Jude 17-25
Jude • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”
17-19 - Don’t be surprised
The apostle’s predicted there would be scoffers who...
Scoffer is synonymous with a mocker
We have to accept that people will come in the midst of the body of Christ who don’t accept it’s truth
There is a difference between doubting and judging God’s Word…and the mocker is one who cast judgement on God’s Word…
Kristy shared a quote with me from Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth that said we ought to be careful that we don’t stand in judgement over God’s Word but rather that we allow God’s Word to stand in judgement over us.
When we don’t allow God’s word to be our judge, we mock His revelation in preference of the desire of our flesh.
When we follow OUR ungodly passions instead of God’s Word…we eventually become mockers of God’s Word in the church...
Some would not recognize themselves as mockers
Instead of engaging their doubts against the Word, they promote what they feel is true in their heart
They wouldn’t recognize themselves as mocking God’s Word, but
Some know they disagree with God’s Word and allow differences with God’s Word fester into bitterness against those who are trying to live according to it
The scoffer knows their positions are divisive and willfully use their views to gain influence among the church.
As Jude says of them earlier...
4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
The fruit of the mocker is described here...
19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
They are devoid of the Spirit
The role of Holy Spirit is to bring conviction to our hearts about the Lord’s will
Holy Spirit guides our decision making for what we ought to do and what we ought not do.
Jude is saying, the mocker is devoid of the Spirit.
The mocker has allowed themselves to be guided by their fleshly desire rather than by the Spirit...
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
The result of not being led by the desires of the Spirit is to be led by the flesh and sin
They Cause Division
Since the Fall of man after Adam and Eve took of the forbidden fruit, the curse came with a promise of conflict even between husband and wife...
16 To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
When we follow the flesh instead of the Spirit, we operate in the heritage of fallen man
They follow worldly passions
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
20-21 - Remain in God’s Love
Keep (IMPERATIVE) yourselves in the love of God
Building (PARTICIPLE) yourselves up in the holy faith (Contrast to causing Division)
Commit to the body of Christ
11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Praying (PARTICIPLE) in the Holy Spirit (contrast devoid of Spirit)
Pray as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray
[Prayer time w/o requests or direction]
Waiting (PARTICIPLE) for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (Contrast worldly people)
that leads to eternal life
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
22-23 - Help the Broken
The presence of mockers who are not following Jesus and Lord and Master and are not being guided by Holy Spirit will result in the harm to other in the body of Christ who are still trying to follow Jesus.
Sin yields confusion…personally and corporately…as a church we are called to step into the confusion and minister to those who may be harmed by false teachers and mockers..
Have mercy on those with doubts
Engage with real questions of faith
Save others by snatching out of the fire
Warn those who are caught in the fire of a mocker
Show mercy with fear
Give grace to those who are burned in the fire of a mocker
24 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,
25 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.
24-25 - Praise the Lord
GO WITH THIS...
Let the Word of God judge your heart lest you become a mocker
Keep yourself in the love of God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Pray for and restore those who desire to walk in repentance and belief.
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
5 For each will have to bear his own load.