The Danger of Judgement

Schooner Valley Revival, Fall 2022

Houlka, MS

Jude

Text: Jude 5-11.

ETS: Jude issued a warning of judgement to the wicked false teachers who arose in the church.

ESS: Believers should warn others of the coming judgement for those who will not repent.

OSS: [MO: Ethical] {SO: I want the hearers to realize the danger of false teaching as they interact with others.}

PQ: What aspects are present in this text?

UW: Aspects

Intro.: [AGS]: [TS]: [RS]:

TS: Let us examine together a few aspects of this text.

The first aspect is demonstration. (vv. 5-7)

Firstly, let’s notice that Jude said he wanted to remind them of something- of what? The danger of judgement

Secondly, let’s notice the demonstration of those in the past who had fallen into judgement, thus demonstrating the danger of judgement:

The Israelites: Numbers 13-14 details that God did not permit those 20 and older to enter the promised land. What is the correlation of Israel here? Does it exactly correlate to the church of Jesus Christ? (See Schreiner, Jude, 446-447)

Angels: Pride and lust were their issue. (Enoch and Gen. 6:1-4)

Sodom and Gomorrah: sodomy and homosexuality were their issue.

THE LESSON: Examples from the past remind us that no matter our status or position, we are not beyond the judgement of God.

The second aspect is explanation. (vv. 8-10)

He then explains the work of the false teachers of both the present and past to explain their works and the danger thereof:

They were dreamers who defiled their flesh, rejected authority, and slandered glorious ones. (Dt. 13:1-5 sets forth the consequences of false prophets and dreamers [Barclay 212-213])

They defiled their flesh in their belief of the evil human body and in their perversion of God’s grace; they slandered glorious ones- angels, perhaps higher ranking angels.

V. 9- further expounds upon v. 8 relying upon the death of Moses detailed in Dt. 34:1-6 and the Assumption of Moses (an extrabiblical work)

V. 10- further highlights the works of the evil false teachers- they blaspheme anything they do not understand and they are destroyed by such things (because they corrupt them).

LESSON LEARNED: When we rely upon instinct, selfish motivation, sensuality, or anything relating to self and not the Scripture and the Holy Spirit, then our works are of the flesh and they will corrupt us, leading to judgement if repentance is not present.

The third aspect is comparison. (vv. 10-11)

Jude closes this section of the letter with a comparison to historical Israelite figures:

Cain: Murderer; implies that the false teachers were murderers of the souls of men and women- they defied God and His moral law.

Balaam: (Nu. 25 and 22-24) He was extremely greedy and envious willing even to sin if it meant he was granted personal gain- implies that the false teachers were willing to do whatever it took to gain personal benefit, even compromising and twisting the Gospel.

Korah: Nu. 16:1-35. Defied authority and sought after his own way- implies that the false teachers had no respect for authority and were only concerned with self.

LESSON LEARNED: Again, there is great danger in relying upon selfish motives.

CONCLUSION:

[1] There is great danger for each of us when we rely upon instinct and selfish motives. We are not beyond the judgement of God. We must be careful and disciplined in our actions.

[2] What do the works of your life suggest? Who is the source motivating your actions? Is it you or is it God? Many forget to ask the question, “What does God desire of me?” and instead only pursue what they desire for themselves. This is dangerous.

[3] What hinders you from repenting of selfishness tonight?