SERMON OUTLINE:
CONDUCT (vs 7-10):
Israel in the wilderness (vs 5)
Angels at Hermon (vs 6)
Sodom and Gomorrah (vs 7)
CHARACTER (vs 11):
Cain – anger (vs 11a)
Balaam – avarice (vs 11b)
Korah – ambition (vs 11c)
SERMON BODY:
• Ungodliness is the state of believing in God,
• While adopting a lifestyle which seems to deny this.
Ill:
• As a family we have often gone on holiday to Turkey,
• To the town called Kalkan.
• If you head into the town centre, and go right to the sea front,
• You will come across a Jewellers shop,
• In the window of that shop is a great big sign that says; ‘We sell genuine Fakes’.
• Their watches may look like a Rolex or a Versace on the outside;
• But if you removed the cover on the back;
• You would find cheap parts and probably the words made in China.
• TRANSITION: In todays, study,
• The apostle Jude is dealing with the signs that mark out a false teacher;
• On the outside the look like the real thing, but on the inside, they are genuine fakes!
• He says there are three key areas where they give themselves away;
• Three clear ways to spot them: their Conduct. Character and conversation.
(1). CONDUCT (vs 7-10):
• Now, because these false teachers were corrupt in their doctrine;
• That then evidenced itself in their corrupt lives!
Ill:
• A little girl said to her mother; “Mum, my stomach hurts”
• The mother replied, “That’s because it is empty,
• You’ll feel much better when you’ve got something inside it!”
• Later that evening the vicar popped in the house;
• When he was offered a cup of tea, he replied;
• “I can’t stop I have a headache; my head is hurting”
• To which the little girl pipped up:
• “That’s because it is empty!”
• TRANSITION: Well, Jude is not going to leave his readers theologically empty!
• These verses are full of material that we could spend several weeks on;
• But don’t panic, we are only going to pull out a few threads.
• In verses 7-10. the apostle Jude gives three examples from the Old Testament;
• Regarding corrupt or wrong living.
Example #1: Israel in the wilderness (vs 5)
“Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe”
Jude’s first example comes from the Torah; the book of Exodus:
• God took the Hebrew people out of slavery in order to bring them to a place of freedom.
• From a land that oppressed them to a land of milk and honey.
• He took a rabble of slaves and made them his own people!
• They went from bondage to blessing.
• But when these Hebrew people got within sight of Kadesh-Barnea,
• They hit a problem.
• In Numbers chapters 13&14,
• Moses send out twelve men to spy out the land of Canaan,
• He was preparing for when Israel would enter and settle there.
• These spies saw how the land looked exactly as God said it would.
• However, they also saw the inhabitants—and fear gripped them;
• “The people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large”
• Instead of trusting the God who had defeated the mighty Egyptians,
• On this occasion they started to doubt.
• In fact, more than doubt, they displayed unbelief!
Note:
• There is a difference between unbelief and doubt.
• Unbelief is always wrong, in fact it is sinful,
• Genuine doubt is not sinful, it is part of our make up and often leads to a deeper faith.
• Doubt is when you want to believe but you are not sure you are able to.
• You are uncertain in your trust, which is weak and wavering, but you try to trust anyway!
• And I do not believe that doubt is a sin.
• In contrast to doubt, unbelief is always wrong, and is a very much a sin:
• Unbelief is when we know what is right but refuse to obey and trust.
• “Unbelief is when God says something clearly to us, but we refuse to do it.”
• That is always wrong and ‘unbelief’ in the Bible is a sin.
• Because it is disobeying God.
• So, from this first example: Israel in the wilderness (vs 5)
• The sin Jude focusses on is unbelief.
• Refusing to obey the truth.
Example #2: Angels at Hermon (vs 6)
“And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling – these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.”
The story Jude refers to is probably Genesis chapter 6 verses 1-4:
• In the region of Mount Hermon about 300 angels seduced women and impregnated them;
• This horrible intercourse between angels and humans spawned hybrid creatures,
• Called Nephlim. Any such creatures soon died out and so are not around today;
• As a result of this event;
• We are told that violence filled the earth, and perverted sex and occultism were rampant.
• These angelic beings caused chaos and left a mess behind them.
There are two sins that Jude brings to our attention:
• The main sin was pride and that led to lust:
• “And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority”
• They wanted to be something different, something they thought was better;
• So, they forsook their rank, their position and came to planet earth.
• Sound familiar? Remember Satan wanted to be just like God;
• And these angelic beings want to be just like humans.
• For that to happen they forsook their rank, their position and their abode.
• TRANSITION: Jude is saying that if pride can ruin these angelic beings;
• Despite all the privileges and blessings, they enjoyed;
• Then be careful:
• Because pride often thinks it knows more than God,
• And the desire for forbidden things are sins that effect time and eternity.
• So, from this second example: Angels at Hermon (vs 6)
• The sin Jude focusses on is pride.
Example #3: Sodom and Gomorrah (vs 7)
“In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction is found in Genesis chapter 19;
• Most Orthodox Jewish and Christian scholars have consistently believed;
• That Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed because of their immoral behaviour,
• Which we are told was primarily homosexual.
Pause to say:
• In society today, it is not politically correct to say that homosexuality is wrong or a sin.
• Changing societies do not dictate God's standards.
• One problem we now face as Christians today;
• Is that some Christians have made a witch-hunt out of this single sin;
• While downplaying other sins.
• Often Bible passages e.g. 1 Corinthians chapter 6 verse 11;
• Which claim homosexuality is not okay, that it is wrong,
• Also say drunkenness is not okay, greed is not okay, disobedience to parents is not okay,
• The love of money, lying, trading slaves–and many other sins– are not okay!
• Homosexuality is a misuse of the gift of sex,
• As is premarital sex, extramarital sex, giving in to impure sexual thoughts,
• Our sex drive is not a sin.
• But the misuse of sex outside marriage between a man and a woman;
• Is what the Bible calls sinful.
• At Sodom and Gomorrah, the problem was not just homosexuality;
• But it was also gang rape,
• The residents of those depraved cities were wicked and lived without any restraint.
Note:
• There are some Bible scholars who tell us that those cities were destroyed;
• Because of their pride.
• And the Bible would agree with both views: Immorality & pride were the problem
• e.g. Ezekiel chapter 16 verse 49 emphasises the pride of these cities.
• And Jude verse 7 emphasises their immorality.
• Both those views are true
• Pride is saying I know better than God and can live anyway I want,
• And that pride was demonstrated in an outrageously homosexual lifestyle,
• So, from this third example: Sodom and Gomorrah (vs 7)
• The sin Jude focusses on is sexual immorality.
TRANSITION:
• Notice that Jude has given three examples from the Old Testament;
• One of unbelief, one of pride, one of immorality–and then he says,
• ‘And that is exactly how these false teachers are.’
• The Hebrew people disobeyed and lost their power.
• The angels disobeyed and lost their position.
• Sodom and Gomorrah were defiled and lost their purity.
False teachers display the same signs:
• Unbelief: They take the Word of God;
• And they subtly change the message;
• They bring God down to their level and insights instead of adjusting to his.
• Pride: When you look at their lives:
• It’s all about ‘their gifts, their experiences, their ministries.
• Immorality: A misunderstanding of grace;
• Grace does not permit you to do anything! It is not a license to sin.
Jude is setting up his readers to be able to see that;
• “By their fruits you shall know them.”
• (Matthew chapter 7 verse 16)
• Jude is also a reminder and a warning, that God judges’ sin;
• He may not judge people instantly but ultimately all sinfulness will be judged.
• Judgement applies to the genuine and the fake.
(2). CHARACTER (vs 11):
Ill:
• There were two doctors with the same name who lived a few doors apart.
• One was a Christian and a lay preacher, the other made no profession of faith.
• One night a rather sick person, who was also a Christian,
• And wanting help from a fellow believer,
• Knocked mistakenly at the door of the non-Christian doctor.
• When the door opened, he asked, “Are you the doctor who preaches?”
• “No”, the medic replied, “I am the doctor who practices”.
• “Oh”, said the sick person, “I’ve always understood the two things were inseparable”.
• TRANSITION: Good doctrine should lead to good practice;
• If your creed is corrupted, your conduct will soon follow.
• Because what you believe affects how you behave;
• Behaviour is an extension of theology,
• And there is a direct correlation between what we think and how we act.
Jude now focusses on the character of these false teachers;
• A person's life shows a person's heart.
• And so, Jude makes the point that false teachers;
• Can be identified by their character, their attitudes, their actions.
• He does this by comparing these false teachers;
• To three characters found in the Old Testament.
Example #1: Cain – anger (vs 11a)
“Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain;”
Ill:
• Getting angry can sometimes be like leaping into a supped-up sports car,
• You rev-up the engine, you put your foot on the accelerator and take off at high speed;
• Only to discover that the brakes aren’t working!
• TRANSITION: Anger in most people is uncontrolled and misdirected;
• That type of anger is what Cain displayed.
• The first murder in the Bible;
• Was when Cain kills his brother Abel in a fit of jealous anger.
• (Genesis chapter 4 verse 3)
• Cain’s act was premeditated murder,
• He became jealous of brother Abel, when they both brought sacrifices to God.
• Abel’s was accepted but Cain’s was rejected.
• In this incident, we again see the wickedness of the human heart;
• The man who would not slay a lamb for a sacrifice,
• Was more than willing to slay his own brother!
So, Jude says; uncontrolled and misdirected anger is a bad character trait,
• One of the ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ is self-control.
• These false teachers do not have the Spirit of God,
• Therefore, hey cannot control their anger,
• And they do not have the power of God to change them.
Example #2: Balaam – avarice (vs 11b)
“…they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error;”
Ill:
• Pompeii was an ancient Roman city located near Naples in Italy.
• In AD 70, it was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice;
• In the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
• In the ruins of Pompeii there was found a petrified woman;
• Who, instead of trying to flee from the city,
• Had spent her time in gathering up her jewels.
• In one of the other houses they found the skeleton of a man;
• Who, for the sake of sixty coins, a small plate and a saucepan of silver,
• Had remained in his house till the street was half-filled with volcanic matter,
• He was entombed in the ash while trying to escape from the window
• TRANSITION: We read about Balaam in the Old Testament (Numbers chapter 22),
• He was a was a non-Israelite prophet,
• Balak the king of Moab offered money to him to prophesy against Israel.
• While he was journeying to Moab,
• God spoke to Balaam through his own donkey,
• Ironically, a dumb beast had more wisdom than this greedy prophet.
• Balaam’s name and story became infamous,
• And he is referred to several times in the New Testament, always linked to greed.
So, Jude says; the love of money and things that money can buy:
• Is a trait often displayed in false teachers,
• They are not laying up treasure in heaven, all they have is the here and now,
• And so, they live with that mentality.
Example #3: Korah – ambition (vs 11c)
“…they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”
Ill:
• It was reported in "Sports Illustrated" magazine;
• That athletes who intended to participate in the National track and field championships,
• Were required to fill out a questionnaire.
• Among the questions were, "What is your hobby?" and "What is your ambition?"
• One Olympic distance-runner answered, "My hobby is taking apart my Volkswagen...
• My ambition is to be able to put it back together."
• TRANSITION: We read about Korah in the Old Testament;
• (Numbers chapter 16.
• Korah was a man of ambition;
• He became jealous of Moses and decided to set up his own show.
• So, he led a rebellion against Moses and his brother Aaron,
• During the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Land of Israel.
• As punishment for his rebellion;
• He met his end by miraculously being swallowed up by the earth.
So, Jude says; that rebellious or wicked ambition,
• Is a trait often displayed in false-teachers,
• Who do not have the Spirit of God to help them be humble or content.,
• They want to be ‘somebodies’ – those served and not those doing the serving.
Note: Jude is the only book in the New Testament:
• Exclusively dedicated to confronting apostasy.
• Apostasy is a defect or turn away from ‘the Faith.’
• In this passage, he talks about lifestyle, a Christian’s conduct:
• He pulls out three bad examples from history:
• Israel in the wilderness (vs 5)
• Angels at Hermon (vs 6)
• Sodom and Gomorrah (vs 7)
• And taught these traits will show themselves in apostates.
• While we may all have to do battle with these issues;
• They will be exposed at a deeper level in apostates;
• Who have no desire to overcome them like a true believer would want to.
• In this passage, he talks about a Christian’s character – what we should be like:
• He again pulls out three bad examples from history:
• Cain – who had the problem with anger (vs 11a)
• Balaam – who had the problem with avarice (vs 11b)
• Korah – who had the problem with ambition (vs 11c)
• While all Christians must do battle with these issues;
• They will be exposed at a deeper level in apostates;
• Those who have no desire to overcome them like a true believer would want to.
In Conclusion:
• Let me finish by reminding you of five more negative images;
• That Jude use to describe them (vs 12):
• Shepherds who feed only themselves,
• Clouds without rain,
• Dead autumn trees,
• Wild waves,
• Wandering stars.
• Powerful images that remind us apostates promise so much;
• But, deliver so little!
Quote: E.M. Bounds:
“Conduct is what we do; character is what we are…character is the root of the tree; conduct, the fruit it bears”
• Jude like his master Jesus is reminding us that;
• “By their fruits you shall know them.” (Matthew chapter 7 verse 16)
• A person conduct and character will reveal an awful lot about them.
• e.g. an apple tree produces apples. e.g. a plum tree produces plums.
• e.g. an orange tree produces oranges.
• False teachers are ‘Shepherds who feed only themselves,
• A true teacher will feed and take care of the flock.
• False teachers are ‘Clouds without rain,’
• A true teacher will water, refresh and bring sustenance to others.
• False teachers are ‘Dead autumn trees,’
• A true teacher will be fruitful, bringing nourishment and life to others
• False teachers are ‘Wild waves’
• A true teacher will bring calmness does not stir up trouble.
• False teachers are ‘Wandering stars.’
• A true teacher will guide and lead and have direction in his ministry.
• It will not be about his or her success but rather the good of the others – the Church.
SERMON AUDIO:
https://surf.pxwave.com/wl/?id=KupowoOjhgNGeQwdLjQTPHblJ0ZiNx6Z&forceSave
