Sustaining Faith

Jude 17-25

Jude 17 “But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;”

The church addressed here had already heard the apostles original message, believed it, and accepted it; however they had not received a new revelation for sometime

Looking to the word of God

Jude 18 “for they said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts.””

Scoffers: those who make a joke of the faith. They view life from a non spiritual perspective.

They create division and this means that they create opportunities for Satan to slip in through the crack.

Their desire is to do things that are ungodly.

Jude 19 “It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions.”

They have no spirit within them. There is nothing to them

They cause God’s people to split

Three types of individuals

Worldly People - KJV refers to These by they. This means that they followed natural instincts

Causing divisions - KJV refers to who separate themselves They judge others by creating what they believe to be spiritual and non spiritual. Not according to God’s word

Devoid of the Spirit - KJV refers to having not the spirit To be sensual means being natural. To be natural means that one does not have the Holy Spirit. Reference: Romans 8:9

Romans 8:9 NRSV

But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Jude 20 “But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit;”

Christians must build up others and themselves.

The reason is because the Christian could not continue to devote themselves to the faith if they were focused on resisting the scoffers.

The Christian must grow each day in their faith and keep themselves under the protection of God’s love

Faith has to be the foundation of what we build upon. As we understand His truth, and study God’s word, then we are able to grow.

Without Scripture there is no growth. Without the Word there is no maturity.

We must pray according to the spirit leading us. Pray that God’s will is done. Not that your will is done.

Jude 21 “keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”

We should make God’s love the center of our lives. Philippians 2:12–13 “Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed me, not only in my presence, but much more now in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

God’s love is not dependent on my actions but my actions are dependent upon God’s love for me.

Waiting for our Saviour Jesus Christ - means that we have the spirit of expectations. We know that Jesus is coming again. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”

Jude prayed this prayer in Jude 2 “May mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance.”

We must grow in the Word, pray in the Spirit, and wait patiently for his coming

Jude 22 “And have mercy on some who are wavering;”

Correction must be done with compassion and holy grief. (Lamentations 3:33 “for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.”

3 grounds for Holy Grief

The dishonour done to God (Psalm 119:136 “My eyes shed streams of tears because your law is not kept.”

The harm and destruction that you bring upon yourself, when they have no care of their own souls (Jeremiah 13:17 “But if you will not listen, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.”

Our sinful nature that at times goes unchecked (Galatians 6:1 “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.”

Jude 23 “save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.”

Sin resembles a fire. It is dangerous, it spreads, and it can destroy. Believers should be God’s Firemen

Story about Self-salvation not the only concern of Christians:—A man who has been shipwrecked with a thousand others happens to get upon the shore, and the others are all down in the surf. He goes up into a fisherman’s cabin and sits down to warm himself. This fisherman says, “Oh, this won’t do. Come out and help me to get these others out of the surf.” “Oh, no!” says the man; “it’s my business now to warm myself.” “But,” says the fisherman, “these men are dying; are you not going to give them help?” “Oh, no! I’ve got ashore myself, and I must warm myself!” That is what people are doing in the Church to-day.

(T. De Witt Talmage.)

Others refers to Non believers

Mercy forgives the false steps of new believers and guides to build them up their faith in the Bible study, prayer, love, and hope.

and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies.”

Jude uses the imagery of contaminated clothing to show how they corrupt the flesh. The flesh represents the principle of sin. A Leper had to burn their clothing because it was believed that when their clothing touched their body then the clothing was contaminated. Showing love for the sinner does not exclude a hatred for the sin. Therefore, believers have to beware of getting entangled with those who sin because the sinner influence could overpower you if you are not consistent in your relationship with God

Jude 24 “Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing,”

God, the person who deserves the praise. Glory and honor is due upon the name of God. We should praise the presence of God forever

Keep you from falling - keep you from falling from grace

On the day of the Lord, believers will be without fault (without blemish). Jude is not suggesting that believers won’t have trials. He will make his own, who have not abandoned Him, blameless on the last day. God will complete the saving work on that day

Jude 25 “to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

A word of praise to the only God who is our Saviour through Jesus Christ

God has the power to preserve people from falling away.

God has the divine power available to believers as they contend with scoffers. We must praise God because He is able to protect you from falling into sinful practices of false teachers and grant you an entrance into His glorious presence.

The Big Idea of Jude

Jude might be the most neglected book in the New Testament. The author’s harsh tone and citation of nonbiblical sources have been off-putting for many preachers. But his message is one we and our congregants need. Arrogant, licentious influencers in the church still pose a threat, using grace as an excuse for undermining biblical standards of sexuality.

SUBJECT: How does Jude instruct the church when troubled by godless influencers in its midst?

COMPLEMENT: To beware of them and to contend for the faith by mercifully ministering to one another and trusting God to keep his people.

EXEGETICAL IDEA: Jude instructs the church, when troubled by godless influencers in its midst, to beware of them and to contend for the faith by mercifully ministering to one another and trusting God to keep his people.

HOMILETICAL IDEA: When professing Christians cheapen grace and say that anything goes, the church must keep the faith and trust God to keep his people faithful.

This idea views the doxology as essential to the letter’s message. Depending on circumstances (e.g., if the congregation is hearing a series on sexuality), a preacher might consider being more specific in the wording of the big idea, including something about licentiousness or the erosion of God’s standards for sex.

Kenneth Langley, The Big Idea Companion for Preaching and Teaching: A Guide from Genesis to Revelation, 2021, 587.