We finish this week’s readings with the book (one chapter) of Jude. There are many parallels between Jude and 2 Peter in both content and purpose.
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 many similarities with 2 Peter 3. Jude has a writing style of descriptive allegory that we see in the writing of his brother James. It could also be said this style of communication is also found in their brother Jesus 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, Jude 1:1,2. Remember these men did not acknowledge Jesus as their saviour in His earthly ministry, John 7:5. They are recorded as being gathered in the upper room with their mother Mary after His resurrection, Acts 1:14. Identity in Christ and a right understanding of our relationship to Jesus as Saviour is achieved through God honouring humility. It is a testament to God’s grace when families soaked in the gospel embrace the Lord is spiritual, rather than genetic, brothers and sisters.
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 an enemy that wants to enter and destroy the church. One of the pain points in spiritual leadership is to deal with divisions and false teachers that assail the church. As Jude acknowledges, this consumes a leaders role at times. While not enjoyable, 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. Never be charged with saying you worship the NT Jesus. He is also the the OT Lawgiver. Never alter His character by softening it to a distorted humanistic sentimental Christ. Grace is a wonderful thing, but the law is God’s standard.
There is no doctrine of annihilation here in Jude 1:6,7. These wicked examples are being kept in punishment until the day of judgement when their eternal sentence will be pronounced – eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire, vs 7 and Rev 21:8.
Look at how Jude describes those who lead people astray. Not only are they dreamers who deny reality, they lead people into spiritual error via their dreams, Jude 1:8. We praise God for the visions and dreams the church receives. Some have come true. We must also be aware of people that say they have had a dream or a vision from the Lord and cannot back it from scripture. Cain, Balaam and Korah all heard from God, vs 11 but rejected His words. Jude says gloom and outer darkness is reserved for them, Jude 1:13. Many today say they have a word from the Lord, yet they do not. Their fruit and witness are a testament to this fact. Consider what was necessary for false prophets in the OT who spoke in their own authority, Dt 18:15-18. Tragically there are many in the “Lord, lord didn’t we” camp in our day. Verse 16 describes many in the modern Charismatic movement. Note they are devoid of the Spirit, vs 19.
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 who 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 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, Mt 23:11.
While grieving, never be surprised when moral failure occurs in the church. Wicked men will enter the church, Jude 1:4. We have seen this in our day, Jude 1:17-19. Jude is blunt here, he says those who cause divisions are worldly and devoid of the Spirit, Jude 1:19. Build one another up in the faith, vs 20 while discerning how to deal with sin appropriately when it occurs 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 means that the believer prays God’s blessing and guidance with the Word of God used as a framework for those prayers.
Mercy and fear are required to correct those who are in rebellious doctrinal error, Jude 1:23. A state without the fear of eternal conscious punishment is not one to be feared. Indeed it is believed by atheists and agnostics alike.
Consider Jude’s doxology at the end of this short letter, Jude 1:24, 25. We often use these and similar words as we sign off after a service. I often pray them when I pray with people. God’s grace keeps us from stumbling into sin. He is the One who presents us as 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 brothers and sisters when you pray.
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. Pray for Andrew Otte and his message on Sunday ‘How will Jesus return to earth – Part 1”.
2. Pray for Iran and peace in the region. May the Iranian people see the prophesy of Jer 49:34-39 fulfilled over the coming weeks and months.
3. Pray for the church in Australia that it focuses on Christ, His Word and holiness.
4. Pray for our leaders in Australia that they press in closer to Christ.
5. Pray the influence of Russia and China is minimised militarily.
6. The Royal Commission that the Jewish people will feel safe in Australia.
7. One for Israel ministry.
8. Conflict zones- Israel, Iran and Ukraine
9. Pray for new people to step into ministries at CBC – eg worship, café, sound/technical, giving, podcast.
10. Reform and Revival over our city and country.
11. Finances to cover our needs
12. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to increase.
Praise Points
1. US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon
2. Praise God for the Lord’s blessing over our service on Sunday
3. Praise God for ministries – Life Groups, Prayer meetings, Kids@Church
4. Café team every week. Thankyou to all those who serve and bring food. Especially Fiona, Maddie and Suzy.
5. Worship, Admin and Technical teams – Nita, Brendon, AJ, Suzy, Maddie, Mathys, Doug.
6. Kids Church teachers – Jacqueline, Maddie, Elise, Anastacia and Fiona
7. The Lord’s faithfulness this year to CBC and all who have served in ministries
8. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Prayer meeting Wed 5:30pm at church
2. All Life Groups are back.
3. Kids@Church has started back
4. Mothers Day High tea celebration – Saturday morning, May 9th at Church.
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 February...
Q. 5. Did our Lord Jesus Christ ever sin? A. No; he was holy, blameless, and undefiled.
