WEBVTT 00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:01.919 Well, good evening, brothers and sisters. 00:00:01.919 --> 00:00:06.000 This is such a beautiful sight. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.040 Honestly. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:08.160 Thank you. 00:00:08.160 --> 00:00:14.000 It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you tonight and present God's word. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:19.920 Tonight is book 65 in our root 66 series. 00:00:19.920 --> 00:00:21.920 It's the book of Jude. 00:00:21.920 --> 00:00:27.120 And you can find it on page 1087 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:27.120 --> 00:00:33.920 So beware of deceit and contend for the faith. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:38.880 We have a warning and we have a command. 00:00:38.880 --> 00:00:45.280 This is the plea that Jude makes to the early church and to us as well. 00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:55.119 Now there are many scriptures that warn us about false teachers, just as there are many that tell us to contend for the faith. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:00:58.640 So what makes Jude different? 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:10.480 Why is this short book, tucked in right before Revelation, so important that Jude had to write about it, even changing the original topic of his letter? 00:01:10.480 --> 00:01:21.040 In tonight's talk, we will look at Jude's unique response to the chaos in the early church and the hope he gave to those early believers. 00:01:21.040 --> 00:01:31.920 Although only 25 verses, this letter serves as a vital resource for understanding the struggles in the early Christian church. 00:01:31.920 --> 00:01:38.319 And unfortunately, these struggles continue in the modern church to this present day. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:47.920 And I'll argue that the lessons from this book are just as important, if not more important, for us in the 21st century. 00:01:47.920 --> 00:01:50.879 So before we get started, let's pray. 00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:59.519 Heavenly Father, we thank you for your inspired word, which leads us and guides us in our walk with you. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:08.719 We ask you to give us clear understanding as we explore this short but powerful message and to see how we as a church might apply it to our lives. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:10.639 And we pray this in Jesus' name. 00:02:10.639 --> 00:02:11.520 Amen. 00:02:11.520 --> 00:02:19.439 So Jude is the last of 21 epistles written to various churches and individuals. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:33.120 Evidence shows it was written between 68 and 70 AD, and it is likely the last book written to the prior, the last book written prior to the destruction of Jerusalem. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:39.520 The book is named after its author, one of the half-brothers of Jesus Christ. 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:46.560 And you might think that Jude would use that family connection to lend authority to his letter, but he does not. 00:02:46.560 --> 00:02:51.360 Verse 1 marks a humble beginning to the book. 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:57.280 It says, Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James. 00:02:57.280 --> 00:03:02.319 So Jude identifies himself as a servant. 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:08.400 During the earthly ministry of Jesus, he was a non-believing family member. 00:03:08.400 --> 00:03:17.759 But after the death and resurrection of Christ, he was converted and the connection turned into a servant master relationship. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:29.120 He mentions that he is the brother of James, also a half-brother to Christ, who likewise in his letter introduces himself as a servant. 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:34.639 Jude is writing to the first century Christian church. 00:03:34.639 --> 00:03:42.400 And at this time in history, false teachers were overtaking the churches, and many believers were being deceived. 00:03:42.400 --> 00:03:52.960 Jude uses several references to Old Testament history that would have been understood by a Jewish culture that grew up hearing these scriptures. 00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:59.120 And because of this, his audience were probably Jewish converts rather than Greeks. 00:03:59.120 --> 00:04:04.240 But nevertheless, Jude was writing to true believers. 00:04:04.240 --> 00:04:07.680 Verse 1 continues into verse 2. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:19.680 To those who are the called, loved by God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ, may mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:30.879 So the calling he speaks of is not a general call to salvation, but the effectual call that God gives to a chosen person. 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:41.519 It is not a general love, but an unconditional, unending love from God to the believer who will be kept secure for eternal life. 00:04:41.519 --> 00:04:45.600 What an encouraging statement to those faithful brethren. 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:55.920 The mercy of being chosen, God's unending love, and the peace of knowing our salvation is secure, multiplied. 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:02.160 And that statement sums up Jude's original intent, which we see in verse 3. 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:18.639 It says, Dear friends, although I was eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once and for all. 00:05:18.639 --> 00:05:28.079 So Jews' intent was to bask in the glow of God's gift of salvation, which we as believers all share. 00:05:28.079 --> 00:05:33.120 But something was nagging at him, enough for him to change directions. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:38.800 Now, this is a key point in the letter, and it ought to make us all sit up and take notice. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:46.560 So instead of writing about the joy of our salvation, he urged them to contend for the faith. 00:05:46.560 --> 00:05:51.439 What was it that was troubling him to make that command? 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:54.879 We see the warning in verse 4. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:06:02.639 For some people who were designated for this judgment long ago have come in by stealth. 00:06:02.639 --> 00:06:12.079 They are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord. 00:06:12.079 --> 00:06:17.360 So two questions arise out of verses three and four. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:23.519 The first question is, who are the some people Jude was talking about? 00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:27.680 Well, they were false teachers, they were apostates. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:34.160 And the second question is, why the need to contend for the faith? 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:39.600 The answer is because the truth of God's word was at stake. 00:06:39.600 --> 00:06:44.800 And a third question arises out of one of the answers. 00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:48.720 What is apostasy, and who are apostates? 00:06:48.720 --> 00:07:00.879 Apostasy is the rejection or abandonment of one's Christian faith, a falling away from God and the truth after having previously professed belief. 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:09.759 It is a conscious and intentional rejection and usually involves a complete breakdown of morals and spirituality. 00:07:09.759 --> 00:07:22.560 Apostates are often identified by their lack of fruit and may fall away due to persecution, deception, or a rejection of sound doctrine. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:26.240 So why was Jude so adamant about this? 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:29.279 Because these people were in the church. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:32.959 It says they have come in by stealth. 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:40.240 Other translations say they have crept in unnoticed or slipped in among you. 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:46.000 So when the enemy is out in the open, it's much easier to fight. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:50.399 But when the enemy is camouflaged, we may not notice them. 00:07:50.399 --> 00:07:56.959 They infiltrate and live among us, free to enact their ungodly behavior. 00:07:56.959 --> 00:08:01.199 It says they were designated for judgment. 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:07.040 Now make no mistake, these false teachers and apostates will be judged by God. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:10.720 And the Bible has historical evidence of this. 00:08:10.720 --> 00:08:17.920 Let's look at verses 5 to 7 and see three examples of God's judgment for ungodly behavior. 00:08:17.920 --> 00:08:20.240 Verse 5. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:34.320 Now I want to remind you, although you came to know all these things once and for all, that Jesus saved the people out of Egypt and later destroyed those who did not believe. 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:40.480 So in our first example, we have the Jews, who certainly knew the truth. 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:43.919 It was given to them by Moses in the book of Exodus. 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:54.480 Yet they rejected that truth and were denied entry into the promised land, their corpses scattered across the desert in a fury of God's wrath. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:58.879 The second example is in verse 6. 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:11.200 And the angels who did not keep their own position but abandoned their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 00:09:11.200 --> 00:09:19.519 Now I want to pause here for a minute because there are different interpretations of this verse, and I feel like it needs to be addressed. 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:28.240 So a popular interpretation held by some well-known preachers comes from Genesis chapter 6 and verses 1 to 4. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:33.039 So I'm going to read verses 1 and 2 and part of verse 4. 00:09:33.039 --> 00:09:41.279 In these verses, it uses the term sons of God, which in some cases can refer to angelic beings. 00:09:41.279 --> 00:09:43.759 So let's read verses 1 and 2. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:10:00.960 And it came to pass when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, that the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair, and they took them wives of all which they chose. 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:10.559 And then verse 4 When the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:17.679 So if we interpret sons of God as angels, I can see where there might be a connection. 00:10:17.679 --> 00:10:20.960 But the text makes no mention of angels. 00:10:20.960 --> 00:10:25.360 It reads more like a description of human sin and compromise. 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:28.399 Look again at the language that Jude uses. 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:35.039 He says, The angels who did not keep their own position but abandon their proper dwelling. 00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.679 So Jude is very specific here. 00:10:37.679 --> 00:10:47.600 A better interpretation of verse 6 may refer to when Satan and a group of angels turned against God and were cast out of heaven. 00:10:47.600 --> 00:10:57.279 Jude continues verse 6 by saying, They are kept in eternal chains in deep darkness for the judgment on the great day. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:00.960 Now this mirrors 2 Peter 2 in verse 4. 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:06.000 It says, For God didn't spare the angels who sinned, but cast them into hell. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:10.960 And he delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment. 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:18.000 Now the fact of the matter is that the fall of Satan and his angels was a major rebellion against God. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:27.600 And the example of Israel in the wilderness, along with Jude's overall theme of apostasy, also reflect major rebellion. 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:31.440 And we see the same in verse 7. 00:11:31.440 --> 00:11:44.399 It says, likewise, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns committed sexual immorality and perversions and serve as an example by undergoing the punishment of eternal fire. 00:11:44.399 --> 00:11:49.200 So this story is from Genesis chapter 19. 00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:56.799 Here we find Lot, Abraham's nephew, as a judge and a witness to the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:11:56.799 --> 00:12:13.759 But the city's gross sin of immorality and homosexuality were so widespread, and Lot's moral pronouncements so ineffective that God rained down burning sulfur, destroying everything in the cities. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:20.559 Jews, angels, and gentiles, major rebellion. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:24.080 God's judgment does not discriminate. 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:30.960 So Jude warns us to beware of deceit. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:35.840 So who are these apostates that Jude is warning us about? 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.480 Verse 8 gives us a look. 00:12:38.480 --> 00:12:50.879 It says, In the same way, these people, relying on their dreams, defile their flesh, reject authority, and slander glorious ones. 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:56.320 So it starts out by saying, in the same way, these people. 00:12:56.320 --> 00:13:02.080 Now earlier in verse 4, Jude calls the false teachers some people. 00:13:02.080 --> 00:13:06.559 But here he is getting more specific and calls them these people. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:18.399 He uses the phrase in the same way to compare their ungodly behavior in his day to the history of behavior mentioned in verses 5 to 7. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:26.799 And in the same way, we can look at the Christian church of today and see the same type of ungodly behavior. 00:13:26.799 --> 00:13:31.679 We see false teachers who proclaim revelation from God. 00:13:31.679 --> 00:13:39.279 They are steeped in sin, rejecting the authority of Scripture and slandering the holy name of Jesus Christ. 00:13:39.279 --> 00:13:42.639 And how are we to deal with them? 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:44.720 Let's look at verse 9. 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:59.200 Yet when Michael the Archangel was disputing with the devil in an argument about Moses' body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him, but said, The Lord rebuke you. 00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:10.720 Now Michael the Archangel was probably the highest ranking angel, yet he did not dare usurp the authority of God by taking matters into his own hands. 00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.759 He leaves the rebuking of the devil to God. 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:17.120 And let us all take heed of that. 00:14:17.120 --> 00:14:22.320 I hear a lot of Christians throwing around that devil, I rebuke you stuff. 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:25.919 Who do we think we are to be rebuking the devil? 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:32.720 He is called the God of this world for a reason and can easily bring us to our knees. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:37.679 The lesson here is that we need to let God handle Satan. 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:44.000 As true believers, it can be hard to sit back and watch these false teachers get away with what they do. 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:51.279 But let's remember verse 4 where it says, they were designated for this judgment long ago. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:55.200 So we need not worry about justice being served. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:15:01.360 And just a quick side note on verse 9 that story is not in the Bible. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:11.360 It is actually drawn from a first century AD book called The Assumption of Moses, a historical book written by an anonymous Jewish author. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:17.679 It is not part of the biblical canon, but it is found in several ancient Jewish traditions. 00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:23.360 Yet Jude, inspired by the Holy Spirit, uses this story to make his point. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:32.320 Verses 10 and 11 continue with Jude's condemnation of the apostate false teachers. 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:36.960 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. 00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:44.799 And what they do understand by instinct, like irrational animals, by these things they are destroyed. 00:15:44.799 --> 00:15:51.279 Now once again, Jude uses the term these people to describe them. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:16:02.639 He continues, Woe to them, for they have gone the way of Cain, have plunged into Balaam's error for profit, and have perished in Korah's rebellion. 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:10.080 So these false teachers criticize and speak against the very scripture that they have no understanding of. 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:44.799 He says, their actions mirror Cain's jealousy and murder of his brother Abel, representing a hatred for true believers. 00:16:44.799 --> 00:16:56.240 He says they have plunged into Balaam's error, referring to Balaam's willingness to lead people astray for personal profit, a greedy and deceptive action. 00:16:56.240 --> 00:17:11.279 And they have perished in Korah's rebellion, referencing Korah's challenge to the divinely appointed authority of Moses and Aaron, representing a similar spirit of rebellion against God's chosen leaders. 00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:14.000 But God has it under control. 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:22.240 Deuteronomy 32, 35 states, Vengeance and retribution belong to me. 00:17:22.240 --> 00:17:30.799 In time their foot will slip, for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly. 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:40.880 Brothers and sisters, as we can see, our God will handle apostates and modern-day false teachers just as he has handled them throughout history. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:47.200 Jude continues to warn us, beware of deceit. 00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:51.759 So what are the characteristics of these false teachers? 00:17:51.759 --> 00:18:03.279 In verses 12 and 13, Jude again refers to them as these people, and he uses metaphors to give us several clues so that we may identify them. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:14.000 Let's read the text and then we'll go through them. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:21.839 These people are dangerous reefs at your love feasts as they eat with you without reverence. 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:25.519 They are shepherds who only look after themselves. 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:35.359 They are waterless clouds carried along by winds, trees in late autumn, fruitless, twice dead, and uprooted. 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:46.720 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up in their shameful deeds, wandering stars for whom the blackness of darkness is reserved forever. 00:18:46.720 --> 00:18:50.640 So number one, they are dangerous reefs. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:55.519 Now hidden reefs are a danger to boats because they can't be seen. 00:18:55.519 --> 00:19:03.279 Remember in verse 4, Jude told us they come in by stealth, ready to shipwreck the church with their deceit. 00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:08.880 Number two, they are shepherds who look only after themselves. 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:11.839 This tells us that they are selfish. 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:18.720 Instead of caring for God's people, they exploit them for personal gain, ignoring the needs of others. 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:23.200 Number three, they are waterless clouds. 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:29.119 False teachers promise spiritual knowledge but deliver nothing of substance. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:34.160 In other words, their teaching is empty and void of the Holy Spirit. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:47.039 A tree in autumn is expected to have fruit, but these people are barren of good works. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:56.319 They become completely disconnected from the source of life, like a tree uprooted from the ground, fit only for judgment and burning. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:01.920 Number five, they are like wild waves of the sea. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:12.079 Apostates are spiritually restless and turbulent, producing nothing but the foam of their shameful deeds and empty, boastful words. 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:17.200 And finally, number six, they are wandering stars. 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:21.839 In the days of the Bible, people used the stars for navigation. 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:30.240 False teachers are like celestial objects that stray from their course and offer no reliable guidance. 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:41.119 Their ultimate destiny is a severe and eternal judgment in the blackest darkness of hell, emphasizing the finality of their condemnation. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:55.440 Brothers and sisters, this should serve as a strong warning to the church to be vigilant and discerning, as these false teachers are inwardly corrupt, morally bankrupt, and under God's certain judgment. 00:20:55.440 --> 00:21:05.279 As we move on, we see another example of inspired scripture where the content is not in the Bible. 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:08.319 Let's look at verses 14 and 15. 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:34.960 It was about these that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied: Look, the Lord comes with tens of thousands of his holy ones to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly, concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him. 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:42.559 Now I'll admit when I read this, I immediately started searching Genesis 5 because I wanted to see this prophecy. 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:45.680 But as you might guess, it was not there. 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:53.039 It comes from 1 Enoch, an apocryphal book written by multiple authors over several centuries. 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:59.440 This passage serves as a solemn warning of the final universal judgment by God. 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:10.559 It uses the word ungodly four times, describing the false teachers, their sinful behavior, and their sinful words. 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:14.160 But it also points to the Lord's return. 00:22:14.160 --> 00:22:28.960 The imagery of the Lord with tens of thousands of his holy ones points to the second coming of Christ, where he will be accompanied by a heavenly host to establish his kingdom and execute final judgment. 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:33.839 And that return can come at any time, and we have to be ready. 00:22:33.839 --> 00:22:42.640 So if you are here tonight and don't know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to open your heart and invite him into your life. 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:46.799 This is not something that can wait until you have time to think about it. 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:50.720 We are not even promised to walk out of these doors tonight. 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:54.880 The time is at hand, it is that urgent. 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:58.480 Now back to Jude. 00:22:58.480 --> 00:23:02.000 So did Enoch really prophesy this? 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:04.079 The Bible doesn't say so. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:12.160 But nevertheless, Jude spoke the truth, and the Bible does have precedence in quoting non-scriptural sources. 00:23:12.160 --> 00:23:17.599 And if the Holy Spirit inspired it, we must consider it authentic. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:22.720 Jude continues this section with verse 16. 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:30.240 Now, we spent a lot of time talking about false teachers, and this book rightly focuses on the pulpit. 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:34.799 But in this particular verse, it can also focus on the pew. 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:44.640 So as you read verse 16, consider that Jude here has a message for all the congregations, both in his time and today. 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:49.440 And once again, it starts with the verse with these people. 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:56.480 It says, These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires. 00:23:56.480 --> 00:24:02.400 Their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage. 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:05.519 Discontented grumblers. 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:14.079 These are people who constantly complain and find fault, similar to the Israelites who grumbled against God in the wilderness. 00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:17.759 And what happened to those grumblers in the wilderness? 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:20.640 We saw the result back in verse 5. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:25.519 God judged them all, and they never saw the promised land. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:29.119 So fast forward to today. 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:35.359 Do you know people who constantly complain and find fault with the things around the church? 00:24:35.359 --> 00:24:38.000 Could that be any of us? 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:41.680 Let's look at their characteristics. 00:24:41.680 --> 00:24:50.400 Complainers and fault finders are motivated by their own selfish desires and appetites, not by God's will. 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:58.559 They speak with arrogance and pride, often in a way that is meant to impress or manipulate others. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:06.720 They use flattery and favoritism to influence others, particularly those who are wealthy or influential. 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:15.359 The actions of these people are meant to cause division and strife in the church and take advantage of the congregation. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:21.039 These people are in every church and they are right here in the pews with us. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:27.839 It requires spiritual discernment and a knowledge of God's word to recognize the deception that they bring. 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:32.559 Brothers and sisters, our promised land is heaven. 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:38.559 These discontented grumblers are marked out for judgment just like those we read about earlier. 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:41.599 They will never see the promised land. 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:45.519 So why is all this happening? 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:48.160 Why would God not do something about this? 00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:50.559 Is he asleep at the wheel? 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:54.160 Verses 17 to 19 answer these questions. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:26:02.160 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:26:02.160 --> 00:26:10.000 They told you, in the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires. 00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:16.559 These people create divisions and are worldly not having the Spirit. 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:23.119 Jude reminds his audience of a specific warning which appears several times in the New Testament. 00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:29.920 It says, In the last time there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions. 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:42.160 This indicates that the presence of these scoffers and false teachers was not a surprise, but an expected sign of the times, which began during the early days of the church. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:49.759 These people are characterized by their ungodly desires and their mockery of spiritual truth. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:57.359 They create splits and dissensions within the Christian community, often by promoting doctrine contrary to the scriptures. 00:26:57.359 --> 00:27:06.079 They are driven by their natural instincts and carnal desires focused on the physical world rather than spiritual matters. 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:16.160 But the ultimate sign is that they lack the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, meaning they are not true regenerate believers, despite their claims to the contrary. 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:18.480 So God is not asleep. 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:20.960 This was all part of His plan. 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:36.960 So we spent the bulk of our time on beware of deceit. 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:41.279 But the second part of the message is contend for the faith. 00:27:41.279 --> 00:27:44.480 So how do we contend for the faith? 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:48.240 Again, God's word provides the answer to the question. 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:52.480 Now verses 20 to 23 are broken into two parts. 00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:59.039 In part one, Jude gives us four simple points on how we can contend for the faith. 00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:02.000 Let's look at verses 20 to 21. 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:19.200 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:24.160 So the first way we do that is to build ourselves up. 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:35.359 As believers, we continually, we need to continually grow in our understanding and application of our faith, which is founded on Jesus Christ. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:40.480 The best way for us to do this is to read and study our Bible on a daily basis. 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:43.359 And when we are done, be obedient to it. 00:28:43.359 --> 00:28:46.079 There is no substitute for this. 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:52.319 The second way we can contend for the faith is by praying in the Spirit. 00:28:52.319 --> 00:28:59.599 Our prayer must always be guided by the Holy Spirit, which helps us to stand firm and grow spiritually. 00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:02.720 Prayer is always the most we can do. 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:07.279 It is essential that we learn to pray according to God's will. 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:12.720 And we will not know God's will unless we read and study our Bible. 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:19.359 The third way a believer can contend for the faith is to keep ourselves in God's love. 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:27.039 So we must remain in God's love by continually trusting in Him and responding to His grace. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:36.960 This is a call to an ongoing intentional effort to remain in a close relationship with God by living in accordance with His will. 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:43.359 And once again, we will not know His will unless we read and study our Bible. 00:29:43.359 --> 00:29:50.559 And the fourth way we contend for the faith is by waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:59.359 We must maintain hope and perspective by looking forward to the future mercy and internal life that Jesus provides. 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:06.960 It is a promise of a future reward that provides motivation for present faith and endurance. 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:16.000 In part two, Jude also gives us four simple points to help others contend for the faith. 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:19.039 Verses 22 and 23. 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:33.119 Have mercy on those who waver, save others by snatching them from the fire, have mercy on others, but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:39.599 So the first way we can help others is to have mercy on those who waver. 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:44.400 We must show compassion to those who are struggling with their faith. 00:30:44.400 --> 00:30:46.160 We have all been there. 00:30:46.160 --> 00:30:52.480 And just as we are to build ourselves up, we are to build others up by using God's word. 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:59.680 The second way we can help is by saving others by snatching them from the fire. 00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:09.359 We must actively intervene to rescue those who are in danger of falling into sin, like pulling someone from a burning building. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:12.160 When you see something, say something. 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:17.200 The fire that we rescue them from could be the fire of hell. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:23.839 The third way is to have mer is to have mercy on others, but with fear. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:34.160 We must approach those who are actively sinning with a sense of caution and humility, mindful of our own potential for sin and temptation. 00:31:34.160 --> 00:31:38.000 The sin of pride is always crouching at our door. 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:45.920 Resist thinking that we are better than those we are approaching, lest we be approached ourselves. 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:54.240 And the fourth way we can help others to contend for the faith is by hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. 00:31:54.240 --> 00:32:01.279 We must maintain a holy hatred for sin itself while still showing mercy to the person. 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:10.960 This means confronting the sin of others with love, not condoning it, but also not becoming spiritually defiled by the encounter. 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:15.759 So we improve ourselves and come alongside others. 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:18.559 That is how we contend for the faith. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:27.440 And as the letter comes to a close, we have a powerful doxology that serves as the conclusion to the book. 00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:29.119 Let's read it. 00:32:29.119 --> 00:32:51.839 Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. 00:32:51.839 --> 00:32:52.799 Amen. 00:32:52.799 --> 00:33:03.839 This passage serves as an assurance that God, and not our own strength, is the ultimate source of our perseverance and salvation. 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:16.240 We can have confidence in God's power to preserve us amidst false teaching and moral dangers, and to ultimately bring us into his presence, blameless and with great joy. 00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:33.759 Jude is reminding us that while the world is full of moral pitfalls and false doctrines, that God is infinitely greater, fully capable, and completely committed to preserving those who trust in him until the end, all for his glory. 00:33:33.759 --> 00:33:38.559 Beware of deceit and contend for the faith. 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:46.640 That was Jude's message to the believers in the early church, and it is his message to us in the church today. 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:52.799 Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth of your word, which guides us in all righteousness. 00:33:52.799 --> 00:34:01.759 Help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, our only Savior and Lord, so that we will not be swayed by any wind of false doctrine. 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:08.480 We pray for wisdom and discernment to recognize and resist false teachings that have entered the church. 00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:19.280 Please empower us by your Holy Spirit to contend earnestly for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints, doing so with gentleness, wisdom, and love. 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:26.880 Father, have mercy on those who doubt and struggle with their faith, and use us to guide them back to your truth and love. 00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:36.159 O Lord, we place our trust in your promise that you are able to keep us from stumbling and to present us blameless before the presence of your glory. 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:38.400 In the name of your Son Jesus, we pray. 00:34:38.400 --> 00:34:39.199 Amen.