We finish this week’s readings with the book (one chapter) of Jude. May our Lord Jesus continue to bless you with grace and truth as you contend for the faith.
Jude 1: Greeting
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Judgment on False Teachers
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
5 Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
6 And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day---
7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
9 But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you."
10 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.
11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion.
12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
14 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones,
15 to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
16 These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favouritism to gain advantage.
A Call to Persevere
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions."
19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Doxology
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
25 to the only God, our Saviour, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Things to think about…
It should be immediately obvious as we read Jude’s letter that it has similarities with 2 Peter 3. Jude also has a similar writing style of descriptive allegory that is also seen in his brother James in his letter. We could also say this type of communication was also found in their brother Jesus in some of the content found within the gospels.
Jude rather than saying he was a brother of Jesus, prefers to say he is a servant of Jesus and brother of James, who was also a brother of Jesus, Jude 1:1,2. Remember these men did not know Christ as their saviour in His earthly ministry, John 7:5, but were seen gathered in the upper room with Mary after His resurrection, Acts 1:14. Identity in Christ and a right understanding of our relationship to Jesus as Saviour brings God honouring humility. It is wonderful when families embrace our Lord.
Jude says he wanted to write to them about “their common salvation” but was compelled to write about contending for the faith and the rise of false teachers, Jude 1:3. Every pastor has a desire to encourage people in the truth and expound theology, but alas there is a very real enemy that wants to enter and destroy the church. One of the pain points in the role is to deal with divisions and false teachers. As with Jude, this consumes a pastor’s role at times. While it is not enjoyable, unfortunately, at times it is necessary.
Jude says Jesus was the One who saved people out of Egypt (during the time of Moses). He was the Water from the rock, He was the manna from heaven. He was also the One who destroyed those who rebelled against Him in the wilderness, Jude 1:4,5. Beware of saying you worship the NT Jesus. He is the same as the OT Lawgiver. Let’s never alter His character and soften it with a distorted humanistic view of Christ. Grace is a wonderful thing, but remember the law is God’s standard.
Look at how Jude describes those who lead people astray. Not only are they dreamers in denying reality, it seems they also lead people away by their dreams, Jude 1:8. We praise God for the visions and dreams given to CBC over the years. Some have come true. We must also beware of people that say they have had a dream or a vision from the Lord and cannot back it up with the truth of scripture. Jude says gloom and outer darkness is reserved for them, Jude 1:13. If it didn’t come from Jesus, where did the dream come from? Remember what they did to people in the OT who spoke on their own authority, Dt 18:15-18.
We know that John was the disciple whom Jesus loved, and that Peter, James and John were part of His inner circle, but this was a sanctified priority without any basis of sin on the part of Jesus. Here in Jude 1:16, Jude says wicked teachers show favouritism to gain advantage. Beware when a church leader speaks well of you to cover their own sin. These people can be recognised because they boast about their role and importance in the church. Never tolerate a pastor or church leader who thinks more highly of themselves than they should. Christ came as a servant leader; church leaders who follow Him should display the same humility. The greatest among you will be the servant of all.
While it is grieving, we should never be surprised at moral failure when it occurs in the church, as wicked men will enter the church, vs 4. We see this especially in our day, Jude 1:17-19. Jude is fairly blunt here, he says that those who cause divisions are worldly and devoid of the Spirit, Jude 1:19. Let’s build one another up in the faith, vs 20 while being discerning as to how to deal appropriately when sin arises in the church.
What do you think “praying in the Holy Spirit means”, vs 20? Hint:- other languages or tongues are not being referred to here, so what does it mean? Look at the context of the letter and Jude’s focus. Remember the primary problem was false teaching combined with sinful pride. Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4 that the Lord seeks those to worship Him in “Spirit and in truth”. Worshiping in the Spirit must involve a mind that is stirred by truth and a heart that is focussed on God’s glory. Praying in the Spirit is praying God’s blessing and will over our lives with the Word of God used as a base for those prayers.
Consider Jude’s doxology at the end of this short letter, 24, 25. We often use these and similar words as we sign off after a service. I often pray them over people I am with. God’s grace keeps us from stumbling into sin. He is the One who presents us blameless. As such He is worthy of worship because all “glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever”, belong to Him. I would encourage you to use these words with dear brothers and sisters you pray with.
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Prayer Points
1. Leaders’ meetings this week. Year planning services.
2. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor.
3. New contacts remain engaged and connected into the church.
4. Our One for Israel ministry.
5. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
6. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Ministry Leaders being set apart.
2. Thankyou to those who have supported the church and youth and young adults role - $49. 640 raised thus far.
3. New folk becoming members of CBC
4. Those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Special members meeting confirming Youth and Young Adults role engagement/employment tasks – 22nd Jan after the morning service.
2. Quarterly Members meeting 26th Feb after the service.
3. Sign up for a cell group or welcoming team.
4. Remember to check your duty rosters.
5. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
6. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for January...
Q. 4. How can you glorify God? A. By loving Him and doing what He commands.
