You Know Better, Or At Least You Should Series

You Know Better, or at Least You Should

Lakeview Baptist Church March 1, 2026

Intro

A few weeks ago we looked at some of the scariest words in the entire Bible. Jesus had already taught that there will be few who will follow the narrow road to His kingdom. Then after warning about false prophets, He taught that there will be many who will be fooled by these false prophets and follow a false gospel. Then He taught a truth that should send chills down our spine, Matthew 7:21-23.

This led us to take a detour from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount to the book of Jude, penned by Jesus’ younger brother. Jude warns of the coming of these false prophets and also paints a picture of the damage they will do to the world as well as the damage they will do to the church. We have learned about the false prophets, now let’s look into the devastation they will usher in leading to the great apostasy, falling away.

2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, Hebrews 3:12, Hebrews 6:4–6, Luke 8:13, 2 Peter 2:1, 20-22, 2 Timothy 4:3–4

1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, (2) speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.

Text

Jude 1:17-25 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: (18) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (19) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (22) And on some have compassion, making a distinction; (23) but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. (24) Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, (25) To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.

Prayer

In order for us to be prepared, we must first…

I. Recognize the Players vss.17-19

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: (18) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (19) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.

Remember Jude’s reason for writing his letter,

“I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith.”

“for certain men have crept in unnoticed.”

How can this happen?

It happens because most believers are lazy and don’t make studying God’s Word a priority, leaving our minds unguarded. But it also happens because we don’t guard our hearts.

Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;

Who can know it?

Look at the people Jude says we will see during the apostasy..

A. Steadfast

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

Beloved= believers….us if we trust and follow Jesus

Apostles= those who shared the true gospel

Lord Jesus Christ= ultimate Authority and Author of Truth

The steadfast must be prepared to stand up to the lies, easy believism, self-worship, rebellion, and even persecution. We must remember what we have been taught and allow it to transform us into light bearers during the dark times to come.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The Steadfast will be confronted and even attacked by the….

B. Scornful

how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time

Mockers don’t believe the truth and many of them don’t want you to believe either, so they mock your belief in an attempt to undermine it. Ultimately it is because they are….

C. Selfish

who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts

We see many in our time, who talk a good game, but ultimately, they are utterly selfish. We must be different. Jesus taught that true believers would be self-less

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

False prophets also, undermine Gods’ standards thereby neutering His authority, really undermining all authority. Rather than teaching a life of self-sacrifice and obedience, they teach, “if it feels right, it is right.”