The Book of Jude

She has gotten to a point in her life where the stories and adventures of Narnia are not worth her time. She has turned aside and turned away from believing that any of it existed.

C.S. Lewis seems to have brilliantly used her character to depict the reality of apostasy - or of people losing their faith.

Michael Kruger, the President of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte noted in a recent talk that aired on the Gospel Coalition Podcast, that this trend of de-conversion or deconstructing faith is becoming more and more popular today. It seems that some leave the faith because of genuine doubts. Others depart because the biblical moral ethics are too stringent.

He went on to say that some simply go quietly. Others seem to go with great fanfare, becoming better, or more motivated evangelists of deconstruction and de-conversion than they ever were of the faith.

Today, as we look at the book of Jude, we’re going to see that this church is dealing with people who appear to believe or be in the faith, but are really on the outside - we could call these people de-conversionists, or apostates. Because of their potential influence in the church, we’ll call them “false teachers.”

If we were to summarize the book of Jude in one (run on) sentence, we might say...

Because of false teachers in the church, we must contend for the faith through inward-oriented spiritual disciplines and outward focused ministry, assured of our standing with God.

We will consider each of these sections as we think through the message of Jude.

Because of false teachers in the church (Jude 1-19)...

Let’s consider the opening few verses.

Jude 1–4 ESV

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 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. 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.

This was not Jude’s original plan. In fact he wanted to do something different - but based on the circumstances that he discerned in the church, he felt it was important to give them this charge.

Over the course of these first 19 verses, Jude goes to great lengths to talk about the qualities of these people who have “crept in unnoticed.”

It seems like Jude is referring here to people who are not really Christians but rather, “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Mt. 7:15). Jesus referred to false prophets this way.

Jude says that these people:

are ungodly - they lack attributes that are exemplary of men and women of God.

pervert grace into sensuality - in other words they seem to celebrate freedom to sin rather than freedom from sin.

deny the Lordship of Jesus - they want to look beyond the sufficiency of who Christ is.

In verse 8, Jude restates their actions in a little different way:

Jude 8 ESV

Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.

The foundation of their faith, if we could call it that, is based on the whims of their dreams and visions and not established on the word of God.

Jude has some other strong words to say about their character:

Jude 12–13 ESV

These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they 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.

Let’s think about a few of these images:

Hidden reefs - the NLT translates them as “dangerous reefs that can shipwreck” - They are unseen and fearless. Their purpose is to destroy. This might be that person who comes, saying the right things at first and then begins to instill doubt or teach falsehoods, and begins to pick people of one-by-one. Reefs, when they cause a shipwreck, also add to their influence - they feed themselves on the ships that they sink. This makes for great scuba diving, but terrible church life as lives are fractured and splintered by contrary teachings.

He mixes in this another metaphor “shepherds feeding themselves” - shepherds are supposed to feed sheep, not focus on themselves.

(By the way - these “love feasts” are like a combination of our pot luck or fellowship meals and communion (Dever).

Waterless clouds - There is no substance to what they are saying and teaching. A waterless cloud drifts and floats around, tossed by the winds of change.

Fruitless trees - they can’t bear fruit - because their M.O. is destruction and theft or even de-conversion. They are not life-giving, but life taking.

Wild waves… - as they teach and coerce, they reveal their own shameful behavior.

Wandering stars - alone in the darkness of space that has been reserved for them.

Illustration: Josh Harris - public departure from the faith, phase of deconstruction, as caused a lot of people to question their own faith. I don’t think he is intentionally trying to lead people astray. He needs our prayers. But we need to be aware.

Jude helps us to understand that there have always been false teachers. Just as the teachers of falsehood experienced judgment in the past, so will the people in the present.

Jude references three groups of people in the past who received judgment:

those who choose to disbelieve God’s promise to bring the people to the promised land (Jude 5)

Angels who rebelled (Jude 6)

Sodom and Gomorrah (Jude 7)

It seems like Jude is trying to give his readers confidence in the sovereign plan and will of God. God was the one who brought about a judgment on those people. God will do the same today.

It seems like this is where we begin to get ourselves into trouble, when we put ourselves in the place of God and in order to judge and condemn people. In a few moments, we’ll get to see what Jude would have us do.

In fact, he even references an extra-biblical resource and a story of the archangel Michael who refused to judge his adversary, but simply replied - “The Lord rebuke you” - leaving the outcome in God’s hands.

Now, some of these false teachers that Jude referred to were outside the church. We have to recognize that we will face both - inside and outside. We might have more of a say and even a bit more authority over false teaching in the church, but we still must ultimately trust in God.

So, because of the false teachers in the church, Jude continues...

… we must contend for the faith (Jude 3) ...

Jude 3 ESV

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.

He had a different purpose for writing initially, but was compelled to change the subject of this letter.

His charge to contend for the faith is a struggle. It’s a battle. In fact the Greek word used there is related to our word “agonize.” We are not to roll over and submit to every whim of new doctrine or the latest trends in relevant theology, but should wrestle and struggle for our faith.

I’ve told you all about our dog Dakota. She is a little 7lb, tri-color, Morkie. She’s a very personable and energetic dog.

She seems to have this innate sense of knowing when we are going to leave. She can see the signs. Eventually, when we are ready to put her up in her crate, she will put her ears back in sadness and then will roll over on her back. I’m grateful when she does that because then we don’t have to run around the house to catch her.

But there are other times, when she will want to play. Usually it’s when I’m reading or we are watching TV. She will come to where I am, put her paws on me, she might drop what’s in her mouth and then pick it up again, she might even begin to do a light growl. She is contending for my attention. She persists and stays active until I pay attention to what she wants.

I realize that’s a bit of a simplified example, but the point is that Dakota doesn’t give up easily. As we content for our faith in the actions that we will talk about in a few moments, we must not roll over. We must press, pursue, learn, dig, and more.

Jude says that this faith was “once for all delivered to the saints.” One of the commentators suggested that there was a set doctrinal standard established by the time that Jude wrote this (Gromacki). Some of these false teachers were teaching based on dreams and even on rationalizations - rationalizing their sinful behavior as being acceptable means of common grace.

Because of false teachers in the church, we must contend for our faith...

…through inward oriented spiritual disciplines (Jude 20-21) ...

Jude 20–21 ESV

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 the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

If you have your own Bibles, let me encourage you to circle the verbs there. His charge to contend includes building, praying, keeping, waiting. I think in many ways these are indicative of Spiritual disciplines, or habits that help us to grow in our faith.

“building yourselves up...” - notice, this is an active and ongoing discipline. Our faith is not simply a transactional event. We must continue to grow in our faith.

Individually - through times of Bible reading, meditation on God’s word, Memorization,

Corporately - through

times of worship together - as we worship God in song, prayer and as we read the Word and hear the Word preached, we continue that process of building.

discipling one another - in small groups or one-on-one relationships and in class settings. As we work toward re-opening fully in September, a vital part of that is our individual willingness to invest in others (and be invested in) - being willing to teach or assist - especially in the children’s classes - but also in adult classes. Maybe even pray about participating in a discipling group.

“praying in the Holy Spirit” - This one can sometimes be intimidating - what does this mean, what does it look like? I think we have to start with praying - more than simply thanking God for our food - but praying for one another. Use the prayer list or a church directory as a means of guiding your prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Join us on Wednesdays as we pray together. I’ve said it before, I learn so much about prayer by praying with others. (possibly reference Praying with Paul - by DA Carson - on getting our minds scattered as we pray - vocalizing, writing, are good options)

“Keep yourselves in the love of God” - this verb “keep” has the connotation of guarding or remaining steadfast. The love of God is immovable and sure. We learned in our study of the Old Testament that God is “slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Ex. 34:6). One of the things that we’re going to see in a few moments is that we are already kept, secure, assured in God’s love. That’s on God. But I think our part in this is to remember - to be constantly reminded of the depth of God’s love. We can’t earn any more of it or lose any less of it, but we can easily forget. Don’t forget to remember - God loves you! Let that sink in for a moment. God loves you. remember! Live your life knowing that you are loved by God.

The final inward-oriented spiritual discipline that Jude mentions is...

“waiting” - (for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life) - I hate waiting. I like to think that I’m a patient person - but if I’m honest with myself, I’m not patient. I want things now. But this idea of waiting on what Jesus is accomplishing, waiting on this coming judgment, we must be patient. Waiting is an act of trust. Waiting in an act of submission.

Remember what we studied a few weeks ago:

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Waiting on the Mercy of Jesus is a bit like fixing our eyes on him. He is not only the founder but the perfecter or finisher of our faith.

So much of how we contend for our faith has an inward focus - building up, reinforcing, instilling in others within the body - in order to ensure our foundation is secure - so that when we encounter false teachers, we won’t be overly influenced by them - but will know where we stand and what is truth.

But we can’t simply remain inwardly focused.

Because of false teachers in the church, we must contend for our faith with inward oriented spiritual disciplines...

…and outward focused ministry…(Jude 22-23)

With the foundation shored up, we are ready to move outward...

Jude 22–23 ESV

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.

The underlying concept here is mercy.

What is your normal response when you learn that someone is drifting from the faith? Are you saddened? Are you angered? Are you compassionate?

Are we acting in a merciful way toward outsiders and even insiders who are on the fringe?

Jude seems to reference three groups of people here - those who doubt, “others” in need of rescue or “snatching”, and “others” who seem to be living worldly lives.

Let’s ponder these three for a moment.

those who doubt - Jude urges us to have mercy on them. When we show someone mercy we’re withholding the judgment they might deserve. God showed us mercy by sending His son to take the punishment for our sin. I think that when we show mercy to those who doubt, we don’t write them off. We have a compassionate attitude. I think in many cases it involves regular prayer for those who doubt. Doubts are real. We all have them from time to time in varying degrees. Just because I have great confidence in something in our faith, doesn’t mean I should expect that in someone else. I think this is where our personal ministry of hospitality can be helpful as we continually engage people.

I have a friend named Tim who recently invited his neighbors over for a pot luck cookout. One neighbor was on the fence about coming because he hated Christianity and didn’t understand why anyone would believe what we believe, but he came anyways. He was drunk when he arrived. Things at the dinner seemed to go well. The neighbor left his dish at Tim’s house, so Tim brought it by the next day. The man was still drunk. Over the next several minutes he poured himself out to Tim over his spiritual doubts and his spiral back into alcoholism. Before they parted, this neighbor allowed Tim to pray for him and said he’s looking forward to a long-lasting relationship. Tim showed mercy to his doubting neighbor.

the others in need of rescue - there are some people who are so lost that they can only seem to make bad decisions. They don’t know how to make things right. They need salvation and they need it drastically. This might involve removing people from a bad situation in order to bring them new influences and most importantly, the Gospel.

the others who are living worldly lives - I’ve wrestled with how to think through this part. “to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.” It seems like Jude is talking about people who are caught up in immoral living. Showing them mercy with fear seems to suggest that we should be aware of how their sin can rub off on us. It’s as though this is Jude’s way of echoing what Paul wrote in Galatians.

Galatians 6:1 ESV

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

We can’t avoid those people, but we must be aware of how their sinfulness can be tempting.

Are we showing mercy to those who are on the outside or on the fringe? How would they know? How can they know unless we do somethings to communicate to them. We must be willing to move from the inward-oriented spiritual disciplines, to the outward focused ministry opportunities that God places before us.

So, because of false teachers in the church, we must contend for the faith with inward-oriented spiritual disciplines and outward focused ministry, finally,...

…assured of our standing with God (Jude 24-25)

Jude 24–25 ESV

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, 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.

Beloved, understand this - Jesus is the one who is able to keep us from falling into sin - that’s why we have His Holy Spirit within us. He is also the one who will present us blameless and holy before God. We are kept secure in him. Nothing can change that.

Conclusion

Friend, if you are one of those who is doubting, or if you are stuck in sin, or even feel like you’ve fallen away from your faith - return to the loving arms of our savior. He gave his life for you. He welcomes you into his family. We gladly welcome you into the family. Acknowledge your sin and turn from it, trust in what Jesus has done for you on the cross.

If you are doubting, let me encourage you to not doubt on your own. Let’s have a conversation or spend some time talking with someone around you. We will do our best to demonstrate the mercy that God is urging us to show you.

Beloved, as you’ve thought about those who are falling away, who has come to your mind? What are you doing, what am I doing to show them mercy? What is our next step?

I was recently listening to another TGC podcast where one of Josh Harris’ brothers talked about his own journey of faith and what God is doing in his life. When asked about Josh, this brother responded with sadness, but also with hope. It’s not over for Josh. He needs prayer. It’s not over for those around us who are de-constructing their faith.

It’s not our job to save them, but to reinforce our spiritual foundation and then to show mercy.

Jude’s message to us is...

Because of false teachers in the church, we must contend for the faith through inward-oriented spiritual disciplines and outward focused ministry, assured of our standing with God.

Let’s pray.

Memory Verse: Jude 20-21

Jude 20–21 ESV

References:

https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/jude/

Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.

Dever, Mark the Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept, Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2005

Green, Michael. The Second Epistle of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. TNTC. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1973.

Gromacki, Robert G. New Testament Survey. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 1974