Lesson 1
Letter
of Jude
Maintaining
the Faith Entrusted to Us
Introduction:
It presents a strong exhortation to be on guard for the
infiltration of false teachers and there false doctrine into the church.
Author:
Verse one describes Jude VIou,daj as the brother of James.
Out of the 6 men named Judas in Scripture this statement
narrows it to 2 men;
1. Judas not Iscariot Jn. 14:22 one of the 12; Lk.
2. One of the Lord's half brothers
mentioned in Mt. 13:55; Mk. 6:3
Date of
Writing:
Sometime between 68-80 AD; lack of internal or external
evidence to make it more specific.
Recipients
of Jude:
General epistle written to all believers; no specific
group or church identified.
Purpose
for Writing:
1. Jude began to write with the
purpose of discussing their "common salvation" with his readers (v.3)
2. Because of the urgency of the
situation Jude changed his purpose to discuss the problem of false teachers and
the resulting impact of false doctrine.
3. Jude writes to defend the faith
against false teachings which lead to antinomianism (or lawlessness) walking
away from truth.
4. Jude writes to warn believers
not to be led astray by false teachers, and to urge them to rescue those who
have (v. 23)
5. Jude writes to emphasize that those who do
evil will be judge by the Lord
6. "The Christian community is urged to
maintain the faith which has been entrusted to it."
Note on false teachers:
They're great pretenders:
Pretend
to speak for Christ
Pretend
to believe the Bible
Pretend
to serve God
Outline:
I. Opening Salutation (vv.
1, 2).
II. The Purpose of the Epistle (vv. 3, 4).
III. Description of False Teachers (vv. 5-19).
A. Past
Judgment of False Teachers (vv. 5-7).
B. Present
Characteristics of False Teachers (vv. 8-13).
C. Future
Judgment of False Teachers (vv. 14-16).
IV. Challenge to Believers, Defense against
False Teachers (vv.17-23).
V. Conclusion - Doxology (vv. 24, 25).
1:1 Jude,
a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the
called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
bond-servant of Jesus Christ
Being a
bond-slave implies:
1. ownership -
2. obedience -
3. provision -
4. reward -
and brother of James
Recipients: to those who are the called
Principles we need to understand related to
calling:
1. Term the called is used to refer to believers in the
C/A. Rom 1:6;
2. The Gospel is the means of calling, the invitation to
all. 2 Ths 2:14
3. Mt. 22:14 says
"many are called but few are
chosen" Christ died for all, unlimited atonement is a reality but
few respond to the calling, the gospel and therefore become saved.
4. In the context here we also see the security of our
calling. We're loved and kept.
5. In our life
we're exhorted to live up to our calling, Eph. 4:1 "walk worthy of the
calling." 2 Ths.
6. Some things
that we as believers are called to:
a. called
into fellowship with the Son, Jesus Christ
1 Cor. 1:9
b. called
to inherit a blessing, reward @ JSC
1Pet. 3:9
c. called
out of darkness 1 Pet. 2:9
d. called
to freedom Gal. 5:13
e. called
to peace 1 Cor 7:15;
f. called
to holiness, experiential righteousness 1 Pet 1:15
g. called
to a worthy walk, Eph 4:1
h. called
to one hope, expectant confidence in the future Eph 4:4
i. called
to eternal glory, 1 Pet 5:10
beloved in God the Father,
The
Father has the same love for each of us as He has for the Son.
Do you
believe that? Jn 17:22-23 How is that
true?
1. We
have Christ's righteousness imputed to us at salvation.
2. We are
in union with Christ as a result of the BHS @ salvation.
3. This love never diminishes; part of our eternal security; this
love flows from His character, who He is.
4. Because He loves us, it requires Him to discipline
for spiritual failure in our lives; lack of obedience; Heb. 12:6.
5. Our capacity to appreciate and respond to His love
for us flows from our understanding of the Word and living out its precepts. John 14:15, 21, 23
10 Proofs
of Eternal Security! Once Saved, Always
Saved
1. Position in Christ:
Rom.
a. All members of the human race stand in one of two
positions: "in Adam" or
"in Christ." 1 Cor. 15:22
b. Must recognize that it is possible that a person may never
change positions. From being in Adam to being in Christ.
c. It is possible to change positions one time: