WORTHY OF OUR PRAISE

"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, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." - Jude v. 24-25

During a typical year, accolades are given to highly successful athletes, actors and musicians.  It is not uncommon to turn the TV on & see an awards show of some kind being broadcast.

It is interesting to go back and research the archives and learn who won awards in previous decades.  Some of the award winners had short-term success & have since become unknown to most Americans.  It is a sobering reminder that success is fleeting.

There is One who has received praise in the past and will continue to receive it in the future.  He is the only One truly deserving of praise.  Most in our society today reject Him, yet their rejection does not diminish His worthiness.  He is worthy of our praise.  Although many wish to disregard Him, God is deserving of our highest praise. 

Presently at my church, I am preaching verse-by-verse through the New Testament book of Jude.  Jude concludes his epistle with a rousing climax:  "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, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."  These two verses constitute shouting material for the Spirit-filled believer.  Let's look at three things these verses reveal.

1.  PRESERVATION

First of all, we learn about the saint's preservation.  Jude wrote, "Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling..."  It is an exciting thought that we are kept by the power of God.  While our nation offers social security, God offers His people spiritual security.  Social security is limited, but God's security is endless.  This should cause us to rejoice!  My preservation is in His hands and not my own.  Allstate Insurance advertises that, "you are in good hands with Allstate."  There's better help than that!  You're in good hands when you're in God's hands!  In John 10:27-28, Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."  We're in secure hands because the Lord is protecting us!

2.  PRESENTATION

Secondly, Jude reveals a future presentation.  One day the Lord will "present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy."  We will never be perfect in this life, but one day the Lord will present us faultless.  He has a lot of work to do on me, what about you? 

Furthermore, we'll be presented faultless before the presence of His glory.  What an amazing thought!  We will be on display amid the splendor of His glory.  Notice that He will do it with great joy!  He will have great joy in presenting us on that day.  We, who've been changed by His amazing grace, will be a joy to Him!  That leads us back to where we started ... His praise!

3.  PRAISE

After such stirring insight, Jude concludes with a fitting doxology:  "To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."  Our awesome Savior deserves such a glorious tribute!  He will deserve our praise throughout eternity in heaven ... and yet He deserves our praise right now.  We have reason to rejoice and give Him praise.  Because of love, He chose us.  Through His mercy, He purchased us.  By His grace, He saved us.  With His power, He sustains us.  Ultimately, He will transform us into His likeness.  When you consider all He has done, is doing and will do in & through your life, it should make you want to shout & sing!

He is worthy of our praise!!!!