Title: A Call to Persevere in the Face of Adversity: Lessons from the book of Jude
Introduction:
Dear seniors, life is a journey filled with ups and downs. Trials and temptations will come our way, but as children of God, we have the Holy Spirit to help us persevere. Today, we’ll study the book of Jude, which offers us encouragement and guidance on how to thrive amidst adversity.
Lesson One: Guarding Against False Teachings
In the book of Jude, we see how important it is to guard our hearts against false teachings. Verse 4 says, “For certain men have crept in unnoticed…ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
As seniors, we’ve heard many teachings and doctrines that may not align with scripture. We must be diligent to study and rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). We must test every spirit (1 John 4:1) to avoid falling into deception. This calls for a prayerful and discerning heart.
Lesson Two: Persevering in Faith
Verse 3 of Jude encourages us to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.” This means that we have to fight for our faith, especially in times of trials, persecution, or when our faith is challenged.
Seniors, we’ve lived long enough to know that life will throw us curveballs. But we’re called to persevere in faith. We must hold on to God’s promises and trust His unfailing love for us. We must follow the examples of those who have gone before us, like Abraham, who “did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God” (Romans 4:20).
Lesson Three: Showing Mercy and Compassion to Others
In verses 21-23, Jude urges us to “keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
As seniors, we have been blessed with many years of wisdom and experiences. This means that we have a responsibility to show mercy and compassion to others, especially to those who are still struggling in their faith. We must be patient, kind, and understanding as we help others grow spiritually. At the same time, we must hate sin and confront it with the fear of the Lord, knowing that we can only save others through the power of the gospel.
Conclusion:
Seniors, life is not always easy, but we’re called to press on in faith. In the book of Jude, we’re reminded to guard against false teachings, persevere in faith, and show mercy and compassion to others. Let’s continue to seek the Lord and trust in His sovereignty over our lives. As we persevere through trials, we can be confident that we will receive a crown of life (James 1:12).
