We are now studying the Book of Jude. And all the lessons are archived on our YouTube channel, Dr. Mike Bagwell.
Around 4:00 this afternoon the Class on Jude verse 2 will be posted there. And on Facebook as well, for that matter.
A short Text indeed …
“Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.”
Come study with us!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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The fancy term I just used, “nominative of address,” just means that someone has spoken to you!
Here’s the first example in Scripture, best I can find: “And the LORD God called unto ADAM, and said unto him, Where art thou?” Genesis 3:9
But this morning I am particularly interested in the times the Bible repeats names, a twofold (double) nominative of address!
The first of which occurred when God stopped Abraham from slaughtering his only son Isaac! “And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.” Genesis 22:11, King James Version.
The second concerns Jacob, when God led him to Egypt with his family, thus preserving the little Nation of Israel for four centuries! “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.” Genesis 46:2
Next comes Moses! When God called that giant of a man to serve Him, to lead the Israelites to freedom! “And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” Exodus 3:3
God getting His Word to young Samuel, the Lord still pastoring (shepherding) Israel the Nation! “And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.” 1 Samuel 3:10
I notice a trend here … God speaking or calling a name “twice” … always occurs at a critical moment in history, or in that person’s life!
Even ladies are so kindly treated, though in the midst of a patriarchal society. “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” A Text I preached in Revival two nights ago, Luke 10:41. The Lord here was gently teaching Martha (whom He loved) a very important lesson!
Yet another critical occurrence! “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.” Luke 22:31, bracing Peter for hard times ahead.
Here’s a major event! “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The day Saul of Tarsus was saved, Acts 9:4.
Here are some other Texts where “epizeuxis” is used by the Holy Spirit, writing the Bible. It’s a Greek word, essentially. It simply means “to join together.” In our Lesson, joining a person’s name together “twice” in immediate succession.
Matthew 7:21-22, teaching a Truth that could keep a soul out of Hell! “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
A very sad usage: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Matthew 23:37
God’s Name is twice called during the greatest Event the world has ever known, the Cross of Calvary. “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, MY GOD, MY GOD, why hast thou forsaken me?” Quoting Mark 15:34.
Some of these Accounts are, of course, repeated in the Synoptic Gospels, as you would expect.
What’s the point of all this?
God loves us enough not only to call us, but to doubly call us!
God knows how to emphasize truth, to accent it!
And surely we are to deduce this …
God, through His Word, wants each of us now to learn the critical significance of His persistent calling in our lives!
Wow!
Listen folks, when He is calling your name!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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Our text today … Romans 8:16, a classic verse of verses!
“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.”
This is speaking of God the Holy Spirit (indicated by the capital “S”) bearing witness to our human spirit (with the lower case “s”).
The human spirit is that part of man that has the capacity to commune with Almighty God. That part of us which possesses “God consciousness!”
When Jude speaks of apostates who are “twice dead” (Jude verse 12) … he is discussing men (or women) who are “dead” both in their human spirits as well as “dead” to God, to knowing Him! Hence his unique term, “twice dead!”
But when a person is saved by God’s Grace … that human spirit is born again! And the Holy Spirit moves into that life, actually into that body, physically even!
At that point … the Holy Spirit witnesses (testifies) that we are the children of God! In fact, the verb for “bearing witness” is framed in the present tense. Telling us we’re saved today and then tells us again tomorrow and yet again the next day! An ongoing conformation of our safety in Christ! A durative assurance, continuously so!
“Children” of God, “teknon” is the Greek noun used here … meaning genuine members of His Family! Members that might need to be chastened, trained, and matured along the highway of life! But clearly still “in” the Family!
Genuine, bonafide (derived from Latin meaning “in good faith!”) children, nonetheless!
Dear reader, do you have that abiding Holy Ghost produced WITNESS … proof that you are truly saved?
I do!
Though unworthy … yet a child of the King … via the shed Blood of Jesus Christ my Lord!
If you do not assuredly have that “witness,” begin seeking it today!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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The word “plodder” defined, at least as a verb: “to walk steadily, if slowly, with perseverance.” From my little perspective: “staying on task for the Lord, not quitting.”
Years ago one of my favorite Preaches wrote a book entitled “In Praise of Plodders.” A very encouraging little volume!
I just noticed a Book by an older Pastor in the Atlanta area named: “Plodders, the Improbables doing the Incredible.” (Though I have not read this one.)
Just saying … the idea of trudging along for Jesus (instead of quitting) is well known in Christianity. “Plod” … even when you can’t run! That sort of idea.
A man long ago named William Carey (back in the 1700s) was saved, called of God to be a missionary and became known “the father of modern missions.” He, though a “nobody” in the eyes of the world, said: “I can plod on. I can persevere!”
I am writing today to anyone discouraged in the faith. You might have become “weary in well doing,” quoting Galatians 6:9.
Don’t quit!
Don’t turn back!
Plod ahead!
In that Aesopian story of the hare and the tortoise … it was turtle who (while not setting any speed records) won the race! How? Simply by being a “plodder!”
My “life verse” compels me to desire to be such a person, to the Glory of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 … “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye STEDFAST, UNMOVEABLE, always abounding in the work of the Lord …”
Dear friends, the Holy Spirit living inside every single Believer … “energizes” us to at least … keep on going!
Don’t be among one of the casualties!
After all, like Old Testament Gideon was promised … “THE LORD IS WITH THEE.” (Judges 6:12)
Assuredly, He is with us too!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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Eight of them, “these things!”
Very important “things” in the Christian life, vitally so!
2 Peter 1 says if you have “these things” … that “they will make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”
Wow!
Peter adds that if a Christian does not have “these things” … “he will be blind, and not able to see afar off, and forget that he was purged from his old sins.”
Wow again!
Sounds like a sure formula for success (fruitfulness) in the Christian life, a recipe for maturity!
By now I MUST KNOW, what are these things?
Eight qualities I MUST DILIGENTLY ADD to my character if I am to enjoy an (Peter’s words again) “an abundant entrance” into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Peter then recaps with the startling truth that whoever possesses (in abundance) these “things” will “never fail!” The direct quote … “for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.”
Now, please tell me, what are these thing?
Faith!
Virtue!
Knowledge!
Temperance!
Patience!
Godliness!
Brotherly Kindness!
… and Charity, Love, “agape” Love!
Sounds like the “fruit of the Spirit” in many ways!
Yet Peter clearly says dogmatically we ae to “ADD” these traits to our daily deportment, lives, hearts, spirits!
Well, let’s get busy!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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