An Appeal from Jude

Jude - Riley Boggs 

I remember very clearly the first time I met my wife’s family, especially her dad. Shelby’s dad is a man who cares for his family deeply, wanting them to walk in the ways of the Lord, and he made that clear to me the first time we met. Shelby and I met them at a restaurant for dinner, we shook hands, ordered some food, sat down, and then it was question time. Before asking any other question of me, my father-in-law asks me this, “Shelby tells me you want to be a pastor. How do you know you have been called to be a pastor, because I don’t want my daughter marrying someone who is a pastor, but wasn’t called to be one.” 

I didn’t expect us to go around and share our favorite colors, but I also didn’t expect that to be the first question. I stumbled through my answer, and he graciously encouraged me to seek the Lord through that calling. My father-in-law is a close friend and is someone I love and respect tremendously, especially because of what he was trying to do with that first question. His love for his daughter was evident in that question. He wanted to protect her from what could be a harmful position, the wife of a pastor who shouldn’t be a pastor.

I share this story because I was reminded of that interaction while studying Jude. Both my father-in-law and Jude cared deeply about something, my father-in-law his daughter, and Jude the church. Both said what was necessary in order to protect those who they cared about from future harm. The analogy breaks down after this, since Jude is talking about wicked false teachers and my father-in-law was simply trying to instill the fear of the Lord in an arrogant 20-year-old. P.S. it worked, and I am thankful.

The book of Jude is a letter written by Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, to the church. I say “the church” is in general because unlike some of Paul’s letter that were intended for specific churches like Ephesians for the church of Ephesus, this letter was likely a circular letter. It was a letter that was meant to go to a church, be read to the people, and then sent along to another church, and so on. And it follows a typically letter structure with an opening or greeting in verses 1-2, the body in verses 3-23, and a conclusion in verses 24-25.

This letter does, however, seem to be a letter that Jude did not plan to write at this time, but felt as if he had to in place of another letter he had planned. In verse 3 he says, “Beloved, although I was eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” So it seems that Jude wanted to write a letter about their common salvation, and maybe he did, and it has been lost to time. Regardless, we do have this letter. The letter that he felt necessary to write because of what he had heard was taking place among the churches. What is it that was taking place?

He tells us clearly in verse 4. He says, “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” What Jude is saying here is that there are evil false teachers among you. These people are not believers with mixed up theology, they are ungodly people who do not know Christ. They have crept in and are doing what he calls, “perverting the grace of our God into sensuality.” Jude isn’t making a broad comment about the nature of false teachers here, but he is referring to a specific false teaching called “antinomianism.” All this means is that these false teachers were using the grace of God as a license to sin, particularly, but not limited to sexual sin. They were doing exactly what Paul condemns in Romans 6:1-2 when he says, “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” These people were perverting the grace of our God into sensuality, using His grace free pass to a life of immorality.

So Jude hears of this and decides this should take precedent over his original letter, and he writes. In verses 1-2 he tells them who he is, a servant of Christ. He reminds them of who they are, a called, loved, and kept people. He reminds them of the love he has for the church, hoping that they have mercy, peace, and love. Then he begins in verses 3-4, telling them the purpose he has for this letter. That is, contend for the faith. This is the purpose of his letter. An appeal to them, to contend for the faith, as there are false teachers among them. And so he writes with this purpose in mind.

This morning I’d like for us to see 3 different things from this letter from Jude. First, I want us to see the nature and judgement of false teachers. Second, we will look at the need and manner to contend for the faith. And lastly, we will see the character of our God through it all.

1.) The Nature and Judgement of False Teachers

Jude has a lot to say about these false teachers, but not a lot to say about their false teachings. Other than his comment about perverting the grace of God into sensuality, he only speaks of the wickedness of their teaching. He does, however hold nothing back when talking about the nature and the judgment of the false teachers. He makes it clear what kind of people they are and what kind of end they are destined to, if they repent do not repent of their ways.

In verse 4 he says that they crept in unnoticed. They are secretive, deceptive, and have made their way into place they do not belong. This is often the nature of a false teacher. They rarely yell their claims from the roof tops, but  creep into places they should not be and damage from within. Jude knows this, and it is why he is writing. He is telling them that they are among them now, they have lied to you. They have tricked you with their flattering words, and they are in a place that can harm the body of Christ. 

Jude says this, then he begins to tell of many examples of those who have acted in the same way that these false teachers are. He says he wants to remind them of these stories so that they can better understand what kind of people they are dealing with, and the judgement that is due them. R.C. Sproul sums up the claim that Jude is making about these false teachers with these examples. He says Jude is using these examples to, “show that those who abuse privileges bestowed by God will in the end receive punishment and destruction from His hand.” In other words, they abused the blessings God had given them. Each of these stories Jude gives are examples of this. Look at them with me.

First, in verse 5 we have a reference to Israel being delivered out of Egypt by God, refusing to believe, and so they were destroyed. If you have an ESV or maybe CSB your Bible may translate Lord to “Jesus” here. Jude is saying that Jesus delivered these people from bondage, blessed them tremendously, and they abused this with their unbelief and disobedience. And so, they were destroyed with those who did not believe.

  Second, in verse 6 we have the angels who did not stay in their angelic position of authority, but rather chose to leave it and come to Earth. This story can be seen in Genesis 6 where these angels took wives for themselves instead of staying among themselves showing the true evil that was taking place on Earth. Though we may not see it as such, it is such a vile act that it is the last recorded event before God decides to flood the Earth and destroy it, except Noah and His family, and the animals of course. The Bible tell us these angels have since been kept in eternal chains, awaiting the final judgement day, for their evil act. The angels had been given a privilege and a blessing, but they abused it and did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, so they received and will receive judgement.

Third, in verse 7 we have the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. These were cities that Genesis 13:10 were “well-watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord”. That is, they were blessed, flourishing cities. This is, of course, until they indulged in sexual immorality, pursued evil, and were destroyed by a punishment of eternal fire. These cities were blessed by God and they abused the blessing. They exchanged God’s ways for their own and were met with a never-ending punishment.

Fourth, in verse 9 we have a more confusing story between the archangel Michael and the devil. This story is likely a story known by these recipients of this letter, but it is not found in Scripture outside of Jude’s reference here. Faithful theologians understand this story in different ways. Some believe it to be a true story, others think it is simply a part of Jewish tradition, but not necessarily a real event. For the purpose that Jude is using the story, it’s not necessary to know either way. Jude simply tells us that Michael the archangel and the devil were disputing over the body of Moses, and instead of Michael, being the power archangel he is, rebuking or pronouncing a judgement on Satan himself, he left it to God. He called on the Lord to rebuke the evil and for God to judge Satan once and for all.

This may be a bit tricky for us to follow, but the issue Jude is pointing out here is that even the archangel Michael, who is in a much more powerful position than these false teachers, did not rebuke or judge Satan under his own power, while are these false teachers are willing to do these things. The false teachers were doing things that they have no business doing. He makes the connection clearer in verse 10 saying that they, blaspheme things they do not even understand. 

Fifth and finally, in verse 11 we get a combination of 3. Jude refers to the way of Cain, Balaam’s error, and Korah’s rebellion. All 3 examples of those who went against God and in doing so brought judgement upon themselves.

So what are we to make of all this? Jude takes a large chunk of his letter to make these connections, why? I mean wow Jude, we get the point. I think he does this because he wants the church to see how wicked they are and how sure their judgment is. James 3:1 tells us that teachers will be judged with a greater strictness, yet these false teachers take no heed and continue to try and lead people astray. And knowing that these evil people are going to be judged, just like all those who have done evil before them were, ought to comfort these believers.

Then in verses 12-16 we get a slew of metaphors for these false teachers. Hidden reefs, shepherds feeding themselves, waterless clouds, fruitless trees in late autumn, wild waves casting up the foam of their own shame, wandering stars for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever. He says they are grumblers, malcontents, loud-mouth boasters, and repeats the term “ungodly or ungodliness” 4 times in verse 15. In verse 19 he calls them divisive, worldly people, who are devoid of the Spirit. The message is clear. These people are evil. They show favoritism to gain advantage, they work their way into places they do not belong and harm those who are unsuspecting. They, like a disease, spread their false teaching. They are evil. Jude takes a large chunk of his letter to say this because he wants these believers to understand what kind of people they are up against. He wants them to hear this in the same way that we hear a tornado siren. We hear it, understand the danger associated, and we take the necessary steps to protect ourselves.

One question I asked myself this week was whether or not this kind of false teaching is still prevalent today. The idea that one can use God’s grace as a license to sin. Ironically, on one my Seminary discussion boards this week someone said that they had a sister who had been persuaded by this very thing. She had announced that she was gay years ago, still thought she was sinning against God, but was simply struggling with companionship. Time past and a few years later she moved in with her girlfriend and her demeanor changed. Now she believes that God is love and that he made her this way. She also acknowledges that she could be wrong, but says it doesn’t matter because she was saved as a child, and God could not away her salvation. She was using God’s grace as a license to sin.

I know it is likely that many of you have dealt with false teachings before. Maybe you believed them for a while yourself. Maybe you know false teachers now who try to convince you of things that are not true, things that oppose what God would have for you. Or maybe you have seen the repercussions of false teaching, its destructive nature. What is the right response? What does Jude tell these believers to do? Jude tells them to “contend for the faith”.

2.) The Need and Manner to Contend for The Faith

What does it mean to contend for the faith? The word “contend” here means to strive or compete. Jude is telling them to strive for the faith, strive for the Gospel, and in doing so, defeat the opposition. Defeat the false teachers. He says that it is necessary for them to do so because he knows how false teaching works when it goes unchecked. If no one contends for the faith, rivals against the lies, then the false teaching will spread like wildfire. It will spread and it will harm, unless the church takes a stand on the faith that has been passed down to us. Unless we stand on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And they should not be surprised that there is a need to contend. In verses 17-18 he reminds them that the apostles said that in the days before Christ returns, there will be those who desire division within the body of Christ. There will be those who follow their ungodly passions. And it’s because of this, that we too must be ready to contend for the faith. We must be ready to stand on the Gospel.

But how, or in what ways, do we contend for the faith? Jude lays it out for us in verses 20-23. He says, build yourselves up in the faith, pray in the holy spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of Christ that leads to eternal life. Have mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them out of the fire. To others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

What is he saying here? He is saying be like Christ. Grow in your faith, be people of prayer, and center yourself in God’s love by seeking to do His will, not your own. If you want to contend for the faith, you become a man or woman of faith. By the words you speak and the life you live, you oppose the false teachers, and esteem Christ the glorious one. Unlike all the examples that Jude lists, you try and be a good steward of the blessings that has been given to you. You rest in the love of Christ, and you help other believers do the same. This is what it looks like to contend for the faith.

Jude gives us even more practical ways to do this in verses v.22-23. He reminds them to show mercy to those who doubt. To those who have begun to believe the lies, be gracious and help them to believe what is true. For some, you may need to snatch them out of the fire. That is, they have begun taking steps of disobedience, and so you go to them and do all you can to help them see the danger of their ways. Isn’t this such a testament to how much we need one another? We can’t do it alone. You know and have stories that prove this to be true. We need one another to constantly, over and over again, remind each other of what is true.

Lastly, he says that to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. What does he mean here? He is saying be honest about your own vulnerability to sin. Be compassionate and gracious to those who have been caught in the lies, because you know how easy it is to fall into it yourself. And then, as a safeguard, maintain a strong hatred for the lies of the enemies, remembering it’s infectious nature.

  This is the purpose for which Jude writes, to tell them how they ought to contend for the faith. Be like Christ. Be His people. Share your struggles and be graciousness to those who share theirs with you. Be brave and loving enough to try and keep your brothers and sisters from sin. Pray for yourself and for one another. It is these things that serve as a protection against the false teaching that will make its way into the church. This is how we contend for the faith. But what if we don’t contend well enough? What if the lies are too deceiving and the false teachers are too many? What is our hope then?

3.) The Character of Our God Through It All

Jude, knowing this may be on the minds of the church, reminds them of the character of their God. In verses 24-25 he says, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

So what if you cannot contend well enough? Will God ensure His people make it to the end? Yes, He will. For those who are in Christ and know him, they will be kept by God. They will be guarded by Him. And just like they were justified, they will be glorified. We contend for the faith, and God will keep us in it. 

Jude reminds us that God has all power and authority. Everything is His and He knows all things. There is no creeping false teacher that he is not aware of and there is no struggling believer He is not watching over. He sees and knows all, and He is the judge. Throughout all of history He has judged rightly, and one day He will judge rightly once and for all. We know this for sure. 

For God’s people, we will be judged like we are Christ Himself because His righteousness has been credited to us. We will be presented blameless. And then we will be made like Him, to live on a New Earth where sin and death are no more. Where there is no more deception and no more lies.

For those who do not know God, for those who come against the truths of the Gospel, they will be judged according to their own righteousness. A righteousness that they lack. They will be presented as the sinful people they are and will be punished forever. If you have not repented of your sinful ways and placed your faith in Christ, I urge you do so. You cannot be judged according to your own works and enter heaven. You must be judged according to Christ’s works, and this means that you must give your life to Him.

This is the letter from Jude. An appeal to the church then and the church now, to contend for the faith. Contend for the faith against the false teachers and their false teaching. This morning we have a very practical way to contend for the faith in the Lord’s Supper. We come to the table and partake of the elements as the means to remind ourselves of the grace of God. The grace of God to bring us to Himself, to one another, and to bring us to the end.