Jude 20-23
Spiritual Breathing
August 31, 2025
Introduction
“Prepare the child for the road, not the road for the child.” – Unknown
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False teachers creeping in (v. 4)
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God’s judgment on rebellion (vv. 5–7)
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Character of the false teachers (vv. 8–16)
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Apostles’ warnings (vv. 17–19)
Truth: The church both hurts and heals.
Inhale God’s Truth
Jude 20 – “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit…”
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“The faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3)
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Counterfeit illustration: You know the fake by studying the real.
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There is an empowering ease to surrendering our will to the will of God.
Inhale God’s Love
Jude 21 – “…keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
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Romans 8:38–39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
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We do not “earn” His love, but we must live aware of it.
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“To be fully known and truly loved is… like being loved by God.” – Tim Keller
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Lamentations 3:22–26 – God’s mercies are new every morning; His faithfulness is great.
Exhale God’s Mercy
Three ways we exhale mercy:
1. Exhale Mercy to the Doubting
Jude 22 – “And have mercy on those who doubt…”
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Doubt presupposes faith. You don’t wrestle with God unless you’re already reaching for Him.
2. Exhale Bold Mercy to the Endangered
Jude 23a – “…save others by snatching them out of the fire…”
3. Exhale Mercy with Discernment
Jude 23b – “…to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
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Galatians 6:1 – Restore with gentleness, but keep watch over yourself lest you be tempted.
Takeaways
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Only inhaling = knowledge without mercy.
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Only exhaling = works without depth.