Dangerous Dreamers

Scripture Reading

Jude 8–10 NIV84

8 In the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject authority and slander celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals—these are the very things that destroy them.

Introduction

Looking at a difficult book, with some very strong wording.

Also what makes the book somewhat tricky, and what was cause in very early years to want to leave Jude out of the Cannon of Scripture, is his various references to Jewish literature and/or traditions.

We looked at one example of this reference to Jewish literature last week. In today’s passage, we have yet another example, but from a different source. Elaborate…

Is this okay?

How should we approach this?

How should we view the rest of the literature in light of the quote in one part?

As we consider this letter as a whole, I want to remind us that the letter is written to urge believers to contend for the faith. It is to encourage us as believers to walk closely with Christ. It is a letter to encourage us to hold fast to the teachings of the apostles. As we do this, we are reminded by Jude that it is Christ Himself that will keep His people and sustain them in their faith until the end. He will indeed be merciful to them.

One of the things that we must be cautious of as we study this letter is how we apply the strong wording that is found. In many respects, this is a harsh letter - and rightly so. But the harsh wording is not directed against the average Christian, but rather against those who have rejected the ways of God.

This will become more clear and evident as we study today’s verses. But we need to keep this in mind. It is not to say that there is nothing that we can learn from this passage for ourselves personally. There certainly is. We can apply many of the same truths to ourselves as warnings - cautions against turning away from Christ and His ways ourselves. But primarily these are strong words against those who are leading others astray.

The verses that we will consider this morning speak directly to the false teachers that Jude is concerned about that have infiltrated the church. You will recall that last week we looked at those three examples that Jude gave concerning the judgment of God against those who rebelled against Him:

The Israelites Grumbled against God after He had graciously delivered them

The Angels did not keep their positions of authority given to them by God, but engaged in acts of defiance, and left their positions, thus incurring God’s wrath upon them.

Sodom and Gomorrah rejected the ways of God in terms of the conduct, and thus brought upon themselves the righteous condemnation of God by being burned by sulphur raining down on them.

As Jude now proceeds in these verses, he immediately draws the link from the examples that he’s given in the preceding verses to these false teachers that he is warning the church of.

In verse 8, he begins with the phrase “in the same way...” The sinful conduct of various groups of people and angels in the previous verses depict the kind of conduct and actions that are found among these false teachers within the church.

This is what we consider from our text this morning.

Notice as we begin...

1. False Teachers Are Directed by Dreams

As Jude makes this transition, he labels these false teachers in a particular manner. He speaks of them as “these dreamers.”

Notice further that as Jude makes this transition, he refers to them as “these dreamers.” The fact is these false teachers would rely on their dreams in order to support their position and teaching.

This is a typical characteristic of false teachers. It has been such through the ages, and continues even until today.

Deut

2. False Teachers Act in Defiance of God (v.8)

As we turn our attention now to these false teachers that Jude wishes to warn his readers about,

2.1. They Pollute Their Own Bodies

The first thing that is evident concerning these teachers is that they pollute their own bodies. They assume that their bodies are theirs to do with as they wish. They do not consider that their bodies are in fact temples of God that are to be treated in a holy a manner.

2 Peter 2:10 says that these men are not afraid to follow the corrupt, sinful desires of the flesh. In verse 4 of Jude’s letter, he mentioned that these men are those who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality.

As Paul spoke about the Gospel truths and the profound reality of our position in Christ, he spoke of the correct response to these Gospel truths...

2 Corinthians 6:16–7:1 NIV84

16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 17 “Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

1 Corinthians 6:12–20 NIV84

12 “Everything is permissible for me”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food”—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

2.2. They Reject Authority

2.3. They Slander Celestial Beings

3. The Archangels Example (v.9)

4. The Abusive Arrogance (v.10)

Application and Conclusion

Who should we as the church be careful of? Those that are arrogant...