Sermon Outline: Jude 1:1-2 (The Marks of A True Christian) The Called

Introduction

• New series: walking through the book of Jude (one chapter, but deeply relevant).
• Warnings: false teachers infiltrating churches with watered-down doctrine.
• Today’s focus: Jude 1:1 — identity, calling, and assurance in Christ.

1. Jude’s Identity (v.1a)

“Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James…”

• Servant/Bondservant of Christ
• Term also used by Paul and James.
• Means total surrender — either a slave to Christ or a slave to self.
• Slave to self = never satisfied; slave to Christ = true fulfillment.
• Brother of James
• Jude establishes credibility—linked to James, half-brother of Jesus.
• Authority matters in warnings against false teachers.

Application: Where is your identity rooted? In self or in Christ?

2. The Audience (v.1b)

“To those who are called…”

• The Called of God
• God has always called His people (Isaiah 43:1–2).
• Christians are chosen, redeemed, and set apart to glorify God.
• Encouragement of Salvation
• Hebrews 7:25 — Jesus lives to intercede for us.
• Eternal Advocate = eternal security.

Application: If you are in Christ, you are called, known, and held by God.

3. The Assurance (v.1c)

“…beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.”

• Loved by God the Father
• His love is the foundation of our calling.
• Kept for Jesus Christ
• Believers are safe and secure in Him.
• Eternal security isn’t man’s idea—it’s God’s promise.
• Warning: This only applies to true believers.
• Shallow prayers, church attendance, or “asking Jesus into your heart” ≠ true conversion.
• True salvation = repentance, faith, and surrender to Christ alone.

Application: Don’t play church—get serious about eternity.

4. The Mission of the Church (Colossians 1:28)

• Proclaim Christ — the center of all preaching.
• Warn everyone — judgment for sin is real.
• Teach maturity — help believers grow into Christlikeness.

Application:

• Assurance flows from maturity.
• Childlike faith ≠ childish faith.
• Open your Bible. Read. Obey. Grow.

5. The Danger of Neglecting the Word

• Many avoid Scripture because it confronts sin.
• Comfortable flesh resists God’s truth.
• True peace and assurance come only by:
• Making war on sin.
• Trusting Christ’s finished work on the cross.
• Walking daily in obedience to His Word.

Conclusion

• Jude begins with encouragement: called, loved, and kept in Christ.
• But this only belongs to true believers.
• Eternity is real—don’t play games with your soul.
• Main Call: Open your Bible. Trust Christ. Live as one who is called, loved, and kept.

First Day Morning: Worship: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-morning-worship/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 17

1 Samuel 9: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+9

Romans 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+7

Jeremiah 46: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+46

Psalm 22: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+22

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 17, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/17

First Day Evening: The Teacher: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/first-day-evening-the-teacher/

Resources:

Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1

Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1

M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/

Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Seventh Day Morning: God’s Good Pleasure: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-morning-gods-good-pleasure/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 16

1 Samuel 7: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+7

1 Samuel 8: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+8

Romans 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+6

Jeremiah 44: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+44

Psalm 20: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+20

Psalm 21: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+21

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 16, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/16

Seventh Day Evening: Future Blessing: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/seventh-day-evening-future-blessing/

Resources:

Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1

Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1

M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/

Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

On Today's Show:

• Scripture Reading from the Legacy Standard Bible
• Prayers from the 2019 Book of Common Prayer
• Reading from Daily Readings From the Life of Christ by John MacArthur
• TODAY'S TOPIC!

Sponsored by Squirrelly Joe's Coffee — Share Coffee. Serve Humbly. Live Faithfully.

Five Day Bible Reading Plan - https://fivedaybiblereading.com/

The full LSB Bible, Old and New Testaments, are now available online, on the Literal Word app, and on Accordance!

• https://nasb.literalword.com/mobile/index.html
• https://read.lsbible.org/
• http://accordancebible.com/LSB/

2019 Book of Common Prayer downloadable here - https://bcp2019.anglicanchurch.net/

Theme music: Enfield’s recording of “Crown Him With Many Crowns” © 2010 by Resolved Music. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com

Sixth Day Morning: The Gospel: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-morning-the-gospel/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 15

1 Samuel 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+5

1 Samuel 6: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+6

Romans 5: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+5

Jeremiah 43: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+43

Psalm 19: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+19

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 15, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/15

Sixth Day Evening: The Mediator: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/sixth-day-evening-the-mediator/

Resources:

Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1

Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1

M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/

Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Join me for an inspiring conversation with legendary Christian artist Dallas Holm as we dive into music, ministry, and what it takes to leave a legacy that truly lasts.

Find out more about Dallas at https://www.dallasholm.com/about

This Episode is sponsored by Revo Financial. https://revofinancial.com/

Fifth Day Morning: The Giver: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-morning-the-giver/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson, August 14

1 Samuel 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=1+Samuel+4

Romans 4: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Romans+4

Jeremiah 42: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Jeremiah+42

Psalm 18: https://read.lsbible.org/?q=Psalm+18

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening, August 14, Evening: https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/2025/08/14

Fifth Day Evening: Protection: https://banneroftruth.org/us/devotional/fifth-day-evening-protection/

Resources:

Valley of Vision: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotional-books/the-valley-of-vision/

Spurgeon's Morning and Evening: https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Evening-Classic-Daily-Devotional/dp/1683227247/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_i=1683227247&psc=1

Legacy Standard Bible: https://316publishing.com/

Glorifying God, Thomas Watson: https://www.amazon.com/Glorifying-God-Inspirational-Messages-Thomas/dp/140418712X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.RxmikVPx1TbCsaSCjkzxXvQu3AKtIrHMzUnVuUojQXDf94C0nKibszGVgpGBwttw2fMNOjz4KCLQtgLkdNcXCQ.m9etrS0_7bNsGcyvw3NtwysBMrVzvuUG8XBRpIRXH7E&qid=1708794474&sr=8-1

M’Cheyne Bible Reading Plan: https://www.mcheyne.info/mcheyne-reading-plan/

Vail Valley Baptist Church GiveSendGo Campaign Link: https://www.givesendgo.com/vvbc-az-school

Don’t Waste Our Opportunity

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:10–21

0. The Reality of the Judgment Seat (v. 10)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

• Believers’ judgment is not for condemnation (Romans 8:1 makes that clear).
• This judgment is unto reward—the Bema Seat of Christ.
• Rewards will vary; greater faithfulness in following Christ will result in greater reward.
• This reality should fuel urgency in how we live and serve now.

1. The Fear of the Lord Fuels Our Mission (v. 11)

• Right View of God – Most people, even believers, lack a healthy, reverent fear of God.
• RC Sproul: “A healthy, reverent fear of Christ’s displeasure at the choices we often make is a healthy corrective.”
• Fear leads to wise choices – A balanced, reverential fear inspires holiness and accountability.
• Persuading Others – Not manipulation, but heartfelt appeal to accept the gospel.

2. Why We’re Here: Making Disciples (v. 11b, Col. 1:28)

• Our mission: Proclaim Christ, warn, and teach with wisdom.
• Goal: Present everyone mature in Christ.
• God knows our motives—half-hearted service is not hidden from Him.

3. Avoid Ministry Pride (v. 12)

• Not about programs or showing off ministry “success.”
• John MacArthur: False teachers take pride in outward appearance, not sincere hearts.
• Our focus: advancing Christ’s Kingdom, not our image.

4. Willing to Be Called Crazy (v. 13–15)

• Paul was seen as extreme—so will we be if we truly live for Christ.
• The love of Christ controls us—His death changes everything.
• True disciples stop living for themselves and live for the One who died and rose again.
• Until the cross becomes personal, our lives and loyalties won’t change.

5. A New Way of Seeing (v. 16–17)

• Salvation is a total transformation—we are new creations.
• The old is gone; the new has come.
• New life means new priorities, new purpose, new mission.

6. Entrusted with the Message (v. 18–19)

• We are reconciled to God through Christ.
• God has given us the ministry of reconciliation—to tell others they can be forgiven.
• We are message carriers with eternal news.

7. Ambassadors for the King (v. 20–21)

• Ambassador role: We speak on Christ’s behalf—eternal stakes are on the line.
• This is not a casual invitation—it’s a divine summons to be reconciled to God.
• Our mission field is not just overseas—it’s across the street.

8. Call to Action

• Stop wasting time on what doesn’t matter eternally.
• Get serious about evangelism and discipleship.
• Have a big vision for your church—if you don’t, who will?