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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 ____________________ 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.

Main Point: When we truly know God and delight in Him, we encounter full and endless joy. Driving Question: “Who is God and what is He for His people?” God, our Sovereign King (v. 2-4) God, our Inheritance (v.5-6) Jonathan Edwards: “God is the highest good of the reasonable creature. The enjoyment of him is our proper happiness, and is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here: better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any or all earthly friends. These are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams; but God is the sun. These are but streams; but God is the fountain. These are but drops; but God is the ocean.” God, our Counselor (v.7) God, our Savior (v. 8-11) Philippians 3:7-8, 10: But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him... that I may know him and the power of his resurrection…”

Lament Definition: A prayer in pain that leads to trust (Mark Vroegop, “Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy”) _______________________ Driving Question: How will suffering saints renew their trust in God in the midst of sorrow and pain? _______________________ Main Idea: The Lord who deals bountifully with his saints is worthy of our trust in sorrow and in pain. _______________________ 1. God-Directed Pain (vv. 1-2) ________________________ 2. God-Directed Petition (vv. 3-4) _________________________ 3. God-Directed Perspective (vv. 5-6) ____________________________ Takeaways: Walk with God’s people in the God-appointed path of lament. Remember Jesus Christ, forsaken by His Father on the cross so that by His alienation we might receive reconciliation (1 Pet. 3:18). Remember Jesus Christ who has triumphed over our enemies (sin, Satan, death) on the cross (Col. 2:15, Rev. 19-20). Remember Jesus Christ - Salvation incarnate! - who was sent to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). Sing to the Lord who has dealt bountifully with his people in Jesus Christ!

Main Idea. The Lord hears our distress and delivers according to his steadfast love. 1. Our Distress (1–7) 2. His Deliverance (8–10) Psalm 6 finds its fulfillment in Christ: 1. Christ bore the wrath David dreaded. 2. Christ entered the suffering David experienced. 3. Christ conquered the death David feared.

Main Idea. God will surely sanctify his church. Driving Question. How does God sanctify his church? 1. Through Faithful Shepherds (12–13) Heb. 13:17: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” 2. Through a Faithful Church (14–22) 3. Through His Own Faithful Keeping (23–24) Phil. 2:12–13: "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you." Takeaways. Our sanctification rests not on our faithfulness to God, but on God's faithfulness to us.

Main Idea. We belong to Christ, so stay awake for the Day. Driving Question. How do we stay awake for the Day of the Lord? 3 encouragements for staying awake: 1. Don't focus on the timing (1–3) 2. Remember who we are (4–10) 1. Our Identity: Not of the night, but of the Day (vv. 4–5): 2. Our Routine: So live awake, sober, and alert (vv. 6–8a) 3. Our Equipment: Put on faith, love, and hope (v. 8b) 4. Our Destiny: Destined for salvation, to live with Him (vv. 9–10) 3. Keep one another awake (11) Takeaway. On the Day of the Lord, what matters most is whether you belong to Christ.

Main Point: Be encouraged, there is hope amidst our grief in the Gospel of our Lord and in the promises of His Word. Driving Question: “What produces hope in us for the return of Christ?” The surety of the gospel (v.13-14) The security of Christ’s promises (v.15-17) The support of the saints (v.18) Takeaways In your grief, allow for the ministry of the Word to bring you hope. In their grief, minister the Word of hope to those in grief.

1 Thess 4:1–12 A God Pleasing Church Main Point. Characteristics of a church that pleases God. Driving Question. How does a church live in a way that pleases God? Three characteristics: 1. Holiness before God (2–8) 2. Love for one another (9–10) 3. Witness before the world (11–12)

Main Point. Faithful churches help one another persevere until Christ comes. Driving Question. How do faithful churches help one another persevere? Three ways faithful churches help one another persevere: 1. Love that pursues (2:17–3:5) 2. Faith that comforts (3:6–10) 3. Prayer that establishes (3:11–13) Takeaways. Love is Evident. Faith is Exercised. Hope is Eternal.

Main Point. The Word of God at work in his people. Driving Question. How does God’s Word work in His people? 1. Accepted as God’s Word (13) 2. Afflicted for God’s Word (14–15) 3. Assured by God’s Word (16) Takeaways. 1. Receive God’s Word as God’s Word. 2. Resolve to suffer for God’s Word. 3. Remember God’s judgment is coming.

Main Point. God uses faithful gospel ministry to build his church. Driving Question. So what does a faithful gospel ministry look like? Paul gives three vivid pictures of faithful gospel the minister. 1. The Courageous Steward (1–6) Two Tests of Gospel Stewardship: A. Speaking to please God, not man (vv.4–5). B. Seeking God’s glory, not yours (v.6). 2. The Caring Mother (7–8) 3. The Consistent Father (9–12) Takeaways. (Ordinary Gospel minister must): Accept Conflict (v.2). Live Sacrificially (vv.5–8). Proclaim Christ Clearly (vv.4, 9).

Main Point: God powerfully creates a new people through his Word. Driving Question: How does God create a new people? 1. God’s Work In Us (1–5) 2. God’s Word In Us (6–10) THE EVIDENCE OF GOD’S WORK 1. The Word received (6). 2. The Word imitated (6, 7). 3. The Word proclaimed (8, 9). 4. The Word obeyed (9, 10). a. They turned from idols b. They served the living and true God. c.They waited for the Son.