JUDE: A LETTER FROM A FRIEND: Grace, mercy, and responsibility 10-4-26

​JUDE: A LETTER FROM A FRIEND: Grace, mercy, and responsibility 10-4-26

INTRODUCTION 

A new series

A series about a short letter

Last week, Grace and Jesus

‭‭Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭5-7 NIV‬‬

“Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”

‭‭     Jude‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I. AFTER GRACE AND MERCY

“God’s grace is magnified my man’s ruin. The more keenly the ruin is felt, the more highly the grace is valued.”

The most joyful converts to Christ you will ever see, are the ones who have come to realize how utterly lost and helpless they were without Him.

C. H. MacKintosh

A. God’s children

1. At one time God delivered

2. Later God destroyed those shoe did not believe

     B. Angels

1. Did not keep their positions of authority

2. Abandoned their proper dwelling

3. God kept them in darkness, bout with everlasting chains for judgment on the Great Day

     C. Sodom and Gomorrah

1. Before

2. Gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion

3. They serve as an example fo those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire

II. RESPONSIBILITY AND THE GIFT OF GRACE

     A. Theirs 

1. Israel and the law

2. Angels and their rightful place

3. Sodom and Gomorrah and natural law

     B. Ours

1. Holiness and righteousness

Author Jerry Bridges comments in an article on commitment, "As I have watched the parade of people through our church, and other churches, I wonder why so few commit themselves to a local body of believers in a significant way. Many sit and soak and do little else, and they flee at the first sign of trouble or pressure. They fail to become involved or to give; the priority for corporate worship falls far down on the list. They criticize all that is wrong with a specific local congregation. What can we do besides comment or complain? We need to accept the challenge to commit ourselves to responsible membership."

     C. His

1. True to Himself

III. OUR RESPONSIBILITY

     A. Grace with gratitude

     B. Mercy with a changed heart

     C. Responsibility with a life of  holiness

As Clayton J. Schmit put it in his commentary on our text:

The moment of birth is one of unspeakable joy. Yet, if parents stopped to count the cost of taking a child home (which, fortunately, they never do) they might be tempted to turn the gift down.

The cost of baby food and diapers, sleepless nights and worrisome days, braces for the teeth, clothes and school supplies and college tuition, and repairs to the fenders of the family car, heartaches and disappointments, and weddings; it would not be surprising for a young parent to say, "No thanks. I think I'll pass on the gift." [2]

Clearly, the gift of a child brings responsibilities. But it also brings tremendous joy to every loving parent.

Dr. Schmit goes on to say that the same kind of responsibilities come with God's gift of his kingdom. They are not insignificant responsibilities. We are to give up the materialistic way of the world, and share our wealth with those in need. We are to work toward expanding God's kingdom to those we meet, love our neighbors as ourselves, and witness to others that we know the redeeming love of God. It too, is a gift that if one was to stop and calculate the responsibilities, might terrify the recipient.

Yet along with these demanding responsibilities, the gift of God's kingdom also brings with it the joy of knowing God's redeeming grace, of not having to carry the burden of our sins and failures around like an iron fetter attached to our ankles. And most importantly, the gift of God's kingdom offers the hope of new life, as we realize that we are members of God's extended family.

CONCLUSION

Grace mercy and responsibility are forever before us. Our response to His Grace and mercy should be a responsible life lived for Him. 

INVITATION

It is our custom to offer an "invitation" following the preaching of the Word.  You may want to follow Jesus.  You may want to proclaim your faith.  You may want to repent (stop doing ungodly things and start doing Godly things).  Perhaps you want to be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Possibly, if you have already responded to God’s call in these ways, you would like to become a member of Kenwood Church.  If you have been moved by the Holy Spirit to make a decision in your life, you can come forward now.  If you would like, I would be honored to speak with you following the service about what God is doing in your life.