Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church

3239 Rosebud Road Walnut Cove NC 27052
Pastor: Dr. Tim Nelson -  Church Office 336-591-36112
A Place To Encounter God Face To Face. Gen. 32:3

A Word From The Pastor Archives 2024
October 2024
 

"Woe to them [apostates]!  For they have gone..., have run..., and perished....  12 These are spots; clouds without water, carried about by the winds; trees without fruit;  13 raging waves; wandering stars.....  Jude 1:11-13

The way of Cain, the error of Balaam, and the gainsaying of Korah, describes the apostates that infiltrated the church in the first century and these same kind of challenges are confronting the church today.  Jude then uses multiple metaphors in expressing the horror of the evil corrupters of the professing church.  Jude describes the apostates as sunken rocks ("spots") leading to shipwreck; clouds, giving promise of refreshing showers but in reality without water and the sport of every wind; trees, for a time making a fair show but bringing forth no fruit, twice dead (by nature and by profession), and in the end rooted up:  raging waves of the sea, making a great display of power, but in reality foaming out things that are to their shame; wandering stars, appearing with meteoric brilliancy for a time only to wander into "blackness of darkness forever" (vs 13).

As the church confronts the challenges of apostasy today, Jude admonshes the church to CONTEND FOR THE FAITH!  Be alert and aware and contend for the faith.

Adapted from:  https://bibletruthpublishers.com/the-course-of-the-evil-jude-1-11-13/hamilton-smith/the-epistle-of-jude-an-expository-outline/h-smith/la153193

HISTORY OF PASTOR APPRECIATION DAY
Each year, the second Sunday in October marks a special day of recognition for church pastors known as Pastor Appreciation Day.  This dates back to 1992 when it was originally known as Clergy Appreciation Day.  The idea behind the day is that church congregants take at least one day per year to show gratitude for everything pastors do dor their church.  Many churches celebrate their pastors throughout the year, but this day provides a specific day for recognition.

Taking the time to genuinely recognize all the work that pastors do for a congregation is so important.  A pastor's role is uniquely stressful in that it doesn't have typical 8-5 business hours.  Weeks are long, and the role carries a lot of emotional, mental, and spiritual weight.  There are few, if any, "off-the-clock moments" for a pastor.  They constantly work to meet the needs of the congregation.  Pastor Appreciation Day is a great opportunity to reciprocate that.

Adapted from:  https://www.churchrelevance.com/2019/10/07/history-of-pastor-appreciation-day/

"But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;"  Jude 17 (KJV)

In Jude 17-23, he gives three exhortations in view of the ungodly men whom he describes and condemns in this brief letter.  Jude twice says, "But you beloved..." (verses 17, 20).  He has been describing the evil activities and words of the ungodly false men who had infiltrated the church.  Now he compares who they were with the "but you" --- and emphasizes the behavior required by the true holy people of God.

He said "remember the words of the Apostles."  He said, "build yourself up in your most holy faith."  And thirdly he said, "keep yourself in the love of God," while we wait.  So Jude does write about our "common faith," and encourages the believers to "contend for the faith."  Whether we are confronted by ungodly men or any thing against "the faith once delivered" let us contend for the faith and do so, as we remember, build up, and keep ourselves in God's love.

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling...,"  Jude 24a

Jude closes his letter with a doxology - "an expression of praise to God."  There is much to be learned from our praise because every statement we make about God assumes that we believe it.  If we believe what we say about God, then our lives should reflect those truths.  In other words, praising God is not only right and appropriate, but is is also very practical.

Jude identifies two key aspects of God's nature in these words of praise.  First, he praises God's ability to both protect and preserve (v. 24).  Then, he praises God's character according to His person, promise, privilege, and permanence (v.25).

Let us join with Jude to praise our Lord for what He does and who He is and reflect these truths by how we live out our faith each day.