Southside Forums

[Pastor Charles]

Life Group Lesson
December 23, 2007
Pat Graham, Associate Pastor

Ice breaker
1. What is it like to anticipate an exciting, important event?
2. Who is the most difficult coworker or boss you’ve ever had to work with?

I know that most of you are looking forward with great anticipation the reading of the book of Revelation. And next week we are going to look at some very important messages found in this one and only book of prophecy in the New Testament. But before we get to the book of Revelation there is a very small book that immediately precedes it that packs a mighty punch. You have heard that dynamite comes in small packages haven’t you? Well, that is exactly what the book of Jude is, dynamite in a small package. Jude urges us to grow in our knowledge and application of the Christian faith and to pray with vigor. He encourages us to remain in God’s love b y the practice of obedience and urges us to fan the flames of Christian hope by living holy lives in anticipation of the return of Christ. This is a lot of instruction for such a small book. And it begs us to consider the cost of all that. How can we do all that it requires in just this one short life time?

Consider this illustration.
Charlie Brown is seen at bat. "STRIKE THREE!" He has struck out again and slumps down on the players’ bench. He say, "Rats! I’ll never be a big league player. I just don’t have it! All my life I’ve dreamed of playing in the big leagues, but I know I’ll never make it." Lucy turns to console him. "Charlie Brown, you’re thinking too far ahead. What you need to do is set yourself more immediate goals." Charlie Brown looks up and asks, "Immediate goals?" Lucy responds, "Yes. Start with this next inning when you go out to pitch. See if you can walk out to the mound without falling down."

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Our Christian journey begins by taking one step at a time. There will be many times that we are faced with trials and challenges that rattle our faith and confront our beliefs. Perseverance is the key in every situation. We must understand the benefit of persevering until the end. Jesus says three different times in the gospels that he who “endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22, 24:13, Mark 13:13)

The readers of Jude were faced with the false teaching that the doctrine of forgiveness meant that they could just go out and do whatever they desired. Jude wrote to help motivate Christians everywhere to confront this heresy. He wanted them to recognize the dangers of false teaching. Jude was writing against godless teachers who were saying that Christians could do as they pleased without fear of God's punishment. While this is really not taught openly in our churches today, many in the church act as though this were true. What we must do is endure to the end doing what we know is right in obedience to His word.

Read Jude 17-25
1. What will it be like in the last times? (1:18.)
2. How can Christians stand against scoffers? (1:20-23)
3. How did Jude advise Christians to pray? (1:20)
4. How should we treat believers who doubt? (1:22-23)
5. Who are some "scoffers" you must work or associate with?
6. How should your life be different from the lives of the non-Christians around you?
7. How is it possible to build yourself up in the faith?
8. What do you want to remember the next time you must work with a difficult non-Christian?
9. How can you show mercy to a believer you know who doubts his or her faith?
10. What can you do to build up your faith this week?

If your group has time please share the following thoughts regarding the book of Jude.

The beach is a beautiful place, and also a dangerous one. Every summer we hear grim stories of shark attacks or tragic tales of swimmers being pulled out to sea by strong undertows. Perhaps you’ve even experienced the phenomenon of dozing off on a raft, only to wake up and find that you’ve drifted. The wind and waves have pushed and pulled you far from where you began your floating.

That is a good metaphor for life. The world is beautiful, and dangerous! Our enemy can be more vicious and deadly than the giant shark of the movie Jaws. And if he doesn’t attack us in overt ways, then through more subtle means he tries to get us to drift away from God and from what is true. Many times the process is undetectable. It happens so gradually that we don’t even notice until we “wake up” far from where we need to be.

This short New Testament letter warns us about the enemy and his diabolical tactics. Not only are we urged to pay attention to our own safety, we are also called to look out for others. To be lifeguards, in the most critical sense of the term. Small groups give us the perfect setting to hold each other accountable.

A big part of what it means to worship God is to care for His people. By protecting those who are called to worship Him, we enhance His glory and the honor due His name. Today, make it your goal to throw a lifeline to someone in trouble. Be a prayer warrior. Speak words of encouragement. Pull someone toward the safety of Christ our Rock.

Prayer – Dear Jesus thank you for being our rescuer and salvation. Thank you for opening our eyes to who You are and what you have done for us. You are worthy of our worship. Give us a heart of compassion so that we might be a rescuer for someone else.