Jude 1-2

This book goes hand-in-hand with 2 Peter

Most letters from this time follow this same format -> sender, receiver, greeting

Most were very generic (Acts 23:26) -> the epistles, Jude included, teach us doctrine even in the letter introduction

This greeting sets the doctrinal framework for the epistle

Jude

Jude was the brother of James (and half-brother of Jesus) -> one who could easily impose his status on the church

Yet, he described himself as the servant (slave) of Christ (not the word we get “deacon” from, but “slave”)

This brings with it OT similarities to the prophets (honorable position)

It is also an extremely humble position to lay claim to -> again, especially considering what he could have done

If the brother of the most influential pastor and half brother of Emanuel considered himself a slave, than we can be no different!

That Jude and James would worship the same Jesus they grew up with speaks volumes to the authenticity of Jesus’ teachings concerning Himself

They staked their lives on the teachings of their older brother (with all His proclamation of self-holiness)

If little brother would do this, you can be certain there was something special about Jesus

The Audience

Jude uses the address to the audience as a time to teach fundamental, deep, and doctrinal truths

It is a description of those who are saved and made saints by Christ

To those who are sanctified by God the Father -> those who are saved are sanctified for holy use

It is for this cause we have been saved (Ex. 40:9-15 -> 1Pet. 2:9-10)

I know this is taught often, but it is the most fundamental truth for a child of God to come to grips with -> your life is not your own (slave to Christ!)

It is our Father who does the sanctifying -> not some impersonal God, but our heavenly, good, loving Father

To those who are preserved in Jesus Christ -> those who are saved are saved forevermore

Our preservation is so sure because it is not determined by our own merit or power, but rather we are preserved in Jesus

It is the power of God that holds us to Him (Jn. 10:28-30; 1 Pet. 1:3-5)

The preservation of our salvation is not merely the preservation of a status, but of a way of life

Those who are truly saved cannot fall away, just as 1 John taught us (Jude 24-25)

To those who are called -> those who are saved are called by God!

God has chosen and called you, not to be saved above others, but as one who is saved to do a specific work

You are not the last one picked on a baseball team, but chosen by God for a work He has equipped you for!

Should you trust and depend on Him, you will never fail!

The Greeting

Mercy unto you -> may we never forget our need of mercy!

Mercy is not just for the lost, but for all who fall short of God’s standard -> in our flesh we still do

Thank God He has provided mercy for this!

Peace and love be multiplied -> these things are lavished on us from God

We are given both general peace and peace with God

Peace is needed -> we could worry over everything (false teachers, woes of life, state of the world, life, death, etc.)

We have peace lavished on us because God is sovereign and in control of all -> we have sure victory in Christ

We have peace with God, so the judgments of scripture have been poured out on Christ and not us (Rom. 5:1-2)