CHRISTIAN STEADFASTNESS – THE DEPRIVATION

JUDE 14-19

As we have been walking through Jude – his letter of encouragement that he wanted to write turned into a letter of warning and call to arms.

False teachers evaded and was corrupting the Word of God – leading others away from God instead of to God

He called on them and us to guard our hearts, minds and souls and be careful who we allow to be a spiritual authority over us.

There is an old saying power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely – we see that with the false teachers not only of Jude’s day – but our day as well.

Jude cautioned them not to follow the false teachers who were repeating the sins of Cain, Balaam and Korah.

False teachers are devoid of love, desire money over God and intentionally disobey God – and we ended last week by asking ourselves – what kind of wave are we – full of foam and muck tearing up the coastline or moving ships along their destination; are you a waterless cloud that promises moisture or void of anything getting people’s hopes us

As we being to look at verse 14-19 today let us pray.

Jude 14-19 – THE DEPRIVATION

It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

I. THE DEPRIVATION

1. Prophecy—vv. 14–15. Christ will come, sending judgment upon the loose-living people.

v14 – It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,

Genesis 5:18-24 – When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died. When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. Enoch walked with God, and he was no more, for God took him.

v15 – to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.”

1. The Lord will come

2. He will bring His angels to execute judgement on the ungodly

3. Sin – what they have done – what they have said

He connects the past sin with the current state of affairs – these unbelievers will be judged

2. Plans—v. 16 – These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

These complainers faultfinders are never satisfied. You cannot praise and complain at the same time.

Not loving – not joyous – quick to be critical and quick to find and exploit the weakness in others

Most likely grumbling against God – like Israel did in the past

Exodus 16:2-3 – And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

Exodus 17:3 – But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?”

Numbers 11:1 – And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.

Paul gave a similar warning –

1 Corinthians 10:10 – nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

These people were smooth speakers so people would give them whatever they asked for – m

Hyperogkos – hoop er ong kos – overswollen, extravagant

Thaumazo – thou mad zo – wonder and marvel at to be held in admiration

Charin – khar in – for the pleasure of

Opheleia – o fel I ah – advantage and profit

They spoke in extravagant words to be held in high admiration for the pleasure of their own advantage and profit

Most likely taught what their itchy ears wanted to hear

2 Timothy 4:3-4 warned of the behavior – For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

But verse 5 says – As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Jude is calling on them to do the same – he is calling out the wolves in sheep’s clothing

II. THE DEDICATION—vv. 17–21

1. Prophecy—vv. 17–18 – But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”

A prophecy of people in the last days, who would enjoy living for sin, and having a good time.

But you must remember –

This is imperative – not you should – you must remember

Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

Matthew 10:16 – “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Matthew 24:11-13 – And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

v24 – For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

Jude John and Paul all warned the churches of these and these people

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 – If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

2 Timothy 3:1-9 – But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 – It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

ACTS 20:29 – I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

2. Problem—v. 19 – It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

a. These are the people that caused the division

b. These are the people that live worldly and not spiritually

c. These are the people who do not know the Holy Spirit – they are not believers

Caused Division –

Paul wrote about people like this in

1 Corinthians 11:19 – for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

We must with the discernment of the Holy Spirit know those that fighting for God from those who are fighting against God

Live for the world –

Paul again in 1 Corinthians warn about such people

1 Corinthians 2:13-14 – And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 15:44 – It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

And James 3:14-17 – But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Are you dedicated to working for God – His Will His Way – or against God – selfish ambition, your will your way?

Is it out of selfish ambition or recognition or is it out of obedience to God that come, read, serve, give?