As a matter of resource: Job’s lament of “Oh that I knew where I might find Him,” and the disciples reply of “To whom shall we go?”
4. Christ is our resource in all things and it is He, the Spirit though Whom it given: He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:14).
5. It is through the Spirit that we cry Abba Father; we are to be, Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18).
6. And we must be reminded of, Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)
7. Praying in the Spirit assures that Wants are put in perspective, the things of Christ are kept in view – images of the cross, puts our affections in the right place (“set your affections on things above”), that with our attention pointed to Christ we find strength and confidence, hindrances are restrained, and distractions are nullified.
