Jude--Bible Study Made Simple w/ Dr. Timmy Tezeno

Welcome to the Bible Trainer Podcast featuring Bible Study Made Simple with Dr. Timmy Tezeno on the Epistle of Jude. In this episode, join us as we dive deep into The Epistle of Jude and embark on an illuminating journey through this chapter. Fasten your seat belts and be blessed.     

Transcript

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The book of Jude. I trust that you are already there at the book of Jude. Now let me just say this. The epistle of Jude is equivalent to the saying that big things comes in small packages. The theme of this letter is assurance in days of apostasy. Jude's subject is the common apostasy. He gives us the most vivid account that we have of the apostasy and presents it In a very dramatic way, Jude gives the only record in scripture regarding the contention of Satan with Michael, the archangel over the body of Moses. Also, Jude records the prophecy of Enoch, which is found nowhere. And on this note, let us begin. I trust that you are already there at Jude and verse number one. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ and called. Now, Jude addresses himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for servant is doulos, D O U L O S, doulos, which means slave. Jude was forever at Jesus disposal for service. The greatest glory any Christian can attain is to be of use to Jesus Christ. Now I love the way he addresses his letter. He addresses his letter to all believers in Christ. He says to them that are sanctified by God, the Father, we have been sanctified. We have been set aside by God for his service. Then he says to the preserved in Jesus Christ, we are kept By the power of God, I said, we are kept by the power of God. Isaiah 54 in verse 17 says, no weapon formed against me shall prosper. Isaiah 59 and 19 says, when the enemy shall come in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. Jesus says this in Matthew's Gospel chapter 18 and verse 16. Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Listen, we are preserved in Jesus Christ. Then he says to those who are called. The Greek word for called is kalion. K A L E I N, Kaelian. It is a word for summoning a man to office, to duty, and to responsibility. It is also a word for summoning a man into court, to give an account of what he has done. We have been called by God to duty, to fulfill his purpose for our lives in the earth. We have the responsibility to see to it that it is fulfilled. And in the end, we will appear before the judgment seat of Christ. We will appear before the judgment seat of Christ to give an account for the things we have done in the earth. We are his children. We are in his family and we are his delight, but he also expects us to do our part. And in the end, we will be awarded according to our service. We are sanctified. We are preserved and we are called. Oh, hallelujah. All right. Jude two. Mercy unto you and peace and love be multiplied. Jude says here that he wants the mercy, the peace, and the love of God to be increased in abundance in every believer's life. Now this should be the desire of every believer. Alright, Jude 3. 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. Now Jude was about to write a letter concerning salvation when he received word that evil and misguided men had been spreading destructive teaching. He felt led to write concerning definitive Fate against Aposty instead of the subject of salvation. Aposty was on the rise, and as soon as Jude heard of it, he immediately changed the theme of his letter to counter attack it. Now, what is Aposty? Aposty is a departure from the fate. It is a departure from the Apostles doctrine. Jews' theme is contend for the fate, which was once delivered to the saints. In other words, we must defend. The fate. What is the fate which was once delivered to the saints? It is the body of truth given once and for all. It is the apostles doctrine. The book of Acts chapter 2 in verse 42 reads, and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. Now notice that the Apostle's Doctrine is the first thing mentioned. The faith is the Apostle's Doctrine. It is truth. It is the Word of God. We must defend the Word of God at all costs because it is right and will always be right. Alright, Jude 4. For there are certain men crept in, unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God into lasciviousness, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Now, here is what caused Jude to change direction concerning the writing of his letter. Certain evil men had wormed their way in the church, attempting to turn the hearts of the believers from the faith, from the apostles doctrine. Jude picks out two characteristics about them. Number one, they perverted the grace of God. They believed that since the grace of God could cover any sin, a person could sin as much as they wanted to. They said the more a person sins, the greater the grace. Therefore, why worry about sin? And number two, they denied Jesus Christ. They believed that there were many stages between the evil matter of this world and the perfect spirit, which is God. And they believed that Jesus was only one of the many stages on the way. No wonder Jude was alarmed. Jude was faced with a situation of a group of ungodly men who had wormed their way into the church, teaching folks that it was alright to sin as much as they wanted to because the grace of God was big enough to cover any and all of their sins. Jude 5, I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. Now, the example Jude gives here is that of the Israelites that died. in the wilderness because of unbelief. They did not believe in Joshua and Caleb's report that said we can take the land of Canaan. Instead they chose to believe the evil report of the other ten spies who said it couldn't be done because of the giants in the land of Canaan. And the consequence for them believing this evil report instead of believing the truth was dying in the wilderness without ever crossing into the promised land. Listen, God always judged. Apostates. Jude 6. And the angels which kept not their estate, but left their own habitation, he had reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. Now Jude uses a second example of God's judgment of apostasy. There were a great number of angels who left their posts and rebelled against God, and God judged them for their actions, and his judgment is that they are kept in everlasting chains under darkness until their final judgment, which is the lake of fire. Jude 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Now Jude uses a third example of apostasy here. And God's judgment of it. Here Jude reminds these evil men of the fate of the homosexuals in Solomon Gomorrah who defiled the moral law of God. Apparently these evil men had also descended to homosexuality and they were perverting the grace of God to cover even that sin. Jude reminds them that these homosexuals received God's judgment. The cities of Solomon Gomorrah were destroyed by fire. Alright Jude. 8 and 9. Likewise, also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. Now, Jude showed the believers how to identify these apostate teachers. Number one, they are filthy dreamers. Number two, they defile the flesh by committing fornication, adultery, and even homosexual acts. Number three, they despised dominion. They had no respect for authority. And number four, They speak evil of dignities. They speak evil of angels. Then he shows how these evil men, these false teachers, were wrong for speaking evil concerning angels by giving the example of Michael, the archangel, and his response to Satan. And his point was this, if the greatest of the good angels refuse to speak evil of the greatest of the evil angels, surely no human beings should speak evil of any angel. Alright, Jude 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not, but what they know naturally as brute beasts, and those things they corrupt themselves. Jude says two things here concerning the evil men whom he is attacking. Number one, they criticize everything they don't understand. Number two, they allow themselves to be corrupted by the things they do understand. They knew it was wrong to fornicate. They knew that adultery and homosexuality is wrong. But yet, They did those things anyway. They had a deaf ear to the morality of God. All right. Jude 11. Warned to them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the arrow of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gang's sin of Korah. Now, Jude gives three examples from Hebrew history that parallels to the wicked men of his day. Number one, Cain. The way of Cain is the way of man who refuses to bring a lamb which pernit to Christ. He didn't come to God by fate. He didn't believe God when he said that man was to bring a lamb for a sacrifice. That without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Cain thought he could come to God his own way. He was rebellious. He wanted to come to God through or by his own righteousness. The second example is Balaam. Balaam is an example of those who taught Israel to sin. Numbers chapter 31 verses 8 and 16 give reference to this. Balaam was killed by the sword because he taught others to sin. The third example. Korah, the story of Korah is found in the book of Numbers chapter 16 verses 1 through 35. The sin of Korah was that he rebelled against the guidance of Moses when the sons of Aaron and the tribe of Levi were made the priests of the nation. He was not happy with Moses decision and was unwilling to accept it. He came against Moses, and when he did, he and all those with him perished terribly. The earth opened up, and Korah and all that stood with him. Their houses and belongings were no more. The earth opened up and swallowed them and their goods. They went down alive in the pit, and then the earth Covered them. This was God's judgment for Korah's rebellion against authority. And just like Korah and company had a terrible end, so will the end be of these evil men who pervert the truth of God's word. All right. Jude 12 these are spots in your feasts of charity when they feast with you feeding themselves without fear clouds. They are without water carried about of winds trees whose fruit wither it without fruit twice dead. Plucked up by the roots. Now the word spots is better translated, uh, hidden rocks by Dr. West. The picture is of hidden rocks, which can wreck a ship. The Apostle Paul called it shipwreck of the fate in first Timothy chapter 1 verses 19 and 20. An apostate, a false, which is a false teacher, can be compared to the tip of an iceberg. It is barely seen, but if a ship runs into it, that ship will sink. We have to be aware of falsehood. Hallelujah! The Feast of Charity were love feasts which were held in the early church before they took communion. It was a time of fellowship when believers brought food and shared a meal together. Well, the apostates came in eating up the food selfishly, feeding themselves without fear, without any regards for the next person. He says that they are clouds without waters. They may appear to be filled with the word of God, but they are empty and dry. They do not have the water of life. Then Jude says, trees whose fruit withereth without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Jude is simply saying that they are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. That is the first death, and then their bodies will die. What an ugly picture of an apostate, a false teacher. Alright, Jude 13. Raging waves of the sea, forming out their own shame. Wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude says here that these evil men, these false teachers who had crept in the church unawares, are like raging waves of the sea, forming out their own shame. And the picture, the picture is this. After a storm, when the waves have lashed over and over against the shore, there is always left on the shore a fringe of seaweed, driftwood, and all kinds of trashy litter from the sea. Jude says here that these apostates, these false teachers, are relentless in giving out trash. They are relentless in giving out falsehood. They are relentless In their fight against the fate, then he says they are like wandering stars. In other words, they have no direction. They hate authority and so therefore are lawless in that they follow no course whatsoever. Then he gives the judgment that awaits them. And that is blackness of darkness forever. This refers to hell. One symbol of hell is fire and the other is blackness of darkness. All right. Let's look at Jude 14 and 15, and Enoch, also the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all their harsh speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. Now, Jew says here that Enoch gave this prophecy. Is this the same Enoch of Genesis chapter 5? Yes, it is. Jew was again letting the apostates, the false teachers, know that their end is the judgment of God. Now, just for a moment, let's look at Enoch. Enoch is a type or a representative of the believer who will take part in the rapture. Enoch was removed from the earth before the judgment of the flood came upon the earth. The believers in like manner would be caught up to meet the Lord in the air before the judgment of the great tribulation comes upon the earth. Jude uses Enoch's prophecy to show again God's judgment against those who oppose the truth. Alright, Jude 16. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaking great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Now, Jude says here that these evil men are number one, murmurers, ungrateful individuals. Number two, they are complainers. They're never satisfied. Number three, they walk after their own lusts. Number four, their mouth speaks great swelling words. In other words, they use big words to attempt to show that they are very intelligent, but their speeches have no content. They sound good or not saying anything. Number five, they have men's persons in admiration because of advantage. In other words, they look to be admired and promoted by men instead of women. by God. All right? Jude 17 through 19. But beloved, remember ye 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 own ungodliness. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the spirit. Jude tells the believers here To remember the words of the apostles of Jesus Christ concerning false teachers and falsehood, the apostles had already warned them that in the last times, evil men such as was among them would come. Jude prints out that these false teachers were not, would not spirit feel. They were of their father, the devil. All right, Jude 20 and 21. But ye beloved building up yourselves on your 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 instructs the believers to do four things here. Number one, build up yourselves on your most holy faith. We ought to be built up in God by his word. Why should we be built up in God by his word? It keeps the apostates from shaking our fate. Number two, we must pray in the Holy Spirit. Number three, we must keep ourselves in the love of God. And number four, we must constantly look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Every believer is to wait for the coming of Jesus Christ in mercy, love, and power. For we know Christ's purpose for us is to bring us to life eternal. And that is the receiving of our glorified bodies, being just like Jesus, and living with Him forever. Oh, hallelujah. Jude 23. 22 and 23, and of some have compassion making a difference and others saved with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now The Amplified Bible reads these two verses like this, And refute so as to convict some who dispute with you, And on some have mercy who waver and doubt, Strive to save others, snatching them out of the fire, On others take pity, but with fear, Loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh, And polluted by their sensuality. Now, what Jude is saying here is that it is important to be built up in God's Word. We have to know the Word of God. We have to pray in the Spirit. We must, keep ourselves in the love of God, constantly looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Now, if we do these things we will be able to refute, to convict the false teachers. We will have mercy on those in falsehood who are wavering, doubting, and wondering if what they are in is right. We will be able to snatch some of them out of that falsehood and bring them into the kingdom of God, thus saving them from the fire, from going to hell. We will be able to have compassion on them, but never be influenced by their evil ways. We will walk in the wisdom of God and not be shaken. Why? Because look at Jude 24 and 25. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory would exceed in joy. To the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power. Both now and ever. Amen. Now we see here that God is able to keep us from falling. He will not let our feet be moved. God knows how to keep us. Y'all. God is able in Romans 16 and 25, Paul gives praise to God who is able to strengthen us in Ephesians 3 and 20. Paul gives praise to God who is able to do far more than we can ever ask or dream of. He is able to present us faultless before the presence of his glory would exceed in joy. And because we know he will keep us, and because we know that he will present us faultless before the presence of his glory would exceed in joy, we give him glory in all praise. He is the only wise. God and is our Savior. Glory Majesty, dominion and power are his right now and forever. Amen. This concludes our studies on the Book of Jude and we trust that it was a blessing to you. And may the Lord God richly you bless you and your family is our prayer. We are declaring the truth. We are declaring the truth. We are declaring the truth.