Dangerous times and dangerous people The letter of

Dangerous times and dangerous people The letter of Jude

Contend for the faith Jude 1 - 4

Contend for the faith Overview �Who wrote the letter? Jude (Judas) a half-brother of Jesus �When was it written? Probably in the AD 60 s �Who was it written to? Those called by God both Jews and Gentiles �Why was it written? The early church was facing persecution and doctrinal error

Contend for the faith Greeting (1 – 2) �Jude describes himself firstly as a servant (or slave, doulos) of Jesus Christ �Note that in the OT this would usually be a description of someone’s relationship to God the Father, used here it indicates an exalted view of Jesus’ deity �He further explains that he is a brother of James (the leader of the Jerusalem church) �Believers are called by God �They are loved by God the Father because they are in fellowship with Him �They are “kept” by Jesus Christ and for Him – preserving grace

Contend for the faith Greeting (1 – 2) �What does Jude wish for those who receive the letter? �Mercy �Peace �Love �ALL IN ABUNDANCE (FILLED) �These are among the privileges of being called by God

Contend for the faith The urgent need for the letter (3 – 4) �Jude wanted to write to them to encourage them with a message concerning their salvation but there was a more pressing need �They were in a battle even if they didn’t realise it �The heart of the gospel message was at stake, it still is

Contend for the faith Battle lines are drawn up (3 – 4) �A need to continually affirm the faith that had been delivered to them by Jesus and the apostles – contend is a very strong word! �Their meetings were being infiltrated by people who were living and teaching heresy �What were they doing? �Living immoral lives which abused the grace of God

Contend for the faith Battle lines are drawn up (3 – 4) �What were they teaching? They denied the deity of Jesus �These actions and words strike at the heart of the gospel and must be resisted �In the face of godlessness the believers should live God honouring lives

Contend for the faith Lessons for today �The church is still battling against these twin, largely internal, attacks �Do we grasp the importance of these issues? �Are we excited about these truths? �Are we prepared to contend for the faith even if it makes us unpopular? �The truth of God in Christ sets us free, this is the power of the gospel – will we rejoice in it, defend it and spread it?