Jude: The Miniseries

Thesis: By identifying those devoid of the Spirit their influence can be minimized.

Intro.:

1. The book of JUDE is one of the most neglected books of NT.

a. Only 25 verses long.

b. Cites non-canonical Jewish writings (AOM, Enoch).

c. Scathing denunciation of false teachers.

2. Tonight we want to begin a short series on the book of Jude-- JUDE: THE MINISERIES (tonight & next Sunday PM).

a. Author: Jude, the brother of James (1).

1) Likely (half-)brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55).

2) Illust. Why did he not just say so? Two possible reasons: Humilty and safety. Eusebius story of how during reign of Domitian, Domitian heard of living relatives of Jesus--grandsons of Jude. Ordered them to Rome. Asked to see their hands--saw callouses--sent them back home as dirt farmers.

b. Purpose: Thwart influence of false teachers.

I. SETTING THE STAGE (1-4).

A. The Readers of Jude (1).

1. Three-fold description: called, loved, kept.

2. Reassures them of secure position before he launches into attack on FTs.

B. The re-arranged agenda (3).

C. The False Teachers (4).

1. Coming foretold long ago.

2. Insiders: "Slipped in among you" (itinerant preachers?).

3. Morally deficient (immorality = denial of Christ).

II. FIVE GROUPS OF CITATIONS/ALLUSIONS (5-19).

A. Sexual Immorality (5-7).

1. Golden Calf incident (cf. Ex. 32; 1 Cor. 10).

2. Angels who sinned (cf. Gen. 6--"SOG & DOM").

3. Sodom & Gomorrah--sexual immorality & perversion.

B. Rebellious, Slanderous (8-10).

1. Cites "Assumption of Moses" (non-extant).

a. Authoritative? NO!

b. Did it happen? Not necessarily.

2. AOM probably a favorite book of FTs.

3. Disregard for authority--"speak abusively against whatever they do not understand."

C. Envious, Greedy (11-13).

1. Three allusions (11):

a. "Way of Cain" (envy, hatred, murder).

b. "Balaam's error" (Num. 22-24; distort truth for personal gain).

c. "Korah's rebellion" (Num. 16; rebelled against Moses/Aaron).

2. Medley of figures (12-13):

a. "Blemishes/hidden rocks at love feasts."

b. "Shepherds who feed only themselves."

c. "Clouds without rain" (promise refreshment but do not deliver).

d. "Empty fruit trees in autumn ... uprooted!"

e. "Wild waves of the sea" (busy, restless, untamed).

f. "Wandering stars" (unpredictable, untrustworthy).

D. Marked for Destruction (14-16).

1. From: Book of Enoch 60:8.

2. Characteristics of those marked for destruction:

a. "Grumblers, faultfinders."

b. "Follow own desires."

c. "Boast about themselves."

d. "Flatter others for own advantage."

E. Devoid of the Spirit (17-19).

1. Note the progression in Jude's citations/allusions: (OT ... Pseud. ... OT ... Pseud. ... Apostles!)

2. Now that we've seen how the OT condemns them and even the writings they hold dear, let's see what the Apostles have to say about them.

3. Description of False Teachers:

a. "Divide you."

b. "Follow natural instincts" (="unspiritual").

c. "Do not have the Spirit."

III. APPLICATION.

A. Need to identify a fixed body of truth (verse 3).

1. Two extremes:

a. Intolerantly dogmatic about minor theo. issues.

b. Accepting uncritically all viewpoints as valid.

2. Gospel = coherent center; Jude has something non-complex in mind (This is pre-NT!)

B. Jude offers a criteria for who is of truth and who is not.

1. Has to do with the way one lives.

2. Jesus: "You shall know a tree by its fruit."

C. Next Week: Keeping yourself in the love of God.