THRU THE BIBLE: THE THREAD OF REDEMPTION PROCLAIMED

“Jude – Contending for the Faith”Jude 1

Jude 1

An Introduction

• The letter was written by Jude or Judas –Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3

• Jude did not believe in the ministry of his half-brother, Jesus – John 7:1-5, Mark 3:20-21

• We do not know when Jude came to believe in Jesus and became a follower.

• Jude wrote to alert his readers to the dangers of apostasy.

Jude 2

Sounding the Alarm –Jude 1-4

• Jude initially wanted to write to help his readers to celebrate their salvation -Psalm 103:1-5

• But he became aware of something more important; the future of the Church depended upon what he had to say.

• There were false teachers and deceivers who had entered into their presence.

Jude 3

• His challenge: “to contend for the faith” – “to stand one’s ground in the face of the enemy.”

• What is this faith? This is foundational faith. This is bedrock faith. This is orthodox faith. This is a faith that has stood the tests of time.

Jude 4

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-5- Christ died for our sins.- Christ’s death was substitutionary.- Christ was raised from the dead.- Christ appeared to others following His

resurrection.• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

- Christ is returning for those who belong to Him.

Jude 5

Identifying the Enemy –Jude 4

• They are godless men – they appeared to be religious, but had no power from the Holy Spirit – Jude 12-13

• They are filled with deceit – they crept into the Church silently.

Jude 6

• They perverted God’s grace and truth – they attacked the very Word of God.

- False teachings are a direct attack upon the character of God – John 17:17.

• The Bible is either Truth, or it is filled with lies. It cannot be both.

• To nullify the Word of God or to modify the Word of God to give approval to that which the Bible specifically condemns, is to attack the very character of God.

Jude 7

• Yet we hear these attacks over and over…- “All beliefs lead to heaven; we are all going to be saved because of God’s love.”

Matthew 25:41, 46 denies this.

- “You should be able to marry anyone whom you truly love”

Genesis 1:27-28 and Genesis 2:24 deny this.

Jude 8

• They are to be judged by God and they will be condemned.

- Reason for their condemnation: They have willfully led people away from the truth of God.- They were wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Jude 9

Three Great Rebels –Jude 11

• Cain – story is found in Genesis 4:1-16- Cain wanted to approach God through his own efforts.

• Balaam – story is found in Numbers 22-25- Balaam thought God was his servant; that he could dictate to God what should be done.

Jude 10

• Korah – his story is found in Numbers 16- Korah thought he was just as good as God. He would never bow to God’s plan.

Jude 11

A Glorious Benediction –Jude 24-25

• God is accomplishing two things for us:- God is keeping us from falling- God will be presenting us to Himself

Jude 12

A Challenge

• This letter is a wake-up call to the local church to beware of false teachers who come creeping into their midst.

• We must never compromise our faith for any reason.

Jude 13