But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating the garment polluted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 17-25)

He was and REJECTED by men A man of and acquainted with GRIEF Isaiah 53:5

But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Hebrews 2:9-10)

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

You Aren’t Good Enough, But… God’s Grace Is Great Enough: We know ourselves. Our failures form an ugly nasty mountain of sin. Striving for “gooder” isn’t good enough (Rom 7:15-19, 24) Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more (Rom 5:20-21) God is HOLY HOLY HOLY. I am not holy, therefore, I cannot abide in His presence. Grace is still greater (Rom 3:23-24; 1 Pet 1:13) Sometimes it’s struggles in life that shake our hope and assurance. We don’t feel strong enough to endure. How can we make it? God’s grace is greater. God will… (I Peter 5:10-11) We don’t have hope because our works are so righteous, we have hope because we have been justified in mercy by grace. It’s not a matter of worthiness. We are unworthy! (Titus 3:5-7)

You Aren’t Good Enough, But… The Blood Of Jesus Is Great Enough: We can’t easily erase the memory of sins. Scars and physical reminders remain. Guilt & regret abound. Me… Heaven… How? Remember the church at Corinth (I Cor. 6:9-11) – Such WERE… BUT you were. What changed? They had been washed This brings us to blood. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough to wash the stains of sin so white and pure that you can abide in Heaven in the presence of God. (Revelation 7:13-15) God has promised as we walk in the light the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from our sins. Yes, we must walk in the light. Yes, we must confess our sins. But what is the foundation? (I John 1:1-7)

You Aren’t Good Enough, But… The Power Of God Is Great Enough: Sometimes it seems like we think God saves us in our baptism, but from then on it’s up to our work to make sure we are saved We are to work out our own salvation… but notice the foundation. We do it knowing it is God who works in us! (Phil. 2:12-13) Paul prays for the Philippians’ strength, but focuses them back on God who is at work doing FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY (Phil 3:20) Being faithful unto death is a daunting idea. God is able to protect and you make you stand. No squeaking by! (Jude 24) The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is at work in & through us for salvation (Eph 1:18-21; Heb 13:20-21) Would God really send Jesus to die for us and say, “Okay, good luck with being righteous. You’re on your own now!” - ???

Some Practical Applications… Why do we still struggle to have hope and assurance? When we battle bad doctrine, we tend to swing like a pendulum. Don’t’ fear saying what the Bible says the way the Bible says it! We think with a comparative righteousness. Those who we perceive more holy have a greater hope than I do. We may be approaching salvation from a performance based mindset and not even realize it. What is the foundation?

Some Practical Applications… Our thoughts and words can tell on us… “If sister Jones doesn’t make it to Heaven none of us have a chance” – Is she your standard? A “good enough” approach “I’d be fine being a janitor in Heaven cleaning toilets just as long as I get in” – Some squeak by while other blaze in? Deserve? “I hope on the day of judgment God doesn’t bring up something I forgot or wasn’t aware of.” There’s ZERO hope & assurance here “Do you know you’re going to Heaven?” – Hesitate? Uncertain?

Some Practical Applications… Some concerns that may be running through your mind: Doesn’t this give people a license to live in sin? God will be greater than their sin, so just keep sinning (Rom 6:1-2; Titus 2:11-12) If I talk with this confidence, won’t I sound denominational? No, but you may start sounding Biblical! (Acts 20:27) Where does baptism fit into this? Isn’t it a work? Is it something I perform? It is about God’s great grace, Jesus’ great blood, and God’s great power! Teach it that way! (Acts 22:16; Col. 2:12) Does this mean obedience doesn’t matter? Obedience is certainly vital. It’s necessary for salvation. But ultimately, it’s not the foundation. Hope in the Lawgiver, not the law (Rom 9:30-10:2)

Some Practical Applications… David’s battle with Goliath is an excellent parallel to these ideas (1 Samuel 17:46-47)

This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.” 1 Samuel 17:46-47

Some Practical Applications… Such a focus is crucial if we are going to be successful at rescuing the perishing: If we don’t have real hope & assurance it will be heard & felt If I don’t live with real hope and assurance, why should I expect a lost person listen to what I have to say about being saved? They know they need hope & assurance, but I don’t seem to have it! A sober warning: Taking the “I’m going to be good enough” approach puts you on dangerous ground in your relationship with Christ and the grace of God! (Galatians 5:4)