Looks Can Be Deceiving (4 of 6)
Series: Jude
Robert Dawson
Jude 10-13
A church in Naperville, Illinois, in the western suburbs of Chicago, is boasting new bells in their bell-tower. Since the church was built two decades ago, the congregation delayed its plans to hang bells in a large open space above the sanctuary due to limited funds. Through the years, as a way of filling the open space, the congregation has suggested mounting a cross or hanging a series of liturgical banners according to the seasons of the church year.
With the church's 25th anniversary approaching, the church finally found the means to spring for three bells to fill the vacant hole. They are beautiful but you will never hear these bells peal on Sunday mornings (or any other day of the week for that matter). And no, it doesn't have to do with city ordinances or complaining neighbors opposed to bells playing hymns.
It has to do with the fact that the bells aren't real. These bells may look authentic, but they are made of resin and are missing its vital inner component. They don't have clappers. [Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, Illinois]
Jude warns that looks can be deceiving and dangerous. He tells the church there are people who appear outwardly as if they belong to the church and are one of them but on the internally, they are missing a vital inner component - the Spirit of God, the truth of God and the salvation of God.
In thinking about Jude's message and warning, it is helpful to remember that he is not talking about false teachers who walked boldly into the church and brazenly spouted heresy. Nor does he highlight those who might have fallen into doctrinal error and need to be corrected, taught and discipled. Instead, he points our attention to those individuals or groups who slipped in unnoticed and in disguise. They threaten the church because they can weaken the church from the inside out. Their false doctrine and flimsy lifestyles will contaminate those around them ...
Series: Jude
Robert Dawson
Jude 10-13
A church in Naperville, Illinois, in the western suburbs of Chicago, is boasting new bells in their bell-tower. Since the church was built two decades ago, the congregation delayed its plans to hang bells in a large open space above the sanctuary due to limited funds. Through the years, as a way of filling the open space, the congregation has suggested mounting a cross or hanging a series of liturgical banners according to the seasons of the church year.
With the church's 25th anniversary approaching, the church finally found the means to spring for three bells to fill the vacant hole. They are beautiful but you will never hear these bells peal on Sunday mornings (or any other day of the week for that matter). And no, it doesn't have to do with city ordinances or complaining neighbors opposed to bells playing hymns.
It has to do with the fact that the bells aren't real. These bells may look authentic, but they are made of resin and are missing its vital inner component. They don't have clappers. [Greg Asimakoupoulos, Naperville, Illinois]
Jude warns that looks can be deceiving and dangerous. He tells the church there are people who appear outwardly as if they belong to the church and are one of them but on the internally, they are missing a vital inner component - the Spirit of God, the truth of God and the salvation of God.
In thinking about Jude's message and warning, it is helpful to remember that he is not talking about false teachers who walked boldly into the church and brazenly spouted heresy. Nor does he highlight those who might have fallen into doctrinal error and need to be corrected, taught and discipled. Instead, he points our attention to those individuals or groups who slipped in unnoticed and in disguise. They threaten the church because they can weaken the church from the inside out. Their false doctrine and flimsy lifestyles will contaminate those around them ...
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