Having established who we are, our duty as children of God¡¦s Family is to contend for the faith by remembering our history.
Today: Another method which Jude gives us to contend for the faith. That is to WATCH OUT for the SIGNS of the Last Times
a. Jesus in Lk. 4:18-19 quoted Isa 61¡¨1-2 omitted ¡§¡Kvengeance of our God¡K¡¨
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
¡§The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn¡K¡¨
Why?
i. In Old Testament - looked forward to one event - Day of Salvation/Day of Judgement
ii. Jesus divides them (Realised Eschatology) - Two parts to one event: 1st Coming - Salvation; 2nd Coming - Judgement.
b. There will be Scoffers
i. Free thinking and loose theology - Damaging effect on Christian Standards.
ii. Scepticism & Unchristian-lifestyle are easy partners.
„± Prophetic Role
- SEE (Observe - Look & Listen)
- SAY (Preach the Word)
Prophets don¡¦t make assumptions ¡V too dangerous. He gives some signs to watch for/Characteristics of Scoffers/Ungodly: (Speaking of Assumption)
ILLUS A photographer for a national magazine was assigned to get photos of a great forest fire. Smoke at the scene hampered him and he asked his home office to hire a plane. Arrangements were made and he was told to go at once to a nearby airport, where the plane would be waiting. When he arrived at the airport, a plane was warming up near the runway. He jumped in with his equipment and yelled, "Let¡¦s go! Let¡¦s go!" The pilot swung the plane into the wind and they soon were in the air. "Fly over the north side of the fire," yelled the photographer, "and make three or four low level passes." "Why?" asked the pilot. "Because I¡¦m going to take pictures," cried the photographer. "I¡¦m a photographer and photographers take pictures!" After a pause the pilot said, "You mean you¡¦re not the instructor?"
Three Clues
They DIVIDE the Brethren
a. Characteristics
i. Form cliques
ii. Create division between real Christians and spiritual aristocracy.
iii. Not distinction between saved and unsaved.
iv. Participle - habitually divisive.
v. Set up smaller/truer churches within churches; recruiting inside rather than evangelising.
b. Our Responsibility BUILD COMMUNITY
c. Pentecost ¡V 120 Number required for new community with elders.
d. How do we build community?
i. By putting personal interests on hold for the sake of the Gospel!
ii. By showing kindness instead of just talking about allegiance!
Follow NATURAL INSTINCTS
a. Characteristics
i. Gnosticism - dualism. Leading to:
a. Libertarianism/Hedonism - revelling OR
b. Asceticism - curtailing.
ii. Antinomianism - See v. 10. ¡§¡Kliving by instinct¡K¡¨ Anything that feels good is okay. Loose inhibitions
b. Our Responsibility PREACH THE WORD
c. Cf. 1 Cor 1: 17 ¡V ¡§Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel¡K[even] the cross of Christ.¡¨
This means that the message of the gospel is the cross of Christ.
„« The Cross exposes the fallacy of man¡¦s reasoning and wisdom ¡V it shows up mans sinful and depraved heart via the selflessness of Christ.
„« The Cross exposes the fallacy in man¡¦s search for love and satisfaction in life ¡V its gives the assurance of life eternal through faith in the work of Christ.
Rituals, Programmes and Activities must never take the place of Preaching the Cross
d. God¡¦s wisdom is proclaimed in mystery. Not that it is strange but that it cannot be known by man¡¦s natural reason. 1 Cor 1:23-24.
They DO NOT have the SPIRIT.
a. Characteristics
i. Justify theology by quoting the Bible
ii. Claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit in lawless rebellion.
iii. When good/sound theology is pushed aside in the name of being led by the Spirit - WARNING SIGN.
b. Our Responsibility SET EXAMPLE
c. Having the Spirit vs. Filled with the Spirit. Resident vs. President. Live a yard vs. man a yard
d. God¡¦s wisdom, revealed by the Holy Spirit helps the believer to compare spiritual with spiritual.
¡§The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.¡¨ 1 Cor. 2:14
¡§This is how we know that we dwell in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of his Spirit.¡¨ 1 Jn 4:13
Conclusion
Are you (individual & Church) a prophetic voice or an incorporated voice?
„« Psalms 137 - Why did they hang their harps on willows? They refused to be incorporated ¡V to sing for the kings entertainment.
„« You cant be a prophetic voice without keeping your distance
ILLUS - A rabbi and a priest get into a car accident and it’s a bad one. Both cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of the clerics is hurt. After they crawl out of their cars, the rabbi sees the priest’s collar and says, "So you’re a priest. I’m a rabbi. Just look at our cars. There’s nothing left, but we are unhurt. This must be a sign from God. God must have meant that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace the rest of our days." The priest replies, "I agree with you completely. This must be a sign from God." The rabbi continues, "And look at this. Here’s another miracle. My car is completely demolished, but this bottle of Mogen David wine didn’t break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune." Then he hands the bottle to the priest. The priest agrees, takes a few big swigs, and hands the bottle back to the rabbi. The rabbi takes the bottle, immediately puts the cap on, and hands it back to the priest. The priest asks, "Aren’t you having any?" The rabbi replies, "No, I think I’ll wait for the police."
(ilustrations borrowed)
