Lesson 1

Contenders And Pretenders

Jude 1-4

The Bible tells us explicitly and repeatedly that Jesus is coming again. The return of Christ is imminent, it could happen at any moment. We have every reason to believe that Christ's return will be soon.

But the Bible also tells us that as the coming of Christ draws nearer, there will be an ever-growing apostacy, a great falling away, a departure from truth. For example, in Luke 18:8, the Lord Jesus asked, "... when the Son of man cometh shall he find faith on the earth?" In other words, when the Lord returns, will there be anybody left who still believes in the truth? Sometimes we wonder. Paul told Timothy (I Tim.4:1) "In the latter times some shall depart from the faith". He said in II Timothy 4:3, there will come a time when people "will not endure sound doctrine but, after their own lusts will heap to themselves (false) teachers ...". The Bible has much to say about apostacy.

There is one book which is entirely devoted to teaching about apostacy. That is the tiny epistle of Jude, where we will begin a study today. The Book of Jude is probably one of the most neglected books in the Bible. It is short in length (only 25 verses) but long in importance. As the Gospels and the Book of Acts describe the commencement of the church age, so Jude and the Revelation describe the conclusion of the church age. The Book of Acts relates the deeds and words of men of God who grounded the church. Jude relates the deeds and teachings of evil men who will be living when the church age comes to an end. Someone has titled the book of Jude "The Acts of the Apostates".

The first four verses introduce to us the author, the audience, and the aim of the Epistle of Jude.

I. THE AUTHOR OF THE EPISTLE, v.1a.

A. His Name Is Jude.

The name Jude is a shortened form of the name Judas which is the Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Judah. It was a common name during the New Testament era. There are at least six men mentioned in the New Testament with the name Judas or Jude. Who is this man named Jude, this inspired author of scripture? Verse 1 gives us a clue as to his identity.

B. His Brother Is James, Gal.1:19.

From Matthew 13:55 and Mark 6:3 we learn of two brothers with the name James and Judas (Juda). These were sons of Joseph and Mary, and thus, a half-brother to Jesus. John 7:5 tells us that before his death and resurrection Jesus' brothers had not believed on him. But after the resurrection, James was converted. We have every reason to believe that Jude was also saved at this time. Acts 1:14 places the brethren of Jesus in the early church and I Cor.9:5 indicates that they were known by the first century Christians.

C. His Position Is a Servant.

In this epistle, Jude does not even mention that he is half-brother of Jesus. Instead, he refers to himself as the servant (literally - bond slave) of Jesus Christ, (see also James 1:1). Salvation had changed the nature of the relationship from primarily physical to primarily spiritual, (see Mk.3:33-35).

II. THE AUDIENCE OF THE EPISTLE, vs. 1b-2.

This letter is not addressed to a specific church or a particular individual, thus, it is a "general epistle". It is a letter written to all Christians and would have been circulated and read among the churches. Notice ...

A. Jude's Description Of Christians, v.1b.

"to them that are ..."

1. Sanctified - the word means consecrated, set apart for God's purpose (Acts 20:32; I Cor. 6:11). When God saves us he sanctifies us. He makes us holy and sets us apart.

2. Secured - "preserved in Jesus Christ" John 10:28-30 II Tim.4:18

3. Summons - "called" (Rom.8:28)

¨ ¨ ® called by the gospel (II Thes.2:14

¨ ¨ ® called by the Holy Spirit (Jn.6:44

B. Jude's Desire For Christians, v.2.

In verse 2, Jude pronounces a blessing upon those who would read his letter. Jude mentions 3 things which he desires to be multiplied in the believer's life. Jude wants Christians to experience more and more ...

1. mercy - (God withholding from us that which we rightfully deserve). Because of God's multiplied mercy, sin cannot make us lose position in Christ.

2. peace - neither can doubt destroy our faith for God multiplies his peace within you

3. love - even God's love is multiplied to a saved person.

III. THE AIM OF THE EPISTLE, vs. 3-4.

The purpose, the object, the aim of this letter is expressed in verses 3-4. Jude had intended to write a letter expressing the salvation that believer's have in common. Perhaps he wanted to pen a thesis which explained thoroughly the nature of salvation. But, in spite of all his diligence, he was compelled out of necessity to exhort (appeal) to believers to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints."

"earnestly contend" = defend

"the faith" = the body of truth which the Bible teaches & which we believe; Biblical doctrine.

"once" = once and for all; God's revelation is complete.

"delivered to the saints" = this truth is of divine origin and has bee entrusted by God to saved people.

In other words, "I urge you to sincerely defend the doctrines which God has once and for all entrusted to believers."

How can we earnestly defend these doctrines? There are really only two ways. First, we must express truth. Second, we must expose error. Truth must be carefully, consistently, constantly expressed. The Bible must be taught. Christians should be so familiar with truth that they instantly recognize error. At the same time, we must expose obvious error. False teaching, faulty thinking must be unmasked so the God's people are not led astray.

Verse 4 tells us why it is so important that we "contend" for the faith. Certain men have slipped into the ranks of Christianity without be identified. These are the apostates. We are not talking about genuinely saved people. Nor does apostacy refer, as some say, to a person who loses salvation. Jude's epistle emphasized security (v.1,24). An apostate is one who knows the truth, but willfully rejects the truth and deceive others. Jesus warned us that Satan would sow tares right in with the good seed. Paul warned of the same thing (Acts 20:29). Remember Jesus' words in Matthew 7:15, 21-23. John spoke of them in I John 2:18-19. Listen to what the writer of Hebrews says of these men (Heb.10:29). Peter also described these false teachers (II Peter 2:1-3;20-22). Perhaps the best example of an apostate is Judas Iscariot. He pretended to be a true follower of Christ but, in fact, never was. He knew the truth but rejected it and eventually turned his back on it. The Bible says that the closer we get to the end, the more apostacy there will be (Mt.24:11-12; II Thes.2:3; I Tim.4:1; II Tim.4:3-4; 3:13).

Jude describes what these apostates are really like:

® They are deceptive "creep in unawares"

® They are doomed - God's punishment of them has already been ordained (foretold).

® They are depraved - "ungodly" = irreverent

® They are distorters - "turning the grace of God into lasciviousness". They make grace a license to live immorally. I am saved by grace. God will forgive me. I can't lose my salvation. So I can sin. Grace is not a license to sin! (Rom.6:1,15).

® They are deniers - They deny who Jesus Christ really is, Titus 1:16.

Jude describes for us two kinds of people within the ranks of Christianity. There are the CONTENDERS. Those who are sanctified, secured and summons. Those who defend the doctrines. Then there are the PRETENDERS. Those who claim Christ with their lips but deny Him with their lives. Which are you? Beloved, I urge you to defend the faith and I warn you to beware of pretenders.