fromthepreacherspc

*SPIRITUAL PATRIOTS #3
Things Worth Remembering
(Jude 5-7)

INTRODUCTION
A. In our two previous lesson on Spiritual Patriots we learned:
1. Of the need for Spiritual Patriots
2. The need to contend/defend the Faith
3. That elders need to be alert
4. That false teachers do their damage from within – they come in unnoticed
B. Jude 5-7
1. Soldiers learn by repetition
2. Military men receive their initial instruction under supervision of a drill sergeant
3. During basic training, he will require them to repeat exercises designed to help them master the skills of warfare
4. The idea is to rehearse these abilities until they become second nature in the heat of battle
C. Well-trained troops do not panic when they come under fire
1. Their state of readiness is seen in their calmness under pressure
a. They dread the rigors of boot camp but the wisdom in it when the battle erupts
b. Soldiers of Christ are no different – if we are to keep our composure in the midst of crisis there are certain ideas that must be engrained in our minds
c. The certainty of judgment is one of these ideas
2. Although home life is different from military life, they are similar in at least one respect: both are critical training grounds
a. Parents must be preparing their children…
b. Elders/preachers must be preparing the brethren…
c. These instructions might get tiresome at times, but repetition is essential and truths must be reinforced
D. “Now I desire to put you in remembrance…” (v. 5a)
1. Jude wrote to his friends to remind them of things they once knew with certainty but had come to doubt
a. Most sermons are like this – nothing new taught, but are reminders…
b. We are prone to forget – we need to be reminded
2. Society is adept at rationalizing sin
a. Many pushing for more tolerance – the minimizing of sin
b. It is distressing when Christians spurn sound doctrine
E. Jude was not ready to concede the church to false teachers in disguise
1. He is encouraging his readers to fulfill their mission, and reminds them that those who trouble the church will be punished
2. Belief in the Day of Judgment has a powerful impact on human behavior
a. Colossians 3:25
b. At times it may seem that false teachers are succeeding, but God is not finished yet
F. Jude uses three examples from Israel’s history to prove this point – divine punishment is inevitable that God will demand an accounting of disobedience
DISCUSSION
A. GOD JUDGES ISRAEL
1. Jude 5
2. Israel came to dwell in Egypt when Joseph was sold into slavery…
a. Exodus 1:7-11
b. Exodus 3:7
c. The Lord saved Israel by preparing a deliverer named Moses and empowered him to bring plagues upon Egypt that pressured Pharaoh to release the people
1) God parted the Red Sea…
2) The exodus was a remarkable demonstration of God’s love for His covenant people
3. But Jude suddenly shifts the attention of his readers to God’s wrath
a. The very people he had saved from Egypt, he later destroyed
b. How could this be?!
1) God’s goodness will not keep Him from punishing sin
2) God will gladly pardon the penitent, but He cannot and will not ignore sin
4. Jude said the reason for Israel’s destruction was unbelief
a. Israel’s immorality and idolatry were evidence that they did not believe God would do what He said He would
b. To lose faith is to lose life’s most important battle
c. 1 John 5:4
5. The Hebrews writer speaking of this incident says:
a. Hebrews 3:11-12; 3:19-4:2, 11
b. Paul addresses this as well
1) 1 Cor. 10:1-13
2) Note vs. 6-11
6. Just because a person embarks on a life of faith does not guarantee eternal security in heaven – 1 Corinthians 10:12
B. GOD JUDGES ANGELS
1. Jude second illustration of the certainty of judgment came from the shocking story of the fallen angels – Jude 6
a. Apparently these heavenly messengers were dissatisfied with their position as servants of God
b. Instead of humbly submitting to God they rebelled – their mutiny ended in disaster
c. Like dishonored angels, people who seem closest to Him may actually be farthest from Him in their hearts
2. Jude’s message is clear: If angels could not avoid punishment for their sins – what makes us think that we can?
a. It is terrifying to fall into the hands of a living God … Hebrews 10:26-31
b. What about Christians that turn their back on God? – 2 Peter 2:20-22
3. The day of Judgment is approaching – although false teachers choose to ignore it, they cannot escape it
4. 2 Corinthians 5:10
C. GOD JUDGES SODOM
1. The third example of the inevitable punishment for sin centered around the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah – Jude 7
2. Sexual sins are really symptoms of a far deeper problem: unbelief in God
a. The “fornication” (sexual immorality – NKJ) is a broad term that indicates any type of improper sexual relations
b. “Strange flesh” refers to physical intimacy with a member of the same sex
1) Paul denounces homosexuality as a violation of God’s will
2) Romans 1:26-27
3) The Bible attributes this behavior to spiritual rebellion rather than genetic makeup
4) When a person will not submit to God, he begins a downward spiral that results in a breakdown of his own standards
3. Sodomites were destroyed for the immoral behavior – fire and brimstone rained from heaven and destroyed its inhabitants
a. Jude stated that Sodom and Gomorrah were “set forth” as an example – destruction come to the wicked
b. To “set forth” means to expose – God wants all humanity to witness the wrath in store for the wicked
4. Sodom unmistakably prefigures the suffering to be experienced by the disobedient in the eternal fires of hell.
a. Jesus used Gehenna as a depiction of hell’s unending agony
b. The fires that burned continuously at Jerusalem’s trash heaps graphically portrayed the eternal torment awaiting sinners
c. Revelation 20:15
5. On the day of Judgment, destruction will come upon the earth as suddenly and unexpectedly as it did for Sodom
CONCLUSION
A. Jude used these biblical accounts from Israel’s history to remind his readers that God would demand an accounting from the false teachers who were troubling the church
1. They would not succeed in the end
2. It is easy to become disheartened when evil appears to be advancing and winning the day, but Christians must not become discouraged and give up their defense for the truth
B. Christians must never lose confidence that God will punish unrepentant sinners and vindicate the faithful in the end
1. the last word always belongs to the Lord.
2. Don’t you forget it!

*Outlined from Aubrey Johnson’s book “Spiritual Patriots”

*SPIRITUAL PATRIOTS #2
(Studies in Jude)

INTRODUCTION
A. In a previous lesson we discussed:
1. How Christians are soldiers of Christ on active duty
2. That Christians are to be spiritual patriots- we are to be heroes of the Faith
3. How the epistle of Jude is a heavenly call to arms – called to defend the Gospel … Jude 3
4. Truth and the defense of it has been left in our care

B. “Treason” is a word that arouses strong emotions in citizens in any country
1. What constitutes treason in various countries may not be the same
2. Death and life imprisonment are two of the most common ways of punishing this serious crime
3. Unfortunately, the problem of treason is not limited to political governments – sadly, it also occurs in the church

C. False teachers had slipped into the congregation where Jude sends this letter
1. These false teachers were passing themselves off as faithful Christians – but they were only pretenders
2. These false teachers were like double agents working to undermine the very faith they proclaimed
D. Jude 4

DISCUSSION
A. ELDERS NEED TO BE ALERT!
1. The fact that these men “crept in privily” – or unnoticed (NKJ) is a reminder that guardians of the flock shoulder a serious responsibility
a. Jude implied that if the elders had been alert they could have stopped the damage
b. Titus 1:9-11 … elders must not go asleep at the post
c. Notice Paul’s caution … Acts 20:28-32

2. An important part of shepherding the flock is protecting it from predators.
a. This is why doctrinal interviews are important…
1) Preachers…
2) Teachers…
b. Elders need to get acquainted with all new members
1) This is important to the protecting of the flock – there are wolves in sheep clothing out there
2) Most new members will appreciate the elders trying to get to know them

3. Those who know their teachings are objectionable to elders are not always forthright about their beliefs and may operate underhandedly to advance their position
a. False teachers perceive themselves to be more knowledgeable – and “seek to enlighten” others
b. They will do this through deception…

B. THERE IS A NEED FOR VIGILANCE
1. A Warning from Jesus
a. The Bible is filled with warnings about the battle that must be fought with false teachers
b. Matthew 7:15
1) “Ravening” is an adjective meaning fierce or savage
2) Jesus used this modifier to describe the nature of false teachers
3) They have an enchanting demeanor, and with their smooth words they can catch the unsuspecting off guard, or coerce the biblically challenged into error

2. A Warning from Paul
a. 1 Timothy 4:1-2
1) Doctrines of demons
2) Speak lies

b. 2 Timothy 4:1-4
1) Will not endure sound doctrine
2) Turn their ears from the truth

C. AN INSIDE JOB
1. The most disturbing things about false teachers is that they do their damage from the inside
a. This is why we have this warning … 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
b. This is why … 1 John 4:1

2. Acts 17:11
a. Diligent study is needed to discern the truth, especially because false teachers are proficient at using Scripture deceptively
1) Galatians 1:6-7
2) 2 Corinthians 2:17
c) 2 Peter 3:16
b. Thus, Paul urged all to … 1 Thessalonians 5:21

C. THE FUTURE OF THE UNGODLY
1. There are many predictions in the scripture of what will ultimately happen to the false teacher
a. 2 Peter 3:3-7
b. Matthew 24:37-39

2. Jude describes these false teachers as “ungodly” – used 6 times in this brief epistle
a. Ungodly because they did not show the proper respect for the word of God
b. A false teacher cannot be a godly man

D. TWISTING GRACE
1. Jude warned that these impostors were turning the grace of God into “lasciviousness” (lewdness – NKJ)
a. Paul listed “lasciviousness” as one of the works of the flesh that would keep one out of heaven (Gal. 5:19), an these men were twisting God’s word, making them appear to encourage unholy behavior among believers
b. They were blurring the lines between liberty and license

2. Many today are making obedience seem to appear irrelevant because of “the grace of God” – BUT…
a. Romans 2:6
b. 2 Corinthians 5:10

3. Although no one can every do enough to earn salvation – obedience is still required ©

E. COMMITMENT vs. QUOTAS
1. Although the New Testament demands a life of holiness and service from those who seek eternal life (Heb. 12:14), production quotas and sinless perfection are not the issue
a. At our very best we are unprofitable servants (Lk. 17:10)
b. Still, there is a real sense in which works are critical to perfect the faith that saves

2. It is not a question of doing enough, but bringing one’s heart into submission to God
a. Heaven is not a hall of fame for spiritual superstars
b. God wants surrender, not statistics

F. LIBERTY NOT LICENSE
1. Jude was concerned that some new leaders were emerging in the church who misrepresented the grace of God and made it seem to support a worldly lifestyle
a. Paul confronted this mindset in Romans 6:1-2
b. Paul was shocked that people were thinking this way
c. Sadly, many are think this way today…
d. This who dismiss their sins lightly make a terrible mistake … Romans 6:23

2. The apostles were careful to address the issue of liberty vs. license
a. Galatians 5:13
b. 1 Peter 2:16
c. 1 John 3:10

G. DENYING JESUS
1. Jude charged these false teachers with “denying our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”
a. People can deny Christ by their works or by their way of life
b. Many claim to know Jesus but their doctrines contradict their assertions
c. Titus 1:16

2. There is an inseparable link between the way a man thinks and the way he acts
a. Behavior can always be traced back to the way he thinks
b. Matthew 15:16-20

3. A person can claim that he loves Jesus, claim that He is #1 in his life, but if his doctrine and actions do not match up with this then he is a liar or at least deceived
a. Matthew 7:21
b. Luke 6:46

CONCLUSION
A. Spiritual dissidents are always looking for opportunities to infiltrate peaceful congregations and sow seeds of discord

B. Leaders in the church must be vigilant in safeguarding the flock against troublemakers

C. Those who belittle obedience in the name of grace are false teachers

D. Grace does not nullify the commandments of God

E. Always remember Grace of God’s part of salvation, and obedience is man’s part

*Outlined from Aubrey Johnson’s book: “Spiritual Patriots”

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome

https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”

*SPIRITUAL PATRIOTS #1
(Studies in Jude)

INTRODUCTION
A. Patriots are people who passionately love their country and are willing to support and defend it with their very live
1. The word “patriot” awakens memories of great heroes from America’s military history
2. “Give me liberty, or give me death” (Patrick Henry)
3. “I only regret that I have only one life to lose for my country” (Nathan Hale)
B. The same kind of devotion can be seen in the lives of the first century Christians
1. Peter and John were beaten for preaching Jesus – but never shied away from their responsibilities
2. Paul was persecuted at every turn – yet never ceased to proclaim the Gospel
3. Stephen was stoned and James was beheaded for their uncompromising loyalty to Christ
4. Today’s Christian must have the mentality of the first century Christian – they must be “Spiritual Patriots”
C. Christians are soldiers of Christ on active duty
1. As citizens of heaven, they long for their homeland and readily acknowledge their status as pilgrims and sojourners in this present world (1 Pt. 1:3).
2. One day in the future, Jesus will return to withdraw His troops from this temporary tour of duty called “life.”
3. Until that time, the church serves as the Lord’s outpost on earth
a. That colony of heaven cannot be defined geographically, but it is no less real.
b. The Lord reigns in the hearts of men and women who have been redeemed by His Son.
D. God’s patriots are faithful saints who deeply love the church and have pledged to defend it
1. At conversion, Christians declare their liberty from Satan and loyalty to God
2. Christians are in for the fight of their lives and only the committed will survive the onslaughts of the enemy
E. The book of Jude is God’s field manual for spiritual engagement and His call to arms.
1. The book of Jude reminds us that our adversary is real and determined.
2. It tells us how to respond to the world’s hostility and aggression
3. As a soldier of Christ there is no room for pacifism – for eternity is at stake
4. We are in a life-and-death struggle for the souls of men
a. “Fight the good fight of faith…” (1 Tim. 6:11)
b. “…war the good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18)
c. Be a good soldier of Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)
DISCUSSION
A. SPIRITUAL SENTRIES
1. Jude 1-2
2. The book of Jude was intended to serve a twofold purpose:
a. A heavenly call to arms, and
b. A strategy for spiritual victory
3. Jude’s readers success depended on their taking heed to the wake-up call – the warning that false teachers had infiltrated their ranks and poised a serious threat to the well-being of the church
a. When trouble arises, it is not enough to sit idly by and wish things were different
b. Like a deadly disease, the problem cannot be corrected by ignoring it and hoping it will go away
c. With many illnesses, there is a brief but precious window of opportunity to treat the problem and stop its progress
d. It was time for them to rally the troops!
4. If Jude’s readers would rally the troops, it was not too late to stem the tide of the injurious effects of these false teachers
5. In addition to alerting them to the present danger, this book serves as a field manual for battling the false teachers
a. A field manual is concise, proven and practical
b. This manual is of great importance for us today
6. The recipients of this letter are:
a. “Called” – 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:14
b. “Beloved” [ ASV, NAS, ESV] “sanctified” [KJV, NKJ] – if you are the beloved of God you are sanctified
c. “Kept” [ASV, ESV] or “preserved” [KJV, NKJ] – there is safety in Jesus … John 15:4-6
7. Jude is looking for someone to “stand in the gap” (Eze. 22:30) … will we be willing?
B. A PATRIOTIC PLEA
1. Jude 3
2. In the heat of battle, the best laid plans may have to be changed at a moment’s notice
a. To fortify the faith of his friends, Jude had intended to write about their common salvation – his strategy was praiseworthy, but circumstances forced him to alter his course
b. He had learned that his friends were under attack by false teachers – so Jude laid aside his plan and wrote about something that more needful
c. There are times when we must put something good on the “back burner” and address something more pressing
3. They needed to defend the Gospel
a. They were to “contend earnestly for the faith”
1) “Contend” – to fight or struggle for
2) The situation required action – strong action
b. Their need to “contend” implied that there was opposition to the truth
1) The church has enemies
2) When adversaries grow bold enough to launch an offensive, Christians must be prepared to respond
c. If a women was being mugged and a policeman refused to help her until he competed the traffic ticket he was writing, the public would be out raged
1) Or, if a child was seriously injured, and the only available doctor refused to treat her until he finished his rounds, he would be dismissed for negligence
2) These principles hold true in the church – the church cannot conduct business as usual when members are under attack and eternity hangs in the balance
3) Immediate action is required
4. The power of exhortation
a. Jude began his counteroffensive by writing a letter.
1) He was writing a letter “exhorting” them
2) Writing was an important ministry in the 1st century
3) It continues to be a vital ministry today … cards, reminders, letters of encouragement…
b. Christians are under orders to encourage one another
1) Hebrews 3:13
2) Hebrews 10:24
3) 2 Timothy 4:2
c. The focus of Jude’s exhortation was to alert his readers to the danger before them
5. The once delivered faith
a. “The faith” Jude mentions does not refer to an individual’s belief as is seen in the word “delivered”
b. “The faith” is an objective body of teaching of which Jesus is the subject and source … this is Jesus’ ethical teaching and religious instruction
1) This is the system of faith revealed in the New Testament
2) They were to be standing up for and defending this faith
c. James placed strong emphasis on the faith being “once for all delivered”
1) This phrase reveals that there will not be any modern day revelation
2) All religious truth has already been revealed
6. The call to contend
a. The word “contend” comes from a Greek word from which we get our English word agonize
1) Thus, great effort is to be extended in standing for the truth
2) They were to put up a real fight against false teaching, giving it their all
b. God’s patriots should be concerned about soundness in the faith (Tit. 1:13), personally stand for the faith (1 Cor. 16:13), and be prepared to defend it (Jude 3).
c. Jude clearly emphasizes that doctrine does matter
1) 1 Timothy 1:3
2) Romans 16:17
d. They were to “earnestly” contend for the faith – in other words, do so with all their might
1) Titus 2:15
2) A carefree attitude in the struggle against error is sure to end in defeat
7. There is a trust to keep
a. Faith is like a baton being handed from one runner to the next in a relay race
b. Truth must be passed on from one generation to the next, and it is our duty to protect and preserve it
CONCLUSION
We must declare with Paul … 2 Timothy 4:7

*Outline from Aubrey Johnson’s book “Spiritual Patriots”

Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
http://www.parkheightscoc.com

Welcome

https://fromthepreacherspc.org/
http://www.syfirst.org
http://preachersfiles.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi/list/preacherspc/

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”