Yet in like manner
these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority,
and blaspheme the glorious ones.
THE STUDY:
Over the last couple of days we have looked at
the word “dreams” and how it relates
to the action of the three following phrase: defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones. Yesterday
we talked about rejecting authority!
Today we are going to look at how these people, through their so called dreams,
would blaspheme the glorious ones.
Just like the
people of Sodom and Gomorrah who, in some scholar’s opinions, lusted after the
heavenly messengers, the false teachers blaspheme
the glorious ones. The glorious ones
refer to angels (see 2 Pet 2:10).
This passage
is admittedly unclear, but the slander of glorious
ones probably means that the false teachers were belittling the angelic
powers of evil. Not even the archangel Michael was so arrogantly disrespectful
(v 9).
The intruders in the church of Jude’s dear friends perpetrated
the same kinds of sins as the rebellious Israelites, the fallen angels, and the
people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Disregarding God’s punishment of wickedness, these
dreamers exhibit the same sinfulness God has consistently punished in the past.[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY
WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that even though we have the power of the Holy Spirit living through us as believers, does not mean we should disregard or even entice an encounter with the evil one. Christ never demonstrated this nor should we.
CONCLUSION:
Back in my home town in West Virginia I was
filling in for my pastor one Sunday night. I preached a sermon were I got a
little excited and said something I wish I could have taken back. I enticed
Satan, or better yet, I challenged him by saiying, “Bring it on!” After
stepping down from the platform I had one of our dear friends inform me, in a
loving way, that you should NEVER, NEVER, NEVER challenge Satan. I wish I could
tell you my friend was wrong but they were right! The next couple of days were challenging
to say the least.
Let us
remember that it is through Christ that we are able to overcome the evil one. If
you are like me, in my younger days, you thrive on challenges. There will be challenges
today! Let Christ and his power, love, and strength be your resource to which
the battle is fought. Through Christ you will have VICTORY!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2
Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible
Commentary (277). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
No comments:
Post a Comment