Five verses from Jude.

20-21 – we must take care of ourselves; 22-23 – our responsibilities to others; 24-25 – keep our focus

20-21 – we must take care of ourselves
Faith. What is the Faith? Over the centuries, Christians have explored it and expressed it in different ways for different times, but from the outset there has always been a recognisable defensible Gospel.

It’s a lifelong activity. ‘Build yourselves up.’ 1) Lifelong activity. We have to keep building 2) It’s plural. Not a solo concern, but in a common concern for love.

It is dangerous to be a solo Christian. A brick cannot be built into the building unless it is on the building site.

Part of the Holy Spirit’s work is to make us aware of the gap between the way things should be and the way things are.

Personal level – our own shortcomings. In others – to guide others. As a Church – see the shortcomings in the world.

First reaction is to pray for the gap to narrow.

God and love. – basic attitude towards us in love. (21a)

Christianity makes sense only if the promises God makes are kept. (21b)

Old Testament believers responded by faithfully waiting. Micah ‘But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my saviour; my God will hear me (Micah 7:7) – See also Psalm 130; Daniel 12:13

Waiting for Jesus

Living Trinity - keep themselves in GOD’S love, pray in the HOLY SPIRIT, wait on the mercy of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

22-23 – our responsibilities to others
Those who doubt – means slightly more than just doubting its more ‘people who are asking themselves questions.’ Or perhaps people who are at odds with themselves. Church never used to be good at allowing questions. But to those who are seeking, we must always welcome and encourage.

Others from the fire – Friends who are already playing with fire, we must think about what action we can do to help them.

Show mercy mixed with fear – ‘Hate’ is a strong word allusion to Zechariah 3:3-4. Talking about a complete change of clothes. We must expect a compete reverse of lifestyle and a change in attitude towards their past.

24-25 – keep our focus
Jude closes his letter as he began, in prayer.

Jude’s letter was intended to prepare us for a long road. We are running a marathon, not a sprint.

Keep from falling – As a massive reassurance to discover that God is able to prevent us from falling. We face the constant pressure to stumble. Pressures are everywhere.

Presenting – ‘without fault’? How come? Because Jesus died a sacrificial death as ‘ a lamb without blemish or defect.’ 1 Peter 1:19 – see also Numbers 28-29; Leviticus 1:2-3; Psalm 15:1-2.

New Testament writers such as Jude (but see also – Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Philippians 2:15; Colossians 1:22; 1 Thessalonians 3:13) use Old Testament words about sacrifice to describe the final state of Christians, for because of Jesus, we will share the wonderful purity of Jesus.

God our saviour. He is the only God there is and he acts to us as Saviour. That has to be worth being curious about. Doesn’t it?