He Is Able

 This is a sermon based on Jude 24 and stresses God's ability to keep His children from falling from grace, even though it is possible to do so. A video recording of the worship service in which this sermon was presented can be viewed by clicking here.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:

Do you believe we are living in times when people are struggling with all kinds of fear?

Do you believe we are living in times when spiritual darkness and wickedness seems to be gaining momentum?

Do you think it is getting harder and harder for believers to rise above the culture and live victoriously for Christ?

Have you had those moments when you wondered if it was really possible to live obediently and pleasing to God in such a wicked and perverse generation?

I know that all of us have probably had those moments when we asked ourselves all of these questions. We have had those moments when we realize that we need a power greater than ourselves in order to stand up and stand out for Christ. I bring you good news today and it is found in the text of Jude 24. “[He] is able to keep you from falling, and present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”

With the help of “Him who is able,” I want to speak to you today on this passage of Scripture to help us experience renewed hope and resolve to allow God to give us everything we need for victorious living in these days.

Before we get into the theme of this doxology, I want to point out a few things about this letter.

Written by: Jude (Judas) the half-brother of Jesus.

Matthew 13:55 ^(NKJV) Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

Jude said some very similar things as 2 Peter. May have been familiar with Peter’s letter. Peter warned about false teachers coming. Jude warns – false teachers are here.

Key Words: Contend for the Faith

Key Verse: Jude 1:3 ^(NKJV) … I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

The text at the end of the chapter we are looking at today appears to be a doxology that may have been commonly used and often repeated. It presents a message of hope and confidence as it lifts up the Lord in honor and praise.

I.          Falling is possible.

I suppose one of the first things I notice about this message of hope is the fact that the Apostle Jude acknowledges the possibility of falling.

A. Word Meaning

“… keep you from falling…”

“fall” – to stumble; “…five NT instances the main meaning is the figurative one “to slip,” “to err,” “to sin” (Geoffrey W. Bromiley, trans., Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament: Abridged in One Volume, Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2003)

See Rom. 11:11 where three different words are used that mean fall.

Romans 11:11 ^(NKJV) I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

The first “stumble” is same word as in Jude – to stumble, err, sin…

Second “fall” is a different Gk. Word – “píptō”

…in Rom. 11:11 falling means abandonment by God in guilt, and in Rom. 11:22 falling is identical to guilt, píptō may also be used for loss of faith and separation from grace (1 Cor. 10:12). At issue here is an apostasy from God or Christ which means disqualification (1 Cor. 9:27). (Geoffrey W. Bromiley, trans., Gerhard Kittel, Gerhard Friedrich, ed., Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)

Romans 11:22 ^(NKJV) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 10:12 ^(NKJV) Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1 Corinthians 9:27 (NKJV) But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (KJV, “a castaway”).

The third “fall” (Rom. 11:11) = παράπτωμα, paráptōma. This is the same root word as the 2^nd “fall” but with a preposition attached to the front. In NT is translated 9 – “trespass;” 7 – “offense;” 3 – “sin.” (Strongs)

With this understanding of the word Jude uses, as well as other words used in similar passages, we clearly see that falling is possible.

B. Contextual Meaning

Jude 1:4 ^(NKJV) For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

This verse warning about those who currently causing trouble is followed by several examples from the OT of God bringing judgment upon those who turned away from Him and lived ungodly lives.

See esp. vv. 16ff

Jude 1:16-19 ^(NKJV) These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. ¹⁷ But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: ¹⁸ how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. ¹⁹ These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

In the context of describing the kinds of people among whom the believers live, the Apostle says this word of promise and inspiration, “He is able to keep you from falling.” Taken in context, Jude is saying that God is able to keep them from succumbing to the cultural and spiritual degradation that exists all around them.

The phrase lit. reads, “guard us not-falling.”

(Michael Green, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – 2 Peter and Jude, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Academic, 2009)   Here phylassō is used; it means ‘guard’. …. We must watch that we stay close to the Lord, but only he can guard us so that we do not stumble. Aptaistous, from falling, does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. [Greek writers use the word in various ways, one] of a horse which is surefooted and does not stumble, [another] of the steady falling of the snow, and by [a third] of a good man who does not make moral lapses. In the midst of difficult company, turbulent thinking and the questioning of moral standards, it is only the Lord who can preserve us.

How fitting for us today!

II.        He who keeps us from falling.

Jude uses a pronoun here, but it is very clear whom he is talking about. He specifically names Him in v. 25 – “To God our Savior…”

A. God has a “track record” of accomplishments.

There is so much we can say here. We are given so much information in the Bible about God and all He has already done. He has done so many mighty works and miracles in our world! Created this universe out of nothing simply by speaking the word. Delivered Israelites through the Red Sea. Calms Storms, raises the dead, heals the sick, etc., etc.

If He did all of those things, then He surely is able to give everything necessary for His children to overcome the threats, dangers and pitfalls which surround them.

B. He provides the tools for our success.

Jude 1:20-23 ^(NKJV) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. ²² And on some have compassion, making a distinction; ²³ but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

God doesn’t just do everything for us. He gives us the privilege of doing what we are able to do for ourselves. And that is to willfully choose the practices which will produce spiritual results.

Build yourselves up in the faith – study the faith (in the Scriptures)

Pray in the Holy Spirit – Over and over in Scripture we are reminded of the need to pray and the benefits of prayer.

Keep yourselves – this emphasizes the personal choice we have to willfully submit ourselves to the love of God.

Have compassion…save with fear – be engaged in reaching out to others. There is something about caring for others and teaching/ discipling others that helps us keep alert and fresh in our own spiritual lives.

Even while we are doing what we know to do, God is still the One who is enabling us.

III.       He exhibits the victors with joy.

Jude 1:24b ^(NKJV)  … to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy

This is thrilling to think about.

(Expositor’s Bible Commentary) God is able, literally, to “guard [safely] as a prison.” Moreover, he is able not only to safeguard the saints against falling but even cause them to stand “before [God’s] glorious presence without fault and with great joy.”

(Michael Green, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries – 2 Peter and Jude, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Academic, 2009) God sets us before him (katenōpion, his glorious presence, is a strong word), and what deeper conception of bliss could there be than for the redeemed to be face to face with their God? God has no charge to prefer against those who are accepted in his spotless Son; and if God be for us, who can be against us? This is indeed great cause for agalliasis, great joy, a word particularly used of exultation at the heavenly banquet…. It is essentially a word that belongs to heaven.

It is clearly a cause for joy in us, but I am confident that it is a cause for joy to God and angels as well.

IV.       He deserves all the praise.

Jude 1:25 ^(NKJV) To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

When we arrive in heaven, it will not be due to our own righteousness, it is only because of the grace of God. He obviously gives us the choice to accept His offer of salvation and to cooperate with the operations of His Spirit, but we deserve none of the credit.

To God be glory, majesty, dominion, and power now and forever!

Conclusion:

God has made His grace available to us every single day. He will not leave us to flounder and struggle in our own strength.

He will guard us and keep us from falling.

Closing song: Day by Day