CONTEND FOR THE FAITH
JUDE 1-25
Introduction:
We believe that this Jude was not one of the apostles, but the brother of James, the writer of the epistle of James, and the half brother of our Lord, v. 1. See Matthew 13:55- 56 and Mark 6:3. This book is called a general epistle because it is not addressed to any particular church or person. It is significantly placed just before the book of Revelation, which tells of the apostasy and God’s judgment upon it!
I. WHY WE ARE TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH BECAUSE OF APOSTATE TEACHERS.
A. Who Is To Contend for the Faith? vs. 1-2
1. Those who have received salvation, v. 1
a. They are sanctified by God the Father, v. 1a.
1) They share the common salvation, v. 3
b. They are preserved in Jesus Christ, v. 1b.
1) This furnishes eternal security, John 10:27-30.
2) The power of this security, Romans 8:35-39.
c. They are called to salvation by the Holy Spirit, v. 1c;
1) Called to salvation, Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”
2) By the wisdom of God, 1 Corinthians 1:24, “But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”
3) According as his divine power, 2 Peter 1:3, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”
2. Those who have received God’s three-fold blessing, v. 2; 2 Peter 1:2, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,”
a. God’s mercy offers salvation by His grace, Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
b. God’s peace comes to the believer, Romans 5:1, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
c. God’s love experienced by the believer, Romans 5:5,8, “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
d. Because of these truths we are preserved in Christ, v. 1; John 6:39, “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”
B. The Apostate’s Subtle Perversions, vs. 3-4
1. The stated purpose of the epistle, v. 3a
a. He would have preferred to write of the common salvation.
b. The perversions of truth made it necessary to write on another subject.
2. The solemn proposal to contend, v. 3b.This signifies to contend about a thing as a combatant or as in a contest, 1 Timothy 6:12, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”
a. We are to contend for “the faith,” the body of divine truth…
1) Not to please men, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”
2) We seek to please God preaching that which has been committed to us, 1 Timothy 1:11, “According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.”
01. “Avoiding profane and vain babblings,” 1 Timothy 6:20, “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.”
02. Avoiding “oppositions of science falsely so called.”
3) We are to commit these things to “faithful men,”2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
b. It was “once” delivered to the saints.
1) “The faith” is ours to keep, 1 Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
2) “The faith” is ours to defend, Philippians 1:17, “But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.”
3. The apostates entered secretly, v. 4a.
a. The apostates were never saved, 2 Peter 2:21-22, “For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
b. The church out of neglect had let them in.
1) They were wolves in sheep’s clothing, Acts 20:28-29, “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
2) Paul had warned them to “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers,”
4. They were previously appointed to condemnation, v. 4b.
1) “Who were before of old ordained to this condemnation.”
2) They were “ungodly men.”
3) “Turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness.”
4) “And denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
5. Their character is ungodly, v. 4c. They might have a form of godliness, but it was only a form and not real. 2 Timothy 3:5, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
6. Their conduct is lascivious. v. 4d. “Lasciviousness” simply means, “unbridled lust, licentiousness, wantonness, shamelessness, insolence.”
a. “A little leaven,” Galatians 5:9, “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”
b. “Out of the heart of men,” Mark 7:21-22, “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
7. Their doctrine is perverse because of their denial of Christ, v. 4e.
a. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, 1 Timothy 6:4-5, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.”
b. Who bring in damnable heresies, 2 Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”
C. The Apostate’s Doom is Intimated By Three Examples, vs. 5-7
1. Apostasy begins with unbelief, v. 5. Though saved from Egypt, God destroyed their physical lives in the wilderness because of unbelief. Numbers 14:1-45; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5; Hebrews 3.17-19, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 11:30-32; and 1 John 5:16, “If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”
2. Unbelief leads to rebellion against God, v. 6. 2 Peter 2:4.
a. Fallen angels are never called the sons of God, Job 1:6; 2:1.
b. Angels are spirit beings without bodies, even though they sometimes have appeared in bodies. They are sexless and cannot reproduce. Matthew 22:30, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.”
c. They could not have cohabited with human beings in Genesis 6:1-4. This passage speaks of saved people marrying unsaved people.
3. Rebellion leads to lawless immorality and perversion, v. 7; Titus 1:15, “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.”
a. All these things terminate in the judgment of God, Titus 1:16, “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
b. This was the sin of homosexuality, Leviticus 18:22-25; Romans 1:24-27.
D. The Apostates’ Impious Ways Illustrated By Three Examples, vs. 8-11
1. Their presumption (arrogance) indicated, v. 8.
a. They are “filthy dreamers.” They are unrealistic in thinking their ways will bring satisfaction and they reject God’s authority.
b. They defile the flesh, Ephesians 4:19, “Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”
c. They believe the devil’s lie as Eve did. Genesis 3:5, “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”
d. They despise dominion, the lordship of Christ, 2 Peter 2:10, “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government.”
e. They speak evil of dignities, 2 Peter 2:11, “Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.”
2. Their presumption illustrated, vs. 9-10 “But these speak evil of those things which they know not:” v. 10a. 2 Peter 2:12, “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;”
3. The reason for their woe, v. 11
a. They have gone the way of Cain in rejecting the blood, Genesis 4:3-5; 1 John 3:12, “Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.”
b. They have followed the error of Balaam in serving for money, and thinking he could get by with it, Numbers 22-24; 2 Peter 2:15-16, “Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet.”
c. They rebel against God’s authority as did Core (Korah), who rebelled against God’s chosen leaders (Moses and Aaron), Numbers 16:1-35.
E. The Apostates’ Utter Falsity is Demonstrated. vs. 12-13
1. They imperil the activity of God’s people, v. 12a; 2 Peter 2:13-14, “And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; 14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:”
a. They were filthy spots [blemishes]. These false teachers, though participating outwardly, were inwardly denying the Lord (v. 4b).
b. They were feeding (shepherding) themselves without fear. They were false pastors. They were intruding (cf. “secretly slipped in among you,” v. 4a) without the slightest qualm or inhibition.
2. Their barrenness and fruitlessness, v. 12b, “clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;” “These men had no water for thirsty souls; they only pretended that they did.”—Bible Knowledge Commentary
3. Their turbulent shame, v. 13a; Isaiah 57:20-21, “But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.”
4. Their terrible destiny, v. 13b, “to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.”
F. Enoch’s Prophecy Of The Apostates, vs. 14-15
1. He prophesied of the Lord’s coming with His saints, v. 14; 1 Thess. 3:7, “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”
2. He prophesied of the judgment upon the apostates, v. 15. We do not believe that Jude copied this out of a book called Enoch, 2 Peter 3:1-4; Revelation 19:13-16; Psalm 50:3, “Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.”
G. The Apostates’ Character Reviewed. v. 16.
1. The dissatisfaction of their words (They were grumblers and faultfinders who faulted others but saw no flaws in themselves.), v. 16a
2. The disorderliness of their walk {they lustfully followed their own evil desires (cf. vs. 8, 10, 18-19)}, v. 16b
3. The dishonesty of their ways (they bragged about themselves (the word hyperonka, means to be “puffed up” or “swollen”), v. 16c
II. HOW WE ARE TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH THE PROVEN MEANS.
vs. 17-25
A. Remember the Apostasy Was Prophesied, vs. 17-19
1. The prophesied warning to be heeded, v. 17. See 1 Timothy 4:1-6; 2 Tim. 3:1-10; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; 2 Peter 2:1-22.
a. Remember the Words of the Lord Jesus, Acts 20:35, “I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
b. Build on the right foundation, Ephesians 2:20, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;”
2. The time of their coming and their conduct, v. 18; Acts 20:29, “For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.”
3. Their character, condition, and conduct is the cause for separation, v. 19; Isaiah 65:5, “Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.”
a. Many people have no discernment, and are willing to follow those who have false fire, Leviticus 10:1, “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.”
b. Showmanship and entertainment are used to confuse and mislead the saints in churches.
B. Remember To Prepare for the Contending, vs. 20-23
1. Grow in the faith, v. 20a. This is done by the study of God’s word. 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2. Pray in the Spirit, v. 20b. Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
3. Make the love of God your environment, v. 21a.
a. By keeping His commandments, John 15:10, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.”
b. By hating evil, Psalm 97:10, “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.”
c. By looking for the mercy of the Lord, v. 21b; 2 Timothy 4:8, “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
d. By showing compassion toward those being led astray, v. 22; Galatians 6:1, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”
e. By pulling them out of the apostasy and ruin, v. 23. Genesis 19:16, “And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city.”
C. Ascribe To God All The Honor And Glory, vs. 24-25
1. He is the one who keeps us from falling, v. 24a.
a. True believers are preserved, Jude 1.
b. True believers are in God’s hand, John 10:29-30, “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30I and my Father are one.”
2. He will present us… v. 24
a. Faultless, Hebrews 13:18-19, Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Colossians 1:22, “In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”
b. With exceeding joy, v. 24b; Psalm 5:11, “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
3. A four-fold ascription to Him, v. 25; Psalm 147:5, “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
Based on an outline by E. L. Bynum