"Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ." Jude 1-4Jude was desirous of writing about the wonders of salvation in Christ, but felt compelled to address the teachers who had secretly introduced ungodly instruction among the people of God. Biblical authority:“The Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.”  Baptist Faith and Message 2000, Article 1, The Scripture “... We confess that both our finitude and our sinfulness preclude the possibility of knowing God’s truth exhaustively, but we affirm that, enlightened by the Spirit of God, we can know God’s revealed truth truly. The Bible is to be believed, as God’s instruction, in all that it teaches; obeyed, as God’s command, in all that it requires; and trusted, as God’s pledge, in all that it promises. As God’s people hear, believe, and do the Word, they are equipped as disciples of Christ and witnesses to the gospel.”  The Gospel Coalition Confessional Statement, Article 2, Revelation“All Scripture is ____________ ____________ by God and ____________ for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be ____________, ____________ for every good work” 2 Timothy 3:16-17“...There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable ____________ to their own ____________, as they do the other Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:16b“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the ____________ and ____________ of the heart.” Hebrews 14:12 ANSWER KEY: breathed out, profitable, complete, equipped, twist, destruction, thoughts, intentions “What I’ve been trying to do is to present just as plainly as I can the system of truth revealed in the Bible. And when I say system of truth, I mean what I say. I mean that the Bible is not just a storehouse of inspiring sayings thrown out in some haphazard or isolated fashion, but that it presents one great system...I am indeed trying to take you always to the foundation of truth, the Bible itself. But in my study of the Bible with you, I have been dependent throughout upon what the collective wisdom of the church of all ages has been able to do with the gracious indwelling of the Holy Spirit toward understanding the truth that the Bible contains.” J. Gresham MachenIn Contending Earnestly for the Faith:This letter addresses error that has been destructive and secretly introduced among the people of God (and the confronting of this false teaching probably involves people who are known and loved).We often push against the majority report in our culture and teachings that are often appealing and attractive.We unde... Speaker: Buster Brown

"Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 1-4 If we must continually understand the riches of Christ and our union with him before entering into "hard tasks" or dealing with "difficult things."Preparation:1. The focal point of being a servant of Jesus Christ2. Finding gladness in the wonder of electing love (1 Corinthians 1:2, 9:22-24)“Effectual calling is an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel in which he summons people to himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, p. 63Calling Involves:1. Understanding the facts of the gospel (the brokenness/sinfulness of all people, the fact that sin leads to death and separation from God, Christ paid for our sins by being our substitute.)2. An invitation and the calling to respond to the good news of Christ (Matthew 11:28-30, John 1:12, Revelation 22:17)The joy of forgiveness and eternal life by faith alone through the work of Christ alone.• The wonder of our salvation includes being eternally loved by the Father and kept by the tender mercies of Jesus.3. Mercy, peace and love MULTIPLIED, not merely added on.Being multiplied, which means being bestowed continually and in abundance.• Mercy: God’s compassion and kindness given to us by the mercy of the cross. Those who experience mercy, extend mercy. (Jude 22-23) “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” Romans 5:9-10• Peace: A total well-being. The way things are meant to be. “I call piety that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his Fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him-they will never yield willing service.” John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion, I-2-1“How wretched is man’s lot when he has lost that for which he was made; oh, how hard and cruel was that fall. He lost the blessedness for which he was made and has found the misery for which he was not made.” Anselm of Canterbury (D. 4.21.1109), on the sinfulness of man• Love: The atmosphere in which these things are carried out. QUESTIONS:1. Can you remember the first time you heard the gospel and responded? What emotions did you experience?2. What does this statement mean, “People often come to faith in Christ in stages.”?3. How is Matthew 11:28-30 a present day invitation?4. Why does the keeping power of Jesus bring comfort and joy in a topsy-turvy world?5. Why is it glorious that Jude says mercy, peace and love have been multiplied instead of richly added to you?6. What is a daily awakening routine that invites hope and happiness? Speaker: Buster Brown

Weekly Bulletin

"Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, although I was very eager to write to...

“Patriotic affection ought to elicit a further desire to protect and promote America’s goodness. Americans today are the beneficiaries of those who pledged their lives and sacred honor to form this country, those who spent their lives in the struggle to keep it, and those who have worked tirelessly to shape it into a more perfect union. We have many blessings to be grateful for, and the appropriate product of our gratitude is a desire to promote these blessings. This desire to protect and promote our country’s goodness is properly called patriotism, but it is patriotism of a particular kind. When our country struggles or our government errs, patriotism arouses us to safeguard the things we love. Our love for our country is originally founded on all the countless lovely things about her. But our love for America does not rest on its remaining lovely. If it did, it would be no love at all. Such a false patriotism is, as C.S. Lewis once put it, ‘like loving your children only if they’re good, your wife only while she keeps her looks, your husband only so long as he is famous and successful.’  Because true patriotism appreciates America’s charms but refuses to esteem her faults, it does not cause us to blindly endorse everything our country is and has been. It will not even permit us to be unmoved by our country’s sins. We promote our country’s goodness both by celebrating its virtues and by identifying—and remedying—its vices. This patriotism will not allow us to mark as noble what is ignoble. It compels us to cherish those goods that ought to be cherished and to remedy those evils that ought to be remedied.” Kian Hudson, “What It Means To Love Our Country”, Public Discourse, 7.03.20181. To understand that our ultimate allegiance is to Christ and our ultimate citizenship is in heaven.   “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:18-21 “This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not (as some modern people think) a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do. It does not mean that we are to leave the present world as it is. If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next...all left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with Heaven.” CS Lewis, Mere Christianity (3-10)2. To pray for those in authority; that they would lead with wisdom.“...for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:2-3 “...it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God...A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.” The Baptist Faith and Message, Article XVII 3. To stand for the dignity and uniqueness of all men and women, in light of the fact they are made in the image of God.  “All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society….In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and... Speaker: Buster Brown

Weekly Bulletin

“Patriotic affection ought to elicit a further desire to protect and promote America’s goodness. Americans today are the beneficiaries of those who pledged their lives and sacred honor to form this country, those who spent their lives...

"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:13-17As I see (the enormity of) my sin and the welcoming heart of Jesus in forgiving, empowering and embracing; it leads to a desire to communicate this good news, live a life of praise and commit to an ongoing happiness in personal repentance. "I call piety that reverence joined with love of God which the knowledge of his benefits induces. For until men recognize they owe everything to God, that they are nourished by his Fatherly care, that he is the Author of their every good, that they should seek nothing beyond him-they will never yield willing service." John Calvin, The Institutes of Christian Religion, I-2-1"We are called to mature into deeper levels of personal holiness as we walk with the Lord, truer consecration, new vistas of obedience. But when we don’t -when we choose to sin-, though we forsake our true identity, our Savior does not forsake us. These are the very moments when his heart erupts on our behalf in renewed advocacy in Heaven with a resounding defense that silences all accusations, astonishes the angels, and celebrates the Father’s embrace of us in spite of all our messiness...what if we never needed to advocate for ourselves because another has undertaken to do so. What if that advocate knew exhaustively just how fallen we are, and yet at the same time, is able to make a better defense for us than we could ever do. No blame shifting, the way our self-advocacies tend to operate, but perfectly just, pointing to his all-sufficient sacrifice and sufferings on the cross in our place?" Dane C. Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly, pp 92, 93 1. Gratitude (thunderous) which leads to the communication of Good News (v.13)2. Forgiveness which leads to celebration (v.14-15)The blessedness of treasuring Jesus and forgetting self.3. A repentance that leads to happiness (v.16-17)"All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." Isaiah 66:2 Legalistic remorse says, “I broke God’s laws” or “I got caught” or “I am embarrassed because my contemporaries know about this.…but, real repentance says, I broke the Father’s heart. I have sinned against embracive love.”QUESTIONS:1. Define “piety” per John Calvin.2. The world says, “Shape up to deserve what you get” but the gospel says _______ _______ to receive his mercy.3. What leads to the communication of the good news of sins forgiven?4. When you treasure Jesus, you become _______ Jesus.5. What emotion does John 6:37 awake in your spirit? “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”6. Define the difference between Legalistic Remorse and Real Repentance.7. David tasted _______ but, we swim in it. ANSWER KEY: humble yourself, like, forgiveness Speaker: Buster Brown

Weekly Bulletin

"Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth...

“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:8-12David’s request to be sustained (thoroughly supported) with a willing spirit (a heart that is quick and ready to respond) could be viewed as a culmination of the Lord creating in him a clean heart, giving him an unwavering spirit of obedience, not grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) and a renewal of his joy.The Evidence of Being Sustained by the Lord with a Willing Spirit:1. Remembering and rejoicing (vv.1-3) that the Lord:Stooped down,Drew the believer out of the pit of despair and destruction,Gave a place to stand and a path that leads to flourishing, andGave a new song to the Lord of all mercy.2. Understanding foundational truths:Happy/blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord (whose ultimate confidence is in the Lord). Those who TRUST/DEPEND upon the Lord display trust by not turning to, or seeking counsel from, the self-sufficient proud or those who believe lies.The Lord has multiplied our joys beyond measure and we continuously recount the tender mercies of the Lord (vv.5, 11).The Lord delights in heart-felt obedience. We are to delight to do the will of the Lord with an open ear (receiving the Scripture) and treasuring the Word in our hearts.We are to speak of his tender mercies, proclaiming the goodness/mercy of the Lord (vv. 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b). QUESTIONS:1. How does the reality of verses 5 and 11 lead to an “unspeakable obligation” on the part of those who have received mercy?2. What lies do we most readily believe in our current culture?3. How do we speak of the mercies of the Lord (Malachi 3:16)?4. To whom should you speak within the next two weeks regarding the mercies of Jesus in their life? Speaker: Buster Brown

Weekly Bulletin

“Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your...

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12"I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction,out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth,a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." Psalm 40:1-5Waiting patiently for the Lord: The Psalmist cries out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Psalm 51:10a and sustain (to gather, to be supported by leaning upon) with a willing, ready to respond spirit (Psalm 51:12b).And, waiting patiently we look to the strength and empowerment of the triune God. In Psalm 40, the writer waits patiently upon the Lord and places himself in the path of blessing.PLACING SELF IN THE PATH OF BLESSING/HAPPINESSI. Remember and rejoiceHe inclined to me and heard my cry (He graciously stooped down and listened).He drew me out of the pit of despair and destruction.He set my feet upon a rock AND made my steps secure.He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to the Lord.Note the link between a thankful heart and infectious enthusiasm. (v.3b and Psalm 51:13)II. Stop and ponder life choices in light of the goodness of the Lord (vv. 4-5)We constantly stand at a crossroads.“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16“A cow cannot be very good or very bad; a dog can be both better and worse; a child, better and worse still; a person, still more so; a person of genius, still more so; a superhuman spirit best -or worst- of all.” CS Lewis, Mere Christianity“Each new generation; and each new person, reaps what others have sown and then sews what others will reap. This is true not only of goodness, but also of evil, which each generation not only receives, but also ratifies by its own sin…The glory of God’s good creation has not been obliterated by the tragedy of fall into sin, but it has been deeply shadowed by it. The history of our race is, in large part, the interplay of this light and shadow.” Cornealius Plantinga Jr., Engaging God’s World, p.53 WE WAIT PATIENTLY: Create in me a clean heart, O God. (Psalm 51:10a)...Sustain (to gather, support by leaning upon) me with a willing, ready to respond spirit. (Psalm 51:12b) QUESTIONS: 1. What does it mean to place yourself in the path of blessing, and to wait patiently for the mercy of the Lord?2. How has the Lord saved you from the pit of destruction (places we have been or could have gone)?3. Do you agree that the devil has a hatred of Christ-honoring music? Why?4. In Psalm 40:1-3a, how is the individual a walking communique regarding the mercy of Christ as observed by the watching world? (Matthew 5:16) 5. What are some of the lies that the proud (those who dismiss God or rage against him) believe?6. How has the Father performed many wonders for you? (v.5a) Speaker: Buster Brown