First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. God judges those who deny Christ.

Question. How do those who deny Christ live?

1. They Reject Authority (6–10)

2. They Use People (11–13)

3. They Are Ungodly (14–16)

Takeaways.

1. Recognize Christ’s authority.

2. Receive correction humbly.

3. Rest in Christ’s keeping grace.

Main Idea. Kept for Christ, contend for Christ.

1. Kept (1–2)

Rom 8:30: And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Thomas Manton, “Jesus Christ is the cabinet in which God’s jewels are kept; so that if we would stand, we must get out of ourselves and get into him, in whom alone there is safety.”

2. Contend (3–4)

Jude gives us two defining errors.

A. They pervert grace.

B. They deny Christ.

Mark 2:4–7: 4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” 6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?

Takeaway. Contend for the faith (v.3).

1. Contend courageously, not contentiously.

2. Contend for the faith, not your favorites.

Driving question: Why should we praise the Lord in the assembled congregation from the depths of our souls?

Main Idea: Our Lord is worthy of whole-hearted praise for all that He is and for all that He’s done.

1. Because He is Blessed (vv. 1, 8-9)

2. Because we are blessed (vv. 2-22)

For God is...

- Our Merciful & Gracious Savior

- Our Full & Complete Healer

- Our All-Satisfying Sustainer

- Our All-Powerful, Eternal King

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Takeaways:

Resist half-hearted praise in the assembly of God’s people.

May all that is within you bless His holy name!

Remember the glorious deeds & benefits of the Lord and tell the coming generation (Ps. 78)

Rest in the Lord Jesus who lived in your place and died in your place to accomplish salvation for us.

MI: Our response in distress should be to trust in the satisfying love of our covenant-keeping God.

Q: How should we respond during times of distress?

1. We should seek the God our soul needs (vv. 1-2).

2. We should savor the steadfast love that truly satisfies (vv. 3-8).

3. We should stand secure in the king’s victory (vv. 9-11).

Takeaways

1. Trust that God is using your distress to conform you to Christ.

2. Take your soul to task during times of distress.

3. Turn to Christ in times of distress.