Praise God Despite Apostasy
26 August 2018 AM – Jude 1:24-25 – Jude18 – Scott Childs
Introduction: As Jude ends his brief book, he does so with a note of praise. While his message was rather firm and harsh against the false teachers and apostates, his challenge to Christians was beneficial (v.20-21) and needful (v.22-23). In these last two verses, he challenges us to praise God despite apostasy. We ought to praise God that He gives us the tools and the power to resist and overcome apostasy.
Transition: This morning, I want to draw your attention to three facts about God that are truly worthy of our praise.
The first fact about God is that …
1. God is able to keep Christians from falling (v.24)
a. God is able…
1) This is an amazing truth – God is able. The word “able” comes from the Greek word dunamai from which we get our word dynamite.
2) God has unlimited power. Nothing is too hard for God.
a) When Abraham’s 90-year-old wife Sarah questioned God’s ability to give her a son, God said, “Is any thing too hard for the LORD?” (Gen 18:14)
b) When Judah questioned God’s ability to send them to Babylon and bring them back again, God had Jeremiah write, “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27)
3) The chorus God Can Do Anything describes well this truth.
b. God is able to keep Christians from falling
1) I do not believe Jude is talking here about falling from salvation. Though we cannot see another person’s heart, those who have truly been born into God’s family cannot get unborn. They are eternally secure. Thus, the important question to ask yourself is not “Could I lose God’s salvation?” but “Do I truly have God’s salvation?”
2) Since the next phrase speaks of presenting us faultless, I believe Jude is talking about keeping us from falling into sin, especially the sins of the false teachers and apostates.
3) Our enemy the devil is powerful. His temptations are very alluring. Yet God has the mighty ability to keep us from falling into sin. How does God do this?
a) God has given every Christian the indwelling Holy Spirit to help him (Romans 8:9).
b) God has provided us with spiritual armour so we can withstand temptation (Ephesians 6:10-18).
c) God has given us the Bible to instruct and guide us. (John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
4) God’s ability to keep us is unquestioned, but we must cooperate with Him. Living victoriously is a matter of choice. It is a matter of yielding to the Holy Spirit and depending on God for strength to resist temptation.
a) (Galatians 5:16) “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
b) (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22) “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
c) (2 Timothy 2:22) “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
O Praise God for all He has done to keep you from falling!
The second fact about God is that …
2. God is able to present Christians faultless (v.24)
a. God is able …
1) This builds on the previous phrase.
2) God is unlimited in ability.
b. God is able to present Christians faultless
1) One day every Christian will stand in the presence of God’s glory. This will take place after the Rapture at the Judgement Seat of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:10) “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
2) On that day, many Christians will not stand. They will fall on their face before God in shame because of their failure to live in victory over sin. Instead of living by the Bible, they yielded to lust, got angry, argued with their spouse, failed to witness, failed their God-given marital roles, disobeyed their parents, told lies, or lived worldly.
3) Jude tells us that God is able to present you or literally cause you to stand before God’s glory on that day. However, our part is to stay in close fellowship with the Lord. (1 John 2:28) “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”
4) God is able to present you faultless and with exceeding joy on that day. If you will obey the Bible, walk in step with the Holy Spirit, submit to God, resist the devil, flee lust and temptation, and always confess your sin when you fail God will keep you faultless. (1 John 1:9) “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
5) Yes, you CAN stand before God faultless with exceeding joy! God is fully able to help you if you will do things His way.
O Praise God for all He has done to present you faultless!
The third fact about God is that …
3. God deserves our highest praise forever (v.25)
a. He deserves praise because He is wise.
1) All wisdom belongs to God. He is the source of wisdom – the ability to make right choices.
2) God alone is wise. Any wisdom that man may have comes from God. (Psalms 111:10) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”
b. He deserves praise because He is our Saviour.
1) Often we speak of Christ as our Saviour without pondering the significance of that word.
2) If you have placed your trust in Christ to save you from hell, He is your Saviour.
a) He saved you from the wrath of God on Judgment Day. (Romans 5:8-9) “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”
b) He saved you from eternity in the Lake of Fire. (John 5:24) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
3) We need to praise God regularly for being our Saviour.
c. He deserves praise because of His character.
1) Praise God’s glory (His exalted state, honour, excellence). He shines above all else. He is awesome and amazing.
2) Praise God’s majesty (His greatness, magnificence, splendour). He is impressive beyond compare. There is none greater than our God.
3) Praise God’s dominion (His strength). He is omnipotent or unlimited in power. No other being compares to God in strength.
4) Praise God’s power (His authority). This speaks of both God physical and mental power. He is the sovereign of the universe.
5) Praise God both now and ever. We must not wait until heaven to praise God. He deserves our praise right now. When is the last time that you really spent time thoughtfully praising God?
Conclusion: Jude assures us that God wants to keep us from falling into sin and present you faultless on Judgment Day. God is able to do this but He will not force you to cooperate with Him. If you have not been doing God’s will, seek God’s forgiveness and begin today.
You cannot praise God for being your Saviour if He has never saved you. Jesus died for you, but you must believe this, repent of your sin, and ask Him to save you.
If today you have not truly praised God for His divine character, take the time to do so right now.
Song: Praise Him! Praise Him! 442