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In-Depth Bible Study of

JUDE


with Pastor Dick LaFountain

 



LESSON 2 - The Saints & The Aints

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Pastor Dick's Video Clip Lectures
Available on Sunday, May 31


One of the most difficult things for believers to understand and digest is that they are called "saints" by all the New Testament authors. Jude is no different. He begins this letter with encouragement of every believer that his harshness is not directed at them. He calls them saints and emphasizes a basic Gospel truth that in Christ we are a new creation, old things are passed away and all things have become new. He tells them they are CALLED, LOVED and KEPT through Jesus Christ. At the end of the letter he reiterates this fact assuring them that "The Lord is able to KEEP THEM FROM FALLING and to present them FAULTLESS before the throne with great joy.

How is this possible? The answer is found throughout the New Testament primarily in the writing of the Apostle Paul in Romans and Ephesians. Today we explore this concept beginning with an examination of Zechariah 3:1-5 where God describes for us an event in heaven in which Joshua the high priest is standing before the Lord in filthy garments while Satan stands beside him accusing him of being unworthy. It is in perfect agreement with the Revelation of John where Satan is described as "accusing us before the Father day and night." (Revelation 12:10-12)

Who we are in Christ is as important as that we are "in Christ." Too many Christians base their walk with God on feelings and not on the facts of the Word of God. We live by feelings and not by facts. We are who God says we are, not what others think we are, not even what we think we are. We are children of God, joint heirs with Christ. He calls us His Beloved, who are -- Faultless, Blameless, Spotless, Holy, Sanctified, Hidden, Accepted, Covered, Forgiven, Justified, Qualified, Sealed, Chosen, Predestined, Adopted, and much more. Join us as we study these truths of who you are in Christ.

"I found it necessary (urgent) to write to you exhorting (urging) you to earnestly (energetically) contend (wrestle) for the faith that was once for all delivered (entrusted) to the saints."


    1. Introduction Jude's Greeting to the Saints & Aints (3 min.)
                Jude does not want his readers who are true believers to be frightened byhis stern warnings against those who are among them an look like believers but who in reality are not. Saints are believers who have been born again. They have the "seed" or Christ in them. They do not and cannot continue in sin because the born again Christian has the Holy Spirit within who will not allow them to be comfortable living in sin. The apostates, on the other hand, revel in sin and pretend it does not matter whether they are holy or not. They do not have the Holy Spirit within that cries out, "Abba, Father."


    2. The Description of Believers as Saints (30 min)
                Jude calls true believers by the titles God gives to them. They are "saints" because they are called of God, loved by God, and kept by God. He assures them that the keeping power is Christ and Christ alone. We keep ourselves in the love of God by staying close to the Savior.



DOCUMENTS TO PRINT OUT
Available Sunday, May 31


These are unedited documents and studies I use in my sermon preparation. They will enhance your study of the Word. Print them out and study them. This way we can give you much more than we can in our Videos or in our live classes.



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We suggest you print out each of these DOCUMENTS and put them into a three-ring binder for easy access and reference.

Join us each week as we take an in-depth look at The Book of Jude. Online postings and videos will on Sunday evenings.



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