Pray with the Lord's Power

How do you "keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21a)? How do you continue "building yourselves up on your most holy faith" (v. 20a)? First, by spending time in the Lord's Word; second, by being in fellowship with the Lord's people; and third, by praying in the Holy Spirit" (v. 20b). And what does that mean except to pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, or with the Lord's power.

Listen to these verses:

(1) Ephesians 6:18—"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

(2) Philippians 4:6-7—"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

(3) Colossians 4:2—"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."

(4) 1 Thessalonians 5:17—"Pray without ceasing."

Devote yourselves to prayer! Take everything to God in prayer!

The Gospel of Luke shows Jesus as a man of prayer. Acts shows His disciples following suit as men of prayer. We must, likewise, be men and women of prayer. Prayer is a basic characteristic of godly men and women. Amen.

Spend Time with the Lord's People

How do you "keep yourselves in the love of God" (Jude 21a)? How do you continue "building yourselves up on your most holy faith" (v. 20a)? First, by spending time in the Lord's Word and second, by being in fellowship with the Lord's people. Spend time with other believers, not just in idle chit-chat, but by being involved together on a more spiritual level, encouraging one another in your walk with Jesus.

In Hebrews we are commanded: "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching" (Heb. 10:23-25).

Spend time together. Get to know each other on a spiritual level. Become best friends as brothers in Christ. Build up one another in the faith and their walk with Jesus. In the early church, fellowship was key: "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:46-47).

Close, meaningful fellowship helps you build up each other in the Lord—it helps keep you in the Word. Amen.

Study the Lord's Word

The Book of Jude in the New Testament is a short letter of a single chapter and just 25 verses, yet it contains great wisdom as to how to live the Christian life. We are going to jump in at verses 20-21. These two verse contain five commands that every Christian should live by. We will consider the first command today, and each of the other four commands over the next four weeks.

Let's look at these two verses in Jude this morning as they stand together: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 20-21). Note the central command: "keep yourselves in the love of God" (v. 21a). I would like to build upon that thought as we look at the commands every Christian should live by.

How do you "keep yourselves in the love of God?" (v. 21a). By studying and knowing God's Word. Note verse 20a: "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith." What does that mean, except to build yourself up in your walk with Christ. And how do you accomplish that? First, by spending time in the Lord’s Word getting to know Him better.

Paul told Timothy: "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:14-17).

Study it, learn it, memorize it, live by it! The psalmist wrote: "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes" (Psalm 119:9-12). And in verses 15-16 he concludes: "I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word."

Your walk with the Lord is directly related to how much time you spend in the Word! Take time every day to read God's Word and to pray. Amen.