Jude’s Warning (Part 1) Series

Jude’s Warning (Part 1)

Jude 1-7

Introduction

- Tonight we will begin to examine the book of Jude

- Show of hands … be honest, who has ever read this book before?

- It is unknown who this letter is written to

--Probably written around 70 to 80 AD, to an early church for sure

-- With its references to OT people and places this could be to Christian Jews

-- Again, it is written to warn of false teachers and encourage believers

- Not much is known about the author, Jude

-- Some think there are a few clues as to who he could’ve been:

• A leader in the early church in Jerusalem

• An apostle of Jesus

• Possibly a half-brother of Jesus

- Most scholars believe that he is probably a half-brother of Jesus … why?

-- An apostle would’ve clearly indicated his authority as he wrote this letter

-- In v17 he also refers to the Apostles (shows he is not part of their group)

- He identifies as a brother of James (v1), who was half-brother of Jesus

-- Note: This is not Jude the Apostle however (from Luke 6:16)

-- RE: Jude the Apostle was the son of James (Acts 1:13)

-- IMP: He did not believe that Jesus was Messiah until after the resurrection

- But now, he writes with a heart of love of believers to strengthen them

-- We will take this apart in a few sessions for clarity and opportunity to digest

- Read Jude 1-24

- Pray

∆ Point 1 – An Eager Greeting

- What I want to ensure we notice here is the life change that Jude goes through

-- As the half-brother of Jesus, he was an unbeliever but now believes fully

-- Now he not only believes … but he is a defender of the faith (purpose of ltr)

- How does this life change happen?

-- Even deeper: How does someone now believe their sibling is God?

-- He comes back from the dead and proves all that He has taught!

- But even more than that, notice the position Jude takes … “servant” (v1)

- The readers are clearly identified as those who are called who God loves

-- These would be a reference to those Jewish Christians living in Palestine

-- APP: They are “kept” by Christ (protected, assured, promised a future)

- But, notice how Jude phrases the promises these people have:

• Called (this references the past)

• Loved (this references what is presently happening)

• Kept (assures those who are loved of a future)

- We can read this, in God’s word, and once again be reminded of our security

-- We too have the same assurance in Christ, promised of eternity forever

-- 1 Thess 5:23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

- APP: When we read a promise like that, how can we not rejoice?

- TRANS: But more than that … how can we not want to know more?

∆ Point 2 – Jude’s calling to be a Defender of the Faith

- Jude’s preference was to write a familiar, family friendly type of letter

-- He even wishes everyone mercy, peace, and love (v2) in his opening

-- Plus, based on their salvation, they (we) have lots to rejoice in (v3)

- But with circumstances what they are, he felt pressed to be more corrective

-- APP: This is why this letter (and others) apply so heavily to today

- The faithful are urged to “contend for the faith”; to be defenders

-- Because of the false teachers and false leaders who’ve slipped in among them

-- The faith has been entrusted to the Saints, but misused by many (v4)

- This issue continues to press on us today, and shows us where we must be

-- The faith refers to those in the Body, those who’ve willingly submitted to Christ

- Yet “ungodly people” who pervert grace, and deny Christ are among us

-- Let’s look at the sins that Jude charges these people with

1) “… they change the grace of our God into a license for immorality”

-- These were ones also referred to as the Gnostics

-- They charged that God created the Spirit (good), but not the flesh (bad)

-- This means that while secure in the Spirit, the flesh was a playground

-- This means they could do whatever they wanted, and indulge fully in sin

-- Result: Immorality, perversion of grace, and rampant love of lust

2) “… denying Jesus Christ is our only Sovereign and Lord”

-- False teachers may have supposed Jesus couldn’t be God in the flesh