Beloved Church: Persevere

Jude 17–25 ESV

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Introduction:

The end of Jude is an appropriate passage for today. Some of the things that Jude will exort his audience to are the very things that I have spent the past six years impressing upon you in various ways.

Jude had warned the church about false teachers who had already crept into the church without people noticing it. He had focused his words on what these false teachers were like but in our text today he turns his attention to how those in the church should respond to the threat posed by these false teachers in their midst.

First notice that he refers again to his recipients as “beloved.” This is wording you use for someone you count as dear. He cared about these people and was therefore writing to help them. He wants them equipped to deal with the threat.

To do this, Jude reminds them what the apostles have predicted about false teachers, challenge them to build on their faith, abiding in the love of God, and to show mercy, before closing with a word of blessing or benediction.

In our first two verses he tells them they must remember what the apostles predicted.

I. Remember what God has already said about false teachers. (v. 17-19)

Jude 17–19 ESV

17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

He tells them they MUST remember they were warned about this. The apostles themselves who handed the faith down to them wrote with warning about false teachers. Don’t be duped and caught unaware. Keep your eyes peeled.

2 Peter 3:3 ESV

3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

Matthew 24:11 ESV

11 And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders in Miletus:

Acts 20:29–30 ESV

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Paul warns the elders because they need to watch out for the sheep of the flock. I’m leaving this church but you will not be left without men keeping watch. Jordan and Josh have been elder candidates and are qualified to watch out and equip you in the Word. They along with AJ handling the finances will maintain a continuity of care and leadership so that you may not notice anything is different other than who is in the pulpit week after week. You should rest easy in this. God has placed the people in this church for a reason.

The New Testament has many warnings about the coming of false prophets. We need to take God at his word and heed the warnings. Jude was big on history so that the people wouldn’t fall into the same mistakes from their checkered national past.

In verse 19, he does tell us a little more about the kind of people these false ones are.

They cause divisions

They are worldly people

They are devoid of the Spirit

First, they cause divisions. Notice, it’s the false teachers who do this, not the people holding fast to truth. The false teachers come in with their dreamed up schemes and self serving teaching based on their opinions or their claimed dreams and try to impress them upon the church if possible.

Second, they are worldly people. They have minds controlled and consumed with the things of this world. They’re eaten up with the world. They present themselves as spiritual giants but they are driven by worldly desires.

Third, they are devoid of the Spirit. Hear me, they are not Christians. They claim to know Christ but the Holy Spirit does not indwell them. That is a defining characteristic of the people of God, the church. (Ephesians 1:13-14) They make much of their supposed gifts but lack the fruit of the Spirit because they don’t know God.

This is quite the indictment against them.

But Jude doesn’t stop there. He exhorts the church reading this letter to persevere in the faith. How are they supposed to do this? I’m glad you asked. Jude has an answer. Let’s look at verses 20-21.

II. Build on the foundation of the faith passed down to you. (v. 20-21)

Jude 20–21 ESV

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

He again says, “but you,”. They are different than these false teachers. He has said, they are like that, but you… you do this. You Christians, you do these things in the face of such worldy people invading the church. Don’t follow them.

Who should you follow? Those who hold to the faith once for all handed down to the saints. First your local church elders or pastors. Same office. They are entrusted with equipping you for the work of ministry. Follow them first, not some teacher who worms their way in. If they aren’t following scripture faithfully then call it out. Again, here I am confident that you are well set up. Josh will be taking on about half of the preaching or so moving forward for the next few months so as to keep someone you know and trust in front of you. Other help for the pulpit ministry will come from the oversight team, Mount Morris, and possibly Christ Church as well as other sister churches who care deeply about you having solid teaching.

But how can they persevere in the face of this false teaching?

They are to keep themselves in the love of God. How? Build themselves up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and waiting for Christ’s return. Dedicate yourself to growth in your personal discipleship. Sanctification. Do the positive things of the Christian life that we know God uses to grow you. Let’s break this down.

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith - (Doctrine)

Praying in the Holy Spirit - (Prayer)

Waiting on the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. - (Hope)

Doctrine

Prayer

Romans 8:26 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Hope

Talk about being caught up in the love of God here… (the experience part)

III. Show mercy to those influenced by false teachers. (v. 22-23)

Jude 22–23 ESV

22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

To those who doubt

To those who are duped

To those devoted to the false teaching

IV. Rest in the keeping of God. (v. 24-25)

Jude 24–25 ESV

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

What a sweet and fitting conclusion to this book. God is both able and glorious.

Able

to keep

to sanctify

to save

Glorious, majestic, powerful, authoritative, eternal

Meetings will soon be held and you as a church will get to make decisions about your future and the man who will stand in this pulpit. Until then, things will continue as normal. Sunday worship. Wednesday life group. Men’s and Women’s studies. Play group. We have people who will continue to serve with as little disruption as possible. But here’s what you can do in this meantime.

Build on the faith. You have a foundation of the gospel. Build on your love for Christ with good and true doctrine.

Pray in the Spirit for the church, the future, and the leaders that God has and is preparing to lead.

Abide deeply in the love of God.

Hope in our LIVING HOPE.

Love one another well. Be not just available but intentional and involved with one another’s lives. Remember the last six years not because of me but because of what God has done with you and in your hearts. Run towards Him always, everyday. Pastors are all temporary. We are really all interims. But Christ Jesus will never leave or forsake those who are His. Amen.

Pray.

Baptism.

FINAL WORDS:

I love you church. You are always in my heart and may Jesus be BIG among you always.

Jude 24–25 ESV

24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

You are Dismissed.