JUDE

Author - Jude

servant of Jesus Christ

brother of James

Audience - Christians

those who are called

beloved in God the Father

kept for Jesus Christ

Introductory Blessing

mercy

peace

love

Author’s Purpose

an appeal to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints

an adjustment from original purpose, which was to write about their common salvation

Occasion

certain people have crept in unnoticed who

pervert the grace of God into sensuality

deny the only Master & Lord, Jesus Christ

Reminder of Former Judgements

Jesus destroyed unbelievers after bringing Israel out of Egypt

Jesus punished angels who did not stay within their own position of authority

Sodom, Gomorrah, and surrounding cities that indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire underwent a punishment of eternal fire

Comparison

These people (who have crept in) in like manner to those formerly mentioned who were judged...

relying on their dreams

defile the flesh

reject authority

blashpheme the glorious ones

unlike the archangel Michael who did not blasphame even the devil but left his rebuke in The Lord’s hands

these people blaspheme all that they do not understand and are destroyed by all that they understsand by instict

They walked in the way of Cain

leading others into wickedness (first to divert to hatred, murder, envy, etc.)

They abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error

loved gain from wrongdoing

taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality

They perished in Korah’s rebellion

ungrateful for their position, greedy for a greater status, and rebelled against Moses

Hidden reefs at your love feasts

feast with you without fear

shepherds feeding themselves

Waterless clouds, swept along by winds

Fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted

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

Enoch prophesided about their judgement, conviction

Grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires

loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage

Remember the Prophecies

in the last time there wil be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions

these cause division, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for hte mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh

Doxology

The Father

who is able to keep you from stumbling and

present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy

the only God

our Savior

Through Jesus Christ

our Lord

Be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.