Jude Introduction

The name “Jude” or “Judas” was popular in the first century because of Judas Maccabaeus (died 160 B. C.), a leader of the Jewish resistance against Syria during the Maccabean revolt.

Jude Introduction

The time of writing is unclearMany think it was between 60 and 100Due to references to 2nd Peter, Jude

probablycame later

Judes mentioned

1. Judas Surnamed Iscariot: Chosen as an apostle Mat_10:4; Mar_3:19; Luk_6:16; Act_1:17

2. One of the “brethren” of Jesus Mat_13:55; Mar_6:33. Brother of James and writer of the Epistle of Jude Luk_6:16; Act_1:13; Jud_1:14. An apostle, probably identical with Lebbaeus, or Thaddaeus Joh_14:225. Of Galilee, who stirred up a sedition among the Jews soon after the birth of Jesus Act_5:376. A disciple who entertained Paul Act_9:117. Surnamed Barsabas, a Christian sent to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas Act_15:22-32

JudeApostle is excluded

Many think Jude is Jesus half brother.Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

Jud 17 excludes James the Apostle as the writer: But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Jude connection to JamesIt is quite possible that the James mentioned in verse 1 is also Jesus half brother.

1. Brother of JesusIdentified as a brother of Jesus Mat_13:55; Mar_6:3; Gal_1:19; Mat_27:56; Luk_24:10; Gal_2:9; Gal_2:12

The brother of Judas Luk_6:16; Jud_1:1

The brother of Joses Mar_15:40

Witness of Christ's resurrection 1Co_15:7

Addresses the council at Jerusalem in favor of liberty for the Gentile converts Act_15:13-21

Disciples sent by, to Antioch Gal_2:12

Hears of the success attending Paul's ministry Act_21:18-19

Epistle of James Jam_1:1

James was respectedJames was well respected in the church at JerusalemAct 15:13-15 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,

Act 15:19-20 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Brothers believed laterJoh 7:1-5 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. 2 Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand. 3 His brethren therefore said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. 4 For there is no man that doeth any thing in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. 5 For neither did his brethren believe in him. Act 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

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Jude 1-2 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: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

All three of the Godhead are includedSanctified by God – dedicated, added to church, Acts 2:47Preserved by Christ - to keep from harm, damage, danger, evil, etc.; protect; save, John 10:29, Called by Holy Spirit - to command or ask to come; summon, 2 Thess 2:14

Jude

Jude 1-2 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: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

Jude’s hope is that recipients' haveMercy - a refraining from harming or punishing offendersPeace - an undisturbed state of mind; absence of mental conflict; serenityLove - a feeling of brotherhood and good will toward other people

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Peter anticipates the rise of apostate teachers

2Pe 2:1-2 False prophets were among God's people in the past, as false teachers will be among you. They will secretly bring in their own destructive teachings. They will deny the Lord, who has bought them, and they will bring themselves swift destruction. 2 Many people will follow them in their sexual freedom and will cause others to dishonor the way of truth. 2Pe 3:3 First, you must understand this: In the last days people who follow their own desires will appear. These disrespectful people will ridicule God's promise

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Jude points out that Peter’s predictions are hereJude 3-4 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. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

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1. Jude had planned to write a letter or encouragement; however, an urgent need to avoid false teachers is more pressing.

2. Certain men have crept in. It is easier for false teachers to overtake a congregation if they are first viewed as fellow disciples seeking the same goal.

3. Sometime teaching must be directed at specific problems.

4. Ungodly men have always been condemned.

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Jude 5-7 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. 6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, 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.

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Teachers of error are guilty of these sinful behaviors:1. They rejected the authority of God and His

designated spokesmen.2. They actively encouraged others to replace

established precepts with more popular ideas.

3. They were engaged in grossly immoral practices.

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Jude list others that had been guilty of these sins:

1. The children of Israel that have been released from Egyptian slavery.

2. Angels that had overstepped their bounds.3. Sodom and Gomorrah, rebels against God’s

laws.4. How shall we escape?

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Jude 8-11 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 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. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

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God’s Wrath on Present Evildoers1. Present enemies were in no better position

than wicked men of the past.2. They advocated fulfilling desires of the flesh.3. These evil men assumed more authority than

an archangel.4. Two of their sins portrayed their character

1. They spoke evil of things they did not understand

2. They abused the things they could understand

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God’s Wrath on Present Evildoers5. We are reminded of woes Jesus pronounced

on ungodly activities and attitudes1. They discouraged men from the kingdom2. Mistreated the innocent3. Acted hypocritically4. Misinterpreted the scriptures5. Ignored divine obligations6. Resorted to base measures to gain popularity

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God’s Wrath on Present Evildoers6. Three Old Testament characters represent

the depth of depravity to which unfaithful had sunk1. Cain, who followed his own wisdom2. Balaam, who allowed greed to influence 3. Korah, who rebelled against God’s leadership

JudeJude 12-16 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 withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, 15 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 hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

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The True Character of False Teachers1. Deceivers had hoodwinked the faithful2. They were clouds without water3. They were likened to twice dead trees4. They were like raging waves of the sea5. They were stars that offered no direction6. They were ungodly7. They would receive their just deserts

JudeJude 17-23 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

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The Duties of the Faithful1. Remember the apostles’ teaching2. Build yourselves up through study and

prayer3. Dwell on mercy and salvation4. Deal with sinful situations5. Avoid all compromise with error

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Jude 24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

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A Prayer for the Faithful1. God is able to keep us from stumbling2. God is able to present us faultless3. God is able because of His nature

1. God and Savior of all the saved2. Sole possessor of true wisdom3. Only legitimate recipient of glory and majesty4. Rightful claimant to all dominion and power5. Eternal dispenser of good to His People6. All in All