WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.439 One person commented that this letter of Jude is the most neglected book of the Bible. 00:00:08.439 --> 00:00:13.439 ! You're about to hear as I read some very obscure references. 00:00:13.439 --> 00:00:18.960 ! It's going to quote in two places writings that are not even from the Bible. 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:24.080 And it's difficult in the message and the tone. 00:00:25.760 --> 00:00:29.920 A pastor named Thomas Schreiner commented this short letter, however, 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.880 should not be ignored. Some of the most beautiful statements of God's sustaining grace here shine 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:43.920 with an even greater brilliance when contrasted with the false teachers who had departed from 00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:50.980 the Christian faith. So hear this, the word of God, his inspired, inerrant, infallible, clear, 00:00:51.420 --> 00:00:59.519 sufficient, powerful word for you, his people. Jude 1 through 19. Jude, a bondservant of Jesus 00:00:59.520 --> 00:01:07.400 Christ and brother of James. To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:16.680 Jesus Christ, mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:22.920 to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend 00:01:22.920 --> 00:01:31.820 earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain men have crept in 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:39.019 unnoticed who long ago who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men who turned the 00:01:39.019 --> 00:01:49.699 grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 5, but I want 00:01:49.699 --> 00:01:56.019 to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt 00:01:56.019 --> 00:02:02.299 afterward, destroyed those who did not believe, and the angels who did not keep their proper domain, 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:09.719 but left their own abode. He has reserved in everlasting chains under the darkness for the 00:02:09.719 --> 00:02:16.259 judgment of the great day. As Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, in a similar manner to 00:02:16.259 --> 00:02:24.259 these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an 00:02:24.259 --> 00:02:34.079 example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject 00:02:34.079 --> 00:02:42.319 authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil when he 00:02:42.319 --> 00:02:48.019 disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, 00:02:48.020 --> 00:02:54.960 the Lord rebuke you. But these speak evil of whatever they do not know, and whatever they know naturally, 00:02:55.380 --> 00:03:02.800 like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. Woe to them, for they have gone after 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:10.100 the way of Cain. They have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:18.959 of Korah. These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only 00:03:18.959 --> 00:03:25.699 themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds, late autumn trees without fruit, 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:33.659 twice dead, pulled up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame, wandering stars 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:40.919 for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Now Enoch the seventh from Adam prophesied 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:49.019 about these men also, saying, Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment 00:03:49.019 --> 00:03:57.579 on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed 00:03:57.580 --> 00:04:04.720 in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:12.760 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts, and they mouth great swelling 00:04:12.760 --> 00:04:20.960 words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken 00:04:20.960 --> 00:04:26.819 before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, how they told you that there would be mockers in the 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:33.939 last time, who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons who cause 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:42.040 divisions, not having the spirit. The word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. You may be seated. 00:04:45.680 --> 00:04:52.539 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord stands forever. Please pray with me. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:05:08.139 Oh God, you love your church so much that you gave your only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for your church. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:18.639 You call your people your beloved. You love your people so much that you won't let them go astray. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:25.939 You will give us all that we need, Lord, to withstand temptations, and you warn us so clearly from your word. 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:35.800 Lord, we pray, Lord, that your spirit will do just that. Lovingly apply this truth and safeguard this precious little congregation that you purchased with your own blood. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:44.060 Do this for Christ's sake and for your own glory, for our good. We pray and trust you that you will. Amen. 00:05:44.060 --> 00:05:44.199 Amen. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:57.099 The tone of this letter is a tone of urgency. 00:05:59.599 --> 00:06:02.360 It's likely not taking up a lot of parchment. 00:06:03.360 --> 00:06:07.620 If you look on the back of your sermon notes, you'll see the structure is very purposeful. 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:15.459 It's extremely eloquent by putting pairs of three together, these little triads in almost every verse. 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:31.560 And the purpose of this letter is to warn God's people, to safeguard God's people, to give you the encouragement that you and I need to make it to the very end, along with the assurance that it is God who keeps us. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:41.540 The people of God, the church, is only one generation away from extinction. 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:50.680 The sense of urgency is real, but the comfort is that it is Christ who will keep his church. 00:06:51.779 --> 00:06:59.959 And one of the means God gives his people to be preserved and to be kept in the faith to the very end is one another. 00:06:59.959 --> 00:07:05.359 It's the church itself as the church contends for the faith. 00:07:06.459 --> 00:07:07.939 Would you look at verse three? 00:07:08.819 --> 00:07:13.060 This is the great message that is the antidote to the warning. 00:07:14.339 --> 00:07:16.759 Contend earnestly for the faith. 00:07:17.899 --> 00:07:18.740 To contend. 00:07:19.560 --> 00:07:24.539 It's a Greek term that was used also in athletic settings. 00:07:25.139 --> 00:07:29.859 Paul described that, you know, pressing on, contending earnestly to the very end. 00:07:30.639 --> 00:07:33.219 It has a connotation of agonizing. 00:07:34.120 --> 00:07:35.739 It's not going to be easy. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:38.239 It's going to be extremely hard. 00:07:39.159 --> 00:07:40.000 You will sweat. 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:41.759 You will need help. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:44.199 This is the Christian faith. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:47.879 This is what it means to take up your cross church. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:51.319 Individually and together as one body. 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.419 Contend for the faith. 00:07:53.420 --> 00:08:00.620 Contend is an older word, but we're wise to use it and keep it as part of our language in the church. 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:04.520 I think contend means to fight for your faith. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:11.120 It means to wrestle for the preservation of the gospel truth that you received. 00:08:11.680 --> 00:08:13.080 You are stewards of this. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:17.639 Contend earnestly together. 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:18.319 Contend for the faith. 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:18.319 00:08:18.319 --> 00:08:18.639 Contend for the faith. 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:23.479 So, I want us to walk through this. 00:08:23.800 --> 00:08:28.300 It may seem like I'm jumping around a bit, but I do this for a couple of reasons. 00:08:28.439 --> 00:08:29.379 One is the structure. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:38.379 As you see in the back of your sermon notes, the structure is very purposeful and very thoughtfully put together. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:47.779 And the second reason is because I want us to be able to understand the relevance and to apply what God has given even to us in our lives today. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:09:00.159 So, I hope to do this with these five questions that we will ask of the text and then ask the spirit to show us what does this mean for us as we bring this truth into our lives and our congregation. 00:09:01.039 --> 00:09:02.600 The first question is this. 00:09:02.779 --> 00:09:04.559 Who is charged to contend? 00:09:04.559 --> 00:09:13.099 Who is it that receives this order, this charge by God, the Holy Spirit, contend for the faith? 00:09:13.959 --> 00:09:14.859 Look at verse one. 00:09:16.159 --> 00:09:20.859 The author introduces himself, Jude, a bond servant. 00:09:21.119 --> 00:09:27.819 The word is slave of Jesus Christ and brother of James. 00:09:27.820 --> 00:09:36.120 Since James needs no further introduction, he probably was James, the brother of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:37.420 --> 00:09:49.780 So, when he says Jude or Judas, a bond servant of Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ being God, the son and son of God, born of Mary. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.980 They would share Mary as their mother. 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:59.179 Growing up, watching the Lord Jesus himself live a perfect, righteous life. 00:09:59.179 --> 00:10:11.599 James, we are told, along with the other brothers of Jesus, did not believe Jesus to be the Messiah throughout his life. 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:17.000 In Mark 6, 3, we are told that they were questioning, these other men were questioning, 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:24.840 is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, most likely our Jude here and Simon, 00:10:25.379 --> 00:10:27.419 are not his sisters here with us? 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:29.940 So, they were offended at Jesus. 00:10:31.259 --> 00:10:32.659 He's such a common man. 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:33.620 We know this guy. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.720 We watched him grow up. 00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:39.759 In John 7, 5, we read that even the brothers of Jesus did not believe in him. 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:46.299 In 1 Corinthians 15, verses 6 and 7, we read then that this is what happened. 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:49.500 The finished work of Jesus Christ on earth. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:58.179 And then our Lord Jesus resurrected and appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.980 Then he appeared to James. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:03.159 And then to all the apostles. 00:11:03.659 --> 00:11:08.019 So our Lord Jesus, in his resurrected, glorified body, appeared. 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:11.519 And even his brothers, James and Jude, now believed in him. 00:11:11.519 --> 00:11:20.000 And we're told in Acts 1.14 that it was that group that was praying and waiting for the Holy Spirit to be poured out. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:25.860 It included the brothers, or we could say the half-brothers of Jesus, most likely James and Jude. 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:29.340 And now, he knows this great salvation. 00:11:30.300 --> 00:11:32.139 He is a bondservant, a slave. 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:36.820 One through whom the Holy Spirit is going to breathe out Scripture for the church. 00:11:38.379 --> 00:11:40.899 Now, what about the recipients, if that's the author? 00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:44.460 We have no way of knowing this letter's destination. 00:11:45.560 --> 00:11:51.840 Guessing is unnecessary because nothing in the interpretation of the letter is based on its destination. 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:53.899 So we continue on. 00:11:54.759 --> 00:11:56.639 What else do we know about the recipients? 00:11:56.879 --> 00:11:59.440 And who has this charge to contend for the faith? 00:12:00.940 --> 00:12:02.259 Well, look at verse 2. 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:08.940 He says, mercy, peace, and we can put together loving sanctification. 00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:11.340 Be multiplied to you. 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:19.220 He's greeting them with the usual formality, but also reminding them that in Christ you have what you need. 00:12:19.620 --> 00:12:22.860 With this horrible crisis that your church is in the middle of. 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:27.280 You have, as Christians, you have mercy from God. 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.940 You have peace from God. 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:33.540 And you have a promise of loving sanctification from God. 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.540 Think about that. 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:43.899 With these intruders coming into the church, mercy from God is needed for true Christians to be able to resist these false doctrines. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:48.099 And also to show mercy to one another and to others. 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:51.079 They need mercy and we need mercy. 00:12:51.719 --> 00:12:55.059 The church then and today also needed peace from God. 00:12:55.719 --> 00:13:03.399 Peace was necessary because this false teachers had come into the congregation and caused division and disrupted their peace. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:11.840 They need God to once again fill this church with his presence and settle their souls in his peace just as much as we do. 00:13:12.579 --> 00:13:17.779 They needed and we need today the loving sanctification that God gives his people. 00:13:18.939 --> 00:13:25.059 Because there were men teaching false doctrine and tempting God's people to become worldly. 00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:29.139 To blaspheme God's with their words and with their lives. 00:13:29.139 --> 00:13:33.460 Now he gets right to the point of his letter in verse 3. 00:13:33.620 --> 00:13:34.379 He says, beloved. 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:37.220 Remembering, this is my audience. 00:13:37.360 --> 00:13:38.840 It's the beloved ones of God. 00:13:39.379 --> 00:13:40.600 Those that Christ purchased. 00:13:41.299 --> 00:13:46.480 I was very eager to write to you concerning our common salvation. 00:13:47.199 --> 00:13:48.100 That's his audience. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.240 These are the ones charged to contend. 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:52.899 Those that share a common salvation. 00:13:52.899 --> 00:13:58.779 Who have been saved from sin and death and hell and Satan by Jesus Christ himself. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:02.620 So who is it that should contend? 00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:04.639 Those who know this salvation. 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:11.919 And those who are eager to talk about this great salvation we share together in Jesus Christ. 00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:16.960 To be specific, it's not just the job of a church officer. 00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:23.740 It's not just the job of a teacher or of a dad or a mom to contend for the faith. 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:27.220 It's everyone who knows Jesus as your savior. 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:32.860 We are the ones who he says we have been called and sanctified and preserved. 00:14:33.900 --> 00:14:37.019 We are the ones who must contend for the faith. 00:14:37.019 --> 00:14:44.480 So it is the job of the church to present every member mature and fully equipped. 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:50.419 Being ready, every one of us, to give an account for the faith that is within us. 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:55.939 So your job as a Christian is to celebrate this together with one another. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:58.659 To encourage one another in our common salvation. 00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:02.600 And by doing this, we are contending for the faith. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:07.879 It's a healthy church when this gets to be our focus. 00:15:09.080 --> 00:15:15.180 The glorious salvation Christ accomplished for us as it's given to us in his word. 00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:19.940 This is the faith that's been handed down to the church through each generation. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:24.620 And that's how God keeps us one generation after another. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.320 All right, so that's the first question. 00:15:27.480 --> 00:15:28.860 Who is charged to contend? 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:32.899 The answer, everyone who belongs to Jesus. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.539 Everyone who is saved. 00:15:34.759 --> 00:15:35.919 Everyone who is a Christian. 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:39.680 The next question, why must the church contend? 00:15:40.879 --> 00:15:42.600 Let's look at verse 4 together. 00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:44.960 Here's why you must contend. 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.860 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, 00:15:49.940 --> 00:15:52.940 who long ago were marked out for this condemnation. 00:15:52.940 --> 00:16:01.980 Ungodly men who turned the grace of our God into lewdness and denied the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:07.460 We must contend every single member, every single believer, 00:16:08.200 --> 00:16:11.840 having received this power and this duty from Christ himself, 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.620 out of love for the church. 00:16:14.400 --> 00:16:15.580 We must beware. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.640 There are false teachers. 00:16:17.639 --> 00:16:22.620 These are intruders, impostors who will creep in among a congregation. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:27.580 Martin Luther saw this happening in his day in the 1500s. 00:16:28.120 --> 00:16:36.100 He says God's people can so easily be gently and unsuspectingly led astray. 00:16:36.100 --> 00:16:41.340 We need to be very careful of what sources are discipling us. 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:43.920 Are we being discipled through our earbuds? 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:47.720 Someone you don't see their life and their practice from far away. 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:50.960 We're to be discipled within the local church. 00:16:51.720 --> 00:16:57.759 We're to have discipling relationships and to give our lives to his church, to his cause. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:17:06.480 It's a view of the church that is seeking first his kingdom and his righteousness together, joyfully. 00:17:07.640 --> 00:17:14.039 We can so easily be led astray, even gently and unsuspectingly, every single one of us. 00:17:14.039 --> 00:17:25.379 There are people who will come in or who will portray themselves either in person or online or something like that 00:17:25.379 --> 00:17:33.139 as being ones that the church ought to warmly, generously welcome as Christ commands us 00:17:33.139 --> 00:17:35.700 and as this congregation is very good at doing. 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:42.460 However, over time, some of those will expose themselves as intruders. 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.400 They're not sheep at all. 00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:47.460 They don't know the shepherd's voice. 00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:55.519 They disguise themselves as sheep, but as Christ warned, underneath they are ravenous wolves. 00:17:56.480 --> 00:18:03.400 And rather than seeking for God and his kingdom and realizing their need of God's mercy upon their lives, 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:06.980 they will be very quick to show no mercy to others. 00:18:06.980 --> 00:18:14.799 Rather than enjoying peaceful fellowship, they will cause division and strife in nearly every relationship. 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:23.140 Rather than being filled with God's love, sanctifying love of Christ and spilling that over into those relationships, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:28.840 it will become very evident that these intruders are lovers only of themselves. 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:38.800 And rather than rehearsing the shared faith that's been handed down to the church and celebrated by the church over the centuries, 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:43.000 these will be intruders who hate God's truth. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.619 They hate the gospel. 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:51.740 They're very suspicious of what the church interprets as God's clear word. 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:58.500 They'll be very quick to cast aside what the church has received and handed down. 00:18:58.500 --> 00:19:02.079 These are people who don't know God. 00:19:02.619 --> 00:19:04.779 They are not of God's people. 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.819 They are a harm to the church. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.460 We are to be warned. 00:19:09.099 --> 00:19:10.059 We are to warn them. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:14.920 This command, contend for the faith. 00:19:15.359 --> 00:19:18.099 It says, be alert, be aware. 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:20.779 It's a call to arms. 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:22.779 It's a call to action. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:27.299 That's why we must contend as a church. 00:19:27.299 --> 00:19:31.879 Number three, against whom must the church contend? 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:35.819 Now we have the attributes of these intruders. 00:19:36.379 --> 00:19:37.419 Look at verse eight. 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:40.359 These descriptions are so loaded. 00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:42.579 Everyone is a pregnant picture. 00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:52.700 Verse eight, these dreamers defile the flesh, reject the authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:20:09.680 So they're dreamers having these ideas and these thoughts in their own head that could have come from anywhere, including a demonic whisper, rather than the true revelation of God given in the scripture and preserved for the church. 00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:13.980 They defile the flesh. 00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:16.940 You'll know them by their fruit, Christ said. 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:20.440 They reject authority. 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:28.259 By the way, who is the source of any authority in the church but the king of the church, Jesus Christ himself? 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:33.380 There is no authority unless Christ himself delegates it. 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:35.080 The church is Christ's church. 00:20:35.160 --> 00:20:35.820 He's the head. 00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:37.919 And he sets his church in order. 00:20:39.460 --> 00:20:41.759 The next phrase is a difficult one. 00:20:42.899 --> 00:20:45.579 They speak evil of dignitaries is one translation. 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:54.220 The word for word in the Greek is closer to they blaspheme doxos, which is literally glories. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:56.439 And it's seldom used in the scripture. 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.799 It's hard to understand. 00:20:57.799 --> 00:21:09.919 But the verb to blaspheme or to harmfully tear something down with your words, it's also used by the apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1, starting at verse 18. 00:21:09.919 --> 00:21:12.599 Then it's used in verse 20. 00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.079 Let me read that for you. 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:23.579 He's writing in the context of the order of the church speaking to Timothy, but it's an open letter for the whole church to read and understand. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:37.379 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck. 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:45.539 Of whom are these two men whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:50.119 The same verb used in our passage right here in Jude, verse 8. 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:56.659 Picking up at verse 10, we get more of these attributes of the blasphemers. 00:21:58.439 --> 00:22:03.779 These intruders, they speak evil of whatever they do not know. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.699 Remember, they don't know Christ. 00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:07.539 They don't have the spirit of God. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:09.239 They were never called by God. 00:22:09.959 --> 00:22:14.119 They were never saved and they're never being preserved and kept by Jesus. 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:17.779 And yet they're speaking evil of God and his gospel. 00:22:17.779 --> 00:22:25.700 Whatever they do know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:32.599 And where are such impostors sometimes found? 00:22:33.139 --> 00:22:34.180 Look at verse 12. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.000 It may be shocking. 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:44.799 These are spots in your love feasts while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. 00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:48.000 Where can these impostors be found? 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:58.339 They can be found taking the bread and the fruit of the wine from the sacred table of our Lord Jesus Christ in any church. 00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:03.339 That's why they are intruders that creep in unnoticed. 00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:08.500 That's why the church needs to contend so carefully for this faith. 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:13.240 How else does Jude describe these intruders? 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.599 Verse 12 continues. 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.439 They are clouds without water. 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:34.440 If you live in the desert, in the Middle East or Asia Minor, and you're in an agrarian economy where everything depends on how well the crop is doing from year to year, and it's dry, and you see this cloud forming, everyone should get their hopes up and look forward to it. 00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:45.220 Our dear friends told me that in the great state of Nevada, when you would see clouds forming, you get excited and you run out and you just enjoy the rain because you don't get it very often. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:48.779 And so these men are clouds without water. 00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:50.539 You get your hopes up. 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:56.960 You start to chase them and want to receive whatever they're going to give out, and there's nothing, nothing there. 00:23:57.519 --> 00:24:00.880 And what's more, when the wind pushes in, they get scattered and dispersed. 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:02.079 They don't last. 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:10.480 Next, he says, they are late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots. 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:13.120 You can't be more dead than that if you're a tree. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:21.599 Not only do they fail to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which only the Holy Spirit can bear in a person, they're twice dead. 00:24:23.779 --> 00:24:26.419 They're dead in their own sin and trespasses. 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:29.339 They're dead in the sin they inherited from Adam. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.399 They are uprooted. 00:24:31.939 --> 00:24:32.959 They will perish. 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:35.179 They will be kindling for the fire. 00:24:36.859 --> 00:24:41.099 In verse 13, these are raging waves of the sea. 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:46.459 Remember, the sea and the waves, that's a picture of death and judgment. 00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:48.079 Think of the flood once again. 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:51.699 That's where these men come from. 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:57.480 They're brought up from the depths of death and hell and judgment like a wave. 00:24:58.159 --> 00:24:59.199 And what do they produce? 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:01.240 A froth, a foam. 00:25:02.079 --> 00:25:04.259 It's like that cloud that's soon going to dissipate. 00:25:04.599 --> 00:25:06.079 They have no substance. 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:11.759 Foaming up their own shame. 00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:15.699 He says they're wandering stars. 00:25:17.079 --> 00:25:24.019 Well, to crisscross across the continents and the Mediterranean Sea to get from one church and one part of the known world at the time to another, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:29.700 you get on a boat and you get out into the high seas and you have no point of reference other than at nighttime. 00:25:29.980 --> 00:25:31.619 You can look at the constellations. 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.259 Why is that? 00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.680 Because they stay fixed. 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:38.079 Now, to call them a wandering star, it means you don't know how to navigate. 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:44.039 You have accidentally locked your sights instead of on a true north star you've locked onto a planet. 00:25:44.519 --> 00:25:45.759 And the planet's wandering. 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:49.940 And it's going to send you way off course and shipwreck your faith. 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:54.920 Don't navigate after such men, such intruders. 00:25:57.480 --> 00:26:03.519 Their teaching, their attitude, and their lives will lead many off course. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:10.619 For them is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 00:26:11.720 --> 00:26:15.519 That's a terrifying image of eternal damnation. 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:21.799 And it's necessary out of love for the church, the beloved. 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:25.839 These planets that are wandering that way, they need to go away. 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.059 They need to become darkness. 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:30.119 They need to stop leading God's people away. 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:34.759 Their light needs to be put out because God is just. 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:40.119 And they've done enough harm and caused enough injury to God's beloved. 00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.759 It doesn't stop. 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:44.839 Look at verse 16. 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:48.439 How else can these intruders be described? 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:55.839 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts. 00:26:56.500 --> 00:27:03.779 They mouth great swelling words, flattering people to take advantage. 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:07.960 They say, we don't need to give God's people God's word. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.039 Let me give you myself. 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.759 Here's all my words. 00:27:14.000 --> 00:27:22.079 And we're warned of this way back in Proverbs 28, for those who forsake the law of God, praise the wicked. 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:27.699 But such as keep the law, keep the word of God, contend with evil. 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:33.559 That's the warning. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:37.500 These are the ones against whom the church must contain. 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:42.299 It's so common, but it's also so serious. 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:47.160 Charles Spurgeon wrestled with this, as every generation has. 00:27:47.240 --> 00:27:48.839 And here were his reflections. 00:27:48.839 --> 00:28:02.759 In the 1800s, he wrote, new views are not old truth in a better dress, but deadly errors with which we ought to have no fellowship. 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:10.019 I cannot endure false doctrine, however neatly it may be put before me. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:15.180 Would you have me eat poisoned food because it is served in a gilded plate? 00:28:16.619 --> 00:28:18.079 We need to be warned. 00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:26.779 We must contend against false teachers and those who undermine the word of God and the gospel of God in Jesus Christ. 00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:31.899 Now look at verse 17. 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:34.279 He says, but you, beloved. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:36.460 Here's the contrast. 00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:37.799 Remember the words. 00:28:38.819 --> 00:28:42.680 So don't listen to their empty foam, their flattering lips. 00:28:42.879 --> 00:28:43.920 Don't listen to that. 00:28:44.359 --> 00:28:45.680 It's going to lead you off course. 00:28:46.420 --> 00:28:48.960 You need to remember the words of God. 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:52.700 And he's being very specific with what he cites next. 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.180 In verse 17. 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:58.759 The words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:28:58.980 --> 00:29:03.500 Would you please turn so you can see this for yourself to 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:07.279 What were these words spoken before? 00:29:07.420 --> 00:29:10.440 Some translations say the prediction of the apostles. 00:29:13.820 --> 00:29:15.860 In 2 Peter chapter 2. 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:21.439 A chapter which runs parallel to Jude. 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.879 One reinforcing the other. 00:29:23.979 --> 00:29:27.219 A double witness of how important this is for a church to be careful. 00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:30.479 Let me read verses 1 through 3 for us. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:34.219 Most likely this is the same audience. 00:29:34.220 --> 00:29:35.220 Being warned. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.039 Being warned. 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:38.779 There will be false teachers among you. 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:42.220 Who will secretly bring in destructive heresies. 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:45.019 Even denying the Lord who bought them. 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:49.059 Bring on themselves swift destruction. 00:29:49.819 --> 00:29:51.900 And many will follow their destructive ways. 00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:54.579 Because of the way of truth. 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.140 It will be blasphemed. 00:29:56.140 --> 00:29:58.900 But by covetousness. 00:29:58.900 --> 00:30:02.080 They will exploit you with deceptive words. 00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:06.259 And know that for a long time their judgment has not been idle. 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:09.020 And their destruction does not slumber. 00:30:09.680 --> 00:30:10.900 Now jump down to verse 3. 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:12.380 Verse 3. 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.620 You can follow in 2 Peter. 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:17.040 And let me read Jude verse 18. 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:20.319 He said. 00:30:21.180 --> 00:30:23.399 The apostles told you before. 00:30:24.039 --> 00:30:25.299 That there would be mockers. 00:30:25.579 --> 00:30:26.500 In the last time. 00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:29.440 Who would walk according to their own. 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.039 Ungodly lusts. 00:30:32.599 --> 00:30:34.839 So you see the language is identical. 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.639 Jude is telling the church. 00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:38.159 You were warned that this would happen. 00:30:38.700 --> 00:30:39.599 I'm here to tell you. 00:30:39.759 --> 00:30:42.200 Those intruders are among you right now. 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.399 Contend for the faith now. 00:30:44.859 --> 00:30:46.059 Stop putting this off. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.019 You were warned. 00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:49.579 And now you're in the middle of it. 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.879 You're going to need mercy. 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:51.960 And peace. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:54.379 And loving sanctification. 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:55.460 But God will keep you. 00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.619 You'll make it through this. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:59.079 You can turn back to Jude. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.980 And while you do that. 00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:01.659 Let me read another parallel passage. 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.659 Ephesians. 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:05.119 Actually Acts 20. 00:31:05.480 --> 00:31:07.099 It's the elders in Ephesus. 00:31:07.879 --> 00:31:08.599 Acts 20. 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.539 29. 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.019 For I know this. 00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:13.440 Paul told those elders at the church in Ephesus. 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.619 That after my departure. 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:16.920 Savage wolves will come in among you. 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.180 Not sparing the flock. 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.759 Also from among yourselves. 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.220 Men will rise up. 00:31:22.620 --> 00:31:24.460 Speaking perverse things. 00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:27.759 To draw away the disciples after themselves. 00:31:29.080 --> 00:31:30.380 That's their goal. 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:32.259 Is to get people to follow them. 00:31:32.560 --> 00:31:35.220 Their goal is to get as many followers as they can. 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:38.920 And so now Jude announces to the same audience. 00:31:38.920 --> 00:31:42.420 And to all the churches that will read this as scripture soon. 00:31:42.759 --> 00:31:43.880 And for centuries to come. 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.259 Beware. 00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:47.380 Of apostates. 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:51.279 Some who pretended and professed to believe in Jesus. 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:52.100 And have heard it all. 00:31:52.180 --> 00:31:53.839 And even been welcomed at the Lord's Supper. 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:57.779 And they are teaching a gospel that is false. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:32:01.160 Jude says in verse 19. 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:04.019 These are sensual persons who cause divisions. 00:32:04.240 --> 00:32:06.279 Not having the spirit. 00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:10.819 And Paul in Ephesians 6.28 wrote. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.660 Therefore take heed of yourselves. 00:32:12.920 --> 00:32:13.980 And all the flock. 00:32:14.379 --> 00:32:16.180 To the church in Ephesus in Acts 20. 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:19.619 Among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:22.000 To shepherd the church of God. 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:25.079 Which he purchased with his own blood. 00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:28.279 So the command. 00:32:29.599 --> 00:32:32.279 Is to protect the flock of Christ. 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:35.559 How do we know who is the flock of Christ? 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:37.559 How do we know who are those. 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:40.599 That the elders are going to give an account to Christ for? 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:44.159 Well using the pattern of history. 00:32:44.679 --> 00:32:45.259 And the church. 00:32:46.099 --> 00:32:47.819 Using the confessions of faith. 00:32:47.879 --> 00:32:48.919 That the church has worked out. 00:32:49.039 --> 00:32:50.339 To clearly capture. 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:53.460 What God has given in his word for his church. 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:55.079 And using in our case. 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.380 Our own church constitution. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:58.940 This is affirmed with church membership. 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.039 Church membership. 00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:03.380 Is the way that the church does this. 00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:05.200 By involving every member. 00:33:05.519 --> 00:33:07.180 In this ability to read a testimony. 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:09.559 To get to know those who will be joining as members. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:12.900 To publicly affirm and celebrate God's saving work. 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:15.680 And also to contend for the faith. 00:33:15.900 --> 00:33:16.500 When needed. 00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:19.079 If you're united to Christ. 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:20.079 You have a duty. 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.220 To contend. 00:33:21.220 --> 00:33:23.059 You have. 00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.660 You have your own soul. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.920 The well-being of your. 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.700 Your family. 00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.339 Your household. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.180 Your loved ones. 00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:30.200 Those you love within the church. 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.240 It's your duty then. 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:32.019 As a Christian. 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.460 To become. 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.779 A member of a church. 00:33:34.900 --> 00:33:35.600 To be involved. 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:36.860 To affirm this. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.600 To be active. 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.140 To care. 00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.680 To become equipped. 00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:42.160 And for those who are. 00:33:42.620 --> 00:33:44.000 Set apart as officers. 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.819 You need to know. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.000 Who are the souls. 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:47.839 That Christ has trusted to me. 00:33:48.100 --> 00:33:49.120 Who is this flock? 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:52.139 This is an important charge. 00:33:52.139 --> 00:33:53.299 For every local church. 00:33:53.359 --> 00:33:54.099 Including ours. 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:56.519 Well what I see next. 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:58.739 Is how the church ought to contend. 00:33:59.939 --> 00:34:01.539 And it's really Jude giving us. 00:34:01.639 --> 00:34:02.500 His own example. 00:34:03.199 --> 00:34:03.899 He's doing. 00:34:04.479 --> 00:34:05.079 What he's doing is. 00:34:05.239 --> 00:34:06.019 Showing the church. 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:07.000 What they need to remember. 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.380 They need some reminders. 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:10.400 And he's going to bring it all to bear. 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:12.059 The first thing is. 00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:12.500 Remember. 00:34:12.719 --> 00:34:14.099 God's past judgments. 00:34:14.759 --> 00:34:15.719 And then also remember. 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.599 That God does. 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.339 What he says. 00:34:17.340 --> 00:34:17.980 He will do. 00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.940 So notice here. 00:34:20.140 --> 00:34:21.380 I'm going to look at verse 5. 00:34:21.460 --> 00:34:21.800 With you. 00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:24.860 God judged unbelief. 00:34:24.940 --> 00:34:25.539 In the wilderness. 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.440 In verse 5. 00:34:26.500 --> 00:34:26.820 He wrote. 00:34:27.180 --> 00:34:28.640 I want to remind you. 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.980 This is how we contend. 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.039 We remind one another. 00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.860 From God's word. 00:34:32.620 --> 00:34:34.120 Though you once knew this. 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:35.980 Now you've forgotten it. 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.880 But you need to remember. 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.660 That the Lord. 00:34:37.900 --> 00:34:39.200 Having saved the people. 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.320 Out of the land of Egypt. 00:34:40.600 --> 00:34:41.079 Afterward. 00:34:41.200 --> 00:34:42.059 Destroyed those. 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.800 Who did not believe. 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.500 Church. 00:34:45.620 --> 00:34:45.980 Remember. 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:47.320 God judges. 00:34:47.940 --> 00:34:48.500 Unbelief. 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.980 He's done it before. 00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.440 And he will do it again. 00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:53.019 Unbelief is serious. 00:34:54.199 --> 00:34:55.940 Here's a second Old Testament reminder. 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.240 God judged. 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.079 Pride. 00:34:58.440 --> 00:34:58.960 In heaven. 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:01.199 God judged. 00:35:01.300 --> 00:35:01.500 Pride. 00:35:01.559 --> 00:35:01.840 In heaven. 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.679 Look at verse 6. 00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:03.719 The angels. 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:05.940 Who did not keep their proper domain. 00:35:06.460 --> 00:35:07.159 But left. 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:08.340 Their own abode. 00:35:08.719 --> 00:35:09.719 God has reserved. 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:11.219 In everlasting chains. 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.380 Under darkness. 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:13.260 For the judgment. 00:35:13.579 --> 00:35:14.659 Of the great day. 00:35:14.659 --> 00:35:17.199 The Lord created angels. 00:35:18.059 --> 00:35:18.960 And these angels. 00:35:19.159 --> 00:35:19.940 A portion of them. 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.899 Rebelled against him. 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:21.759 And they. 00:35:21.960 --> 00:35:23.440 Became the fallen angels. 00:35:24.219 --> 00:35:25.039 They were proud. 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.019 They were. 00:35:26.619 --> 00:35:27.139 Discontent. 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.940 They led a rebellion. 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:30.039 Against their creator. 00:35:30.539 --> 00:35:31.940 And God has reserved. 00:35:31.940 --> 00:35:32.379 For them. 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.219 Everlasting. 00:35:33.559 --> 00:35:34.039 Chains. 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.339 Under darkness. 00:35:35.579 --> 00:35:36.659 For the judgment. 00:35:36.879 --> 00:35:37.699 Of his great day. 00:35:38.219 --> 00:35:39.119 And the third Old Testament. 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.059 Reminder. 00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:41.339 Is that God judged. 00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.460 Immorality. 00:35:42.460 --> 00:35:43.699 With fire. 00:35:45.400 --> 00:35:46.760 Would you look at verse 7. 00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.139 As Sodom and Gomorrah. 00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:49.460 And the cities around them. 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.519 In a similar manner. 00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.240 To these. 00:35:51.539 --> 00:35:52.960 Having given themselves over. 00:35:53.099 --> 00:35:54.760 To sexual immorality. 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:56.119 And gone after. 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.500 Strange flesh. 00:35:58.539 --> 00:35:59.599 This means that they are. 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.780 Living their lives. 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.579 With their bodies. 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.800 In a way that's. 00:36:03.240 --> 00:36:04.420 Outside of God's. 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.240 Created design. 00:36:07.300 --> 00:36:08.440 And what did God do? 00:36:08.440 --> 00:36:09.280 They suffered. 00:36:09.619 --> 00:36:10.280 The vengeance. 00:36:10.280 --> 00:36:11.940 Of eternal fire. 00:36:12.460 --> 00:36:13.300 He poured down. 00:36:13.480 --> 00:36:14.380 Fire from heaven. 00:36:14.840 --> 00:36:15.740 As an example. 00:36:16.100 --> 00:36:16.780 Of the judgment. 00:36:16.780 --> 00:36:17.540 That will come. 00:36:17.600 --> 00:36:18.360 On the last day. 00:36:19.980 --> 00:36:21.000 God judged. 00:36:21.220 --> 00:36:21.860 Immorality. 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:22.980 With fire. 00:36:25.660 --> 00:36:26.260 Pastor. 00:36:26.500 --> 00:36:27.100 Schreiner. 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:28.000 Commented again. 00:36:28.260 --> 00:36:28.940 That the message. 00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.600 Of judgment. 00:36:30.060 --> 00:36:30.480 In Jude. 00:36:30.680 --> 00:36:31.519 Strikes many. 00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:32.820 In our modern world. 00:36:33.300 --> 00:36:34.620 As intolerant. 00:36:35.360 --> 00:36:35.960 Unloving. 00:36:36.740 --> 00:36:37.500 And contrary. 00:36:37.700 --> 00:36:38.260 To the message. 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:38.720 Of love. 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.780 Proclaimed elsewhere. 00:36:39.780 --> 00:36:40.580 In the New Testament. 00:36:41.380 --> 00:36:41.960 Maybe you're. 00:36:42.180 --> 00:36:42.580 Conflicted. 00:36:42.580 --> 00:36:43.080 In wrestling. 00:36:43.080 --> 00:36:43.900 With that as well. 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.540 He goes on. 00:36:45.560 --> 00:36:45.900 To write. 00:36:46.040 --> 00:36:46.460 That Jude. 00:36:46.700 --> 00:36:47.340 Is especially. 00:36:47.340 --> 00:36:47.900 Relevant. 00:36:48.580 --> 00:36:49.100 For the church. 00:36:49.200 --> 00:36:49.540 Today. 00:36:50.660 --> 00:36:51.680 Because our churches. 00:36:51.680 --> 00:36:52.220 Are prone. 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:53.380 To sentimentality. 00:36:53.540 --> 00:36:54.440 We suffer. 00:36:54.660 --> 00:36:55.600 From moral breakdown. 00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.500 And too often. 00:36:56.680 --> 00:36:56.980 Fail. 00:36:57.240 --> 00:36:57.940 To pronounce. 00:36:58.120 --> 00:36:58.720 A definitive. 00:36:58.720 --> 00:36:59.700 Word of judgment. 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:00.720 Why? 00:37:01.320 --> 00:37:02.080 Because we have. 00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:02.920 An inadequate. 00:37:03.700 --> 00:37:04.220 Definition. 00:37:04.440 --> 00:37:05.080 Of love. 00:37:05.079 --> 00:37:05.159 Love. 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:07.860 The words. 00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:09.199 The Holy Spirit. 00:37:09.360 --> 00:37:09.860 Breathed out. 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:10.539 Through Jude. 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:11.679 Are warnings. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:13.219 To beloved. 00:37:13.739 --> 00:37:14.259 Believers. 00:37:16.179 --> 00:37:17.420 Look at verse 3. 00:37:17.500 --> 00:37:18.440 He calls them beloved. 00:37:18.659 --> 00:37:19.980 Look again at verse 17. 00:37:20.659 --> 00:37:21.759 This is how the church is. 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.539 Addressed. 00:37:22.960 --> 00:37:23.920 Beloved church. 00:37:24.099 --> 00:37:24.659 Of God. 00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:26.199 You will warn. 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:27.299 And you will do your best. 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:27.940 To safeguard. 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:28.900 And equip. 00:37:29.119 --> 00:37:30.340 Your beloved church. 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:30.460 Church. 00:37:32.120 --> 00:37:33.140 And that's a. 00:37:33.559 --> 00:37:34.340 Robust view. 00:37:34.500 --> 00:37:35.380 Of God's love. 00:37:36.820 --> 00:37:37.300 Well those. 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.980 Three Old Testament. 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.579 Examples. 00:37:40.300 --> 00:37:41.260 Of coming judgment. 00:37:42.480 --> 00:37:44.220 Have a very different tone. 00:37:44.780 --> 00:37:46.039 Than this tone of love. 00:37:46.260 --> 00:37:46.880 For the church. 00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:48.600 Calvin pointed out. 00:37:48.700 --> 00:37:49.640 There are two voices. 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.039 To one voice. 00:37:51.039 --> 00:37:51.760 For the sheep. 00:37:52.300 --> 00:37:53.160 And one voice. 00:37:53.160 --> 00:37:54.240 For the wolves. 00:37:55.120 --> 00:37:56.280 And that's appropriate. 00:37:56.600 --> 00:37:58.000 Because God is a good. 00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:58.720 Shepherd. 00:37:58.719 --> 00:38:02.279 Someone pointed out. 00:38:02.439 --> 00:38:02.759 That God. 00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:04.259 That false doctrine. 00:38:04.839 --> 00:38:05.919 Is a deadly poison. 00:38:06.239 --> 00:38:07.500 That must be identified. 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:08.879 Labeled. 00:38:09.319 --> 00:38:10.480 And put far away. 00:38:10.819 --> 00:38:12.059 From God's sheep. 00:38:12.759 --> 00:38:14.219 Those who oppose the truth. 00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:15.459 Are the divisive ones. 00:38:16.359 --> 00:38:17.259 And when that's happening. 00:38:17.259 --> 00:38:18.019 Within a church. 00:38:18.059 --> 00:38:18.619 When there is. 00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:20.299 False teaching brought in. 00:38:20.359 --> 00:38:21.219 Something contrary. 00:38:21.219 --> 00:38:21.919 To scripture. 00:38:22.639 --> 00:38:23.439 It's the job. 00:38:23.439 --> 00:38:24.559 Of every believer. 00:38:25.179 --> 00:38:26.000 To contend. 00:38:26.319 --> 00:38:27.059 For the faith. 00:38:27.679 --> 00:38:28.419 No Christian. 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:30.480 Can sit idly by. 00:38:30.779 --> 00:38:31.579 And let that happen. 00:38:31.980 --> 00:38:32.859 You can't do that. 00:38:33.059 --> 00:38:34.059 In good conscience. 00:38:34.699 --> 00:38:35.699 It's going to be hard. 00:38:36.339 --> 00:38:37.379 But it's necessary. 00:38:38.199 --> 00:38:39.239 And it's out of love. 00:38:40.959 --> 00:38:41.599 And verse 11. 00:38:41.739 --> 00:38:42.099 Is really. 00:38:42.699 --> 00:38:43.299 The center. 00:38:43.559 --> 00:38:44.659 Of this entire letter. 00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.779 It's the message. 00:38:47.359 --> 00:38:48.059 In three. 00:38:48.739 --> 00:38:49.559 Swift blows. 00:38:50.579 --> 00:38:51.459 What's the message. 00:38:51.459 --> 00:38:52.099 Of this letter. 00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.719 Woe to those. 00:38:53.819 --> 00:38:54.619 Who oppose God. 00:38:54.919 --> 00:38:55.480 Verse 11. 00:38:56.460 --> 00:38:57.539 What he tells us next. 00:38:57.539 --> 00:38:58.639 Is what they do. 00:38:58.920 --> 00:39:00.199 Their motive for doing it. 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:00.940 And their fate. 00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:02.840 Look at verse 11. 00:39:03.240 --> 00:39:03.960 Here's what they do. 00:39:04.360 --> 00:39:05.039 They have gone. 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:06.300 In the way of Cain. 00:39:06.820 --> 00:39:08.000 What is it that Cain did? 00:39:09.280 --> 00:39:10.460 He approached God. 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:11.360 And worshipped God. 00:39:11.440 --> 00:39:12.099 His own way. 00:39:12.420 --> 00:39:13.159 Rather than the way. 00:39:13.240 --> 00:39:14.079 That pleased God. 00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:16.139 And his contempt. 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:16.860 Grew. 00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.480 Into hatred. 00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:20.460 For God's true worshippers. 00:39:20.460 --> 00:39:23.860 That's what these divisive. 00:39:23.980 --> 00:39:24.699 Intruders do. 00:39:25.280 --> 00:39:26.380 What is the motive. 00:39:26.480 --> 00:39:27.539 Of such apostates. 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:29.220 He says that next. 00:39:29.320 --> 00:39:29.920 In verse 11. 00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:31.659 They have run greedily. 00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:32.880 In the error. 00:39:33.079 --> 00:39:33.619 Of Balaam. 00:39:33.980 --> 00:39:34.579 For profit. 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:37.220 Balaam was a false prophet. 00:39:37.440 --> 00:39:38.619 He was more interested. 00:39:38.740 --> 00:39:40.000 In earning a little extra money. 00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.639 And he was willing. 00:39:41.740 --> 00:39:43.679 To give a false prophecy. 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.860 To get that. 00:39:45.440 --> 00:39:46.199 That's their motive. 00:39:46.720 --> 00:39:47.720 It's to feed themselves. 00:39:47.719 --> 00:39:49.219 And finally. 00:39:49.359 --> 00:39:50.119 What is the fate. 00:39:50.219 --> 00:39:51.199 Of these intruders. 00:39:51.879 --> 00:39:52.519 Verse 11. 00:39:52.679 --> 00:39:53.199 Tells us. 00:39:53.699 --> 00:39:54.419 They perished. 00:39:54.699 --> 00:39:55.480 In the rebellion. 00:39:55.919 --> 00:39:56.579 Of Korah. 00:39:58.319 --> 00:39:59.119 Well Korah. 00:39:59.219 --> 00:39:59.719 Is a reference. 00:39:59.919 --> 00:40:00.099 To. 00:40:01.219 --> 00:40:02.339 Moses and Aaron. 00:40:02.919 --> 00:40:03.779 Leading the people. 00:40:04.119 --> 00:40:04.679 Through the wilderness. 00:40:05.759 --> 00:40:06.339 And a group. 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.519 Standing up against them. 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:08.399 And calling a whole. 00:40:08.539 --> 00:40:09.500 Assembly together. 00:40:09.639 --> 00:40:10.299 To oppose. 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:11.839 The path. 00:40:11.899 --> 00:40:12.439 And the direction. 00:40:12.439 --> 00:40:13.239 Of God's people. 00:40:13.239 --> 00:40:14.059 Through the wilderness. 00:40:14.859 --> 00:40:15.259 Grumbling. 00:40:15.459 --> 00:40:15.899 And wishing. 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.899 They had the luxuries. 00:40:16.900 --> 00:40:17.820 Of life. 00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:18.900 Back under slavery. 00:40:20.079 --> 00:40:21.220 And what God did. 00:40:21.300 --> 00:40:21.680 Is he. 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.440 Buried them. 00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:24.180 He opened up the earth. 00:40:24.220 --> 00:40:24.619 And the earth. 00:40:24.760 --> 00:40:24.960 Ate. 00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:25.960 And swallowed them up. 00:40:26.680 --> 00:40:27.579 That's the fate. 00:40:27.639 --> 00:40:28.099 Of those. 00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:29.400 Who oppose God. 00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:32.900 He also gives. 00:40:33.019 --> 00:40:33.720 Two sources. 00:40:33.720 --> 00:40:34.280 That are even. 00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:35.480 Outside of the Bible. 00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:37.039 I think mostly. 00:40:37.220 --> 00:40:37.800 For cultural. 00:40:38.039 --> 00:40:38.980 Stylistic purposes. 00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:39.559 He's being. 00:40:39.920 --> 00:40:40.320 Persuasive. 00:40:40.320 --> 00:40:41.260 Pulling it all to bear. 00:40:42.059 --> 00:40:42.820 We don't need. 00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:43.519 To understand. 00:40:43.700 --> 00:40:44.740 Much about those. 00:40:44.739 --> 00:40:45.819 Other than. 00:40:46.139 --> 00:40:46.439 The point. 00:40:46.519 --> 00:40:47.019 He's making. 00:40:47.579 --> 00:40:48.099 That's what's. 00:40:48.779 --> 00:40:49.219 The gift. 00:40:49.319 --> 00:40:49.899 To the church. 00:40:50.119 --> 00:40:50.699 In verse nine. 00:40:50.779 --> 00:40:51.159 He says. 00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:51.919 Michael. 00:40:52.019 --> 00:40:52.599 The archangel. 00:40:52.759 --> 00:40:53.239 And contending. 00:40:53.239 --> 00:40:53.919 With the devil. 00:40:54.159 --> 00:40:55.099 When he disputed. 00:40:55.099 --> 00:40:55.899 About the body. 00:40:55.899 --> 00:40:56.599 Of Moses. 00:40:57.039 --> 00:40:57.939 Dared not bring. 00:40:58.079 --> 00:40:58.779 Against him. 00:40:58.919 --> 00:41:00.239 A reviling accusation. 00:41:00.339 --> 00:41:00.839 But said. 00:41:01.099 --> 00:41:01.819 The Lord. 00:41:02.179 --> 00:41:02.719 Rebuke you. 00:41:03.399 --> 00:41:04.639 So how do we contend. 00:41:04.779 --> 00:41:05.619 As a church. 00:41:05.779 --> 00:41:06.500 We warn. 00:41:06.599 --> 00:41:07.239 We remind. 00:41:07.719 --> 00:41:08.299 We minister. 00:41:08.419 --> 00:41:09.039 God's word. 00:41:09.699 --> 00:41:10.559 And it's God. 00:41:10.779 --> 00:41:11.539 Who brings. 00:41:11.619 --> 00:41:12.119 The judgment. 00:41:12.119 --> 00:41:15.279 That's the first reference. 00:41:15.279 --> 00:41:16.380 From outside of scripture. 00:41:17.380 --> 00:41:18.299 The second one. 00:41:18.339 --> 00:41:19.319 Is in verse 14. 00:41:19.319 --> 00:41:20.179 Now Enoch. 00:41:20.319 --> 00:41:20.759 The seventh. 00:41:20.960 --> 00:41:21.380 From Adam. 00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.099 Prophesied. 00:41:22.199 --> 00:41:22.380 About. 00:41:22.980 --> 00:41:23.460 These men. 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.219 Also saying. 00:41:24.339 --> 00:41:24.699 Behold. 00:41:24.759 --> 00:41:25.199 The Lord. 00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:26.139 Comes with. 00:41:26.579 --> 00:41:26.859 Ten. 00:41:27.339 --> 00:41:27.679 Thousands. 00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:28.559 Of his saints. 00:41:29.039 --> 00:41:29.599 To execute. 00:41:29.739 --> 00:41:30.539 Judgment on all. 00:41:30.980 --> 00:41:31.539 To convict. 00:41:31.659 --> 00:41:31.940 All. 00:41:32.359 --> 00:41:33.299 Who are ungodly. 00:41:33.339 --> 00:41:33.839 Among them. 00:41:34.059 --> 00:41:34.719 Of all their. 00:41:34.859 --> 00:41:35.739 Ungodly deeds. 00:41:36.019 --> 00:41:36.839 Which they have committed. 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:38.079 In an ungodly way. 00:41:38.480 --> 00:41:39.799 Of all the harsh things. 00:41:39.859 --> 00:41:40.980 Which ungodly. 00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.460 Sinners. 00:41:41.460 --> 00:41:42.400 Have spoken. 00:41:42.400 --> 00:41:43.039 Against. 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:43.840 God. 00:41:44.720 --> 00:41:45.840 Four times. 00:41:46.940 --> 00:41:47.159 Their. 00:41:47.699 --> 00:41:48.420 Ungodliness. 00:41:48.860 --> 00:41:49.599 Is highlighted. 00:41:50.619 --> 00:41:51.340 In the message. 00:41:51.780 --> 00:41:52.220 Is that. 00:41:52.639 --> 00:41:53.000 God. 00:41:53.380 --> 00:41:54.659 Will certainly judge. 00:41:55.360 --> 00:41:55.980 Ungodly. 00:41:56.119 --> 00:41:56.760 Intruders. 00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:57.559 Who are. 00:41:57.740 --> 00:41:58.840 Attempting to corrupt. 00:41:59.179 --> 00:41:59.780 His church. 00:42:04.480 --> 00:42:05.079 Well. 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:05.920 For what must. 00:42:06.159 --> 00:42:07.199 The church contend. 00:42:08.659 --> 00:42:09.880 This is what I want to. 00:42:09.900 --> 00:42:10.780 Leave us with today. 00:42:10.780 --> 00:42:13.019 What is it that we. 00:42:13.320 --> 00:42:13.940 As Christians. 00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:15.380 As church members. 00:42:15.780 --> 00:42:16.440 Are charged. 00:42:16.700 --> 00:42:17.400 To contend. 00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:18.140 For. 00:42:19.160 --> 00:42:20.019 Would you look back. 00:42:20.080 --> 00:42:20.560 One more time. 00:42:20.640 --> 00:42:21.260 At verse three. 00:42:23.160 --> 00:42:23.880 Jude says. 00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:25.160 I found it necessary. 00:42:25.160 --> 00:42:26.720 To write to you. 00:42:27.040 --> 00:42:27.760 Exhorting you. 00:42:28.220 --> 00:42:29.000 To contend. 00:42:29.220 --> 00:42:29.700 Earnestly. 00:42:29.700 --> 00:42:30.640 For the faith. 00:42:30.880 --> 00:42:32.320 Which was once for all. 00:42:32.760 --> 00:42:33.320 Delivered. 00:42:33.320 --> 00:42:35.180 How is it that God. 00:42:35.180 --> 00:42:36.260 Delivered the faith. 00:42:36.260 --> 00:42:37.140 To his church. 00:42:37.920 --> 00:42:39.260 The Holy Spirit. 00:42:40.300 --> 00:42:40.820 Revealed. 00:42:40.920 --> 00:42:41.380 And captured. 00:42:41.519 --> 00:42:41.940 In scripture. 00:42:42.120 --> 00:42:43.140 What God has done. 00:42:43.500 --> 00:42:44.640 In redemptive history. 00:42:45.600 --> 00:42:46.559 The Holy Spirit. 00:42:46.660 --> 00:42:47.100 Breathed. 00:42:47.240 --> 00:42:47.500 Out. 00:42:47.940 --> 00:42:48.840 The work of God. 00:42:49.200 --> 00:42:49.880 The glorious. 00:42:50.320 --> 00:42:50.760 Salvific. 00:42:51.059 --> 00:42:51.940 Work of God. 00:42:51.940 --> 00:42:53.340 And preserved it in scripture. 00:42:54.179 --> 00:42:55.700 He delivered it to the church. 00:42:55.800 --> 00:42:56.179 The church. 00:42:56.539 --> 00:42:57.579 Joyfully received. 00:42:57.700 --> 00:42:58.820 The old and the new testament. 00:42:59.340 --> 00:43:00.460 As the word of God. 00:43:00.619 --> 00:43:01.539 Preserving for them. 00:43:02.079 --> 00:43:03.019 The acts of God. 00:43:03.099 --> 00:43:03.820 To save them. 00:43:04.780 --> 00:43:06.059 It is through the prophets. 00:43:06.179 --> 00:43:06.960 And the apostles. 00:43:06.960 --> 00:43:08.980 This is. 00:43:09.300 --> 00:43:10.980 The revelation of God. 00:43:11.199 --> 00:43:12.840 For the salvation of his people. 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:13.900 The church. 00:43:14.300 --> 00:43:14.980 Receives this. 00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:16.260 As a gift from God. 00:43:17.039 --> 00:43:18.659 We contend for the faith. 00:43:18.840 --> 00:43:19.639 That's contained. 00:43:19.920 --> 00:43:21.199 In the pages of scripture. 00:43:23.559 --> 00:43:24.599 This faith. 00:43:25.539 --> 00:43:26.800 All of the doctrines. 00:43:26.940 --> 00:43:27.800 That God has revealed. 00:43:28.139 --> 00:43:28.820 All of the truth. 00:43:28.920 --> 00:43:30.119 That fits together. 00:43:30.280 --> 00:43:31.260 In perfect harmony. 00:43:32.099 --> 00:43:32.840 Revealing to us. 00:43:32.900 --> 00:43:33.519 Who God is. 00:43:33.820 --> 00:43:35.400 And how we can belong to him. 00:43:35.659 --> 00:43:36.820 Through the work of his son. 00:43:36.820 --> 00:43:37.220 Jesus. 00:43:38.200 --> 00:43:38.980 This system. 00:43:39.200 --> 00:43:39.900 Of truth. 00:43:42.440 --> 00:43:43.840 This is what we are to use. 00:43:43.920 --> 00:43:45.080 To disciple one another. 00:43:45.320 --> 00:43:46.400 To grow in maturity. 00:43:47.160 --> 00:43:48.780 This is what we are to understand. 00:43:48.940 --> 00:43:49.600 Better and better. 00:43:49.700 --> 00:43:50.320 And better and better. 00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:51.260 In this life. 00:43:51.380 --> 00:43:52.140 Within the church. 00:43:52.539 --> 00:43:53.519 And for all eternity. 00:43:55.420 --> 00:43:57.039 We do this in as many ways. 00:43:57.039 --> 00:43:58.360 As possible that we can. 00:43:59.440 --> 00:44:00.500 We come together. 00:44:00.620 --> 00:44:01.680 In the name of Jesus. 00:44:01.860 --> 00:44:03.000 On the day he set apart. 00:44:04.180 --> 00:44:05.280 We want to be hungry. 00:44:05.280 --> 00:44:06.300 To learn and grow. 00:44:06.300 --> 00:44:07.660 And as we are reading the word. 00:44:07.860 --> 00:44:09.280 We are asking one another. 00:44:09.720 --> 00:44:11.060 Who have the Holy Spirit. 00:44:11.480 --> 00:44:12.500 Help me understand this. 00:44:12.560 --> 00:44:13.360 What does God say? 00:44:13.680 --> 00:44:14.460 What does this mean? 00:44:14.660 --> 00:44:16.280 And what should this mean in my life. 00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:16.840 And in yours. 00:44:16.940 --> 00:44:17.600 And in our church. 00:44:17.599 --> 00:44:17.699 church. 00:44:19.860 --> 00:44:22.199 If Jesus Christ is your head. 00:44:23.099 --> 00:44:24.619 He calls you and me. 00:44:24.719 --> 00:44:26.159 To be vitally connected. 00:44:26.159 --> 00:44:27.679 To his local body. 00:44:29.019 --> 00:44:30.400 It's going to be impossible. 00:44:30.400 --> 00:44:31.980 To contend well. 00:44:31.980 --> 00:44:32.779 For the faith. 00:44:32.940 --> 00:44:33.500 All alone. 00:44:36.539 --> 00:44:37.819 The local body. 00:44:38.380 --> 00:44:38.980 Celebrates. 00:44:39.779 --> 00:44:40.579 The saints. 00:44:40.739 --> 00:44:41.219 The beloved. 00:44:41.659 --> 00:44:42.199 Through membership. 00:44:42.199 --> 00:44:45.139 And it's Jesus Christ. 00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:46.460 Who joins new members. 00:44:46.460 --> 00:44:47.359 To his body. 00:44:48.299 --> 00:44:49.199 When the congregation. 00:44:49.199 --> 00:44:50.639 Gets to vote. 00:44:51.279 --> 00:44:52.579 And hear this testimony. 00:44:52.779 --> 00:44:53.519 And hear someone else. 00:44:53.659 --> 00:44:54.299 Bear witness. 00:44:54.599 --> 00:44:55.379 Of this faith. 00:44:55.439 --> 00:44:56.419 That's been handed down. 00:44:56.619 --> 00:44:57.599 That they've received. 00:44:57.679 --> 00:44:58.219 And embraced. 00:44:58.219 --> 00:44:59.439 It's a celebration. 00:44:59.439 --> 00:45:00.619 Of what God has done. 00:45:01.219 --> 00:45:02.699 The power is his. 00:45:03.339 --> 00:45:04.000 And the salvation. 00:45:04.000 --> 00:45:05.239 Belongs to him alone. 00:45:05.239 --> 00:45:07.919 For that same reason. 00:45:08.019 --> 00:45:08.619 Jesus Christ. 00:45:08.619 --> 00:45:09.919 Can remove. 00:45:10.339 --> 00:45:10.799 Anyone. 00:45:12.000 --> 00:45:13.279 He will remove. 00:45:13.439 --> 00:45:14.019 False teachers. 00:45:14.019 --> 00:45:14.959 From true churches. 00:45:14.959 --> 00:45:15.899 One way or the other. 00:45:16.819 --> 00:45:18.139 Regardless of whether or not. 00:45:18.219 --> 00:45:19.099 They hold an office. 00:45:19.959 --> 00:45:21.119 And he does this. 00:45:21.199 --> 00:45:22.279 By his church as well. 00:45:22.479 --> 00:45:23.379 His church affirming. 00:45:23.939 --> 00:45:24.619 If a person. 00:45:24.859 --> 00:45:25.519 Is not. 00:45:26.419 --> 00:45:27.619 A follower of Christ. 00:45:28.039 --> 00:45:28.479 Or is. 00:45:28.639 --> 00:45:29.539 Is no longer. 00:45:29.699 --> 00:45:30.699 Professing this faith. 00:45:31.219 --> 00:45:32.039 Or if a person. 00:45:32.399 --> 00:45:33.579 Is promoting themselves. 00:45:33.739 --> 00:45:34.359 And their ideas. 00:45:34.459 --> 00:45:35.099 And their dreams. 00:45:35.099 --> 00:45:36.360 Rather than the word of God. 00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:38.019 It's the duty of the church. 00:45:38.039 --> 00:45:38.719 To remove. 00:45:39.119 --> 00:45:39.839 Such people. 00:45:41.639 --> 00:45:42.500 Jesus Christ. 00:45:43.279 --> 00:45:43.719 Gives. 00:45:44.619 --> 00:45:45.099 Responsibility. 00:45:45.480 --> 00:45:46.139 And he delegates. 00:45:46.139 --> 00:45:47.099 Some authority. 00:45:48.239 --> 00:45:49.219 To officers. 00:45:49.219 --> 00:45:50.159 Within his church. 00:45:50.279 --> 00:45:51.019 To keep a watch. 00:45:51.039 --> 00:45:52.079 Over their own lives. 00:45:52.219 --> 00:45:53.159 And over the flock. 00:45:53.659 --> 00:45:54.179 But it's a. 00:45:54.179 --> 00:45:55.219 Limited authority. 00:45:55.799 --> 00:45:57.159 It's a declarative authority. 00:45:57.539 --> 00:45:58.779 Only goes as far as. 00:45:59.179 --> 00:45:59.699 The contents. 00:45:59.839 --> 00:46:00.679 Of the word of God. 00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:01.819 To declare what. 00:46:01.900 --> 00:46:02.579 He has revealed. 00:46:02.980 --> 00:46:03.759 To his people. 00:46:03.860 --> 00:46:04.319 No more. 00:46:04.320 --> 00:46:05.280 No less. 00:46:06.480 --> 00:46:07.519 To do their best. 00:46:07.519 --> 00:46:08.120 To rule. 00:46:08.500 --> 00:46:09.480 Over his people. 00:46:09.480 --> 00:46:10.840 As a humble shepherd. 00:46:11.280 --> 00:46:12.620 In a way that's pleasing. 00:46:12.620 --> 00:46:13.160 To him. 00:46:14.420 --> 00:46:15.980 Under shepherds of Christ. 00:46:16.100 --> 00:46:16.860 The great shepherd. 00:46:17.019 --> 00:46:17.800 Keeping watch. 00:46:18.580 --> 00:46:19.620 And doing our best. 00:46:19.620 --> 00:46:20.180 To provide. 00:46:20.340 --> 00:46:20.980 That order. 00:46:21.700 --> 00:46:22.900 And even formative. 00:46:22.900 --> 00:46:24.019 And corrective discipline. 00:46:24.019 --> 00:46:24.860 When it's needed. 00:46:25.700 --> 00:46:26.980 And when it is needed. 00:46:27.980 --> 00:46:29.039 Corrective discipline. 00:46:29.240 --> 00:46:29.740 Looks like. 00:46:30.780 --> 00:46:31.200 Humble. 00:46:31.199 --> 00:46:32.939 Calling back. 00:46:32.939 --> 00:46:33.759 To Christ. 00:46:35.759 --> 00:46:37.019 It's a rescue mission. 00:46:38.059 --> 00:46:39.199 And it's an invitation. 00:46:39.199 --> 00:46:40.500 To all the saints. 00:46:40.679 --> 00:46:41.779 All those who are beloved. 00:46:41.939 --> 00:46:42.960 To have a part. 00:46:43.059 --> 00:46:44.000 In speaking truth. 00:46:44.099 --> 00:46:44.759 And ministering. 00:46:44.819 --> 00:46:45.799 And proclaiming. 00:46:45.799 --> 00:46:46.339 The gospel. 00:46:46.339 --> 00:46:47.279 Of free salvation. 00:46:47.279 --> 00:46:47.779 In Christ. 00:46:47.899 --> 00:46:48.500 Once again. 00:46:49.399 --> 00:46:50.359 To this brother. 00:46:50.359 --> 00:46:50.839 Or sister. 00:46:50.839 --> 00:46:51.919 Or maybe someone. 00:46:51.919 --> 00:46:52.779 Who never knew them. 00:46:53.299 --> 00:46:54.339 And needs to know him. 00:46:54.399 --> 00:46:55.139 For the first time. 00:46:55.139 --> 00:46:58.139 So. 00:46:58.139 --> 00:46:59.400 Reformed Heritage Church. 00:47:00.139 --> 00:47:02.460 Because God has first loved us. 00:47:03.339 --> 00:47:03.900 Contend. 00:47:04.299 --> 00:47:05.239 For our faith. 00:47:06.719 --> 00:47:08.019 We have the scriptures. 00:47:09.379 --> 00:47:11.059 We understand the scriptures. 00:47:11.059 --> 00:47:12.960 Even through these historic creeds. 00:47:13.019 --> 00:47:14.299 Which the church has affirmed. 00:47:14.379 --> 00:47:15.319 The truth of God. 00:47:16.219 --> 00:47:17.219 And our congregation. 00:47:17.519 --> 00:47:19.339 Through our confession of faith. 00:47:19.340 --> 00:47:19.420 Faith. 00:47:21.079 --> 00:47:22.640 And I know we're praying about. 00:47:23.680 --> 00:47:24.440 Other needs. 00:47:24.440 --> 00:47:26.380 For safeguarding this congregation. 00:47:26.780 --> 00:47:27.539 Perhaps through. 00:47:27.740 --> 00:47:28.960 A regional association. 00:47:29.300 --> 00:47:30.380 Of churches. 00:47:30.380 --> 00:47:31.519 That hold to these same. 00:47:31.800 --> 00:47:33.059 Expressions of God's truth. 00:47:33.120 --> 00:47:33.660 In his word. 00:47:34.640 --> 00:47:35.700 This is important. 00:47:36.160 --> 00:47:36.960 But it's a blessing. 00:47:37.660 --> 00:47:39.059 And this is the antidote. 00:47:39.059 --> 00:47:39.940 That he has given. 00:47:40.480 --> 00:47:41.539 That we will contend. 00:47:41.620 --> 00:47:42.180 For the faith. 00:47:43.220 --> 00:47:44.079 My prayer for you. 00:47:44.180 --> 00:47:44.960 Has been simply. 00:47:45.400 --> 00:47:46.539 That his Holy Spirit. 00:47:46.660 --> 00:47:47.019 In his. 00:47:47.579 --> 00:47:47.900 Gentle. 00:47:47.900 --> 00:47:49.000 Loving way. 00:47:49.579 --> 00:47:50.639 Will guide each one of you. 00:47:50.720 --> 00:47:51.800 What is the next step. 00:47:51.820 --> 00:47:52.400 Of obedience. 00:47:52.400 --> 00:47:52.940 For me. 00:47:53.039 --> 00:47:54.340 As a follower of Christ. 00:47:54.820 --> 00:47:55.579 Not for man. 00:47:55.639 --> 00:47:56.880 But in your own walk with him. 00:47:57.500 --> 00:47:58.119 That you will. 00:47:58.500 --> 00:47:59.059 Obey him. 00:47:59.920 --> 00:48:00.639 And be equipped. 00:48:01.180 --> 00:48:01.820 To defend. 00:48:01.960 --> 00:48:02.360 And fight. 00:48:02.680 --> 00:48:03.880 For the gospel of Jesus. 00:48:04.300 --> 00:48:05.500 As a member of his church. 00:48:06.300 --> 00:48:06.980 Let's pray. 00:48:07.900 --> 00:48:08.680 Oh Lord. 00:48:10.599 --> 00:48:11.539 None of us can. 00:48:12.380 --> 00:48:13.160 Keep ourselves. 00:48:15.240 --> 00:48:16.539 But we throw ourselves. 00:48:16.680 --> 00:48:17.119 Once again. 00:48:17.119 --> 00:48:17.559 On you. 00:48:17.679 --> 00:48:18.579 Who is able. 00:48:18.579 --> 00:48:19.279 To keep us. 00:48:19.279 --> 00:48:20.199 To the very end. 00:48:20.519 --> 00:48:21.440 And you trust. 00:48:21.539 --> 00:48:22.259 That you promise. 00:48:22.539 --> 00:48:23.619 You will do this. 00:48:25.199 --> 00:48:26.019 We pray Lord. 00:48:26.059 --> 00:48:26.900 That you will equip us. 00:48:27.079 --> 00:48:27.519 More and more. 00:48:29.659 --> 00:48:30.839 I feel so limited. 00:48:32.900 --> 00:48:33.880 I need your help. 00:48:33.940 --> 00:48:34.119 Lord. 00:48:34.159 --> 00:48:34.819 In every way. 00:48:35.920 --> 00:48:36.799 We need the help. 00:48:36.839 --> 00:48:38.000 Of our fellow believers. 00:48:38.000 --> 00:48:38.920 And we need the help. 00:48:38.980 --> 00:48:39.319 Of other. 00:48:39.859 --> 00:48:40.000 True. 00:48:40.139 --> 00:48:40.940 Biblical churches. 00:48:41.819 --> 00:48:42.299 Thank you. 00:48:42.319 --> 00:48:43.159 That you have provided. 00:48:43.159 --> 00:48:43.920 This for us. 00:48:44.139 --> 00:48:45.099 And you show us. 00:48:45.199 --> 00:48:45.339 Lord. 00:48:45.340 --> 00:48:46.019 For each of us. 00:48:46.100 --> 00:48:46.720 For myself. 00:48:47.400 --> 00:48:48.039 I trust you will. 00:48:48.100 --> 00:48:48.680 For each one. 00:48:49.079 --> 00:48:50.280 What it is you're calling us. 00:48:50.380 --> 00:48:50.740 To do. 00:48:50.920 --> 00:48:51.500 In obedience. 00:48:52.019 --> 00:48:52.660 To Christ. 00:48:53.700 --> 00:48:55.019 To keep what you've commanded. 00:48:56.559 --> 00:48:57.460 Please guide us. 00:48:57.600 --> 00:48:58.500 Please strengthen us. 00:48:58.720 --> 00:48:59.740 Give us all the energy. 00:48:59.740 --> 00:49:00.260 And power. 00:49:00.700 --> 00:49:01.140 To obey. 00:49:01.519 --> 00:49:02.640 It can only come from you. 00:49:02.640 --> 00:49:03.740 Amen.