Laser Focus

Schooner Valley Revival, Fall 2022

Houlka, MS

Jude

Text: Jude 17-25.

ETS: Jude urged believers to remember the warnings of the false teachers are they kept themselves in the love of God and watched out for other believers.

ESS: Believer should be careful to stay focused on Jesus and to watch out for fellow believers who are struggling.

OSS: [MO: Devotional] {SO: I want the hearers to commit to staying focused on Jesus and nourishing other believers around them.} Cognitive: Affective: Psycho-Motor:

PQ: What elements are present in these final verses?

UW: Elements

Intro.: [AGS]: Laser focused is defined by something that requires 100% of you attention, dedication, and devotion being removed from any distractions. Think about the bow hunter who is seeking to harvest a deer in a brush thicket under pressure; think about the football player who is under stress of the clock, near the end zone, and has the opportunity to score the winning touchdown. Laser focus without distraction is required of these individuals. [TS]: The text details Jude giving instruction to the Jewish believers with an emphasis on focus. It was pertinent that they not be distracted by the false teachings. Rather, he urged them to pursue Christ and watch out for other believers. [RS]: Each of us need the same instruction- to remain focused and to not allow distractions to hinder our own walk with Christ and the fulfilment of the mission He has given to us. Additionally, it is pertinent that we watch out for other believers and hold them accountable with the truth. There are several elements in this text that give us instruction and ways to do that-

TS: Let us examine a few elements in the text together:

Preface: Notice the harsh contrasting conjunction “but you” (ὑμεῖς δέ) in vv. 17 and 20. This signals a definite shift from talking about the false teachers to now directly and personally addressing the Jewish believers. Also notice the word he uses to address them, “dear friends” (ἀγαπητοί)- this signals a close relationship between Jude and the audience he is writing to.

The first element is the reminder of the false teachers. (vv. 17-19)

Jude instructed the believers to remember what the apostles taught regarding false teachers and the end times. Likely, this is referring to oral apostolic tradition, but it could refer to specific passages (Mt. 7:15-23, 24:11; Acts 20:29-30; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 3:1-9; 2 Pt. 2:1-3, 12-22; 1 Jn. 2:18-23)

Four descriptions are given of them: scoffers (mockers of religion), controlled by their own desires or lust and carnality; divisive; without the spirit.

Side note, point of relevancy: Though no one knows the day nor the hour (Mt. 24:36), we can assume that we are closer to it now than they were then. In fact, Jesus’ ascension into Heaven inaugurated the end times- thus, we should expect that if false teachers were present in the first century- we should expect them to also be present in the twenty-first century.

The second element is the responsibility of believers for themselves. (vv. 20-21)

Jude then turns to provide specific instruction for the believer regarding themselves: KEEP (τηρήσατε) yourselves in the love of God.

He describes how the believers were to keep themselves in the love of God:

by building yourself up in the most holy faith (the foundation)

by praying in the spirit (not to assert speaking in tongues, rather praying according to God’s will, cf. Eph. 6:18, Akin, Jude, 179)

by waiting expectantly for the mercy of Jesus Christ for eternal life.

Daniel Akin wrote, “Building up is our edification…Praying in the Spirit is our communion. Looking for the Savior…is our anticipation.” (Akin, Jude, 179)

Notice also the presence of the Trinity: Praying in the Holy Spirit, keeping oneself in the love of God (the Father), and waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ (The Son). (Schreiner, Jude, 481-482); He also notes the appearance of the NT triad- faith (20), hope (alluded to in v. 21 with expected mercy for eternal life), and love (21).

Point of relevance: It is pertinent that we have laser focus, keeping ourselves in the love of Christ and intentionally pursuing Him or else, we will be led astray, as well.

The third element is the responsibility of the believers to others. (vv. 22-23)

Jude then transitions to give a set of instruction including two imperatives, one appearing twice (3 total), regarding the believers responsibility to look after other believers. Before elaborating on the instruction, though, let me add that the instruction to the believer regarding him/herself is important- if you are not healthy yourself, you cannot help someone else.

(1) Have mercy on those who waver: these are those within the church who may not have been fully led astray- they aren’t fully on board with the false teaching, perhaps skeptical, yet interested. Believers were to deal with them generously and with mercy.

(2) Save others by snatching them from the fire- the verb “save” is clarified by the descriptive word “snatching” which seems to depend on the OT passage of Zechariah 3- Thomas Schreiner clarified that the fire refers to future judgement but does not imply that the individuals were already in the fire- only that they were on their way to the fire of judgement because of their giving into false teaching (Schreiner, 488). There is still hope for these, but believers must pursue them and share with them truth and correct the false teachings they have adhered to.

(3) have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh- again, alluding to Zechariah 3- the communication is this: sin is serious; believers should be careful when dealing with those who have been given over to it; they are to be generous, yet careful, lest they become contaminated and trapped in it, too (Schreiner, 488-489). Akin wrote, “It is a lie of Satan that says we have to live like the lost to reach the lost- I have to drink like them, curse like them, party like them, be like them.” (Akin, 182)

Point of Relevance: we have responsibility to care for and watch out for other believers, to hold them accountable, and to give them truth when they need it. A loving friend is one who corrects with the truth and honesty rather than watches the other person fall without ever offering help for fear of offending them. We need to look our for our fellow believers- Satan is after us.

The final element is the rendering of glory to God. (vv. 24-25)

Finally, Jude concluded rendering glory to God:

Now to Him who is able--- able to keep us from stumbling, wavering, and falling prey. Remember, it is HE who keeps us (Jude 1)

glory, majesty, power, and authority. WOW! To God be the glory.

Perhaps Jude concluded with this to remind the believers that when they depended upon the Lord, He would enable them to minister to those at risk of falling prey to false teaching without falling prey to it themselves- He is able to keep us.

CONCLUSION:

[1] Realize this, believer, you have responsibility: you need to stay laser focused. There will be distractions, lures, and temptations to try to draw you away. Be reminded that you must keep yourself in the love of Christ and reach out to others who are struggling. Be reminded, also, that Satan’s goal is not to get you to worship Him. It is only to distract you from worshipping God!!

[2] What are you actively doing to ensure that you are dependent on God? Being kept in His love? What are you doing to reach out to those whom you know that may be struggling in their faith? Let us trust Him who is able, pursue Him who is able, and cling to Him who is able! To HIM be the glory!