The Epistle of Jude part 2

The Epistle of JudeThe Epistle of JudePart 2 – May 12th 2010

Laindon Bible Class

The Epistle of Jude 2

• Background and introduction (:1-2)

• The call to contend for the faith (:3-16)

• How we should contend (:17-25)

• What we can learn from Jude

Our study of Jude’s Epistle


The structure of Jude

Introduction

• :1-2• The true

believer

The call

• :3-16• The call to

contend for the faith

The how

• :17-25• How to

contend for the faith


Jude verses 3-16

The clarion call to contend


• :3 Jude’s motivation• :4 The false teachers• :5-11 Historic examples:

– Children of Israel– Korah Dathan & Abiram– Sodom & Gomorrah– Rebuilding of the temple– Cain, Balaam & Korah

:3-11 Our study so far


• “These are spots” [‘spilas’ – hidden rocks or reefs in the sea cf 1 Timothy 1:19]

• “...in your feasts of charity [‘agapai’ love feasts, a communal meal], when they feast with you [carouse RSV], feeding [shepherding cf 1 Peter 5:2-3] themselves without fear [‘aphobos’ shameless, without conscience]”

:12-13 Six metaphors


• “..clouds without water [promising refreshing rain cf Deuteronomy 32:2 but produce nothing], carried about of winds [conforming to popular desires];”

• “...trees whose fruit withereth [trees in autumn, fruitless], without fruit, twice dead [two full cycles cf two judgements], plucked up by the roots [shall be]”



• “Raging waters of the sea [cf Isaiah 57:20], foaming out their own shame [casting up foam and debris of their own making];”

• “...wandering stars [not of a fixed position], to whom is reserved [‘tereo’] the blackness of darkness for ever [their light to be extinguished cf 2 Peter 2:17].”



The six metaphors

False

• Hidden rocks that shipwreck the faith of many

• Not interested in the flock but only themselves

teachers

• Having the appearance of bringing sound doctrine but empty

• Outwardly fruitful trees but bearing no fruit

...

• Professing godliness but unrestrained

• Going their own way, not following the principles of the Truth


• “And Enoch [means: dedicated or initiated] also, the seventh [completeness] from Adam [Enoch removed from evil – Genesis 5:24],”

• “...prophesied of these [these false teachers], saying, Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints [God will manifest himself in the saints (sanctified ones – ‘hagiais’)],”

:14 Enoch preached separation


• “To execute judgement [‘krisis’ the process of judgement] upon all”

• “...and to convince [to convict thoroughly] all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly [‘asebes’] deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches [‘skleros’ – rough, dry, harsh] which ungodly sinners have spoken against him [opposing Yahweh].”

:15 Judgement on the ungodly


• “These are murmurers [‘gongusmos’ cf Children of Israel LXX], complainers, [complaining of their lot] walking after their own lusts [longing for what is forbidden];”

• “...and their mouth speaketh great swelling [‘huperogkos’ – puffed up, boastful cf 2 Peter 2:18] words, having men’s persons in admiration [flattering] because of advantage [gain].”

:16 Character of false teachers


Jude verses 17-25

How to contend for the faith


• “But beloved, [Jude’s appeal]”• “...remember [get back to the words of the true

apostles cf 2 Peter – remember/ mindful x4] ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ [what did they say?]”

• “How they told [‘lego’ – the substance of their words] you there should be mockers [scoffers, immature, irresponsible] in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts [repetition of :16]”

:17-18 Recognise it is foretold


• “These [false teachers] be they who separate [‘apodiorizo’ – to mark off, distinguish spiritual v unspiritual] themselves [not in original],”

• “...sensual [‘psuchikos’ – relating to natural man], having not the spirit [‘pneuma’ – not spiritual].”

:19 State of the false teachers


• “But ye, beloved [‘agapetos’ – Jude’s third appeal]”

• “...building up [‘epoikodomeo’ – to build on the foundation that has been laid cf Acts 20:32; 1 Corinthians 3:10-12,14; Ephesians 2:20 & Colossians 2:7 = total 8] yourselves [every individual] on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit [praying guided by God’s word]”

:20-21 What we must do


• “Keep [‘tereo’] yourselves [personal responsibility] in the love of God [we must make our dwelling place the love of God, cf goodness and severity of God]”

• “...looking for [to, or towards his coming] the mercy [‘eleos’ cf :2] of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life [the great goal of the disciple of Christ]”

:20-21 What we must do


Four stages of spiritual development

1

• Strengthen ourselves in the word

2

• Pray according to the Spirit of the Truth

3

• Remain within the circle of God’s love

4

• Look for the Lord’s coming


• “And of some have compassion [‘eleeo’ from ‘eleos’ – mercy cf “blessed are the merciful”], making a difference [who are in doubt RV; Moffat “have mercy on the waverers”]:

• And others [but some] save [recover] with fear [intense fear of danger, ready to flee], pulling them [snatch] out of the fire; hating even the garment [‘chiton’ – cf seamless garment of the High Priest – the body of Christ] spotted by the flesh [coming too close can pollute].

:22-23 Do for others


Four classes of brethren spoken of by Jude

1

• Upholders of the Truth, the beloved

2

• False teachers - adversaries those fanning the flames

3

• Doubters or waverers, in danger of falling into the fire (:22)

4

• The weakest, those who have fallen into the fire (:23)


• “Now unto him [to Yahweh we must turn] that is able to keep you [guard] from falling [stumbling – Rotherham, surefooted],”

• “...and to present you [cause to stand] faultless [without blemish RV] before the presence of his glory [in the presence of Christ who will manifest God’s glory] with exceeding joy,”

:24-25 The role of Yahweh


• “To the only wise [wise – not in original] God our Saviour” [“Unto God alone our Saviour” – Rotherham]

• “...be glory [God manifest cf 2 Peter 3:18, worthy of praise] and majesty [greatness, dignity], dominion [manifested power] and power [authority, freedom of action], both now and ever [throughout all the ages – Diaglott]. Amen [so be it]”

:24-25 The role of Yahweh


• We too are in the last days• We too share that sin’s flesh that can

so easily lead us astray• We live in a society very much like it

was in the time of Sodom and Gomorrah

• We too have been warned of error and corruption in the household of faith

Learning from Jude


• We too must be on the look out for these problems

• We too, therefore, must deal with this situation as and when it arises

• We must do our utmost to recover any of our brethren who are wavering

• We too must contend for the faith and are required to separate from persistent error

Learning from Jude


• We can put our trust in God and his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is able to cause us to stand without blemish before the glory of God

• “Wherefore he [Jesus] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Learning from Jude

The Epistle of Jude part 2

Spiritual

Transcript of The Epistle of Jude part 2