CONTENDING FOR CHRIST
JUDE

LIFE APPLICATION FROM THE SCRIPTURE:
We must live by the faith and for the faith.

DISCUSSION OF THE SCRIPTURE;
Preservation from Apostasy–1:1-2
Warning about Apostasy–1:3-23
Contending against apostates–1:3-4
Conduct of apostates–1:5-16
Examples in the past–1:5-7
Actions in the present–1:8-16
Rejecting authority
Walking in error
Leading falsely
Pleasing self
Consequences of apostasy–1:17-23
Warning
Divisions
Separation from apostasy
Victory over Apostasy–1:24-25

THEY CAME TO SEE THE TOMB
Matthew 28:1-6

LIFE APPLICATION FROM THE SCRIPTURE:
We need to look for great things from God and not settle for a tomb.

DISCUSSION OF THE SCRIPTURE:
They came to see the tomb–Matthew 28:1
“See” is actually from the word which should be translated as “marvel”. They came to marvel at a tomb instead of marvel at God’s work through Christ.
Forgetting to look at what God can do prevents us from enjoying the great blessings of God’s work.
We find ourselves stuck in a tomb of faith when:
We allow ourselves to die from spiritual malnutrition:
A lack of Bible study and Bible teaching and Bible preaching will lead to spiritual death.
A liberal view of the Bible will lead to spiritual death.
A hyper conservative view of the Bible will lead to spiritual death.
Jesus wants us to have a faith that is both submissive and active.
We allow ourselves to stop growing
We become negligent in our spiritual endeavors.
1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 4:5
God came to do a great things–Matthew 28:2-10
God sent a messenger who literally shook the earth–Matthew 28:2-5
God gave a message that turned the world upside down–Matthew 28:6-8
Discipled brethren were full of joyous hope–Matthew 28:9-10
God doesn’t settle for average–Genesis 1:31; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 15:57; Ephesians 1:3
God wants us to do great things–Matthew 28:11-20
Some will do all they can to hinder God’s progress–Matthew 28:11-15

Some will do all they can to be a part of God’s progress–Matthew 28:16-20
Now we are to go forth and do great things: Acts 4:31; Acts 5:42; Acts 8:4.

INVITATION FROM THE SCRIPTURE:
Look at yourself. Do you see a spiritual tomb or do you see God’s work? God wants to work through your life and for your life. Before God can work in and through us, we must die to the world in repentance and be buried with Christ so that God can raise us as his children and soldiers of his cross. Submit to you God and expect your God to do great things.

WHAT ABOUT THE DINOSAURS?

LIFE APPLICATION:
The study of dinosaurs is another opportunity to be amazed at the great things God can create.

Discussion:
DO WE READ ABOUT DINOSAURS IN THE BIBLE?
We can be sure to read about dinosaurs in:
Exodus 20:11; John 1:3; Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:1.
There are some passages which may describe dinosaurs:
Job 40:15-24 & Job 41:1-34
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DINOSAURS?
No one is certain about what happened to the dinosaurs.
Maybe it has something to do with the flood of Genesis 7:
The flood destroyed all but two of them–Genesis 7:23.
Many scholars note that many of the largest dinosaur graveyards in the world as having been caused by a flood (described as seasonal or localized or flash flood).
Perhaps there weren’t several dinosaur killing floods. Maybe there was 1 global flood which wiped them all out?
The flood significantly altered the world from what it was to what we now know.
Human lifespan went from 8 or 9 hundred years to only 150-200 years old to our normal lifespan now–Genesis 5:3-32; Genesis 25:7.
The new concept of hunting–Genesis 9:2-3; Genesis 10:8-12.
Would the ark have been able to hold the dinosaurs and other animals?
20,000 different species (kinds) of animals exist. We can add another 20,000 that may have gone extinct between today and Noah. That would mean there would be a bit more than 80,000 animals on the ark. The average size of all animals has been suggested to be about the size of a sheep. Which would take about 50,000 square feet.
The ark was 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high (Genesis 6:15). The ark was built according to the perfect dimensions for a barge and contained approximately 100,000 square feet for storage (or 520 modern railroad boxcars).
The animals on the ark may not have been adults and may have possibly hibernated the entire time. Either way, we know that God is in control and he can make his will to come to pass despite our perceived limitations.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION FOR US?
Don’t get carried away with evolution while studying dinosaurs–God’s Word is always right–Psalm 119:89; Psalm 119:7.
Be amazed with what God can creat. His creation shows His unlimited intelligence and power. The same God that made the dinosaurs made us just the way he wanted us–Psalm 139:14.
Recognize that the dinosaurs, though great, no longer exist. But we will continue to exist for eternity. Be ready.