Statement #1

“Jesus. We follow the teachings and example of Jesus Christ and honor him as our Savior and as the Son of God.”

Statement #2

“We believe in one God, the Creator of the heavens and earth; in Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, our Lord and Savior, whom God raised from the dead; and we believe in the workings of the Holy Spirit.”

Statement #3

“The Holy Bible is a sacred book that contains the word of God. It foretells the coming of Jesus Christ and describes His life, mission, and sacred role as the Son of God and Savior of the world.”

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Who Is Jude?

Jude 1a – “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James.”

• Acts 15
• Galatians 2:9
• Matthew 13:55 – “Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?”

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Who Is Jude’s Audience?

Jude 1b – “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.”

a. Those Who Are Called

• “Called,” Gk. κλητός (klētos) – “to be assigned” (Romans 1:1; Revelation 17:14)

i. Beloved in the Father

• “Beloved,” Gk. ἠγαπημένοις from ἀγάπη (agapē) – “God’s covenant love”

ii. Kept for/by Jesus Christ

Jude 2 – “May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.”

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I. We Must Defend the Faith That Is Passed Down

Jude 3 –

“Beloved, although I was very 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.”

• “Contend,” Gk. ἐπαγωνίζομαι (epagōnizomai) – “to contend strenuously in defense of something”

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II. We Must Detect the False Teachers That Rise Up

Jude 4 –

“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 only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

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Two Questions to Evaluate a Teacher or Preacher

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1. Does Their Teaching Line Up with Scripture?

Jude 4a – “…long ago were designated for this condemnation.”

• “Designated,” Gk. προγράφω (prographō) – “to write before”
• Verses 5–11 – Old Testament
• Verses 14–16 – Jewish history
• Verses 17–18 – New Testament

Essential Doctrines:

1. The Trinity
2. Deity of Jesus Christ
3. Deity of the Holy Spirit
4. Bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ
5. Salvation by grace through faith alone
6. Authority of Scripture

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2. Does Their Conduct Line Up with Scripture?

Jude 4b – “Ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality,”

• “Godless,” Gk. ἀσεβής (asebēs) – opposite of fear of the Lord
• “Sensuality,” Gk. ἀσέλγεια (aselgeia) – “a lack of restraint, hedonism”

Jude 4c – “They deny our only Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

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Truth:

If your doctrine and deeds are in opposition to the written Word of God, your entire life is in opposition to the risen Word of God.

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TAKEAWAYS

1. You confess truth regularly
2. You correct error rigorously