INTRODUCTION
Outline.
2. Serves not the Lord Jesus Christ
Introductory Remarks.
1. This is lesson two in this sermon series: “Paul’s Solemn Plea To Rome.” This was an urgent and solemn plea from the beloved apostle Paul to the saints at Rome. His message began with a sincere plea to the brethren faithful to the Lord and part of the body of believers in the church in Rome. This solemn plea is given to the faithful saints: to mark and turn away from those causing divisions and offenses in the body of Christ. These are those who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their (own) bellies and are making merchandise of babes, the unlearned, unsuspecting, and innocent. Nothing is more important to the church of Christ than to warn her of this solemn message of Paul and all the other apostles.
2. We will discuss that those who now trouble the church serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their bellies. They were troubling the church with divisions and offenses. We will learn that Paul speaks of the Jewish fathers and those of the circumcision. They were teaching the Gentiles that they could not be part of the church family without first obeying the Law and being circumcised to become proselytes of Judaism. They were messengers of the evil one and were not the servants of the Lord but “greedy for filthy lucre,” Titus 1:11-12. Finally, he asked the church to pray that the saints of Jerusalem and Judaea might accept his work in delivering the money from the Gentile churches and that he could be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men. Let’s consider lesson 2.
BODY OF LESSON
II THAT SERVES NOT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
A. Paul continued: The word “such” in Romans 16:18a refers to the word “them” in Romans 16:17b. It is the “such” and the “them” that we should “turn away from.” They do not abide by sound doctrine nor seek true fellowship with the saints in Rome and elsewhere. They are those who make and sow divisions and offenses that destroy the work of Christ. Some, however, may not even know that they are not walking in concert with the will of God. This begs an interesting question: Who are the “such” who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their (own) belly, or the “them” that we must turn away from? [Please underline these three words in your bible]. This is an essential mandate given to us by the beloved apostle Paul. How can we make “heads and tails” of these words? Who do these words refer to in our text of discussion? I sought an answer, and it involved a little work. So, I began my research by attempting,
1. To connect the word: “them,” a pronoun in Romans 16:17b, to its corresponding noun within our text. There was no noun in verse 17. That the word “them” is correlated. However, I did observe,
a. First, the word “them” in Gr., is autos a pronoun, or P-GPM.
b. Next, generally, a pronoun follows a noun mentioned earlier within the same context of scriptures.
c. Finally, I could not find the noun this pronoun “them” is modifying in Romans 16:17.
NOTE: GPM means Genitive Plural Masculine, in case, number, and gender. If you are familiar with some of our other lessons, you have been exposed to Greek Parsing. This work is necessary to identify the “such,” the “them,” and the “their own” in Romans 16:17-18. Continuing,
2. Pronouns usually follow a noun mentioned earlier. However, I did identify another pronoun, definite article, and an adjective that agrees in case, number, and gender in verse 18. Observe,
a. The phrase “their own” in Gr., is heautou, a Reflexive pronoun, or F-3GPM. Then,
b. The phrase “of the” in Gr., is ho and is a definite article, or T-GPM. And finally,
c. The word “simple” in Gr., is akakos and is an adjective, or A-GPM.
d. This discovery implies that the pronouns F-3GPM and P-GPM, the definite article T-GPM, and the adjectives A-GPM are likewise linked to the noun, which has not yet been discovered in our research. I could not locate their corresponding definite article and noun within verses 17 and 18 of Romans chapter 16. In this case,
e. I looked within the proceeding chapters to discover the noun of Paul’s instruction “to turn away from them.” The noun or nouns being modified by these pronouns, an article, and one adjective, have not yet been identified. This happens quite often during Greek Parsing. So,
3. I sought the noun with its definite article in chapter 15. Happily, I located them embedded (included) in verse 8. The discovery text reads: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers,” Romans 15:8. Considering this sentence, “the promises made unto the fathers.” I then connected,
a. The phrase “unto the” in Gr., ho, a definite article, or T-GPM.
b. The word “fathers” in Gr., pater, its noun, or N-GPM.
Along with,
c. The phrase “their own” in Gr., heautou, a Reflexive pronoun, or F-3GPM.
NOTE: A Reflexive Pronoun is used when the subject and the object of a sentence are the same. 3GPM refers to the third person, Genitive Plural Masculine.
d. The word “them” in Gr., autos a pronoun, or P-GPM.
e. The phrase “of the” in Gr., ho, a definite article, or T-GPM.
f. The word “simple” in Gr., akakos, an adjective, or A-GPM. Putting it all together,
4. Conclusion: Therefore, the pronouns “their own and them,” the definite article “of the,” and the adjective “simple” are connected to the “definite article and noun” referring to “the fathers” in Romans 15:8. It was “the fathers” and their teachings that Paul mandated that the Romans should “turn away from” for they serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but “their (own) bellies,” Romans 16:17-18. Therefore,
5. Paul referred to the Jewish fathers and the people to whom “the promises were made.” Peter said: “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised His Son, Jesus, sent Him to bless you, turning away every one of you from his iniquities,” Acts 3:22-26. [We will return to this verse later in the lesson]. Paul also included those who were,
a. Of “the circumcision” (or the Pharisees) who form part of the false brethren, calling themselves “the men from James,” Galatians 2:4-5; Galatians 2:11-16. In like manner,
b. These were the “them” that forbade the Gentiles’ entrance “into the church without first keeping the Law and being circumcised,” Acts 15:1-5; Acts 15:24.
c. These were the "them" that troubled the church and caused divisions and offenses among the brotherhood, who served “their (own) belly,” and are the “such” that Paul instructed the Romans to “turn away from.”
d. These are the “them” and the “such” that the church of Christ watches for and remembers to safeguard itself from these false brethren and doctrines that cause divisions and offenses. This responsibility has been placed upon the shoulders of the eldership, the ministership, and the membership of Christ’s church!
e. We, too, must watch and remember to “take heed to the flock of God,” Acts 20:28-32. For all those who called themselves “believers” have not “the faith in Christ Jesus,” Romans 3:24-26; 2 Timothy 3:14-17. Many today profess faith in Christ but have yet to believe and obey Him! Sadly, they do many “things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth,” Acts 26:9. Just like Saul had done before his conversion to Christ, Galatians 1:13-16. But now, “he preaches the faith he once ravaged (sought to destroy),” Galatians 1:22-24. See EGNT, page 491.
NOTE: Consider “Paul’s Farewell to Ephesus,” Acts 20:17-38. Also, in “The Minister’s Life and Work,” 1 Timothy 4:12-16; Titus 2:7-8. Download these lessons from SermonCentral.com by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. Finally,
6. Paul asks for prayer. Paul concludes Romans chapter 15 with these words. “Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and the love of the Spirit, that you strive with me in your prayers to God for me. That I may be delivered from them who do not believe in Judaea, and the saints may accept my service from Jerusalem. That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now, the God of peace is with you all. Amen,” Romans 15:30-33. Paul asks a similar request of the saints in Thessalonica, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2. He continued, they,
B. Serves not our Lord. Paul further states they do not “serve the Lord Jesus Christ.” Mark them, for they are not the servants of Christ. Those who claim to serve the Lord will abide by His message. Paul’s Letter to Philippi speaks of those who faithfully served the Lord. Observe,
1. First, Timothy, who was his beloved son in the faith. Notice how he wrote of him in this letter.
a. “But I trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to send Timotheus (Timothy) shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort when I know your state:”
b. “I have no man-likeminded who will naturally care for your state.”
c. “For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
d. “But you know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.”
1) “Him, therefore, I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.”
2) “But I trust in the Lord that I also shall come shortly,” Philippians 2:19-24.
e. Text’s exegesis. Paul is presently hoping to send Timothy to the church at Philippi. He wants to know how the church is doing and tell them his current state. He speaks well of his son in the faith. He says I have no man-likeminded who naturally cares for and serves you as I do! All others seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ. However, you know Timothy’s faith and service to Christ. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in the gospel. What a soul-stirring message of commendation to Timothy. O’ Lord, give us more, sons like Timothy! Paul then turns his attention to Epaphroditus, that faithful servant of the Lord.
2. Further, Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25-30. Time does not permit us to discuss all this loving brother’s work for Philippi and other assemblies. Cut out some points about his faithfulness and sacrifices for the saints.
3. Finally, the saints at Philippi. He penned: “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodas and Syntyche that they are of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and others of my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life…Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do and the God of peace shall be with you,” Philippians 4:1-9. [Text shortened for brevity]. Paul reminds them of their faith, devotion to the Lord, and care and love for the brotherhood. Now, let’s speak to these “evil beasts and slow bellies,” Titus 1:12. These men,
C. Served their (own) belly. Paul mentions them in his Letter to Philippi. They were the enemies of the cross of Christ and the gospel of the Son of God. They were not serving Christ but their (own) bellies (self-interest, lustful desires, and sensual pleasures). Consider,
1. To Philippi, he wrote: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walks, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ. Whose end is destruction, whose (god) is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things),” Philippians 3:17-19; Philippians 3:1-3.
2. To Titus in Crete, he penned: “For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision. Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.” We will return to this verse in our last point.
a. “One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said: The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies. This witness is true.”
b. “Wherefore, rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Titus, watch that: “They are not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth.” He continued,
c. “Unto the pure, all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving are nothing pure, but even their mind and conscience are defiled.”
d. “They profess that they know God, but in works, they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate,” Titus 1:10-16. Paul wrote of some,
3. To Timothy, “Who…Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers (various sources of) lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” 2 Timothy 3:5-7.
a. Just like his words were to Titus, Timothy is also advised that such men are a “lot of foam and fizzle” but have no truth to their words and deeds.
b. They enter the houses of the weak and unlearned to lead them away in their lustful and sinful practices.
c. They have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof from such he admonishes to turn away.
D. Peter's warnings of false teachers. He wrote: “But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious (evil, or destructive) ways, who shall cause the way of truth to be evil spoken of. And through courteousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you, who judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not,” 2 Peter 2:1-3. He continues,
1. First, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their corruption:”
a. One, “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they count it a pleasure to riot in the daytime.” God has prepared and will provide them a “just recompense of reward,” Hebrews 2:1-4.
b. Two, “Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their deceivings while they feast with you.” They eat with them to devour the weak and unlearned believers in their lustful works.
c. Three, “Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children.” These are those given to sin and disobedience, who cannot cease from sin: deceiving and being deceived!
d. Four, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness,” 2 Peter 2:12-15. Their sins now entrap those who have forsaken the right way, “enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season,” Hebrews 11:24-25.
2. Further, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mists of darkness are reserved forever,” 2 Peter 2:17. Their hearts are void of the “living water of life,” John 4:13-15; John 7:37-39. They are mere clouds full of hot air! Being pushed and tossed about by the mighty storm of sin, disobedience by the evil one, and his messengers of ungodliness and corruption, Ephesians 4:13-15. Notice,
3. Next, “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were once clean, having escaped from them now live in error (and transgressions):”
NOTE: The word “wantonness” is also called “lasciviousness, and filthy shameless behavior,” Romans 13:13; 1 Peter 4:3; and 2 Peter 2:18. It is described as the unbridled lust, excessive, and insolence practices of sin and ungodliness. A person given to sin and disobedience has no conscience or shame for their corruptible and ungodly behavior. Their leaders of error and deception,
a. One, “While they promise them (you) liberty and freedom.”
b. Two, “They themselves are become the servants of corruption.”
c. Three, “For whom (evil men and seducers) having once overcome, of the same (corruption and sin) they are now brought (again) into bondage (destruction and eternal damnation),” 2 Peter 2:18-19. Peter summarizes their fate,
4. Finally, “If after they have escaped the world's pollutions through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: After being delivered and freed from such sins by Christ Jesus.”
a. One, “They are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.” They are again entangled with sin and disobedience, being overcome by it, finding their latter end worse than the beginning. Peter warns them and us,
b. Two, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them after they have known it.” Observe Peter’s frightful and applauding end of these deceivers and their deceived,
c. Three, “But it happened unto them according to the true proverb: The dog has turned to his vomit again, and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,” 2 Peter 2:20-22. Solomon wrote: “As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly,” Proverbs 26:11.
d. O Lord, God, keep our feet in thy pathway and our walk without any stumbling!
5. Conclusion: These are the “them” and the “such” to which Paul warned the Romans “to turn away from them.” This warning, however, we have received first for the Lord. He warned His apostles of:
a. The Pharisees: “In the meantime…he began to say unto his disciples, first of all: Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed, nor hid, that shall not be known. Therefore, whatsoever you have spoken in the darkness shall be heard in the light, and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetop,” Luke 12:1-3; Hebrews 4:13.
b. Their hypocrisy: “Then spake Jesus to the multitude and his disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees (when they) sit in Moses’ seat: All (things) therefore, whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do, but do not you after their works: for they say, and do not.” Observe,
1) “They bind heavy burdens and grievous to bear and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they will not move them with one of their fingers.”
2) “But all their works they do to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries and enlarge the borders of their garments.”
3) “They love the uppermost rooms at the feast, the chief seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets (places), and to be called by men, Rabbi, Rabbi.” Finally,
4) “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that humble himself shall be exalted,” Matthew 23:1-12. [Text shortened for brevity]. Stephens reminds them of their forefathers being,
c. Stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart: “Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? And they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom you have been now the betrayers and murderers,” Acts 7:51-52. Paul wrote of the forefathers,
d. Disobedience and gainsaying: “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So, then, faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? …But I say, Did not Israel know? First, Moses said, I will provoke you to jealousy by them, who are no people, and by a foolish nation, I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people,” Romans 10:16-21. [Text shortened for brevity]. Observe the results of Paul’s preaching to the “leading Jews in Rome,” Acts 28:22-31. Many there, too, “would not hear the word of the Lord that they might be saved.”
e. Conclusion. Indeed, this message was about the “religious fathers” of Israel, the scribes and the Pharisees. It includes all those who follow after their “hardness of heart” and their “sin and disobedience to the gospel of Christ.” Observe,
E. Jude’s warning. We will allow him to close out this point in the lesson. He wrote: “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, preserved in Jesus Christ and called: Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied,” Jude 1:1-2.
1. He begins, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” Jude 1:3. He speaks of several important matters in this verse. Observe,
a. First, he gives all diligence to write unto us of “the common salvation.” All knew this salvation and believed and were obedient to the gospel of Christ Jesus.
b. Further, it was “needful for him to write unto us.”
c. Next, to exhort us to “contend (strive) for the faith earnestly.”
d. Finally, that was “once delivered unto the saints.”
2. Here’s why. “For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ,” Jude 1:4. Just as they did in Galatia. Paul wrote,
a. First, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel, Which is not another, but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ…revelation of Jesus Christ,” Galatians 1:6-12. How was this possible? [Text shortened for brevity]. Notice Paul’s answer,
b. Further, “And because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: To who, we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue among you,” Galatians 2:4-5. Consider Dr. Ronald Y. K. Fung’s comments on these verses. He wrote,
1) First, “These ‘interlopers’ (intruders) Paul roundly condemn as ‘sham-Christians,’ that is, persons who called themselves and were probably regarded by others as Christians but whose conduct… falsified their claim to be (a) Christian.”
2) Second, “Paul charges them with having infiltrated the ranks of the Gentile Christians (at Antioch) ‘to spy out our (their) liberty which we (they) had in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us (them) into bondage.’”
3) Thirdly, “The word translated ‘spy out’ (kataskopesai) carries the nuance of inquiry with a claim to the right of supervision,’ and may contain an ironical reference to us of episkopesai (‘to supervise’) by the false brethren (or the Galatian heretics),” Page 93. (Some insertions are mine for clarity).
4) Fourthly, B. W. Johnson wrote these: “Judaizing, or other false teachers, who disturbed the Gentile churches by urging them to keep the law of Moses, or by teaching some heresy. Read the Epistle to the Galatians. They were not to listen to them and were to avoid them…Like many other false teachers, these men were more devoted to their appetites than Christ,” Page 435. [Edited in active voice]. Brother Fung agrees with Brother Johnson’s comments regarding these “false brothers.” Paul had rightly identified who the “innocent and simple” are in this text. Now, let’s observe Peter’s poor example as an apostle before the church in Antioch, Acts 11:19-30; Acts 13:1-3.
c. Next, “But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed. For before the certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him, insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation (pretense or hypocrisy),” Galatians 2:11-13; Romans 12:9. What action did Paul take?
d. Finally, “But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as so the Jews?... Knowing that the works of the law do not justify a man, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…for by works of the law shall no flesh be justified,” Galatians 2:14-16; Romans 5:1-2.
e. Conclusion: Paul felt it necessary to call out Peter for his lack of faith and fear of those called “the circumcision.” Peter had a prime opportunity to stand up for the “truth of the gospel.” But again, he failed the Lord and the entire Gentile congregation. Peter did not exhibit “apostolic leadership.”
1) Unfortunately, many of our elderships are not demonstrating “leadership” by not calling out all the hateful rhetoric that has been spewed out of the mouths of many members of their political Party!
2) Perhaps the same fear that loomed over Peter’s heart has overtaken theirs! These elderships serve their political party (Republicans and Democrats) rather than serving the Lord Jesus Christ!
3) Many of them have also embraced “White Nationalism,” even being so deceived that they consider this movement part of the Christian Faith. This movement spews out of its mouth the same hateful rhetoric of Nazism (hate, separation, and segregation). I’m afraid some of the Lord’s congregations have lost their way, but they must turn from this teaching and behavior if they desire to be saved.
DEFINITION: White Nationalism. See the reference below for more information.
NOTE: Download our lesson “What Does God Require? (Online), from SermonCentral.com by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. It exposes this evil and corrupt movement to the world. Continuing,
3. Brother Jude wrote: “These filthy dreamers also defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities…But these speak evil of those things which they know not, but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in that thing, they corrupt themselves,” Jude 1:8-10.
a. Jude again, “These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feed themselves without fear: clouds they are without water carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruits, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, foaming out of their shame, wandering stars, to whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever…These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their lusts, and their mouths speak great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of their advantage (benefit, profit or position),” Jude 1:12-16.
b. Jude's appeal: “But, beloved, remember you the words (which were) spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their ungodly lust. These are they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit,” Jude 1:17-19. Who are they? Jude concludes by charging us to “keep ourselves in the love of God.”
c. Jude’s solemn plea: “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your (in the) most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life,” Jude 1:20-21.
NOTE: The EGNT reads: “But you, beloved, on your most holy faith building up yourselves, in [the] Praying Spirit praying, keep yourselves in [the] love of God, awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto life eternal,” Page 622. Another rendering is: “epoikodomeo heautou en ta pistis hagios” or “building up yourselves in the faith most holy, praying in the Holy Ghost.” See Note: f, LTTrAW, at the bottom of Page 622. This is the faith once delivered unto the saint, Jude 1:3. He continues,
1) First, “Some have compassion, making a difference.”
2) Further, “Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.”
3) Next, “Now unto Him that can keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.”
4) Finally, “To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen,” Jude 1:22-25.
NOTE: Download our lesson “Our God is Able” from SermonCentral.com by Ron Freeman, Evangelist. It discusses these verses more completely.
4. Conclusion: Like the apostles, Jude warns us how those who make divisions and offenses enter and seduce the unexpected and innocent. Luring them into sin and disobedience through their lusts and entice, even as James warned us, James 1:12-15. These false teachers promise them freedom, but their reward is, again, the captivity of sin and the promise of eternal damnation, Romans 6:23. Jude then admonishes us to keep ourselves in the love of God, building up ourselves in (the) faith through prayers in the Holy Ghost. In doing so, we might be able to save some and keep ourselves from falling to be presented faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. This we will do if the LSS! In lesson two, we saw that these deceivers served not the Lord Jesus Christ but their bellies. Next week, we will consider the last lesson in this series. I pray you will join us!
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
2. Serves not the Lord Jesus Christ
B. Summarize Main Points
1. In lesson two, we discussed that those who now trouble the church serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their bellies. They were troubling the church with divisions and offenses. We learned that Paul spoke of the Jewish fathers and those of the circumcision. They were teaching the Gentiles that they could not be part of the church family without first obeying the Law and being circumcised to become proselytes of Judaism. They were messengers of the evil one and were not the servants of the Lord but “greedy for filthy lucre,” Titus 1:11-12.
2. Finally, he asked the church to pray that the saints of Jerusalem and Judaea might accept his work in delivering the money from the Gentile churches and that he could be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men.
C. Invitation. Present God’s pattern of conversion. Jesus said: “Come unto me all ye that labor,” Matthew 11:28-30. [Explain the POC, i.e., hearing and believing the gospel; repentance of all past sins, Luke 24:44-47; confessing faith in Christ, as the Son of God, Matthew 10:32-33; and then, by obeying the gospel, Romans 10:16-18; Romans 6:17-18; that is to: “repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31-32; Ephesians 1:13-14].
D. Exhortation. “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved,” Jeremiah 8:20.
E. Motivation. Do as Peter directed: “Save thyself,” Acts 2:40; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 2:41.
Consultations and Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: “Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due),” Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this lesson.
References
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, Copyright 1970.
4. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, Copyright 1990.
5. The Greek–English Interlinear, ESV New Testament, Published by Crossway, Wheaton, IL 60187, Copyright 2018.
6. The New Greek/English Interlinear, NRSV, New Testament, United Bible Societies,’ Fifth Revised Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, IL 60188, Copyright 2020.
7. The Greek-English Interlinear CSB New Testament, Holman Bible Publishers, 28th Revised Edition, Christian Standard Bible, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Copyright 2022.
8. The Epistle to the Galatians, by Dr. Ronald Y. K. Fung, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 255 Jefferson Ave., S. E., Grand Rapids, Michigan, 49503, Copyright 1988. Dr. Fung is one of our distinguished Chinese brothers.
9. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
10. Smith's Bible Dictionary, by William Smith, Grand Rapids, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Printing 1884.
11. Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary © 2015 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated; Springfield, Massachusetts, 01105.
12. Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus © 2015 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated; Springfield, Massachusetts, 01105.
13. Wikipedia, Schism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schism. (2024, June 19).
14. Wikipedia, White Nationalism. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_nationalism. (2024, May 21).
15. “Divine Revelation and Inspiration,” a dissertation, by Ron Freeman, Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org, TM; Registration Number TX-9-402-610, Copyright, June 22, 2024.
16. “The Necessity of Baptism,” a dissertation, by Ron Freeman, Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org, TM; Registration Number TX-9-328-902, Copyright, November 08, 2023. Click on this link to download the dissertation: https://archive.org/search?query=Ron+Freeman%2C+Evangelist /.
17. The BlueLetterBible.org, (BLB’s) Interlinear, Textus Receptus; and the Morphological GNT, © 2022, by the Blue Letter Bible. This tool allows you to access the Greek New Testament in both manuscripts. http://www.blb.org /. The BLB also provides tutorials to help you learn how to use it. Link, (www.BLB.org).
A word of thanks to BLB.org:
Thank you for this valuable study tool, BLB.org. It has been an excellent instrument for me to learn and use the Interlinear to bring my sermons alive to the audience. Thank you very much for this great Application to help study the scriptures.
Author’s Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org. TM
Post Office Box 1112
Anniston, AL 36202
Communications and Websites
Email: wwmcoc@earthlink.net
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org/
Website: https://en.gravatar.com/refreeman
Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL, every Sunday at 11:00 AM and Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The call-in number is 1-302-202-1110, and the PIN is 214733. These men "know the Shepherd!"
