This Sunday, we will learn a simple but profound new song: Jude Doxology by Ghost Ship that fits perfectly with our sermon series through the book of Exodus.

The chorus is based on a passage we hear often at Indian Creek. Pastor Jake frequently likes to end worship services with a benediction from Scripture. He and I share the same go-to benediction passage:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory 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 24–25 ESV)

Now, you might be wondering, "What does a doxology from Jude have to do with the book of Exodus? Aren't they even in different testaments?" At first, the listener may be confused. Check out how the song begins: "Remember Jesus brought you out of Egypt." We know that Jesus doesn't come to earth as the Son of Man until thousands of years after the Israelites were delivered from slavery in Egypt. Is the songwriter confused? 

To reconcile these questions, we should visit the text of Jude itself. In his letter, Jude, the brother of Christ, explicitly gave Jesus the credit for delivering Israel from Egypt. Look at verse 5.

Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. (Jude 5 emphasis mine)

That's quite a claim! But Jude is in good company.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul made similar statements. He wrote that Jesus was the spiritual Rock from which Israel drank in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:4). He went on in 1 Corinthians 10:9 to assert that the Israelites put Christ himself to the test in the wilderness.

John opened his Gospel with the startling claim that Jesus, being the Word of God, was there at Creation.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:1–3)

The point is simple: God the Father and God the Son are one (with God the Spirit) (see John 10:30). When we see God working, we see the Son working (and the Spirit working). I would argue that other passages like Colossians 1:15–20, Hebrews 1:1–3, Revelation 5:7 and others validate the point. 

But there's another point to the book of Jude (and, therefore, to the song). 

Jude wrote to put steel in the spine of the early church, who faced persecution and apostasy. He encouraged the church to "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3). Then he launched into a brief overview of God's mighty works among His people. And He ended with the stunning doxology of vv. 24–25, ascribing eternal glory, majesty, dominion, and authority to the Lord. 

How can we contend for faith? Why should we stand up for our God?

Because He has stood up for us! Because He deserves all glory and honor and power! Because there is no one like our Triune God!

This Sunday, we will hear from the law. The same principle applies. Why should the lives of the Israelites be distinct from the surrounding pagan nations? Why should they take care to listen to God?

Because He has stood up for them! Because He deserves all glory and honor and power! Because there is no one like our Triune God!

Throughout the Torah, we hear the same argument over and over. Obey God because He brough you out of Egypt. We will hear it again this Sunday. 

Christians need to hear the same message. Obey God because He brought you out of slavery to sin and death!

When we remember who God is and what He has done, we will live rightly in response to His great power. Our lives will be the doxology.

We need to be reminded often.

Jude Doxology by Ghost Ship

Remember, Jesus brought you out of Egypt.
Remember, He has sought you as His people.
Remember, He has saved you from your sin.
Remember, remember Him.

Remember, Jesus brought you through the Red Sea.
Remember, mighty miracles that you have seen.
Remember, you were slaves and now are free.
Remember, that He is king.

To the only God, our Savior, Jesus Christ
Be glory, honor, power, and dominion,
Before all time, and now, and evermore!

Remember, Jesus raised above the heavens.
He's coming, He is coming with his kingdom.
Do not forget, He is seated on the throne.
Remember what He has done.

To the only God, our savior, Jesus Christ
Be glory, honor, power, and dominion,
Before all time, and now, and evermore!

Before all time, and now, and forevermore!