JUDE: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH (31 OF 32)
by Stan Coffey
Jude: Contending for the Faith (31 of 32)
Series: Through the Bible
Stan Coffey
AUTHORSHIP: Since the author of this epistle was the brother of James, this would make him the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 6:3). Our Lord's brothers in the flesh did not believe in Him while He was ministering (John 7:5), but after the resurrection James was converted (1 Cor. 15:7) and we have every reason to believe that Jude was also saved at that time. Acts 1:14 informs us that ''his brethren'' were part of the praying group that was awaiting the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 9:5 states that the brethren of the Lord were known in the early church.
PURPOSE OF WRITING: Why did Jude write this letter? To warn his readers that the apostates were already on the scene. Peter had prophesied they would come (2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:3) and his prophecy had been fulfilled. Apparently Jude wrote to the same believers who had received Peter's letters intending to stir them up and to remind them to take Peter's warnings to heart. He wrote to ''exhort them'' (Jude 3). In the Greek language this word was used to describe a general giving orders to the army, hence, the atmosphere of this letter is military. Jude wanted to write a quiet devotional letter about salvation but the Spirit led him instead to give the church a trumpet call to arms. Jude wrote them and exhorted them to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
I. THE ARMY THAT MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH - vs. 1
A. God's saving purpose
1. ''Called'' - means an official summons
2. It refers not only to our calling as Christians generally but specifically our calling as Christians to contend for the faith
B. God's special people - ''to them that are sanctified''
1. Sometimes translated ''beloved'' - as in verse 3
2. Describes the believers special relationship to the Lord (1 John 3:1)
C. God's strong power
1. ''Preserve'' - means ''carefully watched and guarded.'' Also used in Jude 6, 13, and 21
2 ...
Series: Through the Bible
Stan Coffey
AUTHORSHIP: Since the author of this epistle was the brother of James, this would make him the half brother of our Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 6:3). Our Lord's brothers in the flesh did not believe in Him while He was ministering (John 7:5), but after the resurrection James was converted (1 Cor. 15:7) and we have every reason to believe that Jude was also saved at that time. Acts 1:14 informs us that ''his brethren'' were part of the praying group that was awaiting the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 9:5 states that the brethren of the Lord were known in the early church.
PURPOSE OF WRITING: Why did Jude write this letter? To warn his readers that the apostates were already on the scene. Peter had prophesied they would come (2 Peter 2:1-3; 3:3) and his prophecy had been fulfilled. Apparently Jude wrote to the same believers who had received Peter's letters intending to stir them up and to remind them to take Peter's warnings to heart. He wrote to ''exhort them'' (Jude 3). In the Greek language this word was used to describe a general giving orders to the army, hence, the atmosphere of this letter is military. Jude wanted to write a quiet devotional letter about salvation but the Spirit led him instead to give the church a trumpet call to arms. Jude wrote them and exhorted them to contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.
I. THE ARMY THAT MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH - vs. 1
A. God's saving purpose
1. ''Called'' - means an official summons
2. It refers not only to our calling as Christians generally but specifically our calling as Christians to contend for the faith
B. God's special people - ''to them that are sanctified''
1. Sometimes translated ''beloved'' - as in verse 3
2. Describes the believers special relationship to the Lord (1 John 3:1)
C. God's strong power
1. ''Preserve'' - means ''carefully watched and guarded.'' Also used in Jude 6, 13, and 21
2 ...
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