Jude 22-25
Notes
Transcript
Develop closing the book
We learned last week the strategy for keeping our love for God grounded in His love for us:
Building ourselves up in our most Holy Faith
2. Praying in the Spirit
3. Wait for the mercy of our Lord to bring you to eternal life
Jude has contrasted the spiritual destiny of false teachers with the spiritual destiny of true followers of Christ.
22 Be merciful to those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
This is the word of God…
Triads in Jude
Triads in Jude
Last week I introduced triads — a literary device that organizes information, actions, or ideas into patterns of three
Jude is a book that uses them extensively
Last week I pointed out — Dear friends (3x)
1. His Salutations and Blessings
The Greeting Recipients (v. 1): called, beloved, kept
Jude prays for the multiplication of, mercy, peace, love
2. Historical Warnings and Rebellion
The Three Examples of Apostasy (vv. 5-7): Israelites in the wilderness, angels who fell, Sodom and Gomorrah
False teachers are compared to three notorious Old Testament rebels: (v. 11): Cain, Balaam, Korah
3. Descriptions of False Teachers
The Unholy Triad of Conduct (v. 8): defile the flesh, reject authority, abuse celestial beings
The Triad of Divisiveness (v. 19): division, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit
4. Directives for the Believer
The Threefold Prescription for Faith (vv. 20-21): building, praying, waiting
The Three Ways to Show Mercy (vv. 22-23):have mercy, save, show mercy with fear
5. God’s Nature and Praise
God is able to keep… you from stumbling, you before His presence faultless, and grant .
God’s Three Attributes (v. 24): keep, present, great joy
1 Fourfold in the Doxology: (v. 25): glory, majesty, power, authority
Just by themselves the triads are a fascinating study.
Perhaps a way to help the Christians remember
What to do with the deceived
What to do with the deceived
What do we do with those deceived by the false teachers?
Jude is now going to answer that question
Greek Translation of verse 23 — On some show mercy, on others snatch out of the fire, and others have mercy with fear hating garments stained of the flesh.
Deal gently with those who doubt
Jude is calling his readers to have mercy on those who are struggling in their faith
As we have been shown mercy we are to show mercy
We extend this mercy to those who waver and struggle with the truth, because of the influence of these false teachers.
On others snatch them from the fire
We are encouraged to deal quickly with those who are in danger.
This group is facing an even more serious situation.
They are so close to eternal condemnation.
When Jude says, “save others by snatching them from the fire,” he is sounding an alarm!
It is a call for quick and decisive action
Like it’s almost to late, but there is still time to rescue them if they act now!
Hear the urgency and heightened concern in Jude’s words!
Just think for a moment if we ignore Jude’s plea…
Other show mercy mixed with fear
Judes is telling his readers to deal carefully with those who are defiled.
Of the three this is the most desperate group!
They have bought into the lies of false teaching having now corrupted their lives.
Corrupt in how they think and how they live so defiled and depraved they have become a danger to themselves and to others.
Look at the picture Jude paints — Jude 23
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
The picture is so vivid and striking sin has stained and contaminated these people.
Love them, show mercy, but don’t get to close for even their clothes will defile you if you are not careful.
Again we may still be able to reach and rescue them!
Jude’s Encouragement
Jude’s Encouragement
Jude is encouraging his readers they can to rescue those who have erred.
These who have been attracted by the false doctrine of false teachers.
Jude has condemned these false teaches, but their followers need rescue.
We cannot rescue people without personal contact, but we must be cautious that what seduced these people does not seduce you.
It is possible to have positive contact with a person and accept them without condoning, affirming or accepting the person’s sin.
This is a message many in the church need to hear!
There are two lies of satan:
We have to live like the lost to reach the lost
We have to condone or affirm their sin
Jude is telling us deal with some gently, with some quickly, with others carefully.
Brethren, we must deal with all we can in one way or another before it’s to late.
Lost people matter to God, Jesus died for lost people, the Spirit reveals lost people, lost people must matter to us!
Conclusion
Jude has finished his letter and it is time to close.
He closes with a doxology.
Doxology is form of praise or prayer, Jude’s is relatively long and ends the letter on a positive note.
To the assembled church listening as the letter is read can have but one response, the agreement, Amen!
To this we can only do the same adding our own Amen.
Closing — Jude 24-25
24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—
25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Let’s say together, Amen!
