Series: The Gospel Story
Preparing for the Future: Defending the Faith
July 28, 2019 | Todd Cyphers
Jude 1:1-25
Preparing for the Future: Defending the Faith Jude 1:1-25
7-28-19
Terry L. Wilder – The ‘last days’ refers to the period of time between Christ’s incarnation and His return.
Matthew 24:3-5,10-11 - ..."Tell us," they said, "…what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" Jesus answered, "Watch out that no one deceives you, for many will come in my name... At that time many will turn away from the faith... and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people."
2 Timothy 3:1-5 - “…in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.”
1 Timothy 4:1 - “Some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits.”
2 Peter 3:16 - “They distort…Scriptures, to their own destruction.”
2 Peter 2:1 - “(They) will bring in destructive heresies…”
Ephesians 5:11 - “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
I. Identifying false teachers disguised as believers:
1. “Ungodly.”(Jude 1:1-4)
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 - “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ… no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”
Matthew 13:25 – “Jesus said, ‘But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat...’”
Matthew 7:15-16 – “Jesus said, ‘Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them…’"
2. Perverting grace into sensuality. (Jude 1:4)
2 Timothy 3:6 “They are the kind who worm their way into households and captivate vulnerable women…”
3. Denying our Master and Lord.(Jude 1:4)
John 8:31 – “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.’”
1 John 2:6 - “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
4. Relying on their inner heart to teach others. (Jude 1:5-8)
Deuteronomy 18:20 – “A prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded…or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.”
Jeremiah 14:14 – “The prophets are prophesying lies in My name, the LORD replied. "I did not send them…They are prophesying …a false vision…a delusion of their own minds.”
Lamentations 2:14 – “The visions of your prophets were false and worthless; they did not expose your sin to ward off your captivity. The (words) they gave you were false and misleading.”
Deuteronomy 13:1-3 – “If a (false) prophet…appears among you… The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul.”
5. Reject authority. (Jude 1:8)
6. Blaspheme glorious ones. (Jude 1:8-11)
“Blaspheme” - Speak evil of or put words into their mouths.
“The Glories” - Angels or the glories or glorious ones.
7. Spiritually dead and fruitless. (Jude 1:12-13)
“Love God, love others and Make Disciples”
8. Unsatisfied bottomless pits, boastful and lovers of money. (Jude 1:14-16)
2 Timothy 4:3 –“For the time is coming when people will not endure soundteaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
II. How should we then live? (Jude 1:3, 20-23)
1. Defend and live the faith. (Jude 1:3)
2. Go after the perishing. (Jude 1:20-23)
Discussion Questions for the Week:
1. What are the dangers of proclaiming the gospel but not living according to it, or living according to it, but not proclaiming it?
2. Which of Jude’s descriptions of false teachers do you find most helpful in identifying false teaching? Which is most difficult for you?
3. What are some ways churches handle the false beliefs of church members today? False teachers? Summarize how Jude calls us to respond. (See also Matthew 18:15-20, Titus 3:10-11, 1 Timothy 5:20 and Eph. 5:6-13)
4. Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Use it as a prayer guide. Think and pray for the opposites of what you see in this passage.
