Year 2 Day 334

Year 2 Day 334 


Pray (ACts)


Read - Jude 1v24-25


Message - Scott Woodburn
We have reached the end of Jude's short letter and it finishes in quite a surprising way. Jude has given us multiple warnings about the ministry and character of the false teachers. He has told us that we are in for a fight until the day Christ comes. He has taken us on a Bible study and reminded us of Enoch, Balaam, Korah and Cain. He has even given us a little glimpse of books outside of the canon of Holy Scripture. So how does he finish? By singing!


There's plenty in Jude to trouble us and to make us scratch our heads but nevertheless Jude finishes his letter with a song. You may have heard the final two verses of Jude used as a benediction at the end of a worship service but that is a mistake. A benediction is a word of blessing from God to His people. That's why it's the final thing you hear before you leave worship and head back out into the world. The final verses in Jude are not a benediction but instead a doxology - they are a song of praise from you to God.


It's a sure sign of the Christian's confidence that even in the face of false teachers and church difficulties it is still possible to praise the Lord. Jude wanted to write about salvation and instead was forced to write to urge his brothers and sisters to contend for the faith. It was a difficult message but Jude finishes by singing "now to Him" (v24) and why not? God is the One who will keep us from stumbling. My brothers and sisters we are called to enter the battle and we can be certain it will be bruising. Nevertheless the Lord will keep us to the end. We will not lose our salvation. The Lord will not delete us from His book. The one who has received Christ by faith will persevere to the end - God Himself is able and He will make it so!


The preservation of the believer will lead to that person being presented blameless before the Lord Himself. My brothers and sisters this is our glorious destiny. The Lord will keep us from stumbling and by His immeasurable power we will stand holy and blameless before Him on the last day. When that day comes our joy will be great. We may feel like we are struggling inch by inch through this life but a day of abundant joy is coming. Really, really, really...a day of abundant joy is coming! You will stand in the presence of the glory of Almighty God. Really.


No wonder Jude broke into song. Only the Lord will keep us. Only the Lord has the power to present us blameless. It is only the Lord who deserves all the glory, majesty, dominion and authority. It's always been this way, before all time and now and forever more. There is no one like the Lord. No one surpasses Him. There's no one close to Him. Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise!


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC
Q89 How is the Word made effectual to salvation? The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the Word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation.