Jude 17-19
Notes
Transcript
Jude has been presenting his evidence against the false teachers who have crept into the body of Christ.
Last week we learned Jude reminded his audience of God’s judgment and concern with the conviction of ungodly people:
Ungodly acts
Harsh words spoken against God
Jude pointed out that these individuals are grumblers and faultfinders!
The constant complaining and grumbling of these false teachers leaves them judgmental and without Joy.
Jude also pointed out the selfishness of these false teachers who have an exaggerated and overinflated sense of self-importance.
They were completely consumed with what they wanted.
Jude is done with his evidence and charges against the false teachers.
He now turns his attention to his audience.
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
This is the word of God…
These verses begin the closing of the letter Jude is writing.
Jude reminds them that there will always be false teachers.
Christians should diligently watch for the them and seek to rescue all from their destructive message.
Remember…
Remember…
Notice earlier in the letter Jude 3
3 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.
Compare that to Jude 17
17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
Jude is in a sense repeating verse three, but this time the focus is on the source not the faith.
Here Jude commands the Christians to remember, to recall knowledge from memory.
Remember what the apostles for told.
Paul does this same thing 1 Thessalonians 3:4
4 In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.
Jude’s immediate readers would know exactly what he was referring to concerning the prophecy of the apostles.
What was the prophecy? — Jude 18
18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
False Teaching
False Teaching
The false teachers here are called “scoffers” — Some one who mocks or treats somethings with contempt.
False teaching can be painful — develop
There is a certain sense where false teaching is necessary for Christians.
In the New Testament and early church period the emergence of false teaching helped Christians clarify several key doctrines concerning Christ, the Holy Spirit, Salvation and the end-times.
Despite the challenge it caused, Christians were forced to think more clearly.
These times were told to Timothy by Paul — 2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—
5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
Like Paul to Timothy…
Selfish Desires Lead to Division
Selfish Desires Lead to Division
The false teachers are causing division in the body of Christ.
These Christians are not the only congregation struggling with division — 1 Corinthians 1:10-17
10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.
16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.)
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
“Divide” — to make a boundary between someone and to separate.
The word would indicate divisive distinctions made between themselves and other people.
It could mean that the false teacher’s ungodly living divides those in the assembly about to be taken by the error.
The false teachers are mocking God’s law and moral precepts.
These individuals walk according to their own ungodly lust.
Jude goes on that following after and being controlled by their lust, they pursue anything that please their selfish and ungodly desires.
Jude is disqualifying these false teachers not just from teaching but also from being considered followers of Jesus!
True followers are recognized by their obedience to the Lord!
Conclusion
I wonder do we remember?
That command is for us too!
The presence of false teachers is certain, in any age of the church.
Jude helpfully provides a portrait of false teaches that is clear and concise so we can confidently identify them.
So Let’s remember — Jude 18
18 …“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
We are in the last time…
