Contend for the Faith

Jude 1–25 NIV

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance. Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them. Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: “See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Introduction: The Phrase that has been coined in our day and age is, “Culture Wars.” How do Christian’s Stand up for Truth, Contend for the Faith, when it seems like the Biblical Faith seems to be under attack from the outside culture, and even within the Church itself?

Likely half brother of Jesus, Did not believe when Jesus was alive, but after his resurrection all the brothers believed.

Audience is likely a Messianic Jewish community.

Jude’s original intention was to write a longer letter about their common salvation in Christ (Jude 3). However, an urgent matter had arisen among the believers that compelled Jude to write a quick letter, urging them to “contend for the faith.” To contend for the faith means to “struggle for, contend, fight” (James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) [Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997], 4151). Because corrupt teachers had secretly infiltrated the church (v. 4), Jude urged the disciples to put forth an intense effort to fight for the truth of the faith. The infiltrating false teachers had begun sharing false teachings and ideas. Interestingly, Jude does not call out the particular false teachings they are spreading. Instead, Jude points out the way these ungodly teachers are living their lives. Their moral compromise is a direct indication of the wrong teachings and theology that they hold and proclaim to others.

Whereas 2 John was about 100% Truth, and 100% Love, and 3 John seems to focus on the Love part of that equation, Jude focuses on the Truth side of that equation.

Patience with me on this message because it has a twist at the end. There is a reason not many preach on this book.

Offense at the painful truth.

Some weird references that need to be explained.

Don’t write off this message at the beginning simply because it will hurt. I urge you to stick it through till the end.

We should not be surprised that there are scoffers of God, Jesus, and the Gospel. Jesus, and the Apostle’s promise their existence.

26 - Recognizing Scoffers.

Explain the book of Enoch and the cultural significance of that book.

Jude quotes from the 1st Book of Enoch, and we believe the missing portion of the Testament of Moses.

Enoch is a diverse collection of writings compiled into a book. The earliest material written in the 1st century BC or AD. So basically contemporanious to Jesus’ life, and Jude’s life.

This book is not scripture, but it was a well read book at the time that gives us clues to some of the beliefs of many of the Jews of the time. Jude quoting from this book is similar to Paul quoting from a Greek Poet to illustrate a point, or me quoting from Seinfeld to illustrate a point. Neither are scripture but they connect with the audience in a way to communicate the Truth of Scripture.

Here is the Main point Jude is trying to make using sets of three illustrations.

What the three sets of illustrations are talking about.

Set 1

Rebellion in the Dessert.

Angels who did not keep their domain.

Sodom and Gomorrah went after other flesh

Issues are not believing the Good God has in store in his direction and boundaries.

The result is the example of eternal fire - Being destroyed by their desires.

The false teachers teach - Because of Grace we can reject God’s sexual boundaries and do what our heart desires. So they scoff at God’s will. Seem to be taking authority over Angels in Demons by themselves. - The Lord has authority over them.

Licentuous Definition: indulgence in sexual pleasure unrestrained by convention or Morality.

Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah

Now this was the sin of Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen.

— Ezekiel 16:49–50

So see it was not the men’s desire to have sex with the men (actually angels) who visited them.

Jude says it was sexual immorality - Going after other flesh.

Is it one or the other - I contend it is both.

Argument - Genesis 6 was Angel’s leaving their boundaries of ruling with God in the heavenlies to have sex with women to take over the Earthly Realm - the Realm of human leadership. The issue with Sodom and Gomorrah was to leave the boundaries God gave us - sex within the context of Marriage between a man and a women.

The False teachers were using Grace to justify to do what they desired, rather than God’s will. It is like this...

27 - Video of abusing Grace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5L2wFD7ymU.

Another instance of quoting non-biblical document....

2. Set 2 - Set of Woes, Woes are not Curses, they are, “Oh My’s”

a. Cain - Letting Sin master them not them master sin.

b. Balaam - selling out the people of God for Financial gain - financial teachers are in it for the money.

c. Rebellion of Korah - Want the power to lead, when God has not called them.

all three of these stories are about those who had rebelled against God and also corrupted others.

Issue - Letting their desires be their master and Lord instead of Jesus.

They were rebelling against God’s authority, they were sexually immoral, and they rejected God’s messengers.

Result - the deep gloom of darkness - the same fate of imprisonment that of the rebellious Angels in Enoch.

But as believers we should not be surprised. Despite the threat these ungodly, false teachers present, God foreknew their coming and is preparing his people to stand against them and overcome.

28-30

Jude 17–19 LEB

But you, dear friends, remember the words proclaimed beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they said to you, “In the end time there will be scoffers following according to their own ungodly desires.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly, not having the Spirit.

Video of James White's conversation with a person in his denomination arguing for homosexuality.

So this is the Truth that Jude the Brother of Jesus is laying down as Scripture. How do we contend for it?

31 - We Contend for the Truth by Being Built Up in the Truth.

Illustration of knowing what a conterfeit dollar bill is like. By studying the real thing.

First, we are to build our lives on a solid foundation. Jude declares that the foundation we build our lives on is our “most holy faith” (v. 20). This refers to the core message of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection. As followers of Jesus, we are to embrace the life and teaching of Jesus in every area of our lives. Our hope is found in the sacrificial death of Jesus for our sins and in God raising him bodily from the dead as a prelude to our future resurrection. We do not only need the gospel before becoming a believer; we need the good news of Jesus Christ every day of our lives.

Tim Keller explains the need to preach the gospel to ourselves every day: “The angels never get tired of looking into the gospel. This means there is no end to gospel exploration. There are depths in the gospel that are always there to be discovered and applied, not only to our ministry and daily Christian life, but above all, to the worship of the God of the gospel with renewed vision and humility. The underlying conviction in my preaching, pastoring, and writing is that the gospel—this eternally fascinating message craved by the angels—can change a heart, a community, and the world when it is recovered and applied. It is one thing to understand the gospel but is quite another to experience the gospel in such a way that it fundamentally changes us and becomes the source of our identity and security. It is one thing to grasp the essence of the gospel but it is quite another to think out its implications for all of life. We all struggle to explore the mysteries of the gospel on a regular basis, but we should strive to immerse ourselves in it and allow its message to influence our life daily” (Tim Keller, foreword to Gospel, by J. D. Greear [Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2011], 2).

On the foundation of the gospel, we build our lives up in three ways. First, Jude directs believers to give themselves to prayer. Jude tells them to be “praying in the Holy Spirit” (v. 20). We are to pray by God’s Spirit as he directs us, rather than by our own will.

Second, Jude urges followers to “keep yourselves in God’s love” (v. 21). The passionate, unconditional love of God is not just a message for those who are far from God. The Greek word for “keep” means to “continue in a state of” (James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek New Testament [Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997], 5498). As disciples of Jesus, we need to remain continually in God’s love.

John 14:15 NIV

“If you love me, keep my commands.

3rd. looking forward to the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.

Difference between False Teacher’s idea of Grace vs. a Believers view of Grace.

False Teacher - Jesus died once for all accepting me as I am, and therefore I am covered. I can do whatever I want from now on. I can pursue my hearts desire no matter what God says, because I will just be forgiven. Whether it is God’s will or not does not matter.

A Believer - Jesus died once for all paying for my sin. It is sin, and goes directly against God’s good will. I am so grateful for God’s Grace and love towards me, I desire to love him back by doing His will. When I sin, I will acknowledge it as so, say I am sorry, re-align my thinking to God’s will towards his will, and Ask the Lord to help me to live more for him and love him. I know I can rest on God’s mercy and forgiveness when I fall, but my desire is to do His will, not mine so that is what I will pursue, because I love Him, knowing He loves me.

Now here is the Twist.

32 - We Contend for the Truth by Showing Mercy.

Mercy

Conversation with Angel about translations of the word in Leviticus about same-sex sex as a sin. After that conversation she got fearful about her salvation, to which I said, not necessarily, and explained further the Gospel.

In this article, a pastor explains how he had to learn the hard way to be a “heresy healer” instead of a “heresy hunter.” He uses the following illustration: “Imagine a sharp, young doctor walking into a refugee camp. He sees an old man, half-naked, shivering and struggling to keep warm under a threadbare blanket. The doctor looks closer at the blanket and sees that it is filthy, smeared with feces and probably disease-ridden. In horror the doctor rips the blanket off of the old man and says, ‘Don’t you know that blanket will make you sick?’ Then he walks off, saying, ‘My job is done here.’ But had he done anything for the old man? Can we blame the old man for picking up the blanket as soon as the doctor walks away?” (Josh Kelley, “Heresy Hunter or Heresy Healer?,” CT Pastors, February 2015, https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2015/february-online-only/heresy-hunter-or-heresy-healer.html).

Mercy on those who doubt - Some traditions are soo afriad of doubt - You can’t doubt. You can’t ask questions. Rather as seeing doubt as an opportunity to explore more and go deeper in Faith. And asking questions as Faith seeking understanding. Jude rather than fearing when someone expresses some doubt, He advocates for a empathetic, merciful and compassionate response of exploring together.

Mercy on those who are influenced by the false teachers and teaching. Again a merciful warning, and winsome sharing of the Gospel to “Snatch them from the fire.”

Finally, Mercy on those teaching the false teaching. While we speak 100% Truth, we are also called to desire to see the False Teachers receive the True Grace of Jesus and be cleansed of their sin.

Conclusion: