THE BOOK OF JUDE #2
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. We continue our verse-by-verse study of the Book of Jude.
1. The Book of Jude was written to give warning regarding evil
teachers who were creeping in among the brethren.
2. These evil teachers were interested only in fulfilling their
own personal wants and desires.
a. They cause division and take many souls with them into
destruction.
3. We need to be on guard.
I. Verse 12-13
A. "These are spots in your love feasts."
1. The evil teachers were as "spots" or "hidden reefs"
(footnote: NKJV) in these love feasts.
2. The "love feasts" were common meals that Christians shared
in the homes.
a. They were situations where those who had plenty shared
with those who had less; thus, they were called, "love
feasts."
b. Peter added, "indulging in their deceptions while
feasting with you." (2 Pet. 2:13b Nestle Aland Greek
Interlinear)
3. "Serving only themselves."
a. Both Jude and Peter often repeated that these evil
teachers seek to please only themselves.
b. Contrast Timothy who served the Lord. Phil. 2:19-23
B. Jude gives four picturesque figures describing their moral
corruption and final destruction.
1. "They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds."
a. They are like clouds which promise much, but provide
nothing.
2. They are "late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead,
pulled up by the roots."
a. There is absolutely no fruit from them.
b. It is sad that many members of the church are this way
so far as getting the Lord's work done.
3. They are "raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own
shame."
a. They boldly throw out things of which they should be
ashamed.
b. Phil. 3:19 - They glory in things which they should be
ashamed of.
4. They are "wandering stars for whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness forever."
a. They are false lights who lead the brethren into error
and destruction.
b. As shooting stars go out into the darkness, these pass
into eternal darkness.
II. Verses 14-15
A. This is the Enoch (the seventh from Adam) who lived before the
flood.
1. He walked with God, and God took him. Gen. 5:18-24; Heb.
11:5
2. Enoch's prophecy is only recorded here in Jude.
B. "Behold the Lord comes with ten thousand of His saints." - 1
Thess. 4:13-14
C. "To convict all who are ungodly among them."
1. They refuse to be convicted now, but the Lord will convict
them in that great day.
2. He will convict them of their ungodly deeds, of their
ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which they have
spoken against Him.
a. People are just as ungodly today as they were before the
flood.
III. Verse 16
A. "These are murmurers, complainers."
1. These evil teachers are constantly murmuring and
complaining about everything.
a. To be constantly complaining about other members of
the congregation is a bad habit to get into, even if
there is just cause.
B. These are "walking according to their own lusts."
1. Again, they walk according to their own fleshy desires, not
according to the Law of God. 2 Pet. 2:14, 18-19
C. "They mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain
advantage."
1. With smooth words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts
of the simple. Rom. 16:18
2. Like skillful politicians, they use flattery to bring
advantage to themselves.
3. Simple people are deceived by them.
IV. Verses 17-19
A. The apostles taught that there would be mockers (scoffers) in
the last days who would walk according to their own ungodly
lusts.
1. Paul spoke of how men would be in the last days. 2 Tim.
3:1-7
2. As someone said, "That time is mightily upon us now."
B. They are "sensual persons." They are fleshly, worldly people
rather than spiritual.
1. They cause division. When there are such evil teachers in
the Lord's church, division is inevitable.
2. They do not have the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not with
them, nor does He dwell in them.
V. Verses 20-25
A. Jude closes with powerful exhortations.
B. Verse 20 - He gives several exhortations to build up our
spiritual lives.
1. "Building yourselves up on your most holy faith."
a. We can make ourselves stronger if we so desire. Let us
put forth intense personal effort in doing so.
2. "Praying in the Holy Spirit."
a. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we pray. Rom.
8:26-27
b. Let us take advantage of this blessing.
3. "Keep yourselves in the love of God."
a. We keep ourselves in the love of God by keeping His
commandments. John 15:9-10
b. Let us continue to do His will so that we can maintain
His love.
4. "Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
life."
a. May we all obtain mercy in that last great day.
b. Ps. 51:1-2 - I once heard of a man who, when dying,
requested that the above verses be read at his funeral.
(1) He then added that he wanted to go into the next
world using those words as a humble appeal to His
awesome Creator.
(2) We all are sinners and are in need of God's tender
mercies and loving kindness; thus, we need to
often, both in life and death, make the identical
plea as did king David.
C. Verses 21-22 - He gives exhortations to help one another to
guard against apostasy.
1. "And on some have compassion, making a distinction."
a. Some only need humble admonition.
2. "But others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire."
a. Others need strong rebuke.
b. We need to pray for the wisdom to know how to
properly minister to one another.
3. "Hating even the garment defiled by the flesh."
a. Under no circumstances can we compromise with sin.
b. We are to utterly hate sin. Prov. 8:13; Rom. 12:9
D. Verses 24-25 - He closes with beautiful praise to God.
1. "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling."
a. There are other similar passages which show that God is
willing and able to help us remain faithful. 1 Pet. 5:10;
2 Thess. 2:16
b. We can't make it on our own. Let us rely on Him, and
plead with Him daily to help us. Heb. 4:16
2. "And to present you faultless before the presence of His
glory with exceeding joy."
a. God's grand purpose and design is to "bring many sons
to glory." Rom. 8:30
3. He closes with homage, adoration, and praise to the
Almighty.
a. Rev. 4:11 - All things were planned in His mind, and
were brought forth for His purpose.
b. Truly, to Him be the glory, majesty, power, dominion,
both now and forever.
Concl.
A. The little book of Jude was written to keep us from being led
astray by evil teachers.
1. Let us be on guard.
B. There is One who is able and willing to present us faultless
before His presence with exceeding joy.
1. Let us keep ourselves in His love that we might obtain His
mercy in that great day.