What's Happening to the Church? The Mockers Jude 16-19

Introduction

John MacArthur Sermon Archive Survival Strategy for Apostate Times, Part 1

They’re not outside the church, they have crept in unnoticed. And Jude goes on to tell us about them. They are identified in verse 8, “These men.” Verse 10, “These men.” Verse 11, “They,” and then again, “they.” And then verse 12, “These men.” And then verse 14, “These.” Then verse 16, “These.” And then all of a sudden, verse 17, “But you …” And here we come to a significant change in the direction of the writer. “But you,” verse 17, one more comment on “these” in verse 19, and back to “but you” in verse 20.

Point 1

Jude 16 NKJV

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

Swelling words

2 Peter 2:18 NKJV

For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.

Flattering people

Proverbs 28:21 NKJV

To show partiality is not good, Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

2 Peter 1:10 NKJV

Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

2 Peter 1:11 NKJV

for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:12 NKJV

For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

Point 2

Jude 17 NKJV

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Jude 18 NKJV

how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.

Point 3

Jude 19 NKJV

These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Conclusion