JUDE: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH PART 1

Speaker: Rich Gartman

Series: JUDE: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

Scripture: Jude 1:1-2

Main Idea: The importance of who we are when we correct

Intro

Little Johnny runs into the house crying

Mom: Why are you crying?

Johnny: Because dad beat me.

Mom: Your dad beat you? Why?

Johnny: Because I killed a mosquito.

Mom: You killed a mosquito and your dad beat you? Thats crazy!!! Wait till I see him

At that very moment dad was walking in and and his wife began to light into him till she noticed he had a rag on his face and she suddenly stopped and asked Johnny

Was the mosquito was on his nose..

Johnny: (Very Proudly) Yes Mama

Jude is a book about a man trying to get rid of some pest. But be very careful it might hurt a little....a lot

Bible Verse

Jude 1-2 English Standard Version 1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Humble

Explanation – Point 1

Jude/Judas/Judah - Derivitive/Greek/Hebrew

Slave

It is very beautiful to see how these servants of Jesus Christ delighted to set forth the completeness of their service and to declare how perfectly they belonged to Christ. They were not servants that could come and go at their own pleasure, but they were slaves of Jesus Christ. Though there were no free men on earth more truly free than they, yet these servants of Jesus Christ delighted in wearing chains of love that were soft as silk yet stronger than steel. They rejoiced to feel that they had no liberty to run away from Christ; their desire was to have their ear bored to the doorpost of His house (Exod 21:6), to be His servants through their whole lifetime and throughout eternity. This is what the apostle meant when he wrote, “Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ.”

Charles Spurgeon, Spurgeon Commentary: Jude, ed. Elliot Ritzema, Spurgeon Commentary Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014), Jud 1.

Not Holding himself as brother of Christ

3. Brother - James who was over the church of Jerusalem. Also a brother to Jesus.

Illustration – Point 1

D. L. Moody said, “I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit can fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.” (Pat Cook - Sermon Central)

Application – Point 1

Member of Journey

Slave

Gartman - Those we claim and those the Law claimed

Bible Verse – Point 2

To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:

Decisive

Explanation – Point 2

Called

Beloved

Kept

Illustration – Point 2

Robert Moffat, Scottish missionary to South Africa, came back to recruit helpers in his homeland. One night he was very discouraged when there were only ladies in his meeting, as he had chosen as his text Proverbs 8:4, “Unto you, O men, I call.” In his consternation he almost failed to notice a small boy in the loft who had come to work the bellows of the organ. Dr. Moffat felt hopeless as he gave the message, realizing that few women could be expected to undergo the rigorous experiences they would face in the undeveloped jungles of the continent where he labored. But God works in mysterious ways to carry out His wise purposes. Although no one volunteered, the young fellow was deeply challenged. Deciding he would follow in the footsteps of this pioneer missionary, he went on to school, obtained a degree in medicine, and then spent the rest of his life ministering to the unreached tribes of Africa. His name was David Livingstone! (Our Daily Bread).

Application – Point 2

Called

Beloved

Kept

Bible Verse – Point 3

2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Loving

Explanation – Point 3

As Jude enters into this letter with the goal of calling out the False Christians and bad practices of the Chruch he extends these three blessings upon the recipients. These are the clothing of the one calling out sin.

Merciful

Peaceful

Loving

Illustration – Point 3

A woman seeking counsel from Dr. George W. Crane, the psychologist, confided that she hated her husband, and intended to divorce him. “I want to hurt him all I can,” she declared firmly.“Well, in that case,” said Dr. Crane, “I advise you to start showering him with compliments. When he thinks you love him devotedly, then start the divorce action. That is the way to hurt him.” Some months later the wife returned to report that all was going well. She had followed the suggested course. “Good,” said Dr. Crane. “Now’s the time to file for divorce.” “Divorce!” the woman said indignantly. “Never. I love my husband dearly!” (Bits & Pieces, August 22, 1991).

Application – Point 3

Conclusion