Jude 1:20-21 Encouragement from Jude – audio

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Text: Jude 1:20-21

Introduction

As Christians, we all need encouragement.

Paul taught the Thessalonians, “therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as also you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).”

As the early Christians did, so today we gather upon the first day of the week to worship God and edify one another.

Let us look at Jude’s encouraging words to Christians (Text: Jude 20-21).

Body

I. Build yourselves up on your most holy faith.

We have a most holy faith. Earlier in his epistle, Jude explained it was necessary to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered for the saints (Jude 3).” We can build ourselves up by contending earnestly for it! After all, it has been delivered.

How? “Faith has come from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).”

Since there is only one God, He gives us only one faith (Ephesians 4:4-6). We must remain in that faith, rooted and built up in Christ (Colossians 2:7).

Christians have a solid foundation in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11), and must build upon that foundation.

Peter tells us exactly how to build our faith (2 Peter 1:5-8).

II. Pray in the Holy Spirit.

One responsibility and privilege Christians have is prayer. We are to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), continue steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12), as taught by Christ (Luke 18:1).

Just as holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21), so we need the Holy Spirit to speak to God. We all have our weaknesses, and sometimes do not know how to pray, or what to pray for. The Holy Spirit can intercede for us with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).

III. Keep yourselves in the love of God.

Paul made it very clear that there is nothing in this world that can separate us from God’s love for us (Romans 8:35-39). On the other hand, is there anything that may separate us from loving God?

Jesus said if we love Him we must keep His commandments (John 14:15). To keep loving Him is to keep doing what He commands us. He commands us to love each other as He has loved us (John 13:34; 15:12-17).

IV. We have the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life to look forward to.

Paul said to Titus that we look forward to “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).”

Even Mary proclaimed: “His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation (Luke 1:50).”

We do not need to say, “Lord have mercy on me” as many did to Jesus; rather, He is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), and we can obtain it to help us any time we need it (Hebrews 4:16).

It is through that mercy that He saves us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).

Conclusion

If we build ourselves and each other on our most holy faith, continually pray in the Holy Spirit, and remain in the love of God, we can look forward to eternal life through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us therefore comfort one another with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).