Recognize and Rebuke! (Jude 19)

It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

THE STUDY:

          Jude applies the prophecy (Vs 18) to the false teachers. He emphasizes it is these who cause division. The verb division (apodiorizō) means “mark out boundaries in order to separate.” The intruders are splitting the church. They are still participating in the fellowship meals (v 12). They undoubtedly identified themselves as an elite group, superior to other Christians, especially to those who limited their freedom to the moral standards of traditional Christian teaching.

Despite their claims of spiritual superiority, Jude maintains they follow mere natural instincts (psychikoi: souls) and do not have the Spirit (NIV). Follow mere natural instincts translates a single Greek word, which literally means soul. Although soul usually possesses a positive meaning in the NT, Paul uses psychikoi to contrast the natural people (psychikos) with the spiritual people (pneumatikos; see 1 Cor 2:14; 15:44). Similarly, Jude uses psychikoi with a negative sense. The ungodly intruders are concerned only with what is natural to life instead of what is spiritual to life. They are “worldly people” (nrsv) or “worldly-minded” (nasb).

Moreover, they are devoid of the Spirit. There is a strong sense of irony in this accusation. The scoffers undoubtedly claimed greater spiritual insight than other believers, probably through their experience of dream visions (v 8). But their immoral and shameless behavior demonstrates they are merely physical (psychikoi: soulish) in their orientation. They pursue mere physical stimuli, like unreasoning animals (v 10). Far from superspiritual, the intruders do not even possess the Spirit.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that division causes separation. We can separate ourselves from friends, family members, or even our heritage or culture. All of these are possible and can affect us emotionally. The division that can and will affect us spiritually is when we are separate from God! I believe we all would agree, this is the most detrimental for all mankind.

CONCLUSION:

           I remember asking a pastor friend of mine, “Why are we seeing so many churches with problems such as splits, people leaving, or leadership (pastors) being asked to leave? You don’t hear about or see this in these cultish churches?” He quickly looked at me to reply as if he had rehearsed his answer for hours if not days. He said, “Because Satan doesn’t have to worry about them. They’re already on his side.”

          We must remember this, if we are experiencing troubles in our personal lives, strife in our spiritual life or division in our church life, it all comes from the evil one. He is out to seek and destroy all that is good.

          So how do we combat this attack? The first line of defense is to acknowledge the attacker. Once we have done this we can then apply the game plan (God’s plan) to the situation. We will be attacked (spiritually) with troubles, strife, and the lure to be divided. Recognize, Rebuke and continue on with God’s plan. Don’t let Satan have victory by separating you from God.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (288). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Victory is Coming! (Jude 18)

They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.”

THE STUDY:

          This prophecy, as well as the word scoffers, is found only here and in 2 Pet 3:3. The scoffers are simply those following their own ungodly passions. Hence, the focus of the prophecy pertains to their mocking of God and his moral requirements.

Jude uses the word “Ungodly” (asebeia) which reminds the reader of the  prophecy of 1 Enoch with its fourfold repetition of this word in v 15. Asebeia describes those who have no reverence for God. It usually carries an ethical undertone that points toward an immoral or unethical lifestyle. For Jude the prophecy of the apostles is fulfilled in the disgraceful behavior of the intruders.

In the last times is used frequently to refer to the day of messianic salvation and judgment. Jesus warned his followers there would be apostasy in the final age (Matt 24:9–14; Mark 13:5–13). Jude and his readers believed they were living in the last times for a variety of reasons. The fulfillment of this prophecy through the false teachers only reinforced this conviction. It is uncertain precisely what this perception of the last times entails. Did they anticipate the imminent return of Christ? Or did they merely perceive themselves as living in the final age between the resurrection and return of Christ?^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that we should not be surprised by those of this generation who disregard and even mock the moral requirements of God. These events should be viewed as a warning to the non-believer and the finish line for the followers of Christ.

CONCLUSION:

          I recall many lessons learned from the coaches I have had the honor of playing for. This passage of scripture reminded me of how my coach taught me about keeping your composure: as an individual as well as a team. One of the safeguards was to not let the other person or team in your head. It was our belief that if the other person or team was able to get into our heads VICTORY was soon to follow. One of the indicators that the opponent was being successful in getting into our head was when we would start bickering and fighting among ourselves. When we would display this for others to see, VICTORY for the opponent was soon to follow.

          In the spiritual realm the same can be true. What happens is sides are taken and division then causes arguments and even fights among the believers. All of this is caused by the deceiver who gets into the head of the believer and starts the process of turning their eyes from Christ to self. Ultimately this leads the believers to questioning, disregarding, and for some, mocking the morals and word of God. Once Satan and his demons get the body of Jesus Christ to start bickering and fighting among themselves, VICTORY is looming.

          Today, I pray that if there is a situation in your life such as questioning or disregarding what Jesus has said or is wanting you to do, remember Satan is the one who places this doubt and fear in you, not God!  Finally, don’t be surprised or shocked by those who mock the morals and word of God. This is God letting the believer know VICTORY is coming.

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (287–288). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Not Memorizing, But Remembering! (Jude 17)

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.

THE STUDY:

          Now his readers, again addressed as “beloved” (see Jude 3), are called back to active involvement. The letter has never lost sight of them, but they have been passive since v. 5. Now they are again in focus, and what these readers are to do is “remember.” The function of the “remembering” is to give a final proof that the presence of the teachers he opposes is not something unexpected but part of the apostolic teaching, and thus forms an eschatological sign.^[1]

          Remembering in the Scriptures does not involve mere mental recollection, as when we remember a person’s name that we had temporarily forgotten. Remembering means that one takes to heart the words spoken, so that they are imprinted upon one’s life (cf. v. 5).^[2]

          In this verse, Jude is making the transition from describing the false teachers (vv. 5–16) to addressing the Christians (vv. 17–23). In a sense, the main part of his letter is an explanation of his remark about the condemnation of ungodly men (v. 4). But in the concluding part of the epistle, Jude wants to write about the salvation of the believers (v. 3).^[3]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that even though ungodly character needs to be addressed through dialogue, there is a greater need to end that discussion by remembering and reminding the individual of the teachings of God. Hopefully, the very teachings you have taken to heart will now be engraved upon that person’s life.

CONCLUSION:

          Jude is very adamant toward the idea of remembering. Not memorizing, but remembering. There is a difference! I don’t know if you are like me but I have a hard time with memorization. I would love to be able to recite scripture at a drop of a hat. I know people who have memorized entire books of the bible. I would beat myself up because I was not able to do the same.

          Over the years of reading God’s word and listening to some wonderful preachers, I have found that I can recall a subject found in scripture or a passage that is needed for that moment in time. I may be counseling or talking with someone and, at the right moment, I am given the verse that is needed for that person. His word has become embedded in me. This is not memorization but remembering!

          You might be thinking, I want to remember God’s word not memorize it. I believe this happens over time as we are faithful to read and study His word. Today, start taking to heart God’s word so that it not only affects you but will have an everlasting effect on others around you as well. Amen? Amen!

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 (85). Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

^[2] Schreiner, T. R. (2007). Vol. 37: 1, 2 Peter, Jude (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (477). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

^[3] 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 (400). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME! (Jude 16 Part 2)

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. 

THE STUDY:

          Yesterday we talked about how these false teachers complained about the restrictions God’s rules and laws placed on their freedom to behave as they wanted. Today we are going to look at the second half of this passage: they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.    It means literally, “of excessive size, puffed up, swollen.”  Thus, the expression could mean the false teachers use excessive or puffed up words about themselves. But the expression could also convey a sense of arrogance and haughtiness against God.

          The false teachers’ flattery probably expressed itself in their willingness to teach whatever their audience wanted to hear. Claiming spiritual enlightenment, the intruders cast aside traditional Christian moral restraint. They smoothly flattered their hearers with the morally lax message they longed to hear. They did this to win favor with those members of the community on whose generosity they depended for financial support. Jude predicted that this exploitive and self-serving behavior would reap certain condemnation.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that arrogance and/or pride causes one to seek personal gain at the expense of others. This can resonate a sense of superiority, but more importantly it can be detrimental to one’s salvation.

CONCLUSION:

           If we are saying things to promote a personal cause or boast ourselves for others to see, we are no better than these false teachers. But if our words and actions are to glorify God then we don’t have to worry about eternity. Let today be a day we spend more time talking about Jesus and what He is doing in our life and less time talking about ourselves. When it comes down to it, IT’S NOT ABOUT ME!

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (286). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Boundaries! (Jude 16)

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. 

THE STUDY:

          This morning we are going to need to break this verse up into two parts. The first part deals with these false teachers who are disgruntled grumblers. Jude is pointing out that these men complained about the restrictions God’s rules and laws placed on their freedom to behave as they wanted.

These disgruntled grumblers were following their own evil desires. Sinful desires frequently carried the negative connotation of lustful desires in the NT (e.g., Rom 13:13–14; Gal 5:24; 1 Pet 4:3; 2 Pet 2:18). Thus, the phrase following their own evil desires probably alludes to their sexual immorality (vv 4, 8, 10, 12). But this phrase also highlights their preference for their own desires instead of God’s desires. Self-discipline or self-sacrifice for the sake of others is repulsive to them. They wanted to follow their own evil desires, while criticizing the moral restraints they had tossed aside.^[1]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that there is a reason why people are disgruntled grumblers; because they are following their own (Evil) desires instead of God’s (Good) desire! They resist the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit. Better yet, they mock and ridicule those moral restraints so to justify their own ungodly desires.

CONCLUSION:

          As a believer, God is still dealing with and working on issues and/or shortcomings that I have in my life. One of the false assumptions out in the world today is that when you become a Christian you have it all together. This is a lie straight from Satan himself! As believers, we still are still faced with temptations and problems that the world has to offer.

One of the things I have done in my personal life is set up boundaries. One example of these boundaries is counseling females in my congregation. I do not counsel females by myself! This is not only to protect the females but to safeguard my ministry as well. These boundaries are there to help me not hurt me. They are set up to protect me so I can accomplish God’s will for my life.

God has set up boundaries for us in His word. The problem is not the boundaries, it’s man’s desires. We have a natural tendency to pursue our desires opposed to God’s! We then try to justify our desires or manipulate God’s word so that we can feel good about these desires. What we are doing, is the same thing Jude points out concerning these “false teachers.” We start to become disgruntled grumblers who ignore self-discipline and self-sacrifice for the desires of the world.

This morning, let us place boundaries in our lives, become more self-disciplined, and be willing to sacrifice our worldly desires for the desires of God. Let us not forget, God has the best for us!    

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (285). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

Sticks and Stones! (Jude 14-15 Part 2)

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.”       

THE STUDY:

          We are looking at the first of two prophecies and seeing how Jude felt concerning these false teachers. Yesterday we read how Jude reminded them of the punishment to come. Today, we want to look at the phrase “the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” This phrase is noteworthy because it is not in 1 En. 1:9.

This reference to the sins of speech was probably not in the original text. Jude’s quote suggests that the idea was an important one for him. Presumably he added it because the false teachers were behaving badly in this way (see vv 8 and 10).^[1]

          Jude is reminding the false teachers that the Lord will have the record of their “ungodly deeds.” He will recall the “harsh things” (Jude 15) that they uttered against the Lord. The word harsh carries the idea of “rough, hard, stern, uncivil.” After all, these people were “murmurers” and “complainers” (Jude 16) and spoke harsh things against God. They were not “afraid to speak evil of dignities” (2 Peter 2:10), but at the judgment their words will testify against them and will bring great wrath.^[2]

WHAT WE CAN WALK AWAY WITH ….

• We walk away this morning with the understanding that what is spoken from our mouths, positive or negative, will be the testimony presented at our judgment.

CONCLUSION:

          As a child we use to say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” What a lie! If you don’t believe me ask a counselor. Many hours of therapy has been logged because of words that have been said to their clients. There was a gentleman, from one of the church’s I pastored, who had a saying that has stuck with me over the years. He would say, “Once you shoot that bullet, you can’t take it back.”

          It’s hard to imagine how God can and will remember everything we will have said (good and bad). The beauty of his love and grace is that He will choose which one to remember, the good or the bad. Taking those words we have spoken in haste and asking for forgiveness gives God the opportunity to cast them into the sea of forgetfulness. For that we should be very thankful.

          Today, let us remember that God not only see’s everything but he hears everything as well. Just because we whisper so that no human can hear doesn’t’ mean God can’t hear. Our words can be used to uplift and encourage or tear down and destroy. The choice is ours! Don’t forget though, once those words are out there, we will be accountable for them.  

Blessings my friends

Pastor Rod

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^[1] Powers, D. G. (2010). 1 & 2 Peter/Jude: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary (285). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.

^[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Jud 14). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.