They Have Gone The Way of Cain Jude 11

Introduction

Theme

Jude 3 NKJV

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

MIT

Jude wants the people of God to understand apostasy so that they will stay faithful to God.

IOT

Today we must understand apostasy so that will stay faithful to God.

GOT

The people of God must understand apostasy and it effects so that we will stay faithful to the God who has saved us.

What is Apostasy?

APOSTASY (ἀπόστασις, apostasis, ἀποστασία, apostasia). A public denial of a previously held religious belief and a distancing from the community that holds to it. The term is almost always applied pejoratively, carrying connotations of rebellion, betrayal, treachery, or faithlessness.

Some Apostates Have Fallen Away

Hebrews 6:4 NKJV

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit,

Hebrews 6:5 NKJV

and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

Hebrews 6:6 NKJV

if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:7 NKJV

For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God;

Hebrews 6:8 NKJV

but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

Some Apostates Have Gone To Places Where Doctrine is not Taught

2 Timothy 4:3 NKJV

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

2 Timothy 4:4 NKJV

and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Some Apostates Have Infiltrated and Are Changing Churches

Jude 12 NKJV

These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;

What is The Nature of Apostates?

Immorality

Defile the Flesh

porneio

sexual in nature

Insubordination

They reject authority

Breaking a law or statute, or acting contrary to moral will of an authority. Also: “Disobedient” and “Insubordination.”

Irreverent

The revile angelic majesties or glories

a complete absence of the proper sense of awe, respect and wonder that is inspired and demanded by the character and activity of the living God. Irreverence involves disrespect for the character, deeds, words, law and ministers of God.

They Have Crept in Like Terrorists

Jude 4 NKJV

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Terrorists

a person who uses unlawful violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.

Spiritual terrorists

Jude 4 NKJV

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Cain is the prototypical Apostate

He had the privilege of being the first born of Adam and Eve.

The privilege of being the first child to be acquired from the Lord!

He was the first big brother!

BUT he didn’t appreciate his parents, his brother, nor God and so he fail away!

Point 1

Genesis 4:2 NKJV

Then she bore again, this time his brother Abel. Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.

Point 2

Genesis 4:3 NKJV

And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord.

Genesis 4:4 NKJV

Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,

Genesis 4:5 NKJV

but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

Point 3

Genesis 4:6 NKJV

So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?

Genesis 4:7 NKJV

If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

Point 4

Genesis 4:8 NKJV

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

Genesis 4:9 NKJV

Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

Genesis 4:10 NKJV

And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Genesis 4:11 NKJV

So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:11 NKJV

So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.

Genesis 4:12 NKJV

When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

Cain’s Destruction

Genesis 4:13 NKJV

And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear!

Genesis 4:14 NKJV

Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

Genesis 4:15 NKJV

And the Lord said to him, “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

Genesis 4:16 NKJV

Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord and dwelt in the land of Nod on the east of Eden.

Conclusion