This is the first in an series of verse by verse expositions of the book of Jude. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the evening of October 21, 2012. The message deals with the purpose of the letter, and as an introduction to false teachings and paganism within the church. This post contains an audio recording of the sermon, plus my sermon notes. Please note that the notes are not a full transcript. To get the entire message, you’ll need to listen to the Audio.
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SERMON NOTES:
Jude 1-4 / Introduction to False Teachers
INTRODUCTION:
Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible, but has a very relevant and powerful message. It was written by Jude, who identifies himself as the brother of James. This would make Jude a brother of Jesus.
Jude, like James, was almost certainly an unbeliever until after the resurrection.
Jude gives some strong warnings, talking about those who twist the truths of the Bible into lies, and deceive their followers.
Jude also admonishes us to strongly defend the truth of the Bible against such falsehood.
vv.1-2:
Jude speaks to the saved, and reminds them of the permanence and security of Salvation.
The word “preserved” actually means “to prevent escaping”
We have an escape-proof salvation.
v.3:
Jude had intended to write to them about the doctrine of salvation; however, he saw a problem and was moved to write in defense of the Gospel.
It would be the pleasure of all pastors to focus primarily on salvation. However, circumstances and the evils of men often times dictate otherwise.
He tells us that we should earnestly contend (earnestly agonize) for the faith.
How many of us agonize over the Gospel?
When we see it being challenged, do we defend it, are we prepared to?
He then goes on to say that the faith was “once delivered unto the saints”
This “once” is in the context that it was delivered only once, there will be no other Gospel, and no other sacrifice for our sins.
Romans 6:10
Hebrews 7:27
Hebrews 9:12
Some translations use the phrase “once and for all”
v.4:
There are those who come into the churches, posing as believers, in the name of “Christ”.
They use Christian terminology, all the while perverting the Gospel. Their agendas are hidden, and their motives are concealed.
Matthew 7:21-23
The sad thing is that many churches don’t care.
A man could stand behind the pulpit and preach Dr. Seusse, and as long as the congregation likes him, no one would care.
It is because so many congregations have been so Biblically dumbed down by the subtlety of these false teachers, that now they can be more open, and no one sees the harm.
LEWDNESS:
They have used the grace of God as a license for immorality, permission to sin. Saying we are under the new covenant of grace.
Are we under the new covenant of grace? Yes!
Is how we live; therefore, irrelevant? Not at all!
They often try to justify this by saying that the O.T. is irrelevant
They are wrong, we must take the old with the new.
They wrongly interpret the law as being the means of salvation in the O.T., nothing could be farther from the truth.
Salvation has never changed, the law served to show us how sinful we are, and thus impress upon us the need for God’s mercy.
Romans 5:20 (through 6:2)
Romans 7:6-7
James 1:22
James 2:17-18
These false teachers ignore not only the O.T., but also the N.T. The two are inseparable.
Pagan practices and practices of other religions incorporated into our churches:
A long time ago, whenever they would evangelize an area and plant a new church, the Catholic Church began the practice of incorporating local customs into the church.
In ancient Europe it was labyrinths.
In Haiti, it was voodoo.
This practice was very effective, in that people would not have to leave their unbiblical worldly practices behind, and the church grew in great numbers.
However, what can we say of that growth?
Now many Protestant churches have followed in their footsteps.
They too are seeing great success, if you want to call it that.
Secular music.
It doesn’t really matter what style of music we play, but it must edify Christ.
There is no such thing as neutrality.
Matthew 12:30
LABYRINTHS:
They were born out of Greek mythology, and is inherently pagan. They began being used as an aid to prayer and meditation.
They are believed to have a variety of mystical powers, and began showing up in churches in medieval times.
Today labyrinths can be found in public parks, and hundreds of protestant and catholic churches throughout the United States.
Many people are oblivious to the dangers, but the Bible gives strong warnings against instituting paganism into our worship.
Deuteronomy 12:30-32
2 Corinthians 6:14 (Through 7:1)
People who have introduced this type of stuff into the church may call themselves Christian, but they have denied the only Lord God, the Lord Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION:
It is essentially important that we, as Christians, prayerfully study God’s word. This is the only way we will be able spot many of these false teachers. We must not get involved in these pagan rituals. No matter how hard we try, we cannot make it pleasing to God.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on October 27, 2012
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