Tag: Jude

Don’t Flatter Others for Your Own Gain

Scripture: Jude 1: 16, 19

These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.(16) These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.(19)

Scripture Commentary:

We’ve all heard people who are great speakers who boast about themselves and flatter others needlessly. Are they in spirit with Jesus Christ?

We have in churches today false teachers who have secretly slipped in and are twisting the Bible’s teachings to justify their own opinions, lifestyle, or wrong behavior. In doing this, they may gain temporary freedom to do as they wish. However, they will discover that in distorting Scripture, they are playing with damnation.

Jude gives three examples of men who did whatever they wanted. Cain, Balaam and Korah all rebelled against God. These stories illustrate attitudes that are typical of false teachers. Pride, selfishness, jealousy, greed, lust for power, and a disregard of God’s will.

Unbelievers, no matter how successful they seem by worldly standards, are lost and in need of salvation.

If we are to be effective witnesses of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be in His spirit ourselves. We, too, are vulnerable to doctrinal error. We, too, are tempted to give in to sin. If we remain faithful, He will deliver us from our sins.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Jude Chapter 1

Read Other Commentary from The New Testament:

The Productive Branch Bears Fruit

You Can’t Buy Salvation – It’s a Gift of God

You Already Know What Will Happen

Scripture: Jude 1: 5-8

Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time 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 proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, 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. 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.

Scripture Commentary:

Although we already know that sin separates us from God, Jude gives us three examples of rebellion. First is the children of Israel. Although they were delivered from Egypt, they refused to trust God and enter the promised land.

Second is the fallen angels. They were once pure, holy and living in God’s presence. Then they gave in to pride and joined Satan to rebel against God.

And third are the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. They were so full of sin that God wiped them off the face of the earth.

God’s Word is clear on the wages of sin.

Many people don’t want to believe that God sentences people to “eternal fire” for rejecting Him. But this is clearly taught in Scripture. Sinners who don’t seek forgiveness from God will face eternal separation from Him.

God’s nature is revealed in His Word.

The nature of God is beyond our understanding. However, God in His grace has chosen to reveal Himself to us in His Word, and supremely in Jesus Christ. Therefore, we must seek to know all we can about what He has revealed although we cannot fully comprehend God with our human minds.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Jude Chapter 1

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Jude

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Don’t Be “Certain People”; Be Extraordinary!

Unbelievers Follow Their Own Ungodly Desires

Jude 1: 17-24

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.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

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.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.[f]

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.

Scripture Commentary:

Effective witnessing saves people from their own ungodly desires and God’s judgement. We witness to some through our compassion and kindness. To others we witness as if we were snatching them from the eternal fire.

Witnessing is serious business. It is a matter of life and death.

To hate even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh means that we are to hate the sin. But we must witness to and love the sinner. We shouldn’t take witnessing lightly. It is a matter of life and death.

When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure. If not, the non-Christian can turn you. Influence them for Christ.

To be sinless and perfect will be the ultimate condition of the believer when he or she finally sees Christ face to face. Coming into Christ’s presence will be more wonderful than we could ever imagine!

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Jude Chapter 1

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Jude

Idols Can’t See, Nor Hear, Nor Walk; Worship the Living God

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Don’t Be “Certain People”; Be Extraordinary!

Scripture: Jude 1: 4

For certain people have crept in unnoticed [just as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Scripture Commentary:

The Bible is inspired by God and should never be twisted or manipulated. There are certain people who avoid studying The Bible because they think theology is dry and boring. Some people refuse to learn correct doctrine and are susceptible to false teaching. They aren’t fully grounded in God’s truth.

We must understand the basic doctrines of our faith so that we can recognize false doctrines. We need to always be on guard against wrong teaching that would undermine our faith.

In the first century and today we have people teaching that Christians could do whatever they like without fear of God’s punishment. They have a light view of God’s holiness and His justice.

Are you a Christian that minimizes the sinfulness of sin, believing that what you do has little to do with your faith?

Or do you believe how you act will show your faith? Those who truly have faith will show it by their deep respect for God and their sincere desire to live according to the principles in His Word. The truth of The Bible must not be compromised because it gives the real facts about Jesus Christ and salvation.

Jude emphasizes the important relationship between correct doctrine and true faith. Beware of those who claim to have all the answers and know not what they speak!

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Jude Chapter 1

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Jude:

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Idols Can’t See, Nor Hear, Nor Walk; Worship the Living God

Idols Can’t See Nor Hear Nor Walk; Worship the Living God

Sermon, Part Five (Final): The Final Destination

Revelation 9: 20-21

And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood; which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk; Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their thefts.

No one suddenly falls into immorality; it happens a little bit at a time.

These people were so hardhearted that even plagues did not drive them to God. People don’t usually fall into immortality and evil suddenly. They slip into it a little at a time, and when they realize what has happened, they are irrevocably mired in their wicked ways.

People who allow sin to take root in their life will find themselves in a predicament. Temptation entertained today becomes sin tomorrow. From there, it turns into a habit, leading to death and separation from God forever. To think you could never become this evil is the first step toward a hard heart. Go to God and confess your sin. Ask for His forgiveness.

Psalm 23:6

Surely Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

When you hear your name called and you take your last breath, what will be your final destination? Will you be the rich man in hell or will you take the same path as Lazarus, the beggar, and be in God’s House? You have a choice and a chance.

2 Corinthians 5:1

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house mot made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

The doors of the church are never closed.

Jude 1:24-25

24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Revelation Chapter 9

Psalm Chapter 23

2 Corinthians Chapter 5

Jude Chapter 1

Read the Other Parts of the Sermon, The Final Destination

Do You Know the Way to Heaven? (Part One)

Love Each Other As God Loves You (Part Two)

Don’t Be Ruled By Your Lusts (Part Three)

Disobedience Is the Devil’s Playground (Part Four)

Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt

Scripture: Jude 1: 22-23

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Scripture Commentary: Unbelievers need mercy and kindess – Your role as a witness is vitally important

We need to show mercy and compassion to those who doubt.  Effective witnessing saves people from God’s judgement. Some see us as witnesses through our compassion and kindness. Others experience our witnessing of God when we snatch them from the eternal fire.

Hating “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” means we hate the sin, but love the sinner. Unbelievers are lost and need salvation. Do not take your position as witnesses lightly. It is a matter of eternal life and eternal death.

We must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing in Christ as our Lord and Savior is  sound.

Be careful. Don’t become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ – don’t allow them to influence you to sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Jude Chapter 1 (KJV)