A Call to Persevere:A Call to Persevere:Jude 17-23Jude 17-23

Forest Hills Bible ChapelForest Hills Bible Chapel15 April 200715 April 2007

Some Facts about JudeSome Facts about Jude• Jude is “Judas” – but not Jude is “Judas” – but not thatthat Judas! Judas!• Jude is the (half-) brother of Jesus Christ – Jude is the (half-) brother of Jesus Christ –

his parents were probably Joseph and Mary.his parents were probably Joseph and Mary.

• His brother James was the leader of the His brother James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem.church in Jerusalem.

• Jude is an epistolary sermon.Jude is an epistolary sermon.

Some Facts about JudeSome Facts about JudeJude is written to counter false teachers Jude is written to counter false teachers who had infiltrated the church to which he who had infiltrated the church to which he writes.writes.

The false teachers in the church were The false teachers in the church were individuals who parlayed the grade of God individuals who parlayed the grade of God into a license for immorality – v. 4.into a license for immorality – v. 4.

Through a number of OT references, the Through a number of OT references, the believers are encouraged to persevere in the believers are encouraged to persevere in the truth of the gospel – vv. 5-16.truth of the gospel – vv. 5-16.

Some Facts about JudeSome Facts about JudeExample #1 – Israel after the Exodus – v. 5.Example #1 – Israel after the Exodus – v. 5.

Example #2 – the Angels who did not keep Example #2 – the Angels who did not keep their first estate – v. 6.their first estate – v. 6.

Example #3 – the cities of Sodom and Example #3 – the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah – v. 7.Gomorrah – v. 7.

They have followed in the ways of Cain, They have followed in the ways of Cain, Balaam, and Korah – v. 11.Balaam, and Korah – v. 11.

Lessons from JudeLessons from Jude

We must remain faithful always to the truth We must remain faithful always to the truth of God, as it is revealed in the gospel of of God, as it is revealed in the gospel of Jesus Christ – vv. 1-16.Jesus Christ – vv. 1-16.

What are some examples, in our present What are some examples, in our present culture, of attempts to compromise the culture, of attempts to compromise the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Da Vinci CodeDa Vinci Code

The Gospel of JudasThe Gospel of Judas

The Lost Tomb of JesusThe Lost Tomb of Jesus

The Gospel of Mary MagdaleneThe Gospel of Mary Magdalene

Lessons from JudeLessons from Jude

It is necessary for us to contend for the It is necessary for us to contend for the truth of the gospel message against what truth of the gospel message against what will be the continuous onslaught of attempts will be the continuous onslaught of attempts to undermine that truth.to undermine that truth.

Lessons from JudeLessons from Jude

Build yourselves up in your most holy faith – v. Build yourselves up in your most holy faith – v. 20a.20a.

Pray in the Holy Spirit – v. 20b.Pray in the Holy Spirit – v. 20b.

Keep yourself in God’s love, as you wait for the Keep yourself in God’s love, as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you eternal life – v. 21.eternal life – v. 21.

Be merciful to those who doubt – v. 22.Be merciful to those who doubt – v. 22.

Snatch others from the fire; save them – v. 23a.Snatch others from the fire; save them – v. 23a.

Show mercy, mixed with fear; hating even the Show mercy, mixed with fear; hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh – v. 23b.clothing stained by corrupted flesh – v. 23b.

DoxologyDoxology

24 To him who is able to keep you from 24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.forevermore! Amen.