In this sermon series, you will find this introduction, along with nine other sermons, though you will only have to purchase five of them, because the nine sermons have been combined into a group of five. Some of the sermons are short, so I combined them, in order to give you more bang for your buck.
This sermon series was written about 20 years ago, actually the material in this sermon series was used for my very first book. In those days I was a bi-vocational minister, so I had my hands full with working and pastoring. If you are one of those that purchase my material on a regular basis, you will see that my outlines and format in this book, needed some refining.
Even though this format is not necessarily on par for my current expectations, I think that the reader can still glean some nuggets from my commentary of Jude, apostates, judgment, Christ, saints, and the church. Jude was the half-brother of the Lord, but he was not willing to gloat over that relationship.
As I look back over this material, I am stunned that apostasy has come vividly and viciously to the forefront in the world today. The church is being assaulted from without and from within, and apostates are leading the way. We are seeing the very fundamentals of our faith coming under fire, in nearly all evangelical denominations.
It seems that we are seeing the old landmarks of our faith being attacked, abandoned, or torn down, at warp speed time. This generation of wolves and apostates have determined that marriage is no longer between a man and a woman. This group has also determined that gender no longer involves only male and female, yet the bible is clear on these subjects.
If you read about the sins of the apostates in the bible, nearly all of them lead to vile sin, which ultimately involves sexual sins. One cannot turn their television on or go to a store and not see our nation celebrating “Pride Month.” America is going to hell in a hand basket and the church is leading the way, because we have been infiltrated by damnable and deviant apostates.
The Southern Baptist Convention recently took a vote as to women being pastors, in a denomination where women have never preached since it’s inception, how can this be, I will tell you, it is due to apostasy.
This sermon series, includes the following:
- Introduction to the Book of Jude
- Sermon 1 includes (Two sermons 1 & 2 of 9)
- Sermon 2 includes (One sermon 3 of 9)
- Sermon 3 includes (Two sermons 4 & 5 of 9)
- Sermon 4 includes (Two sermons 6 & 7 of 9)
- Sermon 5 includes (Two sermons 8 & 9 of 9)
Let us look at an introduction to this little book, known as Jude:
In this section we will do a brief overview of the book of Jude, this will help us as we dissect and digest the mighty truths of this wonderful little book.
Jude The Man
In looking at this book we are immediately introduced to its author, his name is Jude. In the bible we know very little about this man, so in introducing himself he lets us know who his brother is, James.
Jude was not one of the 12 apostles.
Jude was not an original follower of Christ.
Jude was not noted for any mighty deed or act.
Jude is identified as the brother of James, the half-brother of Jesus. He clearly establishes this in verse 1 of the book.
Jude was a half-brother of Jesus. (Matthew 13:55, Mark 6:3)
Matthew 13:55 KJV - Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mark 6:3 KJV - Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
John 7:5 KJV - For neither did his brethren believe in him.
Jude felt as though his notoriety would be recognized through his human relationship with James. It is amazing that he did not say that he was the half-brother of Jesus, even though he was. Jude did not see the need to establish this fact, because he may have felt shame in not being a follower of Christ when he was alive and living among his family.
Mat 13:53 KJV - And it came to pass, [that] when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence.
Mat 13:54 KJV - And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this [man] this wisdom, and [these] mighty works?
Mat 13:55 KJV - Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?
Mat 13:56 KJV - And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this [man] all these things?
Mat 13:57 KJV - And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house.
Mat 13:58 KJV - And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Mat 27:55 KJV - And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him:
Mat 27:56 KJV - Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.
Galatians 1:19 KJV - But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
- Consider when he became a believer
Sometime after the resurrection of Christ, Jude became one of his dedicated followers. The bible tells of several occasions where the brethren of Christ are clearly mentioned:
1 Corinthians 15:7 KJV - After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
Act 1:13 KJV - And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James.
Act 1:14 KJV - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
1 Corinthians 9:5 KJV - Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
Consider Jude The Message
In reading this wonderful book we come to realize that Jude’s writing is distinctively different than most other biblical writings. Jude is classified as an “Apologist” which simply stated is a defender of the faith.
The writer is uneasy about some people that have crept into the church and he is writing this message to warn people of their deceptive dangerous deeds.
- The Audience of Jude’s Writing
In writing this book one does not have to look far into his opening statement to see his audience, it is to them that are, sanctified, preserved, and called. In other words, he is writing clearly and deliberately to those that are believers and followers of Christ.
We will do in depth exegesis on these words as we do our expositional studies later in this book. Jude clearly is writing this message to those that follow Jesus Christ; it was for those living in his time and in our time.
- The Aim of Jude’s Writings
Jude had full intentions of writing an encouraging message of their common faith that is found in Jesus Christ. In the act of writing this message he was nudged or constrained by the Holy Spirit to write a message of caution and condemnation towards the creeping apostates that were slithering their way inside the church.
- The Apologetics of Jude’s Writings
The word apologists comes from the Greek word, “apologia” which is pronounced “ap-ol-og-ee’-ah”. The meaning of this word is, “a verbal defense”, and the word is used 8 times in the New Testament:
Acts 22:1 KJV - Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.
Acts 25:16 KJV - To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.
1 Corinthians 9:3 KJV - Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
2 Corinthians 7:11 KJV - For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
2 Timothy 4:16 KJV - At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.
Philippians 1:7 KJV - Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
1 Peter 3:15 KJV - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
“Apologetics is the work of convincing people to change their views”.
Several biblical passages have historically motivated Christian apologetics.
The Book of Isaiah includes God's entreaty, "Come now, let us reason together" (1:18, ESV), and the First Epistle of Peter declares that Christians must always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you ... with gentleness and respect" (3:15).
The Book of Acts contains a description of the apologetic example of Paul, who "reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there" (17:17) as well as at the Areopagus (17:19ff). Each of these has been the motivation for Christians to undertake the discipline apologetics in order to present non-Christians with reasons to adopt the Christian faith or to strengthen the belief of current Christians.
Additionally, Psalm 19, which starts "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands," and Romans1:18-23, which suggests that God has been "clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made," have given impetus to the apologetic enterprise, particularly in arguing from natural phenomena to a creator, as in the cosmological argument or teleological argument.
Wikipedia - The free encyclopedia
Consider Jude The Material
In this portion I want us to look at the time that this book was written.
J. Vernon McGee depicts this book as being written around 66 - 69 A.D.
John Walvoord/Roy Zuck depict the book to be written around 67 - 80 A.D.
One cannot dogmatically emphasize the date, but let us attribute the book to have been written sometime between “66 A.D. - 80 A.D.”.
Consider Jude The Mindset
Let us look at the major mindset of this book by looking at some specific scriptures from the book itself, which will clearly show us the aim of Jude as he pens this letter to the churches.
Jude 1:3 KJV - Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Jude gives us clear insight into his mindset; he has been mightily moved by the Spirit to shine biblical truth upon those that have crept in unaware. The apostates were holding prominent seats within the church and spewing out horrible hideous mistruths and false doctrine.
Jde 1:17 KJV - But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Jde 1:18 KJV - How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
Jde 1:19 KJV - These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
In these verses we see that Jude reminds us of the previous writings from the pen of the Apostle Peter. In his writings Peter had foretold of the coming apostates that would infiltrate the church.
Jde 1:24 KJV - Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present [you] faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jde 1:25 KJV - To the only wise God our Saviour, [be] glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
In these scriptures we find that Jude assures the church that God is the one that is responsible for the wellbeing of his church. The church can find consolation and comfort in knowing that Christ is fully in control of the situation at all times.
We must not be alarmed or become unnerved due to these apostates and their deadly venom. Jesus Christ offers full assurance to those that follow him. The Lord promises to keep us from falling and in the end, he will present us without fault before his wonderful and glorious presence, with exceeding joy.
The book of Jude is a warning for the church of today as to apostasy!!!
Matthew Henry gives us the following Introduction of the Book of Jude:
I. An account of the penman of this epistle, a character of the church, the blessings and privileges of that happy society (v. 1, 2).
II. The occasion of writing this epistle (v. 3).
III. A character of evil and perverse men, who had already sprung up in that infant state of the church, and would be succeeded by others of the like evil spirit and temper in after-times (v. 4).
IV. A caution against hearkening to and following after such, from the severity of God towards the unbelieving murmuring Israelites at their coming out of Egypt, the angels that fell, the sin and punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah (v. 5-7).
V. To these the apostle likens the seducers against whom he was warning them, and describes them at large, (v. 8-13, inclusive).
VI. Then (as specially suitable to his argument) he cites an ancient prophecy of Enoch foretelling and describing the future judgment (v. 14, 15).
VII. He enlarges on the seducers' character, and guards against the offence which honest minds might be apt to take at the so early permission of such things, by showing that it was foretold long before that so it must be (v. 16-19).
VIII. Exhorts them to perseverance in the faith, fervency in prayer, watchfulness against falling from the love of God, and a lively hope of eternal life (v. 20, 21).
IX. Directs them how to act towards the erroneous and scandalous (v. 22, 23). And,
X. Closes with an admirable doxology in the last two verses (v. 24, 25).
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary “Jude”
Expository Breakdown of this beautiful book
I - The Solemn Introduction - His Perplexing Words (1 - 4)
II - The Scriptural Identification - His Pictorial Warning (5 - 13)
III - The Seething Implication - His Pointed Wrath (14 - 19)
IV - The Satisfying Invocation - His Prominent Wisdom (20 - 25)
Nine Titles for The Book of Jude
- Jude Comforts the Sanctified, Preserved, & Called (1/2)
- Jude Cautions the Saints, Creepers, & Ungodly (3/4)
- Jude Categorizes the Destroyed, the Chained, & the Burned (5/7)
- Jude Cites the Filthy, the Despisers, & the Brute (8/10)
- Jude Charges the Useless, Fearless, & Fruitless (11/13)
- Jude Condemns the Ungodly, Murmurers, & Complainers (14/16)
- Jude Clarifies the Mockers, Lustful, & Spiritless (17/19)
- Jude Challenges the Beloved, Merciful, & Compassionate (20/23)
- Jude Confirms the Keeper, the Presenter, & the Savior (24/25)
I - The Solemn Introduction - His Perplexing Words (1 - 4)
- Jude Comforts the Sanctified, Preserved, & Called (1/2)
- Jude Cautions the Saints, Creepers, & Ungodly (3/4)
II - The Scriptural Identification - His Pictorial Warning (5 - 13)
- Jude Categorizes the Destroyed, the Chained, & the Burned (5/7)
- Jude Cites the Filthy, the Despisers, & the Brute (8/10)
- Jude Charges the Useless, Fearless, & Fruitless (11/13)
III - The Seething Implication - His Pointed Wrath (14 - 19)
- Jude Condemns the Ungodly, Murmurers, & Complainers (14/16)
- Jude Clarifies the Mockers, Lustful, & Spiritless (17/19)
IV - The Satisfying Invocation - His Prominent Wisdom (20 - 25)
- Jude Challenges the Beloved, Merciful, & Compassionate (20/23)
- Jude Confirms the Keeper, the Presenter, & the Savior (24/25)
