As you move on in age, one the most noticeable failing is your memory. And speaking of memory¡K
Not too long ago a large seminar was held for ministers in training. Among the speakers were many well-known motivational speakers. One such boldly approached the pulpit and, gathering the entire crowd’s attention, said, "The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman that wasn’t my wife!" The crowd was shocked! He followed up by saying, "And that woman was my mother!" The crowd burst into laughter and he gave his speech, which went over well.
About a week later one of the ministers who had attended the seminar decided to use that joke in his sermon. As he shyly approached the pulpit one sunny Sunday, he tried to rehearse the joke in his head. It seemed a bit foggy to him this morning. Getting to the microphone he said loudly, "The greatest years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman that was not my wife!" His congregation sat shocked. After standing there for almost 10 seconds trying to recall the second half of the joke, the pastor finally blurted out, "...and I can’t remember who she was!"
In our meditations from Jude, so far we have looked at:
„« Salutation: Our Status (Called, Beloved in God and Kept by Christ) with the responsibility to function as servants of Christ.
„« Purpose for Writing: Call to Contend for the faith/gospel/doctrine that has been bequeathed us.
„« Tonight ¡V the benefit of remembering as we struggle to preserve the faith. ¡§Though you already know¡KI want to remind you¡K¡¨
What does Jude mean when he says REMEMBER?
ƒÞ Not ONLY because¡K
ƒÞ they have temporarily forgotten.
ƒÞ of the temptation to follow different priorities.
ƒÞ But remembering in the Bible¡K
ƒÞ is a deliberate act of the will;
ƒÞ great solemnity and moment. E.g. Moses tells the people to wear tassels on clothes (Num 15:39) ¡§¡Kto remember the commands of the Lord¡K¡¨
ƒÞ is the fact that ¡§God remembers His covenant forever.¡¨ So, when God sent Jesus Christ - he was remembering to be merciful.
ƒÞ SYMBOL
ƒÞ Communion - In remembrance, not mere fact of Death of Jesus but significance and hope of return.
„« Jude knows they remember the stories BUT their behaviour demonstrates that they have not understood the point of them.
„« Pick a few historical situations that mirror the present reality. [Biblical & Extra-Biblical examples.]
„« Historical in v. 5-7 MATCHED Present in v. 8
„« Altogether the historical and present day examples are a demonstration of REBELLION. [NOT amnesia BUT rebellion]
„« So¡KREMEMBER
„« Not remembering is¡K
MISTRUST - People of Israel (v. 5)
a. PAST: Redemptive Historical perspective ¡V plots Deliverance from: Egypt, Babylon, Sin (Cross) ¡V Historically God is a God of deliverance. God later ¡§¡Kdestroyed¡Kwhom he rescued¡K¡¨ ¡V Part of his salvific activity.
a. PRESENT: Slander Celestial Beings ¡V Israel - deny existence/insulting angels OR Tradition that God¡¦s Law was given at Sinai by angels?
b. Mistrust is the Thief of Deliverance/Salvation.
i. Unbelief of the spies - Therefore they will not see the land. They will meet their end in the desert; here they will die (Num13: 1-14:45)
ii. Despite history & proofs of God¡¦s power - when faced with task of acting on those promises - they showed a lack of faith.
c. Benefit of History to us:
i. Two Great Events - Cross & Judgement. The cross is our only escape; we escape by believing now. Some rebel against God¡¦s promise and rule - will face judgement.
ii. Rushed for profit from Baalam¡¦s Error (11b)
iii. Ps. 118:8 ¡§It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.¡¨
DEFIANCE - Angels of Heaven (v. 6)
a. PAST: Fall of Angels? (See Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19). Cf. Genesis 6:1-3 - ¡§¡Ksons of God marrying women¡K
i. ¡¨Angels had positions of authority but crossed boundary to marry humans.
ii. Angels¡¦ lust could not KEEP place, but God KEEPS them for Judgement.
b. PRESENT: ¡§Slander Celestial beings¡K¡¨ Reject Lordship. Link v. 4 - reject/deny ¡§¡Kour only Sovereign Lord¡K¡¨
c. Benefit of History to us:
i. Rebellion will not be overlooked. Judgement is inescapable.
ii. Korah¡¦s Rebellion (11c)
iii. If you want to live your own way, you must adjust doctrine. ¡§Wither doctrine makes life blush or like makes doctrine blush and ashamed.¡¨
HARBOURING LOOSENESS - Cities of the Plain (v. 7)
a. PAST: Sodom and Gomorrah (See Gen. 18:1-19:29)
i. Well watered - Did not lead to arrogant, overfed and unconcerned (See Ez. 16:49-50) - Be grateful.
ii. Rebellion against God¡¦s natural order - not making it the worst sin. Some were using freedom as a licence. Jude sees this as rebellion.
b. PRESENT: Pollute Own Bodies - Sodom - Looseness and sexual excesses.
b. Benefit of History
i. Sodom and Gomorrah - temporary judgement. Final judgement - eternal.
ii. ¡Ktaken the way of Cain¡K (11a) ¡V denial of right or wrong (blurring the line)
Conclusion: Rebellion leads to Judgement
„« Accept Judgement now ¡V (Self & God) - Part of God¡¦s Salvation
„« Avoid Judgement later ¡V Part of God¡¦s Destruction
„« [1 Cor 11:31-32 ¡§For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.¡¨]
ILLUS: The Department of Social Services in Greenville County, South Carolina sent the following letter to a deceased individual. "Your food stamps will be stopped effective March, 1992, because we have received notice that you have passed away. May God bless you. You may reapply if there is a change in your circumstances." There is no second chance!
(Illustrations borrowed)
