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JUDE 21

"KEEPING OURSELVES IN GOD'S LOVE."

I. TO WHOM WAS JUDE WRITING?
        A. "Them that are sanctified by God."
        B. Kept or "preserved in Jesus Christ."
        C. "Called."
        D. To those who were called, sanctified and kept he said, "keep yourselves in the..."

II. WHY THIS INJUNCTION?
        A. It is possible to experience a great blessing of God in our life yet still fail to
           receive the full benefits of it.
                1. Children of Israel.
                        a. Though delivered from         of Egypt, never entered promised land.
                2. Angels who dwelt with God.
                        a. Kept not their first principles, left their habitation.
                        b. Reserved now in chains awaiting day of judgment.
                3. Men of Sodom and Gomorrha.
                        a. Why Lot chose that area to live.
                        b. Failing to keep themselves in God's love and were destroyed.
        B. God's grace is never granted apart from our response to it. 
                1. Privileges bring responsibilities.

III. WHAT IS MEANT BY "KEEP YOURSELVES." 
        A. It does not mean to keep yourself in such a way as to persuade God to love you.
                1. Does God love bad boys?
                2. God so loves the world.
                        a. His love was unsought and undeserved.
        B. Keep yourselves in harmony with that love so as to receive its full benefits,
           respond.
                1. The case of Patty Hurst.
                2. Examples of those who failed.
                        a. Cain.
                                1. His failure, hatred.
                                2. When manifested? After sacrifice to God.
                        b. Balaam.
        
                                1. His failure, greed, he loved the reward of unrighteousness.
 
                                2. When manifested? After uttering some of the most inspired
                                   truths.
                                        a. His failure, envy.
                                        b. When manifested? Right after doing service to God.
                3. Hatred, greed, envy are out of harmony with God's love.
                4. Search your heart just now.
                        a. Have you been blaming God for your lack of blessing?
 blessing?

IV. HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF IN GOD'S LOVE.
        A. "BUILDING UP YOURSELF IN GOD'S LOVE." 
                1. This done through study of the word.
                2. Read your Bible.
        B. Praying in the Holy Spirit.
                1. Asking Spirit to inspire your prayers.
                2. Groanings which cannot be uttered.
                3. Praying in tongues.
        C. Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
                1. His rapture of the church.

"Now unto Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless. . ."