Who Me? (Jude 1) [Part 2]

          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:

THE STUDY:

          After identifying himself as the author, Jude addressed the recipients of the letter. Jude addressed his readers as the “called” (klētois), “loved” and “kept.” Jude will use this threefold scheme throughout the letter.

          Jude first describes the spiritual gifts the believers have received. That is, those who have been called are Christians. They have left the world of sin and have entered the light of life.

“Who are loved by God the Father.” Jude uses language that is similar to Paul’s letter to the Romans: “You … who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God” (1:6–7). When God calls sinners to himself through Jesus Christ, he as their Father expresses his love to them. He welcomes sinners into the family of believers and the household of God. Through Christ, then, believers experience the continual love of God the Father.

          “And kept for Jesus Christ.” These words echo the prayer of Jesus concerning his disciples: “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me” (John 17:12). Jesus protects his followers from the evil one.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that being a believer is one who is called, loved, and kept by Christ.

CONCLUSION:

           As I reflect on the past I can see how Christ was at work in my life. He was calling me to him by bringing people into my life: neighbors, school friends, and such. His love for me was the same then as it is now. I may not have seen Him at the time, but looking back I can see how he was protecting me. We call this “Prevenient Grace.”

This is a Christian theological concept rooted in Augustinian theology. It is divine grace that precedes human decision. It exists prior to and without reference to anything humans may have done. As humans are corrupted by the effects of sin, prevenient grace allows persons to engage their God-given free will to choose the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ or to reject that salvation offer.

My prayer is that you know God is calling you, He loves you and He wants to keep you from the evil one. Who me? YES YOU! No matter what you are going through in life, these aspects of God are true! 

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 16: New Testament commentary : Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and the Epistle of Jude. New Testament Commentary (367). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Humility, Honor, and Authority! (Jude 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:

THE STUDY:

          Jude identifies himself in two ways, a servant & brother: a servant to Jesus Christ and a brother to James. The Greek word for servant that Jude used is not diakonos, which can also mean “servant,” but doulos (“slave”). He did not begin the letter by emphasizing the privilege of his brotherly relationship to Jesus Christ but his submission to Christ’s lordship. In this sense Jude was like every other Christian. And yet the term doulos also designates the honor of serving as Jesus Christ’s slave. Those called to special service in the Old Testament were identified as the “slave” (doulos) of the Lord: Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets (Josh 14:7; 24:29; 2 Kgs 17:23; Ps 89:4, 20). In the New Testament era Paul, Peter, and James also called themselves slaves of God and Jesus Christ (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Phil 1:1; Titus 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2 Pet 1:1). With the same term Jude expressed his humility (since he was Jesus Christ’s slave) and his authority (since he was an honored slave of the Lord as were those in the OT era).

          Judes relationship with the Lord was one of slave to master, not brother to brother. Jude avoided saying that he was the Lord’s brother because of his humility, and yet it would be a mistake to conclude that the only purpose was to communicate his humility. The reference to James as his brother is also honorific, designating Judes authority. Jude did not merely transmit his opinion in this letter. He wrote authoritatively as Jesus Christ’s slave and as the brother of James.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding of three things: Jude as a Slave (Humility), Jude showing honor to James, and Jude as an authoritative representative of Christ.

CONCLUSION:

          Looking at these three aspects of Jude I have no problem relating to two of the three. Being a SLAVE of Christ is something I consider an honor to be, not a burden. As for showing my brothers and sisters in Christ respect or honoring them as being an authoritative figure for the Lord (District or General Superintendents) I have no problem with. The aspect I have difficult with is being looked at as an authoritative representative for Christ. It’s not that I don’t feel like or that I am ashamed to be viewed as one. I just have a hard time (internally) dealing with all eyes looking at me.

          I embrace the calling that the Lord has on my life and I am honored to be looked at by the Lord as worthy of His calling. As I am getting older I am settling in and embracing the understanding of my call.

You and I are given authority (by the Holy Spirit) to preach the word. St. Francis of Assisi is quoted as saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” Let today be a day that you reveal your slave-like attitude for Christ, show honor to your brothers and sisters in Christ by using your authoritative position and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you find it necessary, USE WORDS!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Schreiner, T. R. (2007). Vol. 37: 1, 2 Peter, Jude (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (428). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Living the Truth! (Intro to Jude)

THE STUDY:

Jude is the only letter in the NT to be extensively incorporated into another (i.e., into 2 Peter). Indeed, 2 Peter is the earliest evidence for the existence of Jude. Jude was circulated as a separate book in Egypt and Italy by the end of the second century, for both Clement of Alexandria and Origen cite it (both lived in Egypt), and it was included in the Muratorian Canon (which was Italian).

Jude claims to be written by “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James.” While the name Judah (the Hebrew form) or Judas (the Greek form) was extremely frequent in Jewish groups. Who could this person be? We know for sure who it could not be, namely Judas son of Simon Iscariot. A more realistic possibility would be the prophetic Judas Barsabbas, who, according to Luke (Acts 15:22, 27, 32), accompanied Silas in carrying the letter from the Apostolic Council. Another possibility would be that other Judas who was part of the Twelve. The most likely Judas being designated as the author of this letter is Judas the younger brother of Jesus.

Turning to the issue of addressees, then, we discover that Jude does not address a specific group. “Those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ” could designate any group of people committed to Jesus as Lord, whether they were Jewish or Gentile, whether they were Palestinian, Egyptian, or northern Mediterranean. These believers apparently respect James, since Jude identifies himself with respect to James rather than with respect to his own location or parentage.^[1]

Jude wrote with a heart of love and understanding, and with a note of concern and authority. He wanted to write on a joyful theme, “about the salvation we share” (Jude 3), but was compelled to write a much more somber epistle. His love for believers whom he saw endangered by encroaching adversaries moved him to turn from the more pleasant theme to sound a solemn warning. Jude wrote in a dynamic style, using many figures of speech (e.g., shepherds, clouds, and trees, v. 12; and waves and stars, v. 13).

The book is a solemn warning to Christians everywhere. Though its theme regarding apostasy was specifically directed to first-century Jewish Christians, its message is applicable to all Christians. All believers need to avoid the pitfalls of denying Christ’s lordship, promiscuously following the fleshly desires, rejecting authority, being divisive, and living for self.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that, just like all of the other authors of the N.T., Jude is writing with a love for the believers and a warning for those who have fallen from the truth of Christ.

CONCLUSION:

Through the years I have tried to be an expository preacher. Occasionally someone will come to take exception to something in the sermon. Believing that I have faithfully drawn the truth from the Word, I say, “Well, I suggest you take that up with the Lord. I didn’t say it of myself. I simply told you what God said in His Book.”

Jude, along with the rest of the authors found in the Bible, does nothing but reveal the truth of Christ. In that day and time, they did it by forms of writing letters, preaching, and living it. Today we are to do the same. Some are called to share the gospel by the gift of writing, some are to share by Preaching, but all are to live it. Let that be our prayer today, “Lord, help me to live the truth today!”

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Davids, P. H. (2006). The letters of 2 Peter and Jude. The Pillar New Testament commentary (18). Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

^[2] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). Vol. 2: The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (918). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.