SPIRITUAL PATRIOTS #2
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION
In our previous lesson on Spiritual Patriots we learned:
In our previous lesson on Spiritual Patriots we learned:
Of the need for Spiritual Patriots
The need to contend for and defend the Faith
That elders need to be alert
That false teachers do their damage from within - they come in unnoticed
In this lesson we will be looking at Jude 5-10, in which Jude will discuss:
In this lesson we will be looking at Jude 5-10, in which Jude will discuss:
Things Worth Remembering (5-7)
The Downfall of Dreamers (8-10)
5 Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. 6 And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
Soldiers learn by repetition
Military men receive their initial instruction under supervision of a drill sergeant
During basic training, he will require them to repeat exercises designed to help them master the skills of warfare
The idea is to rehearse these abilities until they become second nature in the heat of battle
Well-trained troops do not panic when they come under fire
Well-trained troops do not panic when they come under fire
Their state of readiness is seen in their calmness under pressure
They dread the rigors of boot camp but the wisdom in it when the battle erupts
Soldiers of Christ are no different - if we are to keep our composure in the midst of crisis there are certain ideas that must be engrained in our minds
The certainty of judgment is one of these ideas
Although home life is different from military life, they are similar in at least one respect: both are critical training grounds
Parents must be preparing their children…
Elders/preachers must be preparing the brethren…
These instructions might get tiresome at times, but repetition is essential, and truths must be reinforced
"Now I desire to put you in remembrance..." (v. 5a)
"Now I desire to put you in remembrance..." (v. 5a)
Jude wrote to his friends to remind them of things they once knew with certainty but had come to doubt
Most sermons are like this - nothing new taught, but are reminders…
We are prone to forget - we need to be reminded
Society is adept at rationalizing sin
Many pushing for more tolerance - the minimizing of sin
It is distressing when Christians spurn sound doctrine
Jude was not ready to concede the church to false teachers in disguise
Jude was not ready to concede the church to false teachers in disguise
He is encouraging his readers to fulfill their mission, and reminds them that those who trouble the church will be punished
Belief in the Day of Judgment has a powerful impact on human behavior
25 For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
At times it may seem that false teachers are succeeding, but God is not finished yet
Thus, Jude, a spiritual patriot, sets forth some…
Thus, Jude, a spiritual patriot, sets forth some…
DISCUSSION
THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING
THINGS WORTH REMEMBERING
GOD JUDGES ISRAEL
GOD JUDGES ISRAEL
5 Now I desire to put you in remembrance, though ye know all things once for all, that the Lord, having saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
Israel came to dwell in Egypt when Joseph was sold into slavery…
Exodus 1:7-11
7 And Jehovah said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people that are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
The Lord saved Israel by preparing a deliverer named Moses and empowered him to bring plagues upon Egypt that pressured Pharaoh to release the people
God parted the Red Sea…
The exodus was a remarkable demonstration of God's love for His covenant people
But Jude suddenly shifts the attention of his readers to God's wrath
The very people he had saved from Egypt, he later destroyed
How could this be?!
God's goodness will not keep Him from punishing sin
God will gladly pardon the penitent, but He cannot and will not ignore sin
Jude said the reason for Israel's destruction was unbelief
Israel's immorality and idolatry were evidence that they did not believe God would do what He said He would
To lose faith is to lose life's most important battle
4 For whatsoever is begotten of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.
The Hebrews writer speaking of this incident says:
11 As I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest. 12 Take heed, brethren, lest haply there shall be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God:
Just because a person embarks on a life of faith does not guarantee eternal security in heaven
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
Not only did God judge Israel…
GOD JUDGES ANGELS
GOD JUDGES ANGELS
Jude second illustration of the certainty of judgment came from the shocking story of the fallen angels
6 And angels that kept not their own principality, but left their proper habitation, he hath kept in everlasting bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Apparently these heavenly messengers were dissatisfied with their position as servants of God
Instead of humbly submitting to God they rebelled - their mutiny ended in disaster
Like dishonored angels, people who seem closest to Him may actually be farthest from Him in their hearts
Jude's message is clear: If angels could not avoid punishment for their sins - what makes us think that we can?
It is terrifying to fall into the hands of a living God …
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which shall devour the adversaries. 28 A man that hath set at nought Moses’ law dieth without compassion on the word of two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
What about Christians that turn their back on God? -
20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the last state is become worse with them than the first. 21 For it were better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 It has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog turning to his own vomit again, and the sow that had washed to wallowing in the mire.
The day of Judgment is approaching - although false teachers choose to ignore it, they cannot escape it
10 For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
GOD JUDGES SODOM
GOD JUDGES SODOM
The third example of the inevitable punishment for sin centered around the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah
7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, having in like manner with these given themselves over to fornication and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the punishment of eternal fire.
Sexual sins are really symptoms of a far deeper problem: unbelief in God
The "fornication" is a broad term that indicates any type of improper sexual relations
"Strange flesh" refers to physical intimacy with a member of the same sex
Paul denounces homosexuality as a violation of God's will
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was due.
The Bible attributes this behavior to spiritual rebellion rather than genetic makeup
When a person will not submit to God, he begins a downward spiral that results in a breakdown of his own standards
Sodomites were destroyed for the immoral behavior - fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed its inhabitants
Jude stated that Sodom and Gomorrah were "set forth" as an example - destruction come to the wicked
To "set forth" means to expose - God wants all humanity to witness the wrath in store for the wicked
Sodom unmistakably prefigures the suffering to be experienced by the false teacher in the eternal fires of hell.
Jesus used Gehenna as a depiction of hell's unending agony
The fires that burned continuously at Jerusalem's trash heaps graphically portrayed the eternal torment awaiting sinners
15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.
On the day of Judgment, destruction will come upon the earth as suddenly and unexpectedly as it did for Sodom
Jude encourages us to remember how God has dealt with evil doers in the past, but he also discusses…
The Downfall of Dreamers
The Downfall of Dreamers
8 Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings defile the flesh, and set at nought dominion, and rail at dignities. 9 But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
When people go to war, dreams become their closest traveling companions.
Dreams become especially vivid in times of unrest.
Some dream of loved ones back home.
Others dream of victory and an end to conflict
"Yet in like manner these also in their dreamings…" (v. 8a)
Although the word "dream" can be applied to flights of fancy, it is typically used in a more positive sense.
Often used of making plans or setting goals
Unfortunately, this was not the kind of activity Jude had in mind when he referred to these false teachers as "dreamers" (NKJ).
Jude wrote about the unholy dreams of wicked men who were attacking the church
It is possible that these men were claiming some special revelation in the form of dreams
It is also possible Jude had reference to their sinful thoughts
James says it this way…
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not a wisdom that cometh down from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
The mindset of these false teachers was reminiscent of man's condition immediately before the flood
5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Paul referred to such ungoldly men as "inventors of evil things" (Rom. 1:30).
Sinners often live in a kind of dream world, totally ignoring the consequences of their actions
CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE TEACHERS
CHARACTERISTICS OF FALSE TEACHERS
They "defile the flesh"
In the name of God, and under the supposed protection of grace, they shamelessly adopted a lifestyle of sin.
Those who fill their minds with unwholesome thoughts are inclined to pollute their bodies with unhealthy practices
No one is immune from the effects of iniquity…
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life.
Christians must not kid themselves about the consequences of sin
God's law of sowing and reaping cannot be circumvented
Defilement is the only possible outcome when a person caters to worldly cravings
Christians must glorify God rather than gratify the flesh…
19 Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own; 20 for ye were bought with a price: glorify God therefore in your body.
With the help of the word of God evil lusts can be subdued…
16 But I say, Walk by the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are contrary the one to the other; that ye may not do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye are led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 And be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
These dreamers also…
They Reject Authority
"set at nought dominion" (ie.e reject authority)
God has established a system of authority in this world to restrain people from carrying out improper thoughts and desires
The ungodly rejects God's authority
God ordained authority in the home
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Some reject parental authority (Rom. 1:30-31)
What would children be without parental authority?
God has ordained civil authority
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The purpose is to encourage the good and to execute wrath upon evil doers
What would our world be like without civil authority?
God ordained authority in the church
Elders are the divinely appointed overseers of local congregations (Acts 14:23; 20:28)
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit to them: for they watch in behalf of your souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not with grief: for this were unprofitable for you.
Bible authority is the underlying foundations these...
16 Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: 17 that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue;
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; But the end thereof are the ways of death.
They Speak Evil of Dignitaries
"rail at dignities" (speak evil of dignitaries- NKJ)
These are ones who are to be regarded highly because of their station, thus the ungodly are given to speaking against positions of leadership
9 But Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing judgment, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
The way that Michael, the archangel, conducted himself when contending with the devil stood in stark contrast to the disrespectful treatment false teachers were giving godly leaders in the church
Michael was engaged in a dispute with the devil about the body of Moses. After Moses glimpsed the Promise Land from the heights of Pisgah, he died and was buried by the Lord in a Moabite valley (Dt. 34:6)
When Satan tried to interfere, he was confronted by this distinguished member of the heavenly hosts
Jude does not give us the details, his focus is on the conduct of the archangel during this episode. Michael did not allow the confrontation to degenerate into an unrestrained battle of emotions
"Railing judgments" (reviling accusations - NKJ) are harsh terms of reproach.
As tension escalates, it is common for conversations to become increasingly personal and cruel.
When it became clear to Michael that Satan could not be reasoned with, he wisely brought the dispute to a conclusion by saying, "The Lord rebuke thee."
When obstinate people are determined to do wrong, there comes a time to leave the matter in God's hands.
Christians can lean a valuable lesson from this incident.
How does a child of God deal with unpleasant and contentious people?
Even when a person is confident he is right, it is not wise to enter into a war words that can lead to sin.
This does not mean it is inappropriate to discuss religion or dispute false doctrine. The key is to always conduct ourselves in the highest gentlemanly manner
When emotions are running high great caution must be exercised. One of Satan's greatest weapons is to entrap those defending the truth with their own tongue
AWESOME INTELLECTS OR ANIMAL IMPULSES
AWESOME INTELLECTS OR ANIMAL IMPULSES
10 But these rail at whatsoever things they know not: and what they understand naturally, like the creatures without reason, in these things are they destroyed.
The false teachers Jude confronted did not hesitate to speak evil of opponents who were more righteous than they - they justified their words believing they possessed a higher knowledge of God's word
Despite their bold assertions they were completely out of touch with the word of God
The only special knowledge they had were of base things
They thought they were great thinkers, but Jude called them "creatures without reason" or "brute beasts" (v. 10)
People whose lives are dominated by sin mentally inhabit a dreamlike world of impurity
Over time, they become proficient at justifying their reckless behavior in the name of spiritual or intellectual enlightenment
Arrogance can cause many to rationalize almost any sin
RULES FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING
RULES FOR RIGHTEOUS LIVING
In view of man's higher nature, Jude provided three principle for proper conduct.
Saints should keep their bodies and minds pure from those things that defile them
They must show proper respect for rightful authority
Even when contending for the faith, Christians must speak the truth in love
God's patriots must fill their hearts with holy aspirations
Those who do will enjoy the sweet dreams of a clear conscience
CONCLUSION
Spiritual Patriots are needed in the Lord's church - Those who will:
Spiritual Patriots are needed in the Lord's church - Those who will:
Love the church enough to fight for God's cause
Not be discouraged in the heat of battle
Who will be alert to the dangers threatening the church
Will you enlist as one of God's Spiritual Patriots?
Will you enlist as one of God's Spiritual Patriots?
If enlisted, will you be a true Patriot for the Cause?
If enlisted, will you be a true Patriot for the Cause?