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JUDE 21 

"KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD"

Intro: Jude is writing to those who have been "Sanctified by God, preserved in Jesus  and
       called the heart of His message is "Keep yourselves in the love of God".

I. WHAT DOES HE MEAN?
        A. Does he mean to keep yourself so sweet and good and kind that God can' t help but
           love you?
                1. I hope not.
                2. Does God love bad little boys?
        B. God's love for us is uncaused by us.
                1. Why do you love so much that little baby you cradle in your arms?
                        a. It makes many unreasonable demands on your time.
                        b. It yells for your attention in the middle of the night.
                        c. Yet when it smiles as you or coos, you go bonkers.
                        d. You love it because it is your offspring.
        C. Because God loves you so much, He wants to demonstrate His love by doing good 
           things for you.

II. EXAMPLES OF GROUPS WHO FAILED.
        A. Vs. 5 - Children of Israel.
                1. Delivered from         of Egypt yet never entered into the promised land.
                2. Their sin was unbelief. "The limited God."
        B. Vs. 6 - Angels who kept not their first principles.
                1. They had dwelt in the very presence of God.
                2. Their sin was pride.
        C. People of Sodom and Gommorah.
                1. Lived with marvelous natural advantages of nature.
                        a. Did not have to spend so much time cultivating food, more leisure
                           time.
                        b. How did they spend their idle time? Pursuing the things of the
                           flesh.
                2. Their sin was sexual licentiousness.

III. INDIVIDUALS WHO FAILED TO KEEP THEMSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD. 
        A. Cain Vs. 11.
                1. He killed his brother.
                2. He allowed hatred to master his heart.
        B. Balaam Vs. 11.
                1. Called by King Balak to curse Israel.
                2. Offered great rewards.
                3. He allowed greed to master him.
        C. Core or Koran Vs. 11.
                1. Complained to Moses about Aaron.
                2. Allowed jealousy to master him.

IV. HOW TO KEEP YOURSELF IN THE LOVE OF GOD.
        A. Building up yourselves on the holy faith.
                1. How is this done?  Through the study of the Word.
                2. The purpose of the Bible is to reveal the true and living eternal God to
                   man, that you might know Him and have fellowship with Him.
        B. Praying in the Holy Spirit.
                1. Ask Holy Spirit to direct your prayer time.
                2. Groan in Spirit.
                3. Pray in an unknown tongue.
        C. Looking for our Lord Jesus Christ.
                1. I know of nothing that helps me to better keep my perspective correct than
                   to realize the Lord is coming at any moment.