A PRESCRIPTION THAT WON'T RUN OUT!

JUDE 17-23

1. YEARS AGO, A YOUNG DOCTOR WAS JUST GETTING STARTED IN HIS FIRST PRACTICE OUT IN THE COUNTRY. THIS WAS BACK IN THE DAYS LONG BEFORE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, AND HOUSE CALLS.

2. LATE ONE NIGHT HE GOT A CALL FROM A FARMER WHOSE WIFE WAS SERIOUSLY ILL. THE YOUNG DOCTOR QUICKLY GRABBED HIS LITTLE BAG, AND HURRIED OUT TO THE FARM. THE FARMER MET THE DOCTOR ON THE STEPS, RUSHED HIM INTO THE HOUSE, AND UPSTAIRS INTO THE BEDROOM WHERE HIS WIFE LAY DESPERATELY SICK. THE DOCTOR TOOK A LOOK AT HER, AND TOLD THE FARMER TO STEP OUTSIDE AND SHUT THE DOOR.

3. IN A FEW MINUTES, THE DOCTOR OPENED THE DOOR, AND SAID, "QUICK, GET ME A SCREWDRIVER." THE FARMER RAN, GOT A SCREWDRIVER, AND HANDED IT TO THE DOCTOR, AND HE SHUT THE DOOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE DOCTOR OPENED THE DOOR AGAIN, AND SAID, "QUICK, GET ME A PAIR OF PLIERS." THE FARMER RAN, GOT A PAIR OF PLIERS, HANDED IT TO THE DOCTOR, AND SHUT THE DOOR. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE DOCTOR OPENED THE DOOR AGAIN, AND SAID, "QUICK, GET ME A HAMMER AND A CHISEL." BUT, BY THAT TIME THE FARMER HAD HAD ENOUGH. HE SAID, "DOC, WHAT IS GOING ON? YOU'VE GOT A SCREWDRIVER, A PAIR OF PLIERS, AND YOU WANT A HAMMER AND A CHISEL. WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY WIFE?" THE DOCTOR SAID, "I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOUR WIFE. I JUST CAN'T GET MY LITTLE BLACK BAG OPEN!"

4. IN THE VERSES BEFORE US TONIGHT, JUDE DID NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM. ON THE CONTRARY, HE IS FULLY PREPARED TO MAKE THE DIAGNOSIS, AND DEAL WITH THE SYMPTOMS.

5. THERE IS AN INTERESTING COMPARISON/CONTRAST BETWEEN THE SAINTS AND THE APOSTATES. VERSE 17 BEGINS WITH THE WORDS, "BUT BELOVED." VERSE 19 BEGINS WITH THE WORDS, "BUT YE BELOVED." HE IS SPEAKING TO THE SAINTS OF GOD, AND DISTINGUISHING THEM FROM THE COUNTERFEIT APOSTATES.

6. THEN, IN VERSES 18, AND 19, HE CONTRASTS THE TRUE FROM THE FALSE. THAT IS, HE OUTLINES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE THAT ARE THE SUBJECTS OF HIS EPISTLE, THEY ARE THE APOSTATES.

7. HE DESCRIBES THEM IN 3 INTERESTING WAYS. FIRST, HE SAYS THAT THESE APOSTATES ARE DIVISIVE. NOTICE VERSE 19. "THESE BE THEY WHO SEPARATE THEMSELVES." THESE APOSTATES MARCH TO THEIR OWN THEOLOGICAL DRUMBEAT. THEY CREATE DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE OF GOD, AND TRY TO LEAD THEM ASTRAY.

8. SECOND, HE SAYS THAT THESE APOSTATES ARE DESTRUCTIVE. HE GOES ON TO SAY, IN VERSE 19, "THESE BE THEY WHO SEPARATE THEMSELVES, SENSUAL." THE WORD 'SENSUAL' COMES FROM THE WORD WE GET OUR WORD PSYCHOLOGY FROM. IT LITERALLY MEANS, "SOUL-LESS, WORLDLY, OR NATURAL." THAT IS, THESE APOSTATES NOT ONLY MARCH TO THEIR OWN THEOLOGICAL DRUMBEAT, BUT TO THEIR OWN PSYCHOLOGICAL DRUMBEAT. THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES IN WHATEVER MANNER THEY DESIRE, AND HAVE NO REGARD FOR SPIRITUAL THINGS.

9. FINALLY, HE SAYS THAT THESE APOSTATES ARE DEFECTIVE. "THESE BE THEY WHO SEPARATE THEMSELVES, SENSUAL, HAVING NOT THE SPIRIT." THIS SETTLES THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT GENUINE. THEY MAY HAVE ALL THE RIGHT OUTWARD APPEARANCES, BUT INWARDLY THEY ARE DEAD, LIFELESS, AND VOID. THEY ARE NOT INDWELT BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD.

10. AGAIN, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR SALVATION. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAD SALVATION TO BEGIN WITH. JOHN DESCRIBED THEM, IN 1 JOHN 2: 19, "THEY WENT OUT FROM US, BUT THEY WERE NOT OF US: FOR IT THEY HAD BEEN OF US, THEY WOULD NO DOUBT HAVE CONTINUED WITH US: BUT THEY WENT OUT, THAT THEY MIGHT BE MADE MANIFEST THAT THEY WERE NOT ALL OF US." THEY ARE DIVISIVE, DESTRUCTIVE, AND DEFECTIVE. THEY ARE COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS.

11. AS WE COME TO VERSES 20-23, WE FIND A PRESCRIPTION THAT JUDE OUTLINES FOR US. HE GIVES US SOME PREVENTIVE MEDICINE TO KEEP US FROM BEING DETERRED BY THESE APOSTATES IN THIS AGE. IN SO DOING, HE GIVES US, "A PRESCRIPTION THAT WON'T RUN OUT!" BRIEFLY, LET'S CONSIDER 3 THINGS THAT WE SHOULD IMPLEMENT INTO OUR LIVES.

1. A GREAT OCCUPATION THAT SHOULD CONSUME US!

1. IN VERSE 20, JUDE BEGINS TO WRITE OUT OUR PRESCRIPTION. HE OUTLINES A GREAT OCCUPATION THAT SHOULD CONSUME EVERYONE OF US WHO ARE SAVED. IN FACT, HE COVERS 3 AREAS OF OUR LIFE THAT ARE TO BE PRACTICED.

A. THERE IS AN INWARD LABOR TO BE EMPHASIZED

1. NOTICE VERSE 20. "BUT YE BELOVED, BUILDING UP YOURSELVES ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH, PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST." THERE IS AN INWARD LOOK THAT MUST BE EMPHASIZED IN OUR LIFFE.

2. JUDE SPEAKS OF THIS LABOR IN 3 WAYS. FIRST, HE DESCRIBES IT AS A POWERFUL MATTER. "BUILDING UP YOURSELVES ON YOUR MOST HOLY FAITH."

3. MAXWELL CODER SAID, "WE MUST FIGHT THE ENEMY, BUT WE MUST FIRST CONSTRUCT A SPIRITUAL HOUSE THAT WILL PLEASE THE LORD!" 1 THE MATTER THAT IS SPOKEN OF HERE IS A POWERFUL MATTER, THAT IS, IT IS THE "MOST HOLY FAITH."

4. THE PHRASE, 'MOST HOLY FAITH,' SPEAKS OF 'THE FAITH' THAT IS MENTIONED IN VERSE 3. IT IS THE WORD OF GOD. THUS, WE ARE TO BUILD OURSELVES UP ON THE SACRED VOLUME, THE TRUTHS OF GOD, AND THE SCRIPTURES.

5. D. L. MOODY ONCE SAID, "I PRAYED FOR FAITH AND THOUGHT THAT SOMEDAY FAITH WOULD COME DOWN AND STRIKE ME LIKE LIGHTNING. BUT FAITH DID NOT SEEM TO COME. THEN, ONE DAY, I READ WHERE, 'FAITH COMETH BY HEARING AND HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.' I HAD CLOSED MY BIBLE AND PRAYED FOR FAITH. I NOW OPEN MY BIBLE AND BEGIN TO STUDY, AND MY FAITH HAS BEEN GROWING EVER SINCE." 2

6. THE WORD 'BUILDING' SPEAKS OF AN ONGOING ACTION. THIS IS SOMETHING WHICH IS TO BE A LIFELONG TASK.

7. HE IS SPEAKING OF THAT WHICH IS 'FOREVER SETTLED IN HEAVEN.' IT IS THE 'INCORRUPTIBLE SEED OF THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH LIVETH AND ABIDETH FOREVER.' IT IS NOT PUBLIC OPINION, NOR PRIVATE CONVICTION; BUT, RATHER, THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD. WE ARE TO BUILD UPON THE WORD.

8. HOWEVER, HE NOT ONLY SPEAKS OF THIS AS A POWERFUL MATTER, BUT AS A PERSONAL MATTER. "BUILDING UP YOURSELVES ON THE MOST HOLY FAITH."

9. WE ARE TO BUILD UPON THE WORD OF GOD; HOWEVER, WE ARE TO DO IT OURSELVES. THIS IS NOT A MATTER ONLY RESERVED FOR MEN OF GOD IN THE MINISTRY, BUT TO EVERY BORN AGAIN CHILD OF GOD.

10. I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WHO STUDY THE BIBLE, AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WHO KNOW PEOPLE WHO STUDY THE BIBLE. MANY TODAY READ BOOKS ABOUT THE BIBLE INSTEAD OF THE BIBLE. MANY SEEK THE ADVICE OF THEIR PASTOR BEFORE THEY ENDEAVOR, FOR THEMSELVES, TO SEE WHAT 'THUS SAITH THE LORD.'

11. JOHN CALVIN SAID, "IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR MAN TO OBTAIN EVEN THE MINUTEST PORTION OF LIGHT AND SOUND DOCTRINE WITHOUT BEING A STUDENT OF THIS BOOK!"3

12. SOMEONE HAS SAID, "THE DEVIL IS NOT AFRAID OF A BIBLE THAT HAS DUST ON IT. A PERSON WHO DOESN'T READ HIS BIBLE IS NO BETTER THAN A PERSON WHO DOESN'T OWN A BIBLE!"

13. SAD TO SAY, THE ONLY BIBLE THAT THE MAJORITY OF CHRISTIANS READ, OR HEAR, IS WHAT IS READ DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE ON SUNDAY. HOWEVER, JUDE INFORMS US THAT THIS IS A POWERFUL MATTER, AND IT IS A PERSONAL MATTER.

14. HOWEVER, HE GOES ON TO SAY THAT THIS IS A PRAYERFUL MATTER. "PRAYING IN THE HOLY GHOST."

15. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS A PHRASE THAT HAS CREATED MUCH MISUNDERSTANDING, AND MISINTERPRETATION AMONG RELIGIOUS CIRCLES. WHAT IS BEING SPOKEN OF HERE IS NOT "AN ECTASTIC UTTERANCE," OR A HEAVENLY PRAYER LANGUAGE.

16. RATHER, WE ARE TO PRAY DEPENDENT UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE ARE INFORMED, FROM SCRIPTURE, THAT WE KNOW HOW WE SHOULD PRAY AS WE OUGHT, THUS IT IS THE JOB OF THE HOLY TO GUIDE US IN PRAYER, BUT IT IS OUR JOB TO FOLLOW HIS GUIDANCE IN PRAYER.

17. JACK TAYLOR SAID, "TRUE PRAYER DOES NOT BEGIN WITH US, BUT AT THE THRONE OF GOD." HE WAS SIMPLY STATING THAT TRUE PRAYER BEGINS WITH GOD, THE FATHER, AND THEN TRANSCENDS THROUGH THE HOLY SPRIT IN OUR HEART. THEN, AS WE YIELD TO HIS CONTROL IN OUR PRAYER TIME, WE SEND THAT DESIRE BACK TO THE THRONE OF GRACE.

18. A VENEZUELAN MISSIONARY ONCE SAID, "PRAYER IS THE HOLY SPIRIT SPEAKING IN THE BELIEVER, THROUGH CHRIST, TO THE FATHER!" 4

19. WE BUILD OURSELVES UP IN THE WORD, AND GOD TALKS TO US. BUT, WE MUST ALSO PRAY IN THE SPIRIT, AND WE TALK TO GOD. IT IS A POWERFUL MATTER, A PERSONAL MATTER, AND A PRAYERFUL MATTER. I BELIEVE YOU WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT THIS HITS EVERYONE OF US IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT. THERE IS AN INWARD LABOR THAT WE MUST EMPHASIZE.

B. THERE IS AN UPWARD LOVE TO BE ENERGIZED

1. NOTICE VERSE 21. "KEEP YOURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD." WHILE THERE IS AN INWARD LABOR TO BE EMPHASIZED, THERE IS AN UPWARD LOVE TO BE ENERGIZED. WE ARE TO "KEEP OURSELVES IN THE LOVE OF GOD."

2. MANY HAVE INTERPRETED THIS TO MEAN THAT WE ARE KEEP OURSELVES IN LOVE WITH GOD. WE ARE TO KEEP ON LOVING HIM.

3. HOWEVER, THE PHRASE DOES NOT DEAL WITH OUR LOVE FOR GOD, BUT RATHER GOD'S LOVE FOR US. WE ARE TO REMIND OURSELVES OF HIS UNCONDITIONAL, UNEXPLAINABLE, AND UNRESTRICTED LOVE FOR US.

4. IF EVER THERE IS A NEED IN THESE DAYS IT IS FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO CAUSE GOD TO LOVE THEM ANY LESS, OR ANYMORE. HE LOVES US INTIMATELY, AND HE LOVES INFINITELY.

5. I THINK OF JESUS' WORDS IN JOHN 15: 9, "AS THE FATHER HATH LOVED ME, SO HAVE I LOVE YOU; CONTINUE YE IN MY LOVE." WE ARE TO KEEP OURSELVES IN THE CONSTANT ENJOYMENT OF GOD'S UNDYING LOVE FOR US.

6. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR ME, I AM REMINDED OF THE WORDS OF THE HYMN PENNED BY CHARLES WESLEY:

"AMAZING LOVE, HOW CAN IT BE,

THAT THOU MY GOD, SHOULDST DIE FOR ME!"

7. HOWEVER, THE BURDEN IS ON US. WHILE OUR LOVE FOR GOD IS NOT IN QUESTION, WE ARE TO KEEP OURSELVES IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT HE LOVES US. WE ARE TO STAY IN HIS WILL, IN HIS WORD, AND IN HIS WORK FOR OUR LIVES.

C. THERE IS AN OUTWARD LOOK TO BE EXERCISED

1. NOTICE VERSE 21. "LOOKING FOR THE MERCY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST UNTO ETERNAL LIFE."

2. WE ARE EMPHASIZE AN OUTWARD LABOR. WE ARE TO ENERGIZE AN UPWARD LOVE. AND, WE ARE TO EXERCISE AN OUTWARD LOOK.

3. WE ARE LIVE IN THESE DAYS OF WICKEDNESS, AND WORLDLINESS IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THERE IS COMING A BETTER DAY. THERE WILL COME A TIME "WHEN THE LORD HIMSELF SHALL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN, WITH A SHOUT, WITH THE VOICE OF THE ARCHANGEL, AND WITH THE TRUMP OF GOD, AND THE DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST. THEN, WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR, AND SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD." WE ARE TO KEEP LOOKING UP, FOR 'OUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH.'

4. I THINK OF A TIME IN THE LIFE OF SIR ERNEST SHACKLETON. HE WAS DRIVEN BACK FROM HIS QUEST OF THE SOUTH POLE, AND HE LEFT HIS MEN BEHIND ON ELEPHANT ISLAND, AND PROMISED THEM HE WOULD COME BACK FOR THEM. HE TRIED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT DUE TO THE ICE BETWEEN THEM, HE WAS UNABLE TO DO SO.

5. ONE DAY, HE TRIED AGAIN. THE WEATHER WAS SO BAD THAT HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. YET, AS HE NEARED THAT ISLAND HE FOUND AN OPENING IN THE ICE. TAKING THE CHANCE, AND RISKING HIS LIFE, AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF HIS MEN, HE REACHED THEM, AND GOT THEM OUT IN JUST ONE HALF-HOUR.

6. WHAT MADE THE RESCUE SO QUICK WAS THAT WHEN HE FINALLY REACHED THEM, THEY WERE ALL PACKED AND READY TO LEAVE. LATER, WHEN THEY WERE SAFE, HE ASKED ONE OF HIS MEN, "WHAT MADE YOU TO BE READY SO PROMPTLY?" THE MAN SAID, "WELL, BOSS, WILD, THE SECOND IN COMMAND, NEVER GAVE UP HOPE. AND, WHENEVER HE SAW A BREAK IN THE ICE, HE SAID TO EVERYONE 'ROLL UP YOUR SLEEPING BAGS, BOYS, THE BOSS MAY COME TODAY!'"

7. I NEED NOT REMIND YOU THAT THE 'BOSS' MAY COME TODAY. HE'S COMING, HE'S COMING, HE'S COMING. AND, WE ARE NEVER TO LOSE SIGHT OF IT. THERE IS AN INWARD LABOR TO BE EMPHASIZED, AN UPWARD LOVE TO BE ENERGIZED, AND AN OUTWARD LOOK TO BE EXERCISED. WE HAVE A GREAT OCCUPATION THAT SHOULD CONSUME US IN THESE DAYS.

2. A GREAT OBSERVATION THAT SHOULD CONCERN US!

1. IN VERSE 22, JUDE GIVES ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING VERSES IN SCRIPTURE, AND ONE THAT SHOULD BECOME THE MOTTO OF EVERYONE OF US WHO ARE SAVED. IN WRITING OUR PRESCRIPTION, HE NOT ONLY OUTLINES A GREAT OCCUPATION THAT SHOULD CONSUME US, BUT A GREAT OBSERVATION THAT SHOULD CONCERN US.

A. THE DUTY OF COMPASSION

1. NOTICE VERSE 22. "AND OF SOME HAVING COMPASSION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE." I CALL YOUR ATTENTION TO THE WORD 'COMPASSION' THAT IS USED.

2. THE WORD 'COMPASSION' IS A WORD THAT COMES FROM TWO LATIN WORDS, (COM), WHICH MEANS, "WITH," AND (PASSION), WHICH MEANS, "TO SUFFER." THUS, THE WORD MEANS "TO SUFFER WITH, TO PUT ONESELF IN THE PLACE OF ANOTHER." THE WORD LITERALLY MEANS "TO STOOP DOWN AND LOOK INTO."

3. THUS, JUDE IS DESCRIBING AN ACT WHEREBY WE PUT OURSELVES INTO ANOTHER PERSON'S SHOES WHO HAS STUMBLED, FALLEN, OR ERRED FROM THE TRUTH. WE ARE NOT TO OFFER CRITICISM, CONDEMNATION, OR CASTIGATION. WE ARE TO OFFER CONCERN, AND COMPASSION. WE ARE TO STOOP DOWN AND LOOK INTO THEIR SITUATION AS IF WE WERE IN THE EXACT SAME PLIGHT.

4. THIS IS A WORD, WHICH HAS LOST ITS MEANING AMONG MANY RELIGIOUS CIRCLES TODAY. WE ARE TOTALLY CONSUMED WITH 'ME, MYSELF, AND I,' THAT WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO TIME TO BE CONCERNED, AND HAVE COMPASSION UPON OTHERS. WE SEE PEOPLE WITHOUT REALLY SEEING THEM.

5. ONE OF THE TRADEMARKS OF THE AVERAGE BAPTIST CHURCH IS THAT WHEN SOMEONE HAS STUMBLED WE ISOLATE THEM WITH LOOKS, RATHER THAN INSULATE THEM WITH LOVE. WE PLACE OURSELVES INTO THE SEAT OF THE SCORNFUL AND EXALT OUR SELF INTO A POSITION OF JUDGE AND JURY.

6. WE HAVE LOST OUR CONCERN. WE HAVE LOST OUR COMPASSION. WE HAVE LOST OUR CARE FOR OTHERS. WE HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT IT IS LIKE TO SHED A TEAR, AND WEEP OVER SOMEONE WHO IS CAUGHT IN THE DREGS OF SIN.

7. I THINK OF A TIME WHEN A YOUNG CAPTAIN IN THE SALVATION ARMY WROTE TO GENERAL BOTH, THE GODLY SOUL-WINNER AND FOUNDER OF THE SALVATION ARMY. HE WROTE SAYING, "I'M NOT SEEING ANY CONVERTS. PEOPLE DO NOT SEEM TO BE RESPONDING TO MY MESSAGE." BOOTH REPLIED, "IF YOU'VE TRIED EVERYTHING ELSE, THEN, TRY TEARS!" 5

8. I THINK OF A STORY I ONCE HEARD FROM JR. HILL, ONE OF THE GREAT EVANGELISTS OF OUR DAY. HE WAS PREACHING A REVIVAL, SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IN THE DEEP SOUTH, WHEN HE WAS CONFRONTED BY A VERY UNIQUE LADY. AFTER ONE OF THE SERVICES, THE LADY INVITED HIM, AND THE PASTOR TO HER HOUSE FOR REFRESHMENTS, AND A TIME OF FELLOWSHIP. HE IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT THE LADY WAS BLIND, AND SHE PROCEEDED TO TELL HIM WHY. SHE SAID, "YEARS AGO, THE TEAR DUCTS IN MY EYES DRIED UP. THUS, REGARDLESS OF HOW BROKEN, OR HOW UPSET I GOT, I COULD NOT CRY. AS A RESULT OF MY DRY EYES, I EVENTUALLY LOST MY SIGHT, AND WENT TOTALLY BLIND, BECAUSE I COULDN'T SHED ANY TEARS!"

9. SOMEONE HAS WELL SAID THAT, "OUR GENERATION IS FILLED WITH THE UNBOWED HEAD, THE UNBENDED KNEE, AND THE UNBROKEN HEART!"

10. DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE TONIGHT WHO IS LOST? DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE TONIGHT WHO ONCE USED TO BE ON FIRE FOR GOD, AND NOW THEY ARE OUT OF CHURCH? DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE TONIGHT WHO HAS FALLEN, AND STUMBLED IN THE WAY? THEN, JUDE OUR JOB IS TO SHOWER THEM WITH COMPASSION, AND NOT CRITICISM.

B. THE DISTINCTION OF COMPASSION

1. THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT COMPASSION THAT IS UNLIKE ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN MENTIONED HERETOFORE. IN FACT, JUDE EMPHATICALLY STATES THAT IT STANDS ALONE IN COMPARISON TO OTHER SPIRITUAL TRAITS.

2. NOTICE VERSE 22. "AND OF SOME HAVING COMPASSION, MAKING A DIFFERENCE." THAT IS THE DISTINCTION OF COMPASSION, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

3. THERE ARE 3 GREAT PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH TODAY. ONE, IS THAT WE ARE NOT WINNING THE LOST, BUT THAT IS NOT THE GREATEST PROBLEM. SECOND, IS THAT WE ARE NOT WITNESSING TO THE LOST, BUT THAT IS NOT OUR GREATEST PROBLEM. THIRD, IS THAT WE DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE LOST, THAT IS OUR GREATEST PROBLEM.

4. I THINK OF AN ARTICLE I READ RECENTLY THAT TOLD OF A DISPLAY HELD BY THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY, IN CHICAGO, SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE DISPLAY SHOWED A CHECKERBOARD WITH 1 GRAIN OF WHEAT ON THE FIRST SQUARE, 2 ON THE SECOND, 4 ON THE THIRD, THEN 8, 16, 32, 64, AND SO ON UNTIL THEY COULD NO LONGER FIT THE SEEDS ON THE SQUARE. THEN IT ASKED THE QUESTION, "AT THIS RATE OF DOUBLING EACH SUCCESSIVE SQUARE, HOW MUCH WOULD YOU HAVE ON THE CHECKERBOARD BY THE 64TH SQUARE?" YOU COULD PUNCH A BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DISPLAY TO FIND OUT. THE ANSWER: 9 SEXTILLION! ENOUGH GRAIN TO COVER THE ENTIRE SUBCONTINENT OF INDIA 50 FEET DEEP.

5. SOMEONE HAS SAID, "THEY DON'T CARE HOW MUCH WE KNOW, UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH WE CARE!" AND, THE VERY REASON WE DO NOT SEE MORE OF THE LOST SAVED, AND THE HURTING HEALED IS SIMPLY BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARE ANY MORE.

6. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT IF YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT LOST SOULS, THEN EITHER YOU ARE NOT RIGHT WITH GOD, OR YOU, YOURSELF, ARE NOT SAVED. YOU SEE ONE CANNOT BE SAVED, AND HAVE THE LOVE OF GOD FOR SOULS WITHIN THEM, AND NOT BE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.

7. IT IS COMPASSION, WHICH MAKES A DIFFERENCE. A CHURCH MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE NECESSARY PROGRAMS, POSSESSIONS, AND PROMOTIONS; BUT, IF THEY HAVE A LOVE FOR SOULS, THEN THEY WILL WIN SOULS. WE HAVE A DUTY, AND THEY DUTY WILL MAKE A DISTINCTION. THERE IS A GREAT OBSERVATION THAT SHOULD CONCERN US!

3. A GREAT OBLIGATION THAT SHOULD CONSTRAIN US!

1. IN VERSE 22, JUDE SPEAKS OF THOSE WHO ARE IN DOUBT, BUT IN VERSE 23, HE SPEAKS OF THOSE WHO ARE IN DANGER. THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHT UP INTO THE VICE OF THE APOSTATE TEACHING, AND HAVE ERRED FROM THE FAITH. THEY ARE IN DANGER, AND WE HAVE A GREAT OBLIGATION THAT SHOULD CONSTRAIN US.

A. WE ARE TO CARE FOR THOSE WITHOUT OUR FAITH

1. NOTICE VERSE 23. "AND OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR, PULLING THEM OUT OF THE FIRE." HE IS DESCRIBING THOSE WHO ARE IN SERIOUS DANGER. THEY ARE NEAR SELF-DESTRUCTION. THUS, WE ARE TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT OUR FAITH.

2. GENERAL WILLIAM BOOTH SAID, "I WISH THAT I COULD SEND ALL OF MY CANDIDATES FOR THE SALVATION ARMY, NOT TO COLLEGE, BUT TO HELL FOR TWENTY-FOUR HOURS AS PART OF THEIR TRAINING!" 6

3. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO, WHILE WE HAVE SAT HERE, TONIGHT, AND ENJOYED A WONDERFUL WORSHIP SERVICE, HAVE SLIPPED OFF EVEN CLOSER TO HELL. AND, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO THEM. IT REQUIRES A SENSE OF URGENCY. WE ARE TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITHOUT OUR FAITH.

B. WE ARE TO SHARE WITH THOSE ABOUT OUR FAITH

1. NOTICE THE INVOLVEMENT THAT IS DESCRIBED IN VERSE 23. "AND OTHERS SAVE WITH FEAR, PULLING THEM OUT OF THE FIRE; HATING EVEN THE GARMENT SPOTTED BY THE FLESH."

2. WE ARE TO CARE, BUT OUR INVOLVEMENT DOESN'T END THERE. WE ARE TO SHARE. WE MUST BECOME INVOLVED IN THEIR SITUATION. WE MUST PUT OURSELVES INTO THEIR SHOES. WE MUST NOT ONLY PRAY, WE MUST PERFORM. WE MUST NOT ONLY CARE ABOUT THEM, WE MUST SHARE WITH THEM.

3. I AM ASKED EVERY WEEK TO VISIT SOMEONE WHO IS A MEMBER OF SOMEONE'S FAMILY, OR A FRIEND, OR A CO-WORKER. AND, WHILE I CHERISH THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THEM, AND TO WIN THEM TO THE LORD, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND, THAT SOUL-WINNING, AND OUTREACH IS NOT JUST RESERVED FOR THE PASTOR.

4. I HAVE OFTEN SAID THAT IF GOD LAYS SOMEONE UPON YOUR HEART, THEN HE MAY DESIRE FOR YOU TO VISIT THEM. HE MAY DESIRE FOR YOU TO WIN THEM. HE MAY DESIRE FOR YOU TO, NOT ONLY CARE ABOUT THEM, BUT TO SHARE WITH THEM.

5. THEY ARE TRAVELING DOWN THE ETERNAL INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO HELL, AND THE ONLY THEY MAY HAVE IS FOR YOU AND TO CARE ENOUGH ABOUT THEM, THAT WE GO, AND SHARE WITH THEM. THAT IS OUR PART. IT IS OUR OBLIGATION. IT REQUIRES NOT ONLY CONCERN, AND COMPASSION, BUT COURAGE.

6. I THINK OF A COLD WINTER NIGHT IN EPWORTH, ENGLAND. THE CHURCH BELL BEGAN TO RING, AND PEOPLE RAN INTO THE DARK NIGHT AND SAW THAT A HOUSE WAS ON FIRE. A CROWD GATHERED AND BEGAN TO FIGHT THE FIRE. SAMUEL AND SUZANNA HAD ESCAPED THE FLAMES, ALONG WITH 6 OF THEIR CHILDREN, BUT NO ONE COULD FIND LITTLE JOHNNY.

7. REALIZING THAT HIS BOY MIGHT STILL BE INSIDE THE BURNING HOUSE, SAMUEL RAN TOWARD THE INFERNO. THE CROWD STOOD THERE HELPLESSLY WATCHING THE HOUSE BURN, AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, A LITTLE FACE APPEARED IN AN UPSTAIRS WINDOW. LITTLE JOHNNY HAD AWAKENED AND COME TO THE WINDOW, BUT HE COULD NOT ESCAPE THROUGH THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE FLAMES.

8. THEN, TWO MEN CAME OUT OF THE CROWD, AND ONE CLIMBED UPON THE SHOULDERS OF THE OTHER. THEIR CLOTHES BEGAN TO SMOKE, BUT THAT LITTLE BOY WAS PULLED THROUGH THE HIGH WINDOW BY THE ARMS OF THAT MAN. THE LITTLE BOY THAT WAS SAVED WAS JOHN WESLEY, THE FOUNDER OF THE METHODIST CHURCH, AND A MAN GOD USED TO SHAKE THE WORLD WITH A GREAT REVIVAL. YEARS LATER, HE WROTE IN HIS JOURNAL, "THAT NIGHT, I WAS AS A BRAND PLUCKED FROM THE BURNING." FRIEND, YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SAVE FROM THE FIRE.

9. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT IF YOUR HOUSE CAUGHT ON FIRE TONIGHT, AND YOUR SON, DAUGHTER, GRANDSON, GRANDDAUGHTER, WIFE, OR HUSBAND WERE INSIDE THAT BURNING HOUSE, YOU WOULD DO ALL THAT YOU COULD DO TO SAVE THEM.

10. HOWEVER, THERE ARE PEOPLE, EVERY SECOND, WHO ARE ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE FLAMES OF HELL THAT CAN NEVER BE EXTINGUISHED, AND YET WE SIT HERE IDLE, AND NO ONE REALLY CARES, AND AS A RESULT, NO ONE SHARES. JUDE REMINDS US, TONIGHT, WE HAVE A GREAT OBLIGATION THAT SHOULD CONSTRAIN US!

11. I THINK OF STORY THAT THE GREAT EVANGELIST GYPSY SMITH USED TO TELL. IT WAS ABOUT A MAN BY THE NAME OF PETER APPLES, A SOLDIER DURING THE CIVIL WAR WHO WENT INTO ENEMY TERRITORY. PETER APPLES DID NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT BEING A GOOD SOLDIER, HE JUST KNEW THAT WHEN HIS SUPERIOR OFFICER SIAD, "CHARGE!" HE WAS SUPPOSED TO GO. HE WAS THE KIND OF MAN WHO NEVER CAME BACK UNTIL HE HAD MADE CONTACT WITH THE ENEMY.

12. ONE NIGHT, HIS OFFICER SHOUTED THE COMMAND, "CHARGE!" AND PETER APPLES CHARGED. HOWEVER, HIS COMPANY CAME UNDER SEVERE FIRE, AND THE SUPERIOR OFFICER SOUNDED THE RETREAT. BUT, PETER APPLES DID NOT HEAR THE RETREAT, SO HE JUST KEPT GOING. HE WENT ACROSS 'NO MAN'S LAND,' AND FINALLY INTO THE ENEMY TERRITORY. HE FELL DOWN INTO A DITCH WHERE ENEMY SOLDIERS WERE LINED UP ONE BEHIND THE OTHER. THEY WERE SO BUSY FIRING SHOTS THAT THEY DIDN'T EVEN SEE HIM. SO, HE TOOK HOLD OF THE FIRST ENEMY SOLDIER, AND HIT HIM THREE TIMES WITH THE BUTT OF HIS RIFLE, GRABBED HIM BY THE NAPE OF THE NECK, AND DRUG HIM OUT OF THAT DITCH AND STARTED BACK TOWARD HOME.

13. THE ENEMY SOLDIERS TOOK AIM AND BEGAN TO FIRE, BUT PETER APPLES WAS DRAGGING THAT MAN IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY COULDN'T GET A CLEAR SHOT AT HIM. BOTH SIDES WERE AMAZED TO WATCH PETER APPLES TRAVEL ACROSS 'NO MAN'S LAND,' DRAGGING THAT SOLDIER BEHIND HIM. FINALLY, HE GOT BACK INTO HIS OWN CAMP, AND DROPPED THE SOLDIER AT THE FEET OF HIS SUPERIOR OFFICER. THE OFFICER LOOKED AT HIM, TOOK A DEEP BREATH, AND SAID, "APPLES, WHERE IN THE WORLD DID YOU GET HIM?" PETER APPLES REPLIED, "SIR, I GOT HIM OVER THERE IN THAT DITCH. THERE'S PLENTY OF THERE OVER THERE, AND ALL OF YOU COULD HAVE HAD ONE IF YOU WANTED ONE!" 7

14. I SUBMIT UNTO YOU, TONIGHT, THERE'S PLENTY OF SINNERS OUT THERE, AND ALL OF US CAN HAVE ONE IF WE WANT ONE. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF GOING AFTER THEM.

15. JUDE HAS SPOKEN VOLUMES OF TRUTH TO OUR HEARTS IN THESE VERSES. HE HAS REMINDED US OF A GREAT OCCUPATION THAT SHOULD CONSUME US, A GREAT OBSERVATION THAT SHOULD CONCERN US, AND A GREAT OBLIGATION THAT SHOULD CONSTRAIN US. IT IS EXCELLENT MEDICINE FOR EVERYONE OF US, AND IT'S, "A PRESCRIPTION THAT WON'T RUN OUT!"

1. JUDE: THE ACTS OF THE APOSTATES, S. MAXWELL CODER, P. 108.

2. "COURAGE UNDER FIRE," SERMON BY JAMES MERRITT.

3. IBID.

4. THRU THE BIBLE COMMENTARY SERIES, THE EPISTLES OF 2 & 3 JOHN, AND JUDE, J. VERNON MCGEE, P. 125.

5. IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING, O. S. HAWKINS, P. 106.

6. IBID. P. 109.

7. IBID, MERRITT.

Steve N. Wagers