Sermon Notes from Jude 17-23, "How To Keep Watch 2" by Tray Earnhart

[The following notes were taken at the 10:45AM service this morning at Kosmosdale Baptist Church. The is available to hear on-line HERE.]

I. Introduction
A. Opening Comment: Sometimes wrong solutions can be worse than the original problem.
B. Example of right solutions to problems: The Puritans, who were true physicians of the soul, experts at diagnosing and responding to issues biblically.
C. Example of a wrong solution to a problem: 2 Sam 6, David trying to transport the ark of the covenant back into Jerusalem without consulting God's Word.
D. Additional examples of right solutions to problems: Paul's gospel-centered solutions to problems in the churches.
E. Examples of the apostles' warnings re: apostasy:
1. Acts 20
2. 1 Tim 4.

II. The Second Solution to the Problem of Apostasy: "Keep yourselves in the love of God."
A. Our responsibility to 'keep ourselves' is based upon God's prior work.
1. Phil 2:12-13.
2. 2 Pet 1:10.
B. The genitive in Jude 21 is subjective; we are to keep ourselves in our love for God.
C. How? 3 participles in the text:
1. "Building yourselves up in your most holy faith:"
a. "Building" is a present tense participle, indicating a continual, daily action.
b. "Your most holy faith"= the Christian faith, as defined by the Word of God.
2. "Praying in the Holy Spirit:"
a. = Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit.
i. Rom 8:26-27.
ii. Gal 4:6.
b. No indication of private prayer languages.
3. "Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life:" (this is an eschatological statement, referring to when the Lord returns)
D. Care for others:
1. "Have mercy on those who doubt"
2. "Save others by snatching them out of the fire"
3. "To others show mercy with fear"
a. Gal 6:1.
b. We must be sure that we are ourselves built up in faith before we can help others.

III. Why be concerned about apostasy? Without concern for this:
A. The gospel gets confused
B. The nature of the Church gets confused