Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction to Jude’s Letter (v.1-2)
Who is Jude?
He was one of the original 12 apostles, also called Thaddeus
Matthew 10:3 (ESV)
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Luke 6:16 (ESV)
and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
John 14:22 (ESV)
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?”
He was the brother of James the half-brother of Jesus
Matthew 13:55 (ESV)
Is not this the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother called Mary?
And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?
Jude however feels it is necessary to not see him as merely the brother of Christ, but as a fellow slave of Jesus.
We conclude from this that the most important relationship (especially, with God) is as a slave or servant of this same Jesus
When was it written?
Due to the scarcity of information, we must rely on the attestation of Clement (early church father in the (90’s AD) along with there being no mention of the destruction of the temple (70 AD).
This puts the letter being authored in the late 60’s AD.
What is the context of this writing?
(who is it for, and what is their challenge?)
Christianity is facing harsh political pressure/persecution from Rome
Gnostic-like apostates have infiltrated the church and are spreading heresies that would lead believers away from sound doctrine and into errors spread by their false doctrine
Jude seems to be writing to those who would have a deep knowledge of Jewish traditions, so he most likely is talking to those who had been converted from Judaism.
The Danger Within the Church (v.3-4)
v. 3
Jude shows his love for this group of believers by referring to them as “beloved”
He has an eagerness to take joy in the glory that is their “common salvation”, but is compelled by the Spirit to address this problem in the church
We see his plea for them (and by proxy, us) to fight or contend earnestly for this faith.
“epagonizomai” - to fight/contend for seriously or with conviction.
This term was derived from the ancient Roman wrestling matches that took place.
He is drawing on the one-on-one, hand-to-hand combat and the struggle between those 2 forces.
This faith has been “once for all delivered to the saints”
this faith has already been established and therefore can’t/won’t be altered in any way
many other religions or cults directly contradict this plain statement.
We see that these apostolic writings finish off the written revelation from God.
There are no other writings necessary, and there are no additional church traditions required for our salvation.
v. 4
these are not false teachers in the sense that they have just misunderstood or incorrectly interpreted a small doctrinal matter, they have “crept in” deviously, with the intent to pervert or mislead the church
God knew they were coming and has given a warning of there danger and foretells their condemnation;
1 Peter 2:8 (ESV)
and
“A stone of stumbling,
and a rock of offense.”
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
Isaiah 8:14 (ESV)
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
Jude says they are twisting the grace of God as an excuse to freely live an ungodly life or to be caught up in “sensuality” (sexual perversion or sin)
Jesus Will Save His People…and Judge Sinners v.5-7
v. 5a
Here we see the value and beauty of textual criticism and the potential it has to bring truth to light.
Before the turn of this century, Jude’s account said, “that the Lord, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt” or something roughly translated to that.
The process of textual criticism, by examining the entirety of manuscripts we have of Jude, has shown that the earliest/most reliable copies show Jude identifying Israel’s rescuer as Jesus.
Jude 5 (KJV 1900)
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Jude 5 (ESV)
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 reiterates what we hear the angel tell Joseph about the then coming child and how He will fully live up to the name Jesus by saving “His people from their sins.”
Which the recounting of Israel being led from Egypt demonstrates.
Matthew 1:21 (ESV)
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
v. 6b-7
In contrast to the faithful saving by Jesus of his people, we see 3 analogies that show He has and will bring judgement to sinners.
Jesus freed all of Israel from the chains of Egypt, but those who would not trust and follow God…were destroyed and did not reach the Promised Land.
the second analogy most likely draws on Jewish tradition and some apochryphal literature (and maybe Genesis 6), we see God even faithfully condemning angels who have rebelled and sinned.
We can draw from this that even the judgement of God doesn’t show partiality.
in the third, Jude recalls the all too familiar account of Sodom and Gomorrah.
They pursued the lusts of their wicked hearts and “their punishment of eternal fire” serves as a reminder and a promise of what will come of those who will not repent.
Reservations for their Outcome v. 8-16
v. 8-10
Jude connects these enemies to the ancient enemies “in like manner” and shows us how they are
the reject the authority of Holy Scripture and instead rely on their dreams for revelation
the are still serving the flesh and defile it with sexual immorality
they are blasphemers
Jude may be referring something (about Moses body after death) that has been lost to time.
It isn’t recorded in the OT, but was apparently common amongst Jewish tradition
we can gather from v. 9 that even Michael the archangel, the highest ranking angel, knew his place in relation to Yahweh.
He is not his own authority and he is not the Judge.
These teachers have failed to recognize what the most powerful angel was able to submit to.
These teachers have no understanding of God’s salvific plan…and thus they blaspheme God.
Like animals they follow their instincts (Jeremiah 17:9) and so, that which they do understand ultimately leads to their demise
v. 11-13
History repeats itself, and like those who refused to follow God before them.
They are filled with hatred (a), greed (b), and rebellious (c).
They wickedness and rebellion led to their ultimate judgement.
Cain (Genesis 4)
Balaam (Numbers 22)
Korah (Numbers 16)
As believers, we are called to be doers and not only hearers (James 1:22) of God’s word, these false teachers can be known by their works.
They can look or sound like something good, but like clouds without water they bring nothing of worth to the body of Christ.
Jesus tells us in Matthew how to find them out...
Matthew 7:15–20 (ESV)
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
You will recognize them by their fruits.
Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
These heretics will fizzle out like burnt-out stars, we must call them out so others don’t follow them to eternal darkness
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