Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Jude. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- It is difficult for us to judge the times and the seasons, and for us to have the right perspective on our current place in the Divine history of human life and salvation.
- We get our noses buried in this earthly life, with all of things that we have to learn to survive and thrive in this present earthly life. We take our perspective of the present from what is past, more from the immediate past and our own personal experiences than from the vista of all of human history, especially as it is presented in Holy Scripture. We can get so hung up in the present dynamics that we become oblivious to the “big picture.” Scripture bids us to think and live differently.
- The reality – of the glory, reign, and power of Jesus – is unseen at present, although He will come again “with great power and glory.” His power to make “the heavens vanish like smoke” and “the earth to wear out like a garment” is not immediately apparent to us. Most people do not live as though convinced that He will judge them – and few are certain that His Word “lives and abides forever,” and will not pass away but be fulfilled.
- We live among these people, and in order to fit in and to be comprehensible to others, we tend to be conformed to their thinking. It is hard to break out – to have faith and to live by faith in the assertions of Holy Scripture. However, this is what our text encourages us to do – as does all of God’s Word, the Bible. This is what Jesus has in mind when He urges us to “stay awake” and be prepared for what is coming.
- Our text gives us practical advice for this present time, for our life in this present world, as we are “WAITING FOR THE KING.” That is a somewhat novel thought in itself – that our principle focus in this life is the return of Jesus in glory and the end of this present world. But nothing could be more important for us. So our text reminds us that:
I. Jesus, Our Great King, Is Glorious – So Let Us Give Him Our Praise
Text: “To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Statement: Many are the awesome descriptions of the Almighty God and His Divine Son, the Lord Jesus, in Holy Scripture. We would do well to consider them frequently, each and every day. Often we live – practically speaking – as if ignorant of Who is in control, and as if unaware of what is going to happen to this present world. We live and think as if it is going to last forever, or at least as if assured that it will last longer than our lives. We live and think as if all things have power and persistence as they are – as if nothing can overcome the laws and dynamics of this present natural world.
Application: Christian faith asserts something quite different, that all of creation remains within God’s hands – He created it, He rules over it, and He will bring it to a cataclysmic end on the Last Day. We are to live in the knowledge of this – eagerly awaiting His return. It is not that this reality should interfere with our daily commerce and affairs, but that our daily lives be lived in the knowledge of these things – so that we are aware, conscious, and informed by these things, and measured by them in how we live. This is nothing that inhibits our enjoyment of this earthly life, but rather something that deeply enriches and enhances our enjoyment of life. And so our text encourages us to:
II. Enjoy God’s Blessings Here And Now As We Wait For Him
A. We Are To Build Ourselves Up In Our Most Holy Faith
Text: “But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.”
B. We Are To Be Praying In The Holy Spirit
Text: “pray in the Holy Spirit.”
C. We Are To Keep Ourselves In The Love Of God
Text: “keep yourselves in the love of God.”
D. We Are Wait For The Mercy Of Jesus Our Lord – For By His Mercy We Are Headed To Eternal Life, And He Will Keep Us From Stumbling
Text: “waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. . . . to Him Who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.”
Statement: This is the purpose of Holy Scripture, and of Jesus’ encouragement that we “continue in His Word” – that we be built up in faith by the knowledge and wisdom that His Word imparts! This blesses every aspect of our earthly life. We pray not merely in our own power, but in the Holy Spirit Who is given us in our Baptism, and Who makes us His own temple! Everywhere God’s Word – and His Sacrament – assure us of His love for us, His gracious forgiveness and His commitment to our blessedness! This is a huge blessing – to be growing in our knowledge of the length and width and height and depth of His love for us. Knowing His mercy in Christ Jesus we await His mercy – certain of all that we are headed toward by the grace of God, and assured that He will complete what He has begun in us!
Application: So, we are waiting for His return in glory, and for all the good that is coming to us, but we are not idle and nor are we principally concerned with earthly affairs. Rather, we are capitalizing on the time we have here and now to grow in faith, knowledge, wisdom and love – all of which bring great joy and meaning and eternal productiveness to our lives! And also a firm base of confidence and courage – and direction and guidance for truly good and successful lives!
This is what prepares us for our great purpose in life, for:
III. We Are Blessed To Serve Him With Love And Compassion For Other People
A. We Are To Lovingly And Mercifully Serve Those Who Doubt
Text: “have mercy on those who doubt.”
B. We Are To Lovingly Serve Those Who Stumble In Sin – While Still Hating Sin And Evil
Text: “to others, show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
C. We Are To Lovingly Serve Others – Seeking To Snatch As Many As We Can Out Of The Fire That Is Coming, The Eternal Fire Of Hell Inherited By Unbelievers
Text: “save others by snatching them out of the fire.”
1. We do so by witnessing to all in regard to the great salvation God has provided for us in Christ Jesus, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
2. We do so by supporting the life and ministry of the church – in all of its wide efforts – the ministry of God’s Word and Sacraments, the means by which the Holy Spirit brings people to faith and salvation
Statement: All too often we get this wrong – because we have lost sight of the dynamics of power. We think of sin as strong and pervasive, and God as weak and anemic – and so we show no mercy, not to the doubting and not to those who fall into sin. At the same time we are sorely tempted to compromise our hatred of our own sin – because we despise a life of repentance and don’t really want to give up the sin that we love. Or perhaps because we love those caught in sin and don’t really want to risk offending them. And so we also look at the church as if it is merely “playing” a role that is social, but that it has no real weight or consequence. But the church is God’s own instrument – housing and exercising His saving Word and Sacraments – with an eye on Judgment Day!
Application: So let us see God as He truly is – our glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And let us enjoy His blessings fully – not like some part time hobby or “leisurely interest.” Let us immerse ourselves in growing our faith, and praying in the Spirit, and in being filled with the love of God, and eagerly awaiting the coming mercy of the Lord Jesus. In this way we are prepared and compelled to serve God in appropriate love and mercy toward others – in ministry to them, both personally and corporately as the church. In this way we will be “snatching some from the fire” that is coming upon all the wicked and unbelieving!
Conclusion: The glory of Christ is already a present reality – and the revelation of His power and glory is coming soon! We are children of the great and glorious King, Who holds all power and authority in His hand. He has provided us with salvation, and His salvation is forever!
With the right perspective and knowledge, we too shall be blessed to live wise and beautiful lives – accomplishing many things that are at the very heart of God’s will for His world. Nothing could be better or more important for us. May God grant it to each of us in abundance, as we keep ourselves in His blessed love. Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.