Survey of Jude --- Contending for the Faith

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I. General information

New Testament General Letters --- James through Jude

Author --- Jude as guided by the Holy Spirit

To Whom Written ---To all Christians

We cannot be specific regarding for which area, or region, the letter was originally intended

1:1 to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

Why it was written

To expose false teachers and to exhort the brethren to contend for the faith

The message of the book is designed to encourage one to keep the Faith.

Jude 3

Outstanding features of the book

Jude exhorts Christians to build up and strengthen their faith.

This is done by:

1. contending earnestly for the Faith

2. Praying

3. keeping in Gods love

4. looking for Gods mercy

5. winning souls for Christ

6. remaining faithful to Him

NOTE much of Jude is similar to 2 Pet.

Brief outline

1. Introduction to the letter 1-3

2. Warnings of false teachers 4-19

3. Closing exhortations 20-25

II. Overview of Jude

I. Introduction to the letter 1:1-3

A. Purpose of the letter verse 3

B. Jude was planning to write of the common salvation

C. A present crisis in the church led to a change of plans

D. Exhort = to encourage; to spur on to action

E. Contend earnestly = is literally to wrestle, to defend in hand to hand combat

F. the faith = the gospel; the sum of all that Christians believe & teach (Acts 6:7; Gal. 1:23; Eph. 4:5)

G. Once delivered unto the saints = The Greek indicates once for all --- means that Gods final revelation has been given and we need not look for any other

II. Warnings of false teachers 1:4-19

A. Jude was compelled to warn of false teachers

1. crept in unawares = slyly

2. Turned the grace of God into lasciviousness Rom. 6:1-2

3. They denied the Lord Jesus Christ

B. Three examples from the O.T. illustrate the fate of false teachers

1. Unfaithful Israel in the wilderness

2. Angels who sinned

3. Sodom and Gomorrah

C. The false teachers are arrogant, ignorant and corrupt (vs. 8-10)

D. The false teachers love of money and power are like that of O.T. rebels

1. Cain (Gen. 4)

2. Balaam (Nun. 22,23)

3. Korah (Num. 15)

E. These teachers are worthless, promising much, but delivering nothing (vs. 12-13)

F. The Lord will come in Judgment (vs. 14-15)

G. The false teachers further described (16-19)

III. Closing exhortations 1:20-25

A. The Christians were to:

1. Build up themselves in the faith

2. Pray in the Spirit

3. Keep in the love of God

4. Look for the coming of Christ

B. The wicked were to be dealt with (vs. 22-23)

1. Compassion, if they could be saved

2. Fear, being careful lest those trying to save them were also defiled

C. A statement of praise to Almighty God (Vs. 24-25)

(Jude closes with one of the sweetest hopes in all Gods Word.)

Conclusion

We live in an age of toleration of every type of religion regardless of its nature

Christians who oppose false teaching run the risk of being thought of as narrow-minded, and even un-Christian

The gospel will save but false teaching will condemn eternally

Every Christian must prepare to contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered unto the saints

(Bible Study)