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Contending for the Faith: A Study in Jude

An exploration of the book of Jude, focusing on the urgent call to defend the truth, discern false teachings, and remain steadfast in the love of God, building ourselves up in our most holy faith.

1. The Urgent Call to Contend (Jude 1-4)

1.1 The Author and His Audience

Verses: Jude 1-2
  • Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, writes to those called, sanctified, and preserved.
  • The recipients are chosen by God and kept by Jesus Christ.
  • Grace, mercy, and peace are multiplied to them.

1.2 The Shift in Purpose

Verses: Jude 3
  • Jude initially intended to write about their common salvation.
  • An urgent need arose to exhort them to contend earnestly for the faith.
  • The faith is 'once delivered unto the saints,' implying a singular, unchanging truth.

1.3 The Infiltration of Ungodly Men

Verses: Jude 4
  • Certain men have crept in unnoticed, destined for condemnation.
  • They pervert the grace of God into sensuality.
  • They deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Historical Warnings Against Apostasy (Jude 5-7)

2.1 Israel's Unbelief in the Wilderness

Verses: Jude 5
  • God, having saved His people out of Egypt, later destroyed those who did not believe.
  • Salvation is not a guarantee against future judgment if faith is abandoned.
  • This serves as a warning against spiritual complacency and unbelief.

2.2 The Angels Who Did Not Keep Their Proper Domain

Verses: Jude 6
  • Angels who abandoned their first estate are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness.
  • This illustrates the severe consequences of rebellion against God's order.
  • Even powerful beings are subject to God's judgment.

2.3 Sodom and Gomorrah's Immorality

Verses: Jude 7
  • These cities, along with surrounding ones, suffered eternal fire for their gross immorality.
  • Their example serves as a warning against sexual perversion and ungodliness.
  • God's judgment is real and severe for those who reject His moral standards.

3. The Characteristics of False Teachers (Jude 8-16)

3.1 Their Defilement and Disregard for Authority

Verses: Jude 8-10
  • These dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignities.
  • They are ignorant of spiritual realities, speaking evil of things they do not understand.
  • Unlike Michael the archangel, who did not revile Satan, these men revile without restraint.

3.2 Following Ancient Examples of Rebellion

Verses: Jude 11
  • They have gone in the way of Cain, rejecting God's appointed way and showing envy.
  • They have rushed greedily into the error of Balaam for profit, leading others astray.
  • They have perished in the rebellion of Korah, challenging divine authority.

3.3 Their Destructive Nature and Empty Promises

Verses: Jude 12-13
  • They are spots in love feasts, feeding themselves without fear.
  • They are clouds without water, trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.
  • They are raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame, wandering stars reserved for darkness.

3.4 Prophetic Condemnation

Verses: Jude 14-16
  • Enoch prophesied of the Lord's coming with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment.
  • The Lord will convict all ungodly sinners of their ungodly deeds and harsh words.
  • These false teachers are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, speaking great swelling words, flattering for advantage.

4. Exhortation to Steadfastness and Growth (Jude 17-23)

4.1 Remembering the Apostles' Warnings

Verses: Jude 17-19
  • Recall the words spoken by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • They foretold that in the last time there would be mockers, walking according to their own ungodly lusts.
  • These are the ones who cause divisions, sensual, not having the Spirit.

4.2 Building Up in the Most Holy Faith

Verses: Jude 20
  • Believers are to build themselves up on their most holy faith.
  • This involves spiritual growth and strengthening in sound doctrine.
  • The foundation of faith is the singular truth delivered to the saints.

4.3 Praying in the Holy Spirit

Verses: Jude 20
  • Prayer is to be conducted in the Holy Spirit, enabling spiritual communion.
  • The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, empowering believers.
  • This emphasizes a direct, Spirit-led relationship with God.

4.4 Keeping in the Love of God

Verses: Jude 21
  • Maintain yourselves in the love of God, which is a conscious choice and effort.
  • Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
  • God's love is the source of our preservation and hope.

4.5 Ministering to Others with Compassion

Verses: Jude 22-23
  • Show mercy to those who are doubting, gently restoring them.
  • Save others with fear, snatching them out of the fire of judgment.
  • Hate even the garment defiled by the flesh, maintaining purity while showing compassion.

5. The Doxology: God's Power to Preserve (Jude 24-25)

5.1 God's Ability to Keep from Falling

Verses: Jude 24
  • God is able to keep you from stumbling and present you faultless.
  • This is a promise of divine preservation for those who remain in Him.
  • Our security rests in God's power, not our own strength.

5.2 Presentation Before His Presence with Exceeding Joy

Verses: Jude 24
  • He will present us before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy.
  • This speaks of the ultimate triumph and celebration of the redeemed.
  • The final state is one of blamelessness and joy in God's presence.

5.3 Glory to the Only Wise God Our Saviour

Verses: Jude 25
  • To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power.
  • This emphasizes the singular nature of God, who is also our Saviour.
  • All honor and authority belong to Him, both now and forever. Amen.