Wrapping Up
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Introduction:
We have reached the end of Jude’s letter. He wraps things up by once again reminding us of the reality of skeptics and the responsibility of the faithful. He closes with a beautiful doxology worshipping the Lord.
1. Reality of skeptics
1. Reality of skeptics
Jude 17-19
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Throughout his letter, Jude has been profiling fake believers and teachers. These are the apostates. They have abandoned the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. They may keep up a show of religion, but is false and not based on God’s word.
Notice how Jude has described them:
Show slide
Today, in his closing remarks he wraps up his letter.
a. Predicted
a. Predicted
Apostles
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.
Many apostles warned of coming apostates and false teachers
Paul warned the elders from Ephesus that they were coming.
The infiltrators entering from outside
some enter for the express purpose of deception
they want to tear up true churches
they want to force conformity to the world
IN NT: and example were The Judiazers
They were trying to force Christians to follow OT law and teachings of Pharisees
The errant arising from inside
Those already who start to stray from faith and lead others with them
Jesus
Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand.
Jesus warned that in the last days many would claim to be Him. He often had challenged false teachers and took the Pharisees to task on their hypocrisy
We can see this today!
False teachers are calling themselves gods.
b. Behavior of Scoffers
b. Behavior of Scoffers
Follow ungodly passions
In keeping with Jude’s pattern, he points out they are guilty of following their own lusts
They follow flesh not Spirit!
Scoff against God’s moral Standards
Openly ridicule God’s moral code delivered to us in His word.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
They openly defy GOD with their teachings and lifestyle
Many have gone so far as to publish false translations of the Bible to remove things they don’t want to call sin and endorse false teachings which the actually condemns
c. Cause division
c. Cause division
Source of division as they lead others astray
They don’t follow God and lead others to do the same
They teach lies and doctrines of demons
They deny the sufficiency of Scripture and like Satan in the Garden of Eden, they lead others to question what God really said (or really meant)
d. Worldly
d. Worldly
Carnal and fleshy
When looking at them and their churches, there is no difference between their lives and the lives of the lost
They live to fulfil their flesh
Are not living for God nor are they following God
They are led by their own lusts!
e. Devoid of spirit
e. Devoid of spirit
The only logical conclusion is that they are lost!
Paul in Romans
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
2. Role of the Faithful
2. Role of the Faithful
Jude 20-23
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. 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.
BUT YOU
BUT YOU
A contrast is being made by Jude
Much of his attention has been on false teachers and apostates, but now, he makes his point!
We are to be different!
Scoffers are over here (HOLD UP HAND) and act this way
On the other hand (Hold up hand), we are over here and are to act differently
There should be a clear contrast between the ungodly and ourselves
Not that we are to go around comparing ourselves in an arrogant way to boost our own egos
We should stay focused on word and living by it
However, we get a glimpse of the world, it should clearly NOT reflect our nature!
Build yourselves up in the faith
Build yourselves up in the faith
Personal responsibility
Personal responsibility
Feast upon the word of God
Grow stronger in the faith
Mature over time
Get where you can be built up in a Bible preaching and practicing church
Corporate Responsibility
Corporate Responsibility
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We are to build each other up
We are to speak things which edify
We are to provoke each other
To love
To good works.
Praying
Praying
Be a person of prayer!
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Seek God’s wisdom throughout life
Intercede for others
Keep yourselves
Keep yourselves
This in no way implies we can remove ourselves from salvation
However, it is saying work to stay on the path. We are responsible to be obedient and faithful!
We will be judged and we have daily choices to make
Choose what keeps you in line with GOD
What media do you consume?
In what entertainments and diversions do you spend your time?
Have mercy
Have mercy
Those deceived by apostate teachers need mercy and compassion.
They think they are doing right, but they have been deceived.
Save others
Rescue those caught in the trap of following false teachers
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.
This is reminding us to witness
Yes, people who may be with us regularly and even on a member might need to be saved!
Sadly, apostates can be present in all churches.
Snatch them out of the fire
This phrase emphasizes the seriousness of our mission!
Heaven and Hell is on the line
When we speak the truth in love as we give the gospel to others, choices about their eternal destiny is what we are witnessing!
3. Worship the Redeemer
3. Worship the Redeemer
Jude 24-25
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.
This is Jude’s doxology and is one of the BEST in the NT
He closes like many of the authors of Scripture by praising the Lord
Jude makes it clear that all of this he wrote was for Christ’s sake
Notice the description
Dedicated to
Him who keeps you from stumbling
Jesus preserves us
He holds onto us and keeps us from falling away
Presents us blameless to God
He finishes what He starts in salvation and gets us home to heaven where we will be presented by Him to the Father
Blameless-
our sins are removed and the price is paid
He truly washes us and makes us pure
Justified-
just as if I’d never sinned!
To Him be:
Worship!
Glory
Majesty
Dominion
Authority
Eternally!
No end nor limit to HIS worthiness of worship!
Let us worship like Jude!
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Pray