Text: Jude 16-19, Title: Heaping It On, Date/Place: LSCC, 9/23/06, AM
A. Opening illustration: When I worked in NC as an EE, I taught classes at BJP County Park. One of my favorite classes there was bird song identification. Get around to the Red-eyed Vireo—“the preacher bird”
B. Background to passage: Jude is continuing to point out the error of these false teachers that have crept in unaware. He is helping the church to identify these men by things they are doing in the congregation. These are things that would have been more readily seen than some of the other things that he has pointed out. And again, he is warning us who are believers of things to watch out for.
C. Main thought: He points to three more tactics that come from these false teachers.
A. Complaining (v. 16)
1. Jude says to watch for men that are complainers and fault finders. This word is used of people who complain against God and also against others. And not so much a loud stirring complaint, but an undertoned murmuring, and stirring the waters behind the scenes. The LXX uses this word in Pro 26:21. The second word means to be continuously finding fault. These are people that are never satisfied, and go and look for others not to be satisfied with together. These are people that are dissatisfied with any way that is not theirs, including God’s. They gripe about circumstances and situations
2. Pro 26:21, Rom 16:17, Philip 2:14, James 5:9, 1 Pet 4:9
3. Illustration: Parishioner to pastor: "All I’m trying to say is that certain people might think that 12:15 is a little late to be getting out of church, that a pastor doesn’t need three weeks of vacation, that your office is offensive, that a guy my age doesn’t need a guy your age telling me how to raise my kids, and that if it weren’t for your crazy Third World projects we could have repaved our parking lot by now. I’m not saying those are MY opinions, of course. I just thought you should know what others might be thinking." "Suppose we return your tithes, give you a reserved parking place, make you an elder, fire the youth minister, and eliminate the music committee. Would that be satisfactory?" Grumblers seldom take their issue directly to those who can resolve it. "Officially, the results of the vote are forty ’yes,’ seven ’no,’ and one ’over my dead body.’ "It is better to pray over the Bible than to brood over the self.”
4. As pointed out last week, we must be discriminating when it comes to doctrine. Biblical clarity is necessary. But if the gripes and complaints have to do with legalistic rules (tattoos) or personal preferences (hair styles, clothing styles, musical preferences, time preferences), they must be silenced. There are appropriate channels to voice concerns and deal with problems. Guard against complaints leading to gossip. We are not suggesting that you just keep it all inside. Nor are we belittling your feelings on certain issues. But with the kingdom agenda in mind, there are some things that just need to be sacrificed for the cause (Fred). It is refreshing to be in a church that has so few. The bible has many “lament” psalms (Psalm 73), which is where we are to take our complaints.
B. Manipulating (v. 16)
1. Jude says that these men spoke arrogantly, flattering people so that they could take advantage of them. They were boasting proudly about who they were, not who Christ is. They were men who preached themselves, and not the Word of God and the Glory of Christ. They were interested in gaining converts to themselves, not to Christ. Sounds kinda cultish if you ask me. This shows the malicious intent of these false teachers. They knew exactly what they were doing. Satan is a great student of people. He knows their weak points, and trains his disciples well how to accomplish their objectives by any means possible. This behavior is hypocritical at best, and evil at worst.
2. 2 Cor 4:5, Gen 19:33, 2 Sam 11:13
3. Illustration: Two brothers were getting ready to boil some eggs to color for Easter. “I’ll give you a dollar if you let me break three of these on your head,” said the older one. “Promise?” asked the younger. “Promise!” Gleefully, the older boy broke two eggs over his brother’s head. Standing stiff for fear the gooey mess would get all over him, the little boy asked, “When is the third egg coming?” “It’s not,” replied the brother. “That would cost me a dollar.” the Princeton study that came out a few months back that scientifically studied how men made poorer decisions when shown sexual explicit waitresses while they were playing checkers, “Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not to envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate.”
4. The particular form of manipulation is flattery, but there are many other forms of manipulation, that people use to get their own way—anger, whining, silence, money, sex, food, etc. All these are simply ways to get other people to do what they want, and serve their own designs. Most of the time it is a control issue, based in selfishness. There are times when we definitely should influence others toward godly ends, but there is a line that crosses over to manipulation and seduction. This teaches us that the means are just as important as the ends. We must use godly, righteous means even to achieve kingdom ends. We must remember that we do not follow men, but Christ! The church is not built on the foundations of Jason or Fred, but upon Christ, His finished work, and His unsurpassed glory!
C. Dividing (v. 19)
1. Jude says that these men are divisive within the body of Christ. Creating factions and distinctions within the body of Christ that separate, rather than unify. Division always hurts the mission of the church. If you have factions within the church, the focus will be internal, not global. Jude also gives the reason behind it. He says that these men are “soulish,” or sensual. Basically these men are natural, “of the soul” and not spiritual and regenerated. And they do not have the Spirit. Preach for a minute on the receiving of the Holy Spirit in the life of another believer.
2. 1 Cor 1:12-13, Titus 3:9-11, Rom 16:17-18
3. Illustration: “Among Christians there ought to be so great a dislike of schism, as that they may always avoid it so fast as lies in their power. That there ought to prevail among them such a reverence for the ministry of the word and the sacraments that wherever they perceive these things to be, there they must consider the church to exist” –Calvin, A flourishing church was once reduced to complete ineffectuality. Sunday school had customarily been held in the afternoon. But the pastor and others in the church wanted to change it to the morning hour. They knew that the Sunday school superintendent was strongly opposed to this. Rather than face the matter openly with him, they met in secret and voted to change the hour. When he learned of it, his feelings were deeply hurt. Angry words were exchanged. People in the church began to take sides, and soon a sizable faction moved out. Bitterness quenched the work of the Spirit, and what was once a deeply spiritual and soul-winning church became a poorly attended one. Lacking support, the edifice itself became shabby and unattractive, reflecting outwardly the destructive result of jealousy that led to strife and divisions.
4. Unless one is making division over a point of theological integrity, division is a sin. This is why it is so important to discuss differences, problems, and issues with the leadership and the congregation before things get to the point of division. Where scripture is clear, be clear; where it is not, choose your positions and battles very carefully. Remember that church is not about you and your preferences or concerns alone. It is about the kingdom and its advance to all the nations. And this goal will be best reached in unity. Again, this is a point where you will be more effective and efficient if you deal with it early.
A. Closing illustration: Talk about grace in the disciple of children. And when sin just seems to multiply, grace abounds all the more…
B. They are lost! They do not have the Spirit, they are natural. Preach on Salvation just a minute.
C. Invitation to commitment
