Jude’s Warning, Part 3 Series

Jude’s Warning, Part 3

Jude 17-25

Introduction

- Tonight we will conclude our study of the book of Jude

- Last time we discussed four critical things about false teachers

-- These make it easy to spot them, and to recognize their actions

Jude says that they are judged for four things: (v16)

1. they are grumblers and faultfinders;

2. they follow their own evil desires;

3. they boast about themselves; and,

4. flatter others for their own advantage

- It is here that we conclude on our study …

- Read Jude 17-25

- Pray

∆ Point 1 – False Teachers Divide a Room

- From the judgments of false teachers, Jude turns to you and me: “dear friends”

- Jude reminds us that there will always be a time of false teachers

-- Even Jesus Himself taught this very thing; they are not to be trusted

-- Also refers to them as scoffers (those who ridicule) the proper teachings

-- APP: These who do these things do so for one reason alone: to divide

- Challenge: Have you ever known people who love to divide the room

• They either: Have to be #1 (definite pride issues), or,

• Have to let you know why someone shouldn’t be (jealousy issues)

- APP: Jude calls them scoffers because they mock what they don’t like

- Their source of teaching is their own instinct; fleshly desires to be in charge

-- Submission to God means that He is in charge … we are not the rulers of all

-- Mark 9:35, “And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”

- TRANS: So, what should we be doing?

∆ Point 2 – We have 4 ways to Live

- We are to be the ones who uphold proper teaching (v20)

-- We should be on guard against such people, to preserve what we know rightly

-- But, notice what it does not tell us to do … we are not their judge

- Jude’s exclamation to you and I is that we would be ones who: (v21)

1. Build yourselves up in the most holy faith

- This same faith is the one entrusted to the Disciples, and now we have it

- It means that we should be actively growing in the faith we know

- It is a sign of maturity that we are not the same as we were last year

2. Praying in the Holy Spirit

- This refers to praying under the direction of the Holy Spirit

- It is a matter of trust that we seek Him for direction, asking for God’s will

- When we pray in the Holy Spirit, we are asking for God to change us

3. Keep yourself in God’s love

- This does NOT mean that we have to work to maintain our salvation

- What this is for us is a direct challenge to stay submitted to the things of God

- For example, John 15:10, “if you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”

- APP: We are to live in a way that honors God, keeping His commands

-- Romans 6:17, “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.”

4. Wait for the mercy of Jesus to bring us eternal life

- Each of us ought to have a hope that one day we shall be with Him forever

-- Titus 2:11-14, “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

- We live in expectation of one day seeing Him, it is our hope for today/tomorrow

-- If He does not return in our lifetime, we still die and live with Him forever

-- APP: The expectation of hope ought to motivate us to live better; live FOR Him

- TRANS: After we’ve safeguarded our hearts, we are instructed to act …

∆ Point 3 – Doxology

- We watch for those who are less mature (v22)

-- We also watch for those who doubt their faith (prob b/c of false teachers)