Sermons on Jude 1:20-21
The various sermons below interpret Jude 1:20-21 by focusing on the foundational aspects of faith and the sustaining power of love. Both sermons emphasize the importance of building upon the already established foundation of Jesus Christ's finished work, rather than attempting to increase faith through sheer willpower. They highlight the Greek verbs for "building" and "keeping," underscoring the necessity of spiritual perseverance and the active role believers play in their faith journey. The sermons use vivid analogies, such as a father-son business and being at sea, to illustrate the intimate relationship between believers and God and the sustaining force of God's love and mercy through life's challenges.
While both sermons share common themes, they diverge in their theological emphases. One sermon focuses on the theme of eternal security, arguing that salvation is complete and secure in Christ, and highlights the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. It suggests that believers are called to actively build their lives on the foundation of faith. In contrast, the other sermon presents love as an active, sustaining force, emphasizing that love is not merely a feeling but a power that enables perseverance and spiritual warfare. It introduces the idea that love is the foundation of all God's attributes, using the metaphor of God as glass, which can be reshaped but remains fundamentally the same.
Jude 1:20-21 Interpretation:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) interprets Jude 1:20-21 by emphasizing the concept of building on a foundation that is already laid, rather than trying to increase one's faith by sheer willpower. The sermon uses the Greek verb for "building" to highlight that it means to build upon something already established, which is the finished work of Jesus Christ. The sermon also uses the analogy of a father-son business to describe the relationship between believers and God, emphasizing that believers are called to participate in God's kingdom work out of an intimate relationship with Him.
Reflecting God's Love: The Call to Mercy (Heritage of Faith CC) interprets Jude 1:20-21 by emphasizing the necessity of maintaining oneself in God's love as a form of spiritual perseverance. The sermon highlights the Greek word for "keep," which means to persevere or stand firm, suggesting that love is a power that enables believers to endure trials. The sermon uses the analogy of being at sea, looking for land, to describe the act of looking for God's mercy as a sustaining force through life's challenges.
Jude 1:20-21 Theological Themes:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) presents the theme of eternal security, emphasizing that salvation is complete and secure in Jesus Christ. The sermon argues against the notion that believers need to have "more faith" and instead focuses on the sufficiency of Christ's finished work. It also highlights the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, suggesting that while God keeps believers secure, they are also called to actively build their lives on the foundation of faith.
Reflecting God's Love: The Call to Mercy (Heritage of Faith CC) presents the theme of love as an active, sustaining force rather than a passive state. The sermon suggests that love is not just a feeling but a power that enables perseverance and spiritual warfare. It also introduces the idea that love is the foundation of all God's attributes, using the metaphor of God as glass, which can be reshaped but remains fundamentally the same.
Jude 1:20-21 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) provides historical context by discussing the apostasy that Jude warns about, including references to Enoch and the coming of a charismatic world leader who will deceive many. The sermon explains that this apostasy will grow worse until the return of Jesus Christ, providing a backdrop for Jude's exhortation to contend for the faith.
Jude 1:20-21 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) references John 3:16 to emphasize the gospel message and the finished work of Jesus. It also cites 1 Corinthians 3:11 to support the idea that no other foundation can be laid except that which is laid in Christ Jesus. Additionally, the sermon references Acts 20:32 and 2 Timothy 3:16 to highlight the transformative power of God's Word in building up believers.
Reflecting God's Love: The Call to Mercy (Heritage of Faith CC) references Deuteronomy 7:9 to illustrate God's covenantal love, emphasizing that God chose His people out of love, not because of their greatness. The sermon also references Matthew 24:12 to discuss how iniquity and lawlessness can cause love to grow cold, highlighting the importance of maintaining love in the last days. Additionally, Hebrews 10 is cited to discuss the boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, connecting it to the mercy seat and the necessity of love and unity within the church.
Jude 1:20-21 Christian References outside the Bible:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Jude 1:20-21.
Reflecting God's Love: The Call to Mercy (Heritage of Faith CC) references Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ," discussing how Strobel's attempt to disprove Christianity led him to encounter God's love. This is used to illustrate the transformative power of experiencing God's love, which goes beyond intellectual understanding.
Jude 1:20-21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing God's Call: Foundations of Faith and Prayer (The Mission Church) uses the analogy of a father-son business to illustrate the relationship between believers and God, emphasizing the idea of working together in God's kingdom. The sermon also uses the story of the thief on the cross to illustrate the concept of salvation by grace and the sufficiency of Christ's love.
Reflecting God's Love: The Call to Mercy (Heritage of Faith CC) uses the analogy of being at sea and looking for land to describe the act of looking for God's mercy. The sermon also references the movie "The Case for Christ" to illustrate the journey of encountering God's love through intellectual pursuit. Additionally, the sermon mentions the cultural phenomenon of the "coexist" bumper sticker to discuss the exclusivity of the Christian path to salvation, contrasting it with the idea of multiple paths to God.