The Book of Jude

 

This book was taught by Dr. James Modlish

INTRODUCTION:

The book of Jude is a book that many preachers stay away from when it comes to preaching or teaching. This is tragic because of all the books in the New Testament that need to be taught it is this book.

Jude pictures apostasy in the last days. Certainly we know that the last days are coming upon us quickly, so it is very important to find out the characteristics of these apostates, and heretics so we as Christians can beware of them as they creep into the body of Christ.

 

I. DATE AND AUTHOR OF WRITINGS

A. Date - This book was written after the Epistle of Second Peter. Second Peter was written around 66 A.D. and as far as we have record, Jude was written about 67-70 A.D. The reason that we believe it was written after is because Jude quotes (2 Pet. 2:17,18) in this epistle.

B. Author - This subject is under constant dispute by many theologians. The trouble with them is they can't read English. Jude 1 identifies who the writer is:

[1]. Servant of Jesus Christ.
[2]. Brother of James.

NOTE: Jude and Judas are both the same name. Servant denotes apostleship in some cases (2 Pet. 1:1; Jas. 1:1). Check and see if he was an apostle. Compare: (Matt. 10:3; Luke 6:13-16; Mark 3: 18). These are the same people but the names were named so as not to identify them with Judas Iscariot. Labbeus surnamed Thaddeus, Judas, Thaddeus. Brother of Jesus - (Matt. 13:55; Gal. 1:19).

So we conclude that Jude is -

[1]. An Apostle (Lk. 6:16)
[2]. Brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55)
[3]. The brother of James (Jude 1)

 

II. PURPOSE AND INDIVIDUALS ADDRESSED

 A. Purpose - Second Peter chapter (2) warns the Christians to beware of false teachers and prophets. This chapter is really a prophecy of things that are going to become a Problem in the future years. Also, I,II, and III John warn of false teachers, Antichrists that were prevalent or becoming prevalent in future years. So this was the problem. Jude intended to write to them about common salvation. Probably to teach them doctrinally, and exhort them through teaching this subject. Then all of a sudden he changes his mind and begins to write to Christians to contend for the faith (vs. 3).

 B. Individuals Addressed - It is addressed to believers in general. Possibly saved Jews and saved Gentiles - (vs. 1) sanctified, preserved, called.

 

III. IMPORTANT VERSES

 A. (Vs. 1-3) important things show you Jude talked to saved people.
 [1]. Sanctified - being set apart unto holy use for the Lord (1 Thess. 4:37)
(a). Three stages of Sanctification:
{1}. Past - separated from sin unto God by salvation (Heb. 10:9-14).
{2}. Present - Our progression of a holy life in our every day life (Eph. 4:11-15)
{3}. Future - The redemption of the body (1 Thess. 3:12-13; 1 Jn. 3:2)

[2]. Preservation - keeping eternal life.

(a). This is possible through Jesus Christ. (Jn. 10:28-30; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jn. 17:11,15)

[3]. Called - To be saints "after salvation". Many Calvinists believe God calls or chooses people to get saved, this is heresy. (Rom. 8:29; 11:29; Phil. 3:14; Heb. 3:11; Gal. 5:13)

B. (Vs. 3) - Jude admonishes Christians to contend for the faith.

[1]. Contend - to strive, to use earnest efforts to obtain, or defend or preserve. So we as Christians are admonished to know what we believe, and be able to fight if necessary for right.

C. In Second Peter it warns of False Teachers coming, Jude tells them they're here (2 Pet. 2:1).

[1]. Jude says three things about them.
(a). Crept in unawares - People didn't recognize them.
(b). Ungodly men who turned the grace of God to lasciviousness (lustly affection)
(c). Denying the Deity of Christ.

D. (Vs. 5-16) - Jude here begins to give Old Testament examples of God's judgment of sin.

[1]. Israel - (vs. 5) God destroys unbelievers.
[2]. Angels who fell - (vs. 6) (2 Pet. 2:4; Gen. 6:1) - sin was related to sex.
[3]. Sodom & Gommorrah - (vs. 7) - (2 Pet. 2:6,7,8) Sin was also related to sex, punished by hell. Jude reminds the Christians that these false teachers etc. do the same and more, they -
(a). Filthy Dreamers
(b). Defile Flesh
(c). Despise Dominion
(d). Speak Evil of Dignitaries (2 Pet. 2:10-12; Deut. 34:6). Above are characteristics of false apostates.

[4]. Michael - Body of Moses - (vs. 8) Example of Michael not going against authority but by Power of God.
[5]. Cain - (vs. 11) - (1 Jn. 3:11,12) - Did works own way, not Gods. No faith but works murderer.
[6]. Baalam (vs. 11) - (2 Pet. 2:15,16) - Baalam lead others to sin in order to get personal gain. (Num. 22-25:1-9)
[7]. Core (Korah) - (vs. 11) - (Num. 16:1-35) Backbiting authority.

E. (Vs. 12-19) False teachers are characterized and compared.

[1]. (Vs. 12-13) - natures comparison to these heretics.
[2]. (Vs. 14-15) - Enoch wrote of Lords judgment on these kind of people.
[3]. (Vs. 16) - Characteristics - Murmur, complain, walk after lusts, speak great swelling words, hold up "Great Man".

F. (Vs. 17-19) - Refers to (2 Pet. 3:3) that these people are unsaved.

G. (Vs. 20-23) - Christian is to guard against these by -

[1]. Build yourself up in holy faith - Doctrine.
[2]. Pray in the Holy Ghost.
[3]. Stay in fellowship and love for Christ (vs. 21).
[4]. Have compassion on some, and you may get them out of the mess.,
[5]. Scare some by feat and scarring them.
[6]. Give God the glory - (vs. 24,25).

H. Conclusion and Thanksgiving and Praise

When you as a Christian run into someone who is a critic you should:

[1]. Have compassion.
[2]. Be sensitive, spiritually to recognize when a man is ready to turn back to Christ.
[3]. Be prepared to lead him to Christ.
[4]. Be constantly on the alert for danger.
[5]. Keep a spiritual distance during spiritual hostility.
[6]. Aim for victory (contend for the faith)
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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