Embracing God's Universal Invitation and Our Identity
Summary
The invitation of God is universal, extending to everyone without exception. This call is not just an invitation but a profound declaration of love. In the family of God, you are not only called but also deeply loved. God knows every detail of your life, your highs and lows, and loves you unconditionally. This love is unlike any human love, as it is complete and unwavering. At Boulder Mountain, we are committed to helping people find and follow Jesus, and we are excited to embark on a new series exploring the book of Jude. This short yet rich book, often overlooked due to its complexity, offers profound insights and warnings relevant to the church today.
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, writes to a general audience, emphasizing that there is no privilege in following Jesus. Despite being Jesus' brother, Jude identifies himself as a servant, highlighting the humility and servitude that should characterize all believers. The book of Jude is a warning to the church, urging believers to contend for the faith and be aware of false teachings. Jude writes in triads, using three illustrations, analogies, and themes to convey his message.
The book of Jude reminds us of our identity in Christ. We are called, beloved, and kept in Jesus. This identity is not based on our achievements or background but on our relationship with Jesus. Our salvation is secure, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. This assurance allows us to navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that we have victory in Jesus.
As we journey through the book of Jude, we will explore themes of judgment, behavior, and accountability within the church. We are called to judge with right judgment, not superficially or hypocritically, and to hold each other accountable in love and grace. At Boulder Mountain, we believe in creating a space where people can belong, believe, and eventually behave in a way that reflects their faith in Jesus. This journey is not about immediate perfection but about growing together in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- God's invitation is universal, and His love is unconditional. He knows every detail of our lives and loves us deeply, offering us a place in His family. This love is unlike any human love, as it is complete and unwavering. [00:00]
- Jude's humility as a servant of Jesus, despite being His brother, teaches us that there is no privilege in following Christ. Our identity is found in being servants of Jesus, emphasizing humility and servitude. [05:20]
- Our identity in Christ is secure; we are called, beloved, and kept in Jesus. This assurance allows us to navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that our salvation is secure and nothing can separate us from God's love. [14:17]
- Judging within the church should be done with right judgment, not superficially or hypocritically. We are called to hold each other accountable in love and grace, creating a space where people can belong, believe, and grow in Christ. [23:56]
- Belonging precedes believing and behaving. At Boulder Mountain, we create a welcoming environment where people can belong, leading them to believe in Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform their behavior over time. [29:10]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Introduction to the Book of Jude
[04:06] - Authorship and Audience of Jude
[05:20] - Jude's Humility and Identity
[08:11] - Jesus' Siblings and Belief
[09:28] - Themes and Warnings in Jude
[11:38] - The Call and Calling of Believers
[13:18] - Loved in God
[14:17] - Eternal Security in Christ
[16:06] - Belonging and Acceptance
[18:17] - Knowing the End of the Story
[19:52] - Warnings and Judgments
[21:21] - Types of Judgment
[23:56] - Accountability in the Church
[26:48] - Love, Grace, and Truth
[29:10] - Belong, Believe, Behave
[31:09] - Family and Reconciliation
[33:39] - Adoption and Belonging
[35:40] - Invitation to Respond to God's Call
[37:56] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Exploring the Book of Jude
Bible Reading:
- Jude 1:1-25
- John 7:24
- Matthew 7:3-5
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Jude's introduction as a "servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James" reveal about his perspective on identity and privilege? [05:20]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of God's love for us, and how is it different from human love? [11:38]
3. What are the three key identities mentioned in the sermon that believers have in Christ, according to Jude? [14:17]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of judgment within the church, and what are the different types of judgment mentioned? [21:21]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jude have chosen to emphasize his role as a servant rather than his familial connection to Jesus, and what does this teach about humility in Christian leadership? [05:20]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that our identity in Christ provides security and confidence in facing life's challenges? [14:17]
3. How does the sermon interpret the call to "judge with right judgment" in John 7:24, and what implications does this have for accountability within the church? [21:21]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between belonging, believing, and behaving in the context of church community? [29:10]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own sense of identity in Christ. How does understanding that you are "called, beloved, and kept" impact your daily life and decisions? [14:17]
2. Consider a time when you felt judged superficially or hypocritically. How can you ensure that your judgments of others are rooted in love and truth, as described in the sermon? [23:56]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of belonging before believing and behaving. How can you create a welcoming environment in your church or community that encourages others to feel they belong? [29:10]
4. Think about a situation where you might need to hold someone accountable in love and grace. How can you approach this conversation in a way that reflects the balance of truth and love? [23:56]
5. The sermon mentions the permanency of being part of God's family. How does this assurance affect your view of your relationship with God and others? [33:39]
6. Identify an area in your life where you might be struggling with judgment. How can you apply the principles from the sermon to address this issue and grow in grace and truth? [21:21]
7. Reflect on the concept of "victory in Jesus" as mentioned in the sermon. How can this perspective help you navigate current challenges or uncertainties in your life? [18:17]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: God's Unconditional Love and Universal Invitation
The invitation of God is universal, extending to everyone without exception. This call is not just an invitation but a profound declaration of love. In the family of God, you are not only called but also deeply loved. God knows every detail of your life, your highs and lows, and loves you unconditionally. This love is unlike any human love, as it is complete and unwavering. At Boulder Mountain, we are committed to helping people find and follow Jesus, and we are excited to embark on a new series exploring the book of Jude. This short yet rich book, often overlooked due to its complexity, offers profound insights and warnings relevant to the church today. [00:00]
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." (1 John 3:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of love. How can you embrace God's unconditional love for you today, knowing He calls you His child?
Day 2: Humility and Servitude in Following Christ
Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, writes to a general audience, emphasizing that there is no privilege in following Jesus. Despite being Jesus' brother, Jude identifies himself as a servant, highlighting the humility and servitude that should characterize all believers. The book of Jude is a warning to the church, urging believers to contend for the faith and be aware of false teachings. Jude writes in triads, using three illustrations, analogies, and themes to convey his message. [05:20]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you practice humility and servitude in your daily life, following the example of Jesus and Jude?
Day 3: Security in Our Identity in Christ
The book of Jude reminds us of our identity in Christ. We are called, beloved, and kept in Jesus. This identity is not based on our achievements or background but on our relationship with Jesus. Our salvation is secure, and nothing can separate us from the love of God. This assurance allows us to navigate the challenges of life with confidence, knowing that we have victory in Jesus. [14:17]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing your identity in Christ as chosen and beloved change the way you face challenges today?
Day 4: Judging with Love and Grace
As we journey through the book of Jude, we will explore themes of judgment, behavior, and accountability within the church. We are called to judge with right judgment, not superficially or hypocritically, and to hold each other accountable in love and grace. At Boulder Mountain, we believe in creating a space where people can belong, believe, and eventually behave in a way that reflects their faith in Jesus. This journey is not about immediate perfection but about growing together in Christ. [23:56]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone in your community who needs gentle restoration? How can you approach them with love and grace today?
Day 5: Belonging, Believing, and Behaving in Christ
Belonging precedes believing and behaving. At Boulder Mountain, we create a welcoming environment where people can belong, leading them to believe in Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform their behavior over time. This journey is not about immediate perfection but about growing together in Christ. [29:10]
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a welcoming environment in your community where others feel they belong and are encouraged to grow in their faith?
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Quotes
1) "Listen, the invitation of God goes to everybody. Nobody's left out. The call of God is for everyone. And then we get to choose what to do with that. Called, number one. Beloved, number two. Not only are you called, but you're loved. Listen, it'd be easy to invite somebody and not care about them. But in the family of God, you're called and you're loved. You're loved. Love runs deep. If you're a guest here with us today or you're kicking the tires on this whole following Jesus thing, church thing, you don't know where you stand. I want you to know today you're loved. You're fully known. God knows every detail of your life. He knows your highs and your lows. He knows your regrets. He knows what you've carried around all these years. He loves you in spite of all of that. He loves you like no person has ever loved you before. With an unconditional love. You are called, my friends, and you are loved." [01:03] (-690 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Now, Jesus can call us whatever he wants to call us. And he does. He says, a master will not call servant, servant. I will call him friend. Jesus can call you. You friend. But may I propose to you that our identity is found as a servant of Jesus Christ. And Jude understood that. Even though I grew up in his home, I'm a servant of Jesus Christ." [09:28] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "If you today identify as a Christian, as a believer, you've placed your faith in Jesus, you have been called. There's a calling and then there was a call. There's a moment in your life where you were overwhelmed. With the evidence, you were overwhelmed with the grace, you're overwhelmed, the irresistible grace of the Holy Spirit that called you and you placed your faith and trust in Jesus. Some of us remember that day. It might've been in a room like this. It might've been at a camp. It might've been in your car. It might've been in a bathroom. It might've been your house. It might've been outside on the trail." [11:38] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "I believe God writes our names in heaven in Sharpie. Not pencil. And here's why. Because this is what we would call the doctrine of eternal security. This is really important. What you believe, what your theology, what you believe really matters. Because if I believe I can lose my salvation, that's really a scary place. That's a dangerous place. I didn't do anything to earn my salvation. I can't do anything to lose my salvation. Ephesians 2, 8 and 9 says, For by grace you have been saved. Saved is not of yourselves, is not of works, so that no one can boast, no one can brag. And you can't do anything to lose your salvation. You are kept in Jesus." [15:29] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "As a follower of Jesus, you know how the story ends. There's highs and there's lows. There's stuff going on in our world that causes, causes us all to think this world is losing its mind. But I want you to know, you know how the story ends. So as we go through this, the book of Jude, there's gonna be some crazy stuff, but you know how the story ends. I want you to make sure when you wake up in the morning, your identity is rooted in Christ, not in all the stuff you're gonna hear about. We don't sway with culture. We don't go up and down based on what's happening in the world. That is good news. We know how the, how this all ends. It ends with a song that we sang this morning. We have what in Jesus? We have victory in Jesus. Today and tomorrow. That's, that's good news." [18:17] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "We're not to judge superficially. We're not to judge hypocritically. But we are to come along believers within our family and hold each other accountable. I remember I was sitting with a couple. I was doing pre-marriage with this couple. And most of the pre-marriage counseling I do with couples today, they're living together already. That's the day and age in which we live. And so I get the opportunity to sit down with them. And I get to show them love and grace. And I share the gospel every chance I get. And I also speak truth. And so I always lay out the challenge to the couple. If they're believers, right? Two followers of Jesus. If they're two followers of Jesus, I'll marry two followers of Jesus. I'll marry two people who don't know Jesus. I won't marry a couple that's unequally yoked." [26:48] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "At Boulder Mountain, our prayer is that people would belong here. The first step, that they would feel welcome here, that this would be when they show up to Live Nativity or another event, that they'd feel like, hey, there's something. There's something different about this place. There's some love. People are welcoming me. They're not judging me. They're not telling me what I should do or not do. So the first step is belong. By God's grace, we pray that that belonging one day leads to them believing in Jesus as their Lord and Savior. It does not start with believing. It starts with belonging." [29:10] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Listen, when you're a part of the family of God, it's not a short-term deal. It's permanent. It's permanent. You are kept in Jesus. That is good news. We're not to wake up every morning wondering if I did enough, wondering if today's going to be the day God's going to kick me out of his family. God never disowns his children. While at the same time, I'm persevering. Jesus keeps me, but he's also invited us to be part of what he's doing in the world." [35:40] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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