Jude: Our God is…
Preached on 7.4.10 by Dustin Neeley Sermon Notes
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25 ESV
“Now” Shows a change in topic what has been previously discussed.
“to him who is able to keep you from stumbling…”
P: Our God is able to keep us from stumbling.
1. The picture here is one of a sure-footed horse. Also, this audience would have walked everywhere so this was an image that would have been very real to them.
2. It is also a direct contrast to what is taking place in the Text – people stumbling in the faith.
3. It highlights the unlimited nature of God’s power over the limited power of the false teachers.
Practical Implications:
1. We can live with confidence about the surety of our salvation (Jn. 17:22-24).
a. This is not a “I’m good for heaven I can do what I want pass.” This functions alongside the “keep yourselves in the love of God” from last week.
2. We can have hope in our ongoing struggle against sin.
a. “He who began a good work within you will see it through…” Phil. 1:6
b. This should be a special encouragement for those struggling with great
difficulties, ongoing sins, addiction etc.
Am I resting in the fact that my God can keep me from stumbling? If not, what needs to change?
“and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy”
1. “present” presentation of a dignitary. A significant occurrence they would recognize.
2. “blameless” is a word taken from the OT sacrificial system in which the best animals were sacrificed before God to atone for the sins of the people. It was a pointer to the “blameless” sacrifice of Jesus. Now, because of Jesus and our faith in Him, we will be presented “blameless” before God in Him.
3. This makes God happy. This reminds us of the character of God and that the end of our salvation is not simply to rescue us from Hell but to bring God glory and joy. This should lead to our joy as well.
P: Our God is able to present us blameless to Himself in heaven. It makes Him happy and should make us happy as well.
Do I see the ultimate purpose of my salvation and do I look forward to the day that I will be presented blameless to God with joy? If not, what needs to change?
“to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord”
P: Our God is the only God.
1. Affirmation of Deut. 6:4-5. Most of us here know that this is true. Because of our sins, we often turn to a number of lesser, ‘counterfeit gods’ as we go through life.
What are the ‘counterfeit gods’ that I look to to save me?
Be as specific as possible. The more specific you are in your identification, the more specific you can be in your confession, repentance and application of the Gospel and dependence upon the Spirit.
P: Our God is the Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1. Jesus is the only savior (Jn 14:6, Ac. 4:12, 1 Tim. 2:5).
2. Jesus was your Savior then and He is still your Savior now.
Have I turned from sin & trusted in trusted in Christ? Am I turning to Jesus in my remaining sin?
“be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
“glory” Stresses the splendor of His holiness. Also used to describe radiance of light.
“majesty” His position above all Creation. He is the pinnacle of greatness.
“dominion” His power to carry out His sovereign will which has no boundaries.
“and authority” His divine right to carry out His sovereign will.
“before all time and now and forever.” He has always been, He is and He will always be.
“Amen.” Punctuation statement. “It is true.”
P: Our God is glorious, majestic, and has ultimate power and authority.
Through the Cross, we become friends with the glorious, majestic, and powerful God of which Jude speaks.
Works Consulted: MacArthur Study Bible, ESV Study Bible, James and Judas : Half-Brothers of Jesus Speak, New Bible Commentary, Holman Bible Handbook, Bible Reader’s Companion.