CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH (1 OF 3)

Contending For The Faith (1 of 3)
THE BOOK OF JUDE - Part I
Dan Rodgers
Jude 1:1-4


INTRODUCTION:

The little book of "Jude is written by Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James." There are two people with the name Jude. There is Jude the apostle, brother of James the martyr (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13).

Then there is Jude, the brother of James — the brother of the Lord (Galatians 1:19). He was also president of the council at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). The author of this Epistle was the younger brother of our Lord and a younger son of Joseph and Mary.

Let's consider several about Jude's letter:

I. HIS POSITION EXPLAINED

A. He was a servant of Jesus Christ

1. What a privilege and an honor to be a servant
of Christ--to be able to serve in the Master's
work. Is there a higher honor and a greater distinction? I think not. I feel we often take it lightly. And why do I say that? Because it shows up in the way we serve, or should I say, the way we don't serve? Jesus said, If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour (John 12:26).

B. He was a believer in Jesus Christ

1. You will remember that Jude did not at first
believe in the Lord during his earthly ministry (John 7:5). Later, following the Lord's resurrection, he became a believer (Acts 1:14).

a. The resurrection is what makes the gospel
work—it validates who Jesus is and it gives credibility to the message of salvation. Without the resurrection, we would have no hope: 1 Cor. 15:19 states: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

b. So the resurrection of Christ turned an
unbeliever into a believer—Jude writes as a fellow believer in Jesus Christ. Can I ask you; are you a believer? I don't mean, do you believe the information about Jesus, I mean have you believed in your heart? Does He live in your heart: Roma ...

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