Contending for the faith
TEXT: Jude 3-25 (ESV)
TITLE: “Contending for the Faith”
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. 5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. 9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” 10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. 11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These are blemishes on your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, looking after themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. 14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with ten thousands of his holy ones, 15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
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, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray 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.
Theme: Every believer is in a battle for the truth!
Repeated Words: Blaspheme (3)
INTRODUCTION
What Advice would you give to your children leaving home?
1) Keep your eyes open...don't believe everything you hear!
2) Understand the consequences if you fail...you are going to get burned!
3) Stay with your training...stick to the truth!
PROPOSITION: Our Heavenly Father has given us advice as to how we can survive as His children in this world
TRANSITION: Our survival depends on three things...Our Position, Our Perspective and Our Perseverance.
I. OUR POSITION: OUR LORD HAS SET OUR BEARINGS (3-7)
A. Context and Introduction
1. Author - brother of James, not an Apostle (late)
(not a lot known about this man)
2. Audience – Most likely Jewish converts (heavy OT examples)…do not know where located
3. Purpose: Originally to encourage the faithful, but the necessity arose to confront a problem
4. Special Concerns – Difficult words/phrases
- Quote from Assumption of Moses (vs. 9)
- Quote from 1 Enoch (vs. 6,14,15)
- Readers would have known the books
- Luther had difficulty accepting Jude
- Calvin embraced it
B. Jesus Desires That We Remain Faithful (3,4)
1. The Message: You are to fight for your faith (3)
a. Jude has a purpose for writing
- "eager" (w/ haste)
- they share the same faith
- he sends a much needed message
b. He wants them to fight for the faith
- "Contend" = strive for yourselves (Gk)
"...to exert oneself w/o distraction to attain a goal. It means self-denial to overcome obstacles, to avoid perils, and if need be to accept martyrdom" Kistemaker
- implies a battle....a spiritual one
c. There is only one faith
- the same as the Apostles
- GK è “hand over, deliver”
d. Exhortation: "Stay true to your faith"
2. The Reason: Some would have you stray from the faith (4)
a. “cetain people” - “crept” in
- GK – slip in stealthly”
- not necessarily teachers (men)
- not openly, but "secretly"
b. this is no surprise to God
- “long ago” may refer to a “list”
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
c. they don't belong
- "ungodly people" = not Christians
d. Problem: they abuse God's grace
- “pervert” è “to change”
Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
- Christ offers forgiveness of past/present sins
(but He does demand repentance)
- continue to justify their immorality
("God will always forgive me!")
- what does "sensuality" mean?
- unrestrained in moral attitudes/behavior
(some kind of forbidden sexual behavior)
Peter uses the phrase to describe "homosexual conduct of the Sodomites.....2 Pet 2:7 ...and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men.......
- they confess Christ.....
- refuse to change their evil deeds
- deny Jesus' Lordship...which demands obediance
e. They claim to know God...but by their actions
they deny Him
3. Jude has a pastoral concern...these pretenders could trip up His sheep
B. Jesus Is Not Pleased With A Wayward Life (5-7)
1. Price for those who don't believe (5)
a. Jude wants to remind them of something
- already knew...he most likely knew them
- he had taught them before
b. God has always delivered His people
- Use of “Jesus” = Joshua means salvation
c. Take note of what happened to His enemies
- He destroyed them ("later".....in His time)
- they were part of the “church”, but didn't
believe
2. Price for those who don't obey (6)
a. not even the angels are exempt from judgment
b. some ambiguity here...allusion to Enoch
However…Peter indicates it was some sort of sin.........2 Pet 2:4 For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment...
c. ...but somehow they got out of line - "kept in eternal chains"....not free, but
on death row
- "darkness"...away from His presence
d. The focus is on disobedience...God is harsh on sin
3. Price for those who live immorally (7)
a. Sodom/Gomorrah gave into their desires
- again immorality is brought to the forefront
- remember that the angels took the form of men, they are not physical beings
- “unnatural desire” è"go after other flesh"
è “another kind”
- they....like the angels…rebelled boldly
b. God made an example of them - destruction
- not only fire from heaven
- but eternal fire......hell forever
c. God's fuse is only so long
Matt 23:31 So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers!
d. “eternal fire” is probably figurative not literal, a place of torment
C. Christ has set you direction......He desires that you reject their example and continue to stay faithful to your Lord........sometimes it's a real fight
II. OUR PERSPECTIVE: OUR LORD IS NOT PLEASED SIN (8-16)
A. Jesus Will Reward The Deeds Of Evil Men (8-11)
1. They sin with great abandon – 4-fold picture (8)
a. men are "relying on dreams" (2 choices)
1) Mystics – access to “revelation”
2) Given to erotic fantasies
(Best – see next phrase)
b. they "defile the fresh" (sexual sin)
c. they “reject authority”
- reject God's rule over their lives
- Lev 18:22, Rom 1:18ff
Rom 1:26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another…28 …God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
d. they “blasepheme the glorious ones”
- Fact: Bible -> angels are messengers of God
Gal 3:19 Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, until the offspring should come to whom the promise had been made, and it was put in place through angels by an intermediary.
Point: These men aren't afraid of God
(rejecting the message = rejecting the speaker)
(speaking evil of the messengers...says evil of both)
2. They boldly go beyond where angels fear to tread (9)
a. even God's chief angel was careful (Michael)
(dispute over Moses - didn't speak of his own)
b. “contend” = not the same as vs 3 è “argue”
Principle: He appealed to God's authority, not his own…"the Lord rebuke you!"…He was careful with his words, these men are not!
c. He is referring to an “outside” source
3. They become no better than animals (10)
a. “blasepheme” what they don’t understand
b. Undone by their own instincts (Rom 1)
4. They will pay the price (11)
a. they are not going to get away with it
b. they rejected God's Word (commands)
c. three examples
(Cain - rejected God's call to repentance)
(Balaam - rejected God's people, for a price)
(Korah - rejected God's Command)
d. each paid a price & so will they
B. Jesus Has No Room In His Kingdom For Evil Men (12,13)
1. They are only interested in themselves (12)
a. they join you in your activities (love feasts)
- fellowship meals
- play the part of a brother
- perhaps even pretend to love the Lord
- no qualms.....raise no issues...peaceful
b. but they are only interested in their bellies
c. they are worthless to others
- clouds that don't bless the earth
- fall trees w/o fruit & dried up
(not even good for shade)
2. They have their place (13)
a. he describes them further
- wild waves....only cause strife
- wandering stars....lead people astray
b. they have a home waiting for them.....Hell
("blacked darkness"....away from the Lord)
c. See verse 6
C. Jesus Will Hold Evil Men Accountable (14-16)
1. Quote from 1 Enoch
a. Not claiming this as “inspired”
b. But using a common known writing
c. However, he is using it authoritatively
ILLUS: God uses the words of men in the Bible, such as early church confessions and hymns
2. They will have their day in court (14,15)
a. God is coming to judge men
b. He will convict the ungodly
("convict"=prove wrong)
c. both words and deeds ("done", "words")
d. "against Him".....all sins are against the Lord
Psa 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
3. Their words will be revealed (16)
a. they are careless in their words
- “grumblers” = to murmur, complain
- complain about others
- condemn others
b. they are only interested in own lusts & desires
- “malcontents” = fault finding, blaming
- note that these are "sinful" desires
c. they are arrogant (puff themselves up)
- “loud-mouthed boasters”
d. Promoting their own agenda
3. But they will not always get away...they will be
revealed
D. Christ has shown you what happens to those who stray...He demands that you reject their example of conduct and continue to stay faithful to your confession...don't be swayed by their example...sometimes that's hard to do
III. OUR PERSEVERANCE: WE ARE TO STAY ON COURSE (17-25)
A. Jesus Has Given You A Warning (17-19)
1. “But” – A contrast
2. You were put on alert (17,18)
a. Apostles forewarned us about this
(it should not surprise you)
Acts 20:29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 2 Pet 3:3 …knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.
b. scoffers will come....and they have
(this is why we know it's the last days)
c. “ungodly passions” è “lusts”
2. Their Agenda: To divide (19)
a. they exist.......and they divide the church
(pit one man against another....church fights)
b. they do not follow the ways of the Spirit....
- “devoid” è “not having”
c. In other words...they are not Christians...
....but IMPOSTORS!
ILLUS: Wheat and Tares – Matt 13:24-42
3. Be on the lookout
B. Jesus Has Given You Your Obligation (20,21)
1. In contrast…your agenda… (“BUT…”)
2. You must to stay faithful (20)
a. you are to build up your faith
- spiritual exercise and practice
- study and practice His Word
- building is the opposite of dividing
b. you are to pray
- talk to Him and listen to Him
- "in the Holy Spirit" = dependent on Him
Rom 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
c. Perseverance and Prayer = keys to staying on track
2. You must wait on the Lord (21)
a. keep yourself in His love
- keep your relationship w/ Him fresh
- "don't stray from the circle of His love"
b. don't lose hope...wait patiently for His mercy
- eternal life will be given (your possession)
- don't give up...nothing can undue His
promises
3. 4 Keys words: Faith, Prayer, Love, and Hope
C. Jesus Has Given You Your Commission (22,23)
1. You are to be merciful (22,23a)
a. Having mentioned our relationship to God...
...Jude now turns to others
(3 groups of people)
b. 1st - Doubters....those struggling w/ their faith
- some are upset by false teachers (confused)
- don't judge them....help them w/ the truth
c. 2nd - Weak.....those trapped in sin
- "snatch others from the fire"....
...engulfed by their desires
- "save them".....God uses people as His heralds
- be concerned about the salvation of others
d. both groups are weak....be kind to them
2. You are to be careful with the third group (23b)
a. “others” – note the lack of definition
b. Wicked....those who persist in their sin
c. let your mercy be "mixed w/ fear"
- sinners are in need of mercy too
- they need to be reminded of God's
Word
- but be careful not to let them infect you
d. you are to despise their deeds...not them - unclean hearts = unclean words, deeds
- these we are to abhor
- "garment stained" => soiled underwear
e. be a voice of warning to the wicked, but don't even come close to their deeds
3. God has been merciful to you...be merciful to others
D. Jesus Has Given You Assurance......Himself (24,25)
1. He is able to preserve you (24)
a. Benediction focuses our attention......
...... on how we can do all this
b. He is able to keep you from “stumbling” into sins
- which is why our relationship must be current
c. He is able to present us pure and “blameless”
- something which we can not do ourselves
- a perfect people
d. He will rejoice in our presentation to the Father - w/ great joy
- He is able and will preserve you......
2. Therefore.......He is worthy of praise (25)
a. to Him be the glory....for salvation is His doing
- Glory, Majesty, Power, Authority
- these are descriptions of our God
b. through "Jesus Christ our Lord"
- it was accomplished through His obedience
c. "before all time"...set up before the world
- and nothing has or will change
d. Point: What God said He would do...He did!
E. Christ demands that you stay on course....you are to stay faithful to your vocation...you are His witnesses... ...testify as to what you have seen and don't let anyone detract from your passage...sometimes that's hard to do
CONCLUSION
As you released you children into the world...
.....didn't you hope they would follow your advice?
Then should you not follow your Father's advice?
1) don't listen to the ungodly
2) don't except their way of doing things
3) stay on the right track
You are in a spiritual battle.......fight with all your might to be faithful...and you will be counted faithful!
Application: Who is thus speaking of today?
Our enemy has many faces…immorality, arrogance, …false religions...the list goes on…
Few books in the New Testament have more to say to our generation than the Epistle of Jude. Distorters of the faith will find the book distasteful because of its warnings and uncompromising stance against defectors from the truth of Jesus Christ. But to those who approach the book with receptive hearts, Jude’s words speak as clearly and forcefully today as they did almost two thousand years ago…The writer commands our attention with his appeals for defending the faith and growing in grace. The primary focus of the book is on the faith, the believers, and God—not on the errors and character of the heretics. It is notable that with all of the blunt descriptions of false teachers, Jude gives us neither a command to confront these troublemakers (only to avoid them)…they are under the condemnation of God. Nelson Study Bible
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.