Sermon #14 Jude Sermons
Title: Saved — Afterward Destroyed!
Text: Jude 5
Subject: The Necessity of Perseverance
Date: Tuesday Evening — January 4, 2005
Tape # Jude #14
Readings: Larry Criss — Hebrews 3:10-4:16
Hebrews 3:10-4:16
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 4
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Introduction:
The title of my message may surprise you. It may even confuse some. And, I am sure that some who hear this message will be shocked by it. But it is a message that needs to be heard. I trust that God the Holy Spirit will give you ears to hear it and a heart to receive it. This is what I want to talk about tonight: Saved—Afterward Destroyed!
Is it possible for a person to be saved, and afterward destroyed? Can a person who has experienced salvation later lose it? The answer to that question, of course is “No!”
· The purpose of God in eternal election and predestination can never be thwarted. — Every chosen sinner shall be saved (Rom. 8:28-30).
· The sin-atoning blood of our Lord Jesus Christ can never be made of non-effect. — Every ransomed soul shall be with Christ in glory. The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ shall never be discovered a miscarriage. — “He shall see of the travail of his soul and shall be satisfied!”
· The seal of God the Holy Spirit can never be broken. — Every chosen, redeemed, called sinner, once saved is saved forever, kept by the power of God’s grace, preserved in Jesus Christ, and sealed to resurrection glory.
· The grace of God cannot be frustrated.
No, those who are saved by the grace of God can never be lost. Yet, the Word of God warns us repeatedly, by word and by example, that we must persevere unto the end, or perish forever. We are given numerous examples in this Book of men and women who had an experience, an experience that changed their lives, an experience that gave them hope, who later departed from the faith, forsook Christ, and perished forever in hell.
Proposition: And these warnings and examples are held before us as beacons to warn us, lest we also perish in unbelief.
In Jude 5 the Apostle Jude holds before us a glaring example of what I am talking about.
(Jude 1:5) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
A Beacon
I. Here is a beacon to warn us lest we, too, after having left the land of bondage and darkness, perish in the wilderness.
Let us never take such warnings lightly. In this Book, we are hedged about on two sides. On the one side we are hedged in with the promises of God to keep us from despair.
(Job 17:9) “The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger.”
(Psalms 125:1) “They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
(Psalms 138:8) “The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:14) “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”
(Isaiah 46:4) “And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
(Jeremiah 32:40) “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me.”
(John 6:47) “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
(John 10:28-30) “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. {29} My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. {30} I and my Father are one.”
(John 11:25) “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”
(Romans 11:29) “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.”
(Revelation 20:6) “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
Yes, “the foundation of God standeth sure!” How we rejoice to know it. No sinner trusting Christ will ever go to hell! He declares, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish!” We are hedged in with such blessed promises of our God to keep us from despair. But, on the other side, we are hedged about with warnings, lest we presume. One such glaring warning is that which Jude holds before us in our text.
(Jude 1:5) I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Here is a glaring example of apostasy and a glaring example of God’s judgment falling upon those who having once escaped the corruptions of the world, turn back and walk no more with Christ. It is an example familiar to all, yet one that is quickly put out of mind. Therefore Jude says, “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this.” Following his example, I want to put you in remembrance of these things.
Once Saved
Jude speaks here of a people who were once saved and afterward destroyed. — “The Lord having saved the people out of the land of Egypt.” — In what sense can it be said that the Lord had saved those Israelites whom he “afterward destroyed”?
Israel was a nation and people chosen and favored of God above all others. He gave them distinct and great privileges. At the time appointed, he brought them out of the land of Egypt with an high hand and a mighty arm. He saved them out of their bondage and delivered out of the hand of their oppressors. He heard their sorrowful cry, and delivered them from the land of affliction.
There are many who experience such things as Israel experienced in what is called salvation. They are saved (delivered) from bondage and corruption, favored with great light, and experience great things. Yet, like the Israelites, they perish in unbelief (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:23-30; 2 Pet. 2:19-22). Like Israel, they appear to follow Christ, they are delivered from outward corruptions and vices, outwardly sanctified. They know many things. They know the way of truth. But there is no work of grace wrought in their souls, no faith in their hearts. They are as lost as the Egyptians in the Red Sea.
(Hebrews 6:4-6) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, (5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, (6) If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
(Hebrews 10:23-30) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (24) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: (25) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (26) For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (28) He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (30) For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
(2 Peter 2:19-22) While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. (20) For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (21) For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. (22) But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
Afterward Destroyed
Read the text again. “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.”
These men, so greatly enlightened, and having tasted to good Word of God and the powers of the world to come, were “afterward destroyed” because they “believed not.” Their carcasses fell in the wilderness by the hand of divine judgment, one after another, for forty years.
All who came out of Egypt, twenty years old and older, except two, Joshua and Caleb, were destroyed in the wilderness, because they did not believe God. They saw his mighty works. They ate manna from heaven. They saw the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. They drank water out of “the Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ.” Yet, they were destroyed in the wilderness. They never entered the land of rest. Why, because they “believed not.” — The Lord God was not well-pleased with them because they believed not (1 Cor. 10:5).
Lessons
What does the Holy Spirit intend for us to learn from all this? Why has he inspired Moses, David, Paul, Peter, and Jude to remind us again and again of those great multitudes who perished in unbelief?
1. The only way sinners can please God is by faith in Christ. — “They that are in the flesh cannot please God!”
(Hebrews 11:5-6) By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. (6) But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
2. All unbelief is covetousness, idolatry, and rebellion, revealing man’s utter hatred of God.
3. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” — The Lord God looks upon the heart. He sees right through all our outward religion and sees our hearts!
4. A mere profession of faith is not salvation.
5. You can enjoy great knowledge of divine things and never know God.
6. A person can experience wondrous things, and never experience grace in his soul.
Those Jews who perished in the wilderness experienced the passover. — They crossed the Red Sea. — They sang triumphantly of God’s amazing grace. — They were given God’s law. — They worshipped at the door of the tabernacle and sacrificed at God’s altar. — Yet, they “believed not.”
7. God sometimes does great things for people in a providential way, who are later destroyed, because they “believed not.”
8. There are multitudes to whom God gives great honors, even in his house and among his people (Nabab and Abihu), who yet perish, because they “believed not.”
In short, there are many who appear to be heirs of grace and eternal life, appear to have faith in Christ, and appear to walk with Christ, who yet believe not. They come out of Egypt with Moses, and Joshua, and Caleb. They experience great deliverances, they enjoy great benefits. Yet, they believe not! And, at last, they perish in this wilderness, being destroyed by the hand of God!
Their Destruction
The account of the terrible destruction Jude speaks of here is recorded in Numbers 13 and14. God’s mighty hand had delivered Israel, whom he brought safely across the desert to the borders of Canaan. At the door to Canaan at Kadesh-barnea, spies were sent to spy out the land before the final invasion was to take place. Ten came back and gave “an evil report of the land” (13:32). They said, “We can’t handle those people; they’re huge. They’re giants and we’re grasshoppers!” In a word, they said, “God is not able to save us.” But two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, came back and said, “The Canaanites will be no problem. God is with us. He is able to save us to the uttermost. He will give us this land.”
But the people “believed not.” Therefore God swore that they would not enter into the land and destroyed them in the wilderness. They had every reason to believe him. He had proved himself to them again and again; but they “believed not.” They turned their backs upon God. Therefore, God turned his back upon them. Jude holds these people before us and says, “Be warned!”
(Hebrews 10:35-39) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. (36) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. (37) For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (38) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
(Hebrews 3:12-19) Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. (13) But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (14) For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; (15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (16) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (17) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
(Hebrews 4:1-2) Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. (2) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
A Refuge of Lies
II. Sooner or later, the Lord God will sweep away every refuge of lies (Isa. 28:14-22).
(Isaiah 28:14-22) Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. (15) Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: (16) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (17) Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. (18) And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (19) From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report. (20) For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. (21) For the LORD shall rise up as in mount Perazim, he shall be wroth as in the valley of Gibeon, that he may do his work, his strange work; and bring to pass his act, his strange act. (22) Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.
Make Sure
III. My final word to you is this. — Make your calling and election sure.
(2 Peter 1:10-11) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Cast away every refuge of lies in which you hope to make yourself secure before God and trust Christ alone…
· For Atonement!
· For Righteousness!
· For Acceptance!
· For Salvation!
If you go to hell, this will be the reason. It will be because you believe not. Oh, God help you to believe, for Christ’s sake. Believing him, take this word of assured grace hope with you, rejoicing.
(Philippians 1:6) Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
(Jude 1:24-25) Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, (25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever.
Amen.