Mercy, 17 November 2024, Jude
18 11 24 Filed in: Sermons | Little Letters
Mercy
Little Letters: Jude, part 2
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 17, 2024
Jude 17-25
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Mercy begets mercy so we are to experience and share God’s mercy.
Scripture Reading: Jude 17-23
When I was a kid, we used to place this two-person game called Mercy. Essentially, you would try to torture the other person with your hands until they yell, “Mercy!”
Mercy is one of those words people use, but don’t always understand. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We all deserve God’s wrath, but praise the LORD Jesus came and died to offer forgiveness and mercy.
Today we conclude our series on Little Letters, finishing the short book of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible before Revelation. Last week we read the first part of this letter written by Jesus’ half-brother to the early church, likely Messianic Jews. He warned about false teachers and said some harsh things about their destructive actions. Now we pick up with verse 17.
A Call to Persevere
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 17-19)
Remember what the apostles—the true teachers—said (and forget the words of the false teachers who scoff, live ungodly lives, and divide.
We live in a divided culture, a divided country, a divided world. This is hardly news to any of us. It has been this way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. What is harder for me to grasp is how divided the Church, the Bride of Christ, has become.
In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for unity, that we would be one—not divided. We can all find differences if we look hard enough, but we have more in common than not. We’re all united at the foot of the cross. Only pride and ego keep us from truly loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.
Jude says these leaders “do not have the Spirit.” This is an important remark. There’s a big difference between gifting and anointing. It’s possible to have talents and abilities, but it’s another thing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, utilizing spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
I’m not here to impress or entertain you, but simply to point you to Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill me every time I preach and that you hear from God, not me. I also pray that I would always practice what I preach. This was hardly the case with the false teachers Jude critiques.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)
He says to build themselves up in the faith. Grow!
He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Align your will and desires with God’s.
He says to remain in God’s love. Develop your relationship with Jesus.
He says to wait. Don’t you love waiting? Ugh! People have been waiting for two thousand years for Christ to return. Next month we’ll enter the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, a season of anticipation.
I’m sure there was an expectation then—as there is today—that Jesus’ return was close at hand. He’s coming back, family! Soon! Get ready! Get your friends and family ready! Followers of Jesus will experience mercy on Judgment Day, not getting what we deserve.
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
This is a beautiful phrase. One translation states, “Be compassionate to those mentally wavering.”
Doubt isn’t sin. I don’t think it’s even a lack of faith, depending upon your definition. It is a struggle, a wrestling. The Bible is filled with godly people who wrestled with God, with faith, with belief. They need compassion, support, and understanding…never condemnation.
This past week I read an article about a woman who struggled with doubt for two decades. Michelle DeRusha offered these four suggestions in the midst of doubt:
1. Acknowledge it. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is from a man whose son was possessed by a spirit. While seeking healing from Jesus, he exclaimed,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b)
We all have our moments of doubt. There’s no need for shame or embarrassment, but tragically many suffer in silence thinking they’re the only one. Family, we need to get real and share what’s really going on inside. Chances are, those around you are experiencing or have experienced the very same thing. When we hide, things can only get worse. I have questions. There are things about the Bible I don’t understand. In fact certainty can actually be an obstacle to faith rather than evidence of it. Jesus’ disciple Thomas was famous for doubting, yet God used him in powerful ways. Most likely his doubts tested and strengthened his faith over time.
2. Connect with Your Community. Henri Nouwen wrote, “In times of doubt or unbelief, the community can ‘carry you along,’ so to speak…It can even offer on your behalf what you yourself overlook and can be the context in which you may recognize the Lord again.”
3. Lean into Your Practice. Spiritual rhythms or habits can keep us going even when we don’t “feel” like it. Prayer, Bible study, small group, and Sunday mornings are just a few ways to feed your faith. Sometimes it feels like you’re just going through the motions, but don’t give up. Author Kathleen Norris writes, “It is in acts of repetition that seem senseless to the rational mind that belief comes, doubts are put to rest, religious conversion takes hold and feels at home in a community of faith.” One of the best spiritual practices is to serve others, getting the focus off of yourself.
4. Live the Questions. Catholic priests during Eucharist say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” If we fully understood God, we would be God! Paul wrote to a church in Greece:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
We need to embrace our limitations, the questions, the doubt, and take them to the LORD. He can handle anything we throw at Him. Anything!
I want to declare today this is a safe community where questions are welcome. I love questions, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I want to do whatever I can to help you on your journey. Doubt is a ladder to climb, says writer Brad East, not a home. Questions and discussions and prayer can deepen our faith and trust in God.
Returning to our text in Jude,
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
You may be tempted to judge, condemn, teach, shame, or preach to doubters, but they need prayer, a listening ear, an encouraging friend, and empathy. Jesus himself said,
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
I hope this is always a safe place to doubt, to ask questions, to wrestle with faith. Let’s give one another “the benefit of the doubt.”
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 23)
There’s another likely reference to hell which we mentioned last Sunday. We need to redirect people from harmful behaviors which will burn them, but do it lovingly and wisely. No one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet fear because the teaching of false teachers is contagious and corrupt.
Jude closes with a doxology.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
This is a beautiful expression of praise to God. He is able to keep us from being deceived by false teachers. He can lead us away from the lies of our culture. He is our firm foundation. He is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve, which is great news! He forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and loves us unconditionally. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the Father “without fault and with great joy.” That’s amazing!
He has all glory, majesty, power, and authority. I love that this declaration is timeless, too, reaching all the way to 2024! Our God is awesome and worthy of praise! Hallelujah!
So What?
Mercy is more than a painful game played with friends. It’s a gift from God we are to receive, experience, and share with others. The merciful are slow to judge. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They relieve the burdens of others, serving, often out of the limelight.
Our community is filled with desperate people in need of mercy. While some gloat about the election results, others are scared about the future. We have dozens of unhoused people in our city, albeit some by choice. Hunger is real for some of our neighbors. My wife was hospitalized for a day last week and I was reminded of the sick around us. One writer (Johnathan K. Dodson) defined mercy as “expressing God’s kindness to someone with a name.”
Can you do that? Can we do that? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
Little Letters: Jude, part 2
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 17, 2024
Jude 17-25
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Mercy begets mercy so we are to experience and share God’s mercy.
Scripture Reading: Jude 17-23
When I was a kid, we used to place this two-person game called Mercy. Essentially, you would try to torture the other person with your hands until they yell, “Mercy!”
Mercy is one of those words people use, but don’t always understand. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We all deserve God’s wrath, but praise the LORD Jesus came and died to offer forgiveness and mercy.
Today we conclude our series on Little Letters, finishing the short book of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible before Revelation. Last week we read the first part of this letter written by Jesus’ half-brother to the early church, likely Messianic Jews. He warned about false teachers and said some harsh things about their destructive actions. Now we pick up with verse 17.
A Call to Persevere
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 17-19)
Remember what the apostles—the true teachers—said (and forget the words of the false teachers who scoff, live ungodly lives, and divide.
We live in a divided culture, a divided country, a divided world. This is hardly news to any of us. It has been this way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. What is harder for me to grasp is how divided the Church, the Bride of Christ, has become.
In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for unity, that we would be one—not divided. We can all find differences if we look hard enough, but we have more in common than not. We’re all united at the foot of the cross. Only pride and ego keep us from truly loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.
Jude says these leaders “do not have the Spirit.” This is an important remark. There’s a big difference between gifting and anointing. It’s possible to have talents and abilities, but it’s another thing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, utilizing spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
I’m not here to impress or entertain you, but simply to point you to Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill me every time I preach and that you hear from God, not me. I also pray that I would always practice what I preach. This was hardly the case with the false teachers Jude critiques.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)
He says to build themselves up in the faith. Grow!
He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Align your will and desires with God’s.
He says to remain in God’s love. Develop your relationship with Jesus.
He says to wait. Don’t you love waiting? Ugh! People have been waiting for two thousand years for Christ to return. Next month we’ll enter the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, a season of anticipation.
I’m sure there was an expectation then—as there is today—that Jesus’ return was close at hand. He’s coming back, family! Soon! Get ready! Get your friends and family ready! Followers of Jesus will experience mercy on Judgment Day, not getting what we deserve.
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
This is a beautiful phrase. One translation states, “Be compassionate to those mentally wavering.”
Doubt isn’t sin. I don’t think it’s even a lack of faith, depending upon your definition. It is a struggle, a wrestling. The Bible is filled with godly people who wrestled with God, with faith, with belief. They need compassion, support, and understanding…never condemnation.
This past week I read an article about a woman who struggled with doubt for two decades. Michelle DeRusha offered these four suggestions in the midst of doubt:
1. Acknowledge it. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is from a man whose son was possessed by a spirit. While seeking healing from Jesus, he exclaimed,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b)
We all have our moments of doubt. There’s no need for shame or embarrassment, but tragically many suffer in silence thinking they’re the only one. Family, we need to get real and share what’s really going on inside. Chances are, those around you are experiencing or have experienced the very same thing. When we hide, things can only get worse. I have questions. There are things about the Bible I don’t understand. In fact certainty can actually be an obstacle to faith rather than evidence of it. Jesus’ disciple Thomas was famous for doubting, yet God used him in powerful ways. Most likely his doubts tested and strengthened his faith over time.
2. Connect with Your Community. Henri Nouwen wrote, “In times of doubt or unbelief, the community can ‘carry you along,’ so to speak…It can even offer on your behalf what you yourself overlook and can be the context in which you may recognize the Lord again.”
3. Lean into Your Practice. Spiritual rhythms or habits can keep us going even when we don’t “feel” like it. Prayer, Bible study, small group, and Sunday mornings are just a few ways to feed your faith. Sometimes it feels like you’re just going through the motions, but don’t give up. Author Kathleen Norris writes, “It is in acts of repetition that seem senseless to the rational mind that belief comes, doubts are put to rest, religious conversion takes hold and feels at home in a community of faith.” One of the best spiritual practices is to serve others, getting the focus off of yourself.
4. Live the Questions. Catholic priests during Eucharist say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” If we fully understood God, we would be God! Paul wrote to a church in Greece:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
We need to embrace our limitations, the questions, the doubt, and take them to the LORD. He can handle anything we throw at Him. Anything!
I want to declare today this is a safe community where questions are welcome. I love questions, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I want to do whatever I can to help you on your journey. Doubt is a ladder to climb, says writer Brad East, not a home. Questions and discussions and prayer can deepen our faith and trust in God.
Returning to our text in Jude,
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
You may be tempted to judge, condemn, teach, shame, or preach to doubters, but they need prayer, a listening ear, an encouraging friend, and empathy. Jesus himself said,
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
I hope this is always a safe place to doubt, to ask questions, to wrestle with faith. Let’s give one another “the benefit of the doubt.”
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 23)
There’s another likely reference to hell which we mentioned last Sunday. We need to redirect people from harmful behaviors which will burn them, but do it lovingly and wisely. No one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet fear because the teaching of false teachers is contagious and corrupt.
Jude closes with a doxology.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
This is a beautiful expression of praise to God. He is able to keep us from being deceived by false teachers. He can lead us away from the lies of our culture. He is our firm foundation. He is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve, which is great news! He forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and loves us unconditionally. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the Father “without fault and with great joy.” That’s amazing!
He has all glory, majesty, power, and authority. I love that this declaration is timeless, too, reaching all the way to 2024! Our God is awesome and worthy of praise! Hallelujah!
So What?
Mercy is more than a painful game played with friends. It’s a gift from God we are to receive, experience, and share with others. The merciful are slow to judge. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They relieve the burdens of others, serving, often out of the limelight.
Our community is filled with desperate people in need of mercy. While some gloat about the election results, others are scared about the future. We have dozens of unhoused people in our city, albeit some by choice. Hunger is real for some of our neighbors. My wife was hospitalized for a day last week and I was reminded of the sick around us. One writer (Johnathan K. Dodson) defined mercy as “expressing God’s kindness to someone with a name.”
Can you do that? Can we do that? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)