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While writing her book The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages, Shaunti Feldhahn did a massive research study involving thousands of married couples. Her follow-up interviews with hundreds of couples who had the happiest marriages revealed some simple attitudes and actions that can help your marriage today!

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Simple Habits for Marital Happiness -- Build a happy marriage with this free video series! You'll learn four foundational "fall in love" habits, how to overcome marital complacency, how-to’s for connecting through the day, and more.

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Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Jude 1:1-4

The Book of Jude warns us of the apostasy that will take place in the Last Days, in which many will turn away from the faith. But we do not have to live in fear of losing our salvation.

This book can be seen as a believer’s security blanket in dark days.

Jude 4 says, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In the face of apostasy, Jude urges us to remember the completeness of our faith. There are no additions or corrections to be made to the Gospel.

We must also remember the correctness of our faith. Sometimes, we can be certain of something, but still be wrong. This is why we must continually study God’s Word for direction.

This faith has been committed to us. We are stewards of it, expected to speak up and contend for it.

If we want to know we are secure in our faith as we watch others fall away, we must remember God’s sovereign purpose. We are called: summoned by the King of kings to be saved.

Adrian Rogers says, “Our salvation did not begin with us; it began with God. If it began with you, you might lose it; but since it began with God, you can never lose it.”

God foreknows, therefore He calls and justifies; those He justifies, He glorifies. If you have truly been called, this work He has done cannot be undone.

We are God’s special people; God loves the lost, but the saved are His beloved. We are secure in God’s perfect love.

Adrian Rogers says, “There is nothing that can separate you from the Love of God. Nothing you can do to make Him love you more, nothing you can do to make Him love you less.”

Finally, we must remember God’s strong power, which preserves us. We cannot be lost by God; we are in good hands. Our Father keeps our salvation and preserves us by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Apply it to your life

If you are a believer, you do not have to live in fear that God will let you go. You are called, beloved, and preserved by Jesus. Tell someone about your security in Jesus Christ today.

With Christmas approaching, your schedule will no doubt fill up in the coming weeks. And amid the busyness, you may find it difficult to keep your eyes on what is most important about Christmas. John MacArthur’s series called The Real Meaning of Christmas can help you stay fixed on Christ in everything you do this season.

Spirit of God E16 (Q+R) — Where did Jesus and his followers get the idea of being baptized by the Spirit? If we have the Spirit, do we need other people to help us understand the Bible? And when we’re filled with the Spirit, do we become more our true selves, or is it Jesus now living through us? In this episode, Tim and Jon respond to your questions from the Spirit of God series. Thank you to our audience for your thoughtful contributions to this episode.

Find the full collection of video, podcast, and written resources for Spirit of God →

CHAPTERS

1. Intro (0:00–3:08)
2. Where Did Jesus and His Followers Get the Idea of Being Baptized by the Spirit? (3:08–14:23)
3. Why Have You Not Referred to the Spirit with a Gendered Pronoun? (14:23–20:57)
4. When I’m Filled with the Spirit, Do I Become More My True Self, or Is It Jesus Now Living Through Me? (20:57–38:32)
5. If We Have the Spirit, Why Do We Need Help from Other People to Understand the Bible? (38:32–48:33)
6. Is the Sevenfold Spirit of God from Isaiah the Same As the One Mentioned in Revelation? (48:33–56:39)
7. Conclusion (56:39–1:03:18)

OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

View this episode’s official transcript.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Tim and Jon went into more depth on biblical imagery of passing through chaos waters in these two episodes from our How to Read the Bible series: Crossing the Chaotic Waters and Chaotic Waters and Baptism.
• Tim mentions how he used the pronoun she to refer to the Spirit in his translation for the BibleProject Class on Ezekiel.
• Tim references two books by the scholar Kathryn Tanner: God and Creation in Christian Theology and Jesus, Humanity, and the Trinity.
• Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here.

SHOW MUSIC

BibleProject theme song by TENTS 

SHOW CREDITS

Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.

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What if the security, peace, and purpose you've been searching for don't come from your circumstances, accomplishments, or the approval of others? Heather Holleman explores what it means to be chosen by God and how that truth can transform the way you face hardship, build relationships, and live out your calling. Discover the freedom that comes from knowing you are God's treasured possession.

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Heather Holleman Audio Collection -- Dive deeper with Heather Holleman through this free collection of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly episodes. Explore practical, faith-filled insights on understanding your purpose, strengthening your identity in Christ, investing in the next generation, and more.

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