Guest Speaker: 
Harrison Daniels, Valley Brook Elder & Young Adults Leader

The Book of Jude

Key Point: Defend the Faith with Grace & Truth
 

4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.(Ephesians 2:4-5, NIV)

3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once and for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Jude 3-4, NIV)

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” (Matthew 7:15, NIV)

Key Point: Beware the Fate of False Teachers

8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. (Jude 8, NIV)

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. (Jude 11, NIV)

12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. 13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. (Jude 12-13, NIV)

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” (Jude 17-18, NIV)

Key Point: How to Spot a False Teacher
 

1. They are grumblers and faultfinders
    
2. They follow their own evil desires and natural instincts
    
3. They boast about themselves
    
4. They flatter others for their own advantage
    
5. They divide the church
    
6. They do not have the Holy Spirit

Key Point: How to Build a Strong Personal Faith 

20 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21, NIV)

1. Build yourself up in faith by knowing God’s word
    
2. Pray in the Holy Spirit
    
3. Keep yourself in God’s love by following his commands
    
4. Wait for the hope of eternal life through Jesus

Key Point: Show Grace to Others
 

1. Be merciful to those who doubt
    
2. Share your faith with those who don’t believe
    
3. Be merciful but cautious with those who are immersed in false teaching

Jude’s Doxology

24 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.(Jude 24-25, NIV)