The Danger Of Falling

Temple Baptist Church - 7-27-2016

Jude 24-25

Introduction: 

A.  Verse 24-25 is what we would in Theology call a Doxology: a usually liturgical (used during public worship) expression of praise to God.  There are several found in the Bible but I want to begin dealing with this one as we conclude our study of Jude.

B.  It is important to break the doxology down and interpret in within its context.

1.  It is found in the context of our common salvation.

2.  It is found in the context of contention for the faith once delivered.

3.  It is found in the context of wicked men who are trying to destroy the faith.

4.  It is found in the context of the impending judgement of God upon these wicked men.

5.  It is found in the context of weaker brethren who will not contend and, therefore, become a part of the problem instead of a part of the solution.

6.  It is found in the context of our attempting to restore the fallen without becoming tarnished by or entangled in their sinfulness.

C.  In our verse, we find the possibility of our falling!  I want to look at some verses that go along with our text.

1 Corinthians 10:11-13  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.  (12)  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  (13)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man:but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (Ensamples – instances; Admonition – criticism or warning concerning behavior)

D.  There is a possibility but, thank God, not a probability of our falling.  Also, there is a possibility but, thank God, not a probability of our church falling.  Look at the people who once stood with us that no longer stand.  Look at the churches that once stood for truth that no longer stand.  We must take notice and we must continue to take our spiritual and Biblical temperatures! 

E.  “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling” We must rely upon God to help us to “be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  The responsibility to put the armor on is ours!

1.  The Praise - “unto him”

2.  The Power - “who is able”

3.  The Problem - “from falling”

F.  How do we fall?

1.  We Can Fall By Allowing Our First Love To Grow Cool - Revelation 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhatagainst thee, because thou hast left thy first love.  (It is easy to be so busy serving the Lord that we forget to have a relationship with Him.  Not to love Him right is not to love the things of God right!  Sinners, saints, supplication, and service!)

2.  We Can Fall By Allowing Apostates To Feel Welcome In Our Midst -  Revelation 2:9  I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  (We must continue to judge their unrighteous works and purge them from our fellowship.)

3.  We Can Fall By Allowing Sinfulness and Worldliness To Destroy Our Testimony In The Community - Revelation 2:14-15  But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.

4.  We Can Fall By Allowing A Spirit Of Ecumenism To Grow Among Our People  - Revelation 2:20  Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

5.  We Can Fall By Allowing The Deadness Of Formality To Become Our Way Of Worship - Revelation 3:1-2  And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2  Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

6.  We Can Fall By Allowing Contentedness and Satisfaction To Destroy Our Hunger For Righteousness And Our Passion For Souls - Revelation 3:15-16  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Conclusion:  I once read this on the bumper of a car: “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!”  If we fail to examine ourselves in light of both God’s Word and past history, then we too will fall.  May the Lord help us to remain in the will of the Lord until He comes for His Church!