How to Keep the Faith

Passage

Jude 1:17-25

‍Sermon Summary

Life is hard, but following Jesus is the best kind of hard. The conclusion to Jude's short letter offers a functional paradox: Keep yourself in the love of God, because God is able to keep you from stumbling. And you're not alone in the struggle, because you have the Church and all three members of the Trinity to strengthen you. You still have to make judgments about others, but yours can be generous, marked by mercy. And the end of your story—standing before the presence of God's glory with great joy, delighting in his rule over everything—is the most hopeful arc a person could have.

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Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Have you wrestled with the paradox of divine sovereignty and human responsibility? How does Jude help you navigate it in practice?
3. Describe how fellow Christians have helped you to "build yourself up in your most holy faith."
4. How have you struggled with doubt or wavering in your faith? Who showed mercy to you—and how did it help?
5. Think of a person caught in dangerous error. What precautions must you take in order to avoid the same error?
6. Imagine standing before the presence of the glory of God. What might that feel like? 

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for  __________(a resource he's given you to live the Christian life)
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________ (failing to struggle, or contending contentiously)
• Empower me, Holy Spirit, to ___________ (any way the sermon challenged you to grow)

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• 2 Peter and Jude for Everyone, NT Wright
• Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today's Culture, Jackie Perry
• Focus on the Bible Commentary on 2 Pete & Jude, Paul Gardner
• Tyndale Commentary on 2 Peter & Jude, Michael Green
• Bible Speaks Today Commentary on 2 Peter & Jude, Dick Lucas

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