BIG IDEA:
THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST MUST BE MAINTAINED AS A KEY FUNDAMENTAL OF HISTORIC CHRISTIANITY
INTRODUCTION:
What undermines this essential doctrine of the Lordship of Jesus Christ?
1) Back in the days of Jude
Form of Gnosticism he was reacting against
2) Currently in our days
a) Various cults
b) Easy Believism (market-driven, Seeker-driven church growth movement) – no commitment required
c) Trying to separate repentance from faith – they are flip sides of the same coin
Some people today denigrate the importance of doctrine –
Here Jude shows us that there are some doctrines worth fighting for
All “contending” is not wrong – there is a time and place when we need to stand up and “contend earnestly for the faith”
I. (:1-2) SALUTATION
A. (:1a) Author – Jude Deserves an Audience Because He is Connected
1. Connected Closely in Submission to the Founder of the Church
“Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ”
I have to do what Jesus wants me to do; this is what Jesus would do if He were here in our midst
Green: Now that he had become a believer, Jude’s aim in life was to be utterly at the disposal of the Messiah Jesus. One of the paradoxes of Christianity is that in such glad devotion a man finds perfect freedom.
2. Connected Closely in Partnership with the Key Leader in Jerusalem
“and brother of James”
Historical roots to the true apostolic church – important since it is the body of truth, the apostolic tradition that must be faithfully passed down from generation to generation
B. (:1b) Recipients – Believers Enjoy the Security of the Triune God’s Sovereign Favor
1. Called to Holiness and Christlikeness – Living a Transformed Life
“To those who are the called”
Rom. 8:28 “to those who are called according to His purpose”
Never separate the calling from the purpose
Effectual Calling – Precious doctrine of Election; how can believers despise this doctrine of love and security?
2. Guaranteed God’s Favor – Responding with Love and Thanksgiving
“beloved in God the Father”
Rom. 8:28, 37 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God”
“But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us”
Irresistible Grace – we respond in love because Christ first loved us
1 Jon 4:10
3. Protected for Eternity – Eagerly anticipating the Return of our Lord
“and kept for Jesus Christ”
Kept in a condition of growing Sanctification
Perseverance of the saints; what lies ahead is far more important than this temporary pilgrim journey
Kelly: i.e. for His Coming and for the kingdom He will establish. When the great day arrives, they will have no need to be afraid.
Piper: All three verbs are passive. They stress the action of God. God calls, God loves, and God keeps.
B. (:2) Greeting
“May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.”
II. (:3) WARNING TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ENCOURAGEMENT
A. (:3a) Encouragement is Always Appropriate
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation”
Precious truths that bind us together in fellowship by the Holy Spirit
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Eph. 4:5)
Some believers quibble over the non-essentials and divide the body rather than focusing on protecting that common salvation
Coffman: This has the meaning of the salvation which is offered to all people alike, upon the same conditions, from the same source, and entailing the same obligations. This salvation is not common in the sense of being ordinary, being on the other hand the most precious treasure ever made available to the sons of earth.
B. (:3b) Warning is Urgent and Must Take Priority
“I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all handed down to the saints.”
Not a pleasant task; but a necessary task – and one that takes priority
III. (:4) THE POINT OF DECEPTION FOR THESE FALSE TEACHERS CENTERS ON DENYING THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST
A. (:4a) Imposters Need to be Exposed
“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation”
1. Secret Agenda – using the same vocabulary, but changing the meanings
2. Known to the Lord – “for lo their doom is sure”
B. (:4b) Grievous Error
1. Error in Practice — Justifying Licentious Living
“ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness”
Wiersbe: A person who is lascivious things only of satisfying his lusts, and whatever he touches is stained by his base appetites.
. . . stemming from …
2. Error in Doctrine – Denying Lordship of Christ
“and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”