Jude - Defense
INTRODUCTION: Jude was intended to be an encouraging and uplifting message on the theme of Salvation. But when he began to write, the Holy Spirit impressed on him the need for a hard-hitting warning about false teachers. The message here is short and to the point, stinging and powerful.
I. The Author of the Book -
A. Jude: There are 7 men named Jude (Judas) in the NT:
1. An ancestor of Jesus (Luke 3:30);
2. The betrayer (Mark 3:19);
3. Thaddaeus, one of the 12 Apostles (Luke 6:16; John 14:22; Acts 1:13);
4. A Galilean insurrectionist (Acts 5:37);
5. A native of Damascus (Acts 9:11);
6. A prophet chosen to verify the message of the Jerusalem Counsel (Acts 15:22-27, 32);
7. The brother of James, and ½ brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3).
B. Biographical information about the Author includes:
1. He was the son of Joseph and Mary (Mat 1:25; 12:47; 13:55);
2. He wrote in a similar style as James his brother;
3. He was a humble man:
· No mention of his family relationship with Jesus;
· No claim to apostleship;
· Content to call himself a “servant” of Christ.
4. He traveled with his wife on an itinerant preaching ministry (1 Cor 9:5).
II. The Recipient of the Book
A. No formal address as found in most NT Epistles.
B. To those sanctified, preserved & called (v.1).
III. The Date & Place of Writing
A. Date: Probably in the year 68-70 AD. It seems that he was familiar with 2 Peter (vv. 4-18; cf. 2 Pet 2:1- 3:4).
B. Place: Uncertain
IV. The Purpose of the Book
A. To exhort Believers to contend for the faith (v.3);
B. To warn about the danger of false teachers (v. 4);
C. To remind Believers of God’s past judgment on sin (vv. 5-19);
D. To encourage Christian compassion (vv. 20-23).
V. The Keys to the Book
A. The key thought = It is more important that we do what is needful than what is pleasant!
B. The key phrase = “Earnestly contend for the faith” (v.3)
C. The key verse = v. 3
D. Key Word =
1. Ungodly - 6 times
VI. The Outline to the Book
A. Entering the faith (vv. 1-2)
1. Sanctification (v. 1)
2. Preservation (v. 1)
3. Calling (v. 1)
4. Blessing (v. 2)
B. Defending the faith (vv. 3-4)
1. A united defense (v. 3)
2. A determined defense (v. 3)
3. A forewarned defense (v. 4)
C. Departing from the faith (vv. 5-15)
1. Doom of the false teachers (vv. 5-7)
2. Denunciation of the false teachers (vv. 8-10)
3. Description of the false teachers (vv. 11-15)
D. Denying the faith (vv. 16-19)
1. Murmurers (v. 16)
2. Mockers (vv. 17-18)
3. Lustful (v. 18)
4. Unspiritual (v. 19)
E. Propagating the faith (vv. 20-25)
1. Keep growing (v. 20)
2. Keep praying (v. 20)
3. Keep loving (vv. 21-23)
4. Keep trusting (v. 24-25)
