Overview of Jude for New Testament Reading with Fellowship Baptist
Church
For centuries rugged defenders have built walls, launched
missiles, and waged wars to protect from harm, to guard from attack, to repulse
enemies, real or imagined. We expend material and human resources for the sake
of saving a nation and cities with total commitment and courageous abandon for
ourselves and our families. We fight for survival of our values, defending with
all our strength what is most precious to us, from everything that seeks to
threaten us.
God’s Word and the gift of eternal life have infinite value
and have been entrusted to Christ Jesus’ faithful followers. There are indeed
many in our time, just as in Jude’s day, who live in opposition to God and His
ways. They twist God’s truth, seeking to deceive and destroy the unsuspecting
and gullible. But God’s truth must go forth, carried and contended for by those
who have committed their lives to God’s Son. It is an important task, an
awesome responsibility, and a profound privilege to have this commission.
This was Jude’s message to Christians everywhere reminding
the church to be consistently vigilant with a strong faith to oppose evil
ungodly men and their heresies. Jude was a brother of James and half-brother of
Jesus Christ, claiming to be Christ Jesus’ bond-servant as a sign of respect to
his Divine. He wrote approximately in the year 65 AD, which found a first
generation of Christianity fading away with destructive teachings beginning to
enter in trying to nullify what the apostles had taught as eyewitnesses of the
living Lord. This is a short book, but powerful in its language, much akin to
the book of 2 Peter in its speech. Read with the passion this book deserves as
you determine to “contend for the faith” and be a person of God!
Major Themes:
False Teachers- Jude
warns strongly against false teachers and leaders who reject the lordship of
Jesus Christ, undermine the faith of others, and lead them astray. These
ungodly men will be punished severely by the Lord along with those who follow
them. There are Old Testament examples, which were given for our benefit for
further study into the debauchery that evil brings. We must staunchly defend
Christian truth, making sure we avoid leaders and teachers who distort the
Bible to suit their own purposes. Genuine servants of God will faithfully
portray Christ in their words and conduct.
Apostasy- Jude
also warns against apostasy, or falling away from Christ Jesus. We are to
remember that the security of the believer is the perseverance of the believer
and God knows who is and isn’t serious about the call to follow Him. Christians
are sealed by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30) and not devoid of Him (19). We are to
remember that God punishes all rebellion against Him. We must be careful not to
drift away from a faithful commitment to Christ. Those who do not seek to know
the truth in God’s Word are susceptible to apostasy. Christians must guard
against false teachings of ever sort that would distract them from the truth preached
by the apostles and written in God’s inspired, infallible, and holy Word.
Structure:
Jude introduces himself and
describes the recipients of his letter (1). He intends to write concerning
their common salvation, but felt the urge of the Holy Spirit to write for his
readers to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down
to the saints” through Jesus Christ the Savior of the world from sin (3). He
makes his points early and often that Christians should reject vehemently all teachers
who secretly bring in heresies of falsehood and immorality (4-19). These
ungodly men have not remembered God’s mighty acts of rescue and punishment
against evil (5-11, 14-16), and the warnings of the apostles (17-19).
God’s people are to build up their
own faith through prayer (20), keeping close to Christ (21), helping others
(22-23), and hating sin (23). Jude in the end offers a glorious benediction of
the attributes of our great God and Eternal King with a chorus of praise
(24-25). Jesus is the One who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless
before the Father with great joy!
Key Verse:
Jude 1:3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write
to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to
contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
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