Hebraic Musing – Do we need to preach the book of Jude
again?
Is the book of Jude relevant today? Although it is short, how does it apply
today?
Can we personally relate to Jude’s opening and humble
description of himself in v.1 – “Jude, a
servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been
called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus
Christ:” NIV What do you and I and Jude have in common?
In vs.2-3 he feels compelled to share with loved ones – “Mercy, peace and love be yours in
abundance. 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 … entrusted to the saints.” Do you have friends who need to hear this?
KEY: In v.4 Jude tells his purpose for
writing. “For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly
slipped in among you. They are godless
men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny
Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” How does this apply today?
He gives a quick history lesson in vs.5-7 – “… I want to remind you that the Lord
delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not
believe. And the angels who did not keep
their positions of authority but abandoned their own home — these he has …
bound with everlasting chains for judgment … Sodom and Gomorrah and the
surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They
serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.”
What did man do that so offended their Creator God? vs.8-10 “In
the very same way, these dreamers pollute their own bodies, reject
authority and slander celestial beings. But even … Michael, when he was disputing
with the devil …, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation …, but said,
"The Lord rebuke you!" Yet these men speak abusively against
whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by
instinct, … — these are the very things that destroy them.”
And the consequences are spelled out in v.11 “Woe to them! They have taken the way of
Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed
in Korah's rebellion.” by a “Natural Disaster”!
How bad is the situation?
vs.12-16 “These men are blemishes
at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm —
shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, …. They are wild waves of the sea, … for whom
blackest darkness has been reserved forever. Enoch …
prophesied about these men: ‘See, the Lord is coming … to judge
everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts … and of
all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.’ These men are grumblers and faultfinders;
they follow their own evil desires….” God saw this coming! Do people care about God
anymore?
Jude, as an Apostle, saw this coming in vs.17-19 “But, dear friends, remember what the
apostles … foretold. … ‘In the last times there will be scoffers who
will follow their own ungodly desires.’ These are the men who divide you, who
follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
Jude gave us the SOLUTION in vs.20-23 “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy
faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for…
Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save
them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear ….” Catch the evangelistic challenge? How far are they from the fire?
He closes by reminding us it is all about Jesus. “To him
who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious
presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory,
majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ …, now and forevermore! Amen.”
vs.24-25
Points to
ponder
Jude
describes the problem, but also the solutions – “Build…, pray…, snatch others…”
Is there a
reason the book of Jude is just before Revelation?
I dare you
to read Jude again, prayerfully.
♫ Go tell it on the mountain over the hills and everywhere … that Jesus
Christ is born… ♫
Yosef a.k.a. Joe Brusherd
October
23, 2018
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