"Don't Deviate"
Notes
Transcript
Introduction: Stories of brave Men and Women who have stayed true to their country and that which they have believed in. Even enduring basic training or BUDS, they stand determined to remain on course for their country.
In Comparison, I believe the book Jude provides us with a similar exhortation.
Jude identified.
-Servant of Jesus Christ (Great example).
- Brother of James
Written approx. 67-80AD
-*Peter wrote 64-66 AD
-Written to a mostly jewish group who had an understanding of the OT law and writings. (Called, Sanctified, and perserved).
Those who are:
Called
Sanctified
Preserved
Central theme: Contend earnestly for the faith. (“Don’t Deviate”)
Baseball illustration: Left the basics of baseball.
Reason: Certain men have crept in unnoticed.
Jude provides us with 3 OT examples to draw from:
Vs 5- Israelite's rebellion
Vs 6- Rebellious Angels
Vs 7- Men of Sodom
Vs 8- Moses and Michael interactions while contending with the devil.
Vs 11- Cain, Balaam and Korah.
*Why is Jude quoting from the OT and additional sources like 1st Enoch? We must remember that Jews were immersed in religious writings not just the law.
In essence, all of these stories show people who have rebelled against God’s authority, are sexually immoral, and reject God’s messengers. They are self absorbing and have gone on to corrupt others.
Illustration: “Youve let them in” (TV code to override parental guidance).
Vs 14-16 Ancient warning
Vs 17-19 A recent warning with warning signs of who these people are. Corrupt leaders would arise and distort the goodnews.
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; 9 but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Contend for the Faith
Vs 20- Your most Holy Faith “Community of Jesus”.
God’s Grace demands a whole life response- not just intellectual.
Notice that Jude does not cover the corrupt teachers theology or doctrine, but rather their moral choices. This confirms that Jude is writing to a whole life contending for the Faith. The dichotomy is together and is in harmony with following Christ.
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.
Navy Seal Story:
3 Times through hell week.
Lost 106 lbs in 3 months
Ran 100 Miles in 24 hours as a requirement.
“Comes down to a daily routine, he says he have to prioritize trying to run the battle in the morning” This is his starting point in his daily life even today. “Up and run mentality builds discipline”.
He goes on to add that accountability and self evaluation is needed everyday.
We must keep up the discipline he says. He ends with this in an interview:
“A warriors story of perseverance is never finished”.
Do not deviate! Chirst gave this great example when He did not deviate on the Christ and instead sought to bestow mercy, peace and love on His beloved”.
Father forgive them!
It is finished! Two statements confirming is devotion to contending for the Faith and not deviating.
