“…and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…” 2Peter 2:3a Matthew 23:11-13 Jesus pointed out that false prophets would arise from with the “faithful” Acts 20:29-30 “…and from among your own Selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.” Cal Worthington was unabashed that he wanted to sell you an automobile, and resorted to interesting tactics. However, those who make “merchandise” within the church do so stealthily, with evil motives and desires

A BURING NEED… “…while I was making every effort to write to you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” (Jude 3) By Time Of Jude’s Epistle The Lord’s Church Had Become Saturated With False Teachers All Of Which Occurred Within A Span Of About 35 Years From The Day Of Pentecost In Acts 2 If He Such Danger Then, How Much More Is There Today?

[Eph. 1:3-10; 2Thess. 2:13-14; 2Peter 1:10-11] “To those who are called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied To you.” (Jude 1-2) CALLED: “Holy calling” (this calling is not the result of meritorious works on our part 2Timothy 1:9) [Eph. 1:3-10; 2Thess. 2:13-14; 2Peter 1:10-11] SANCTIFIED (KJV): “to make holy; to set apart for special purpose [John 17:17; Hebrews 2:11; 1Thess. 5:23] Not One & Done…On Going Process PRESERVED (KJV): “to guard from loss or injury” [1Peter 1:5; Philippians 4:7] Personal Responsibility To Remain In Christ

“For certain persons have crept in unnoticed…” Jude 4 “…appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered” Jude 3 Gotten Into Our Heads And Making Merchandise/Exploiting/Using Members Of The Church For Their Appetites (Romans 16:17-18) Jude Stressed The Sufficiency Of The Scriptures (Jude 3) All: “the whole amount; whole; entire; total” Whole: “nothing has been omitted; abated” Once: “one time and no more” Acts 20:27 “whole counsel of God”

“Contend Earnestly…” Jude 3 “Certain person have crept in…ungodly persons who turn the grace of God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” Jude 4 “What shall we say? Are we to continue in sin so that grace might increase?” Romans 6:1 Titus 2:11-12 Deny ungodliness; live sensibly, righteously and godly Colossians 3:17 Whatever you do…Respect & uphold the authority of our Lord and Master Ephesians 1:21-22 Matthew 28:18

The “Voice” Of History: A Powerful Reminder “I will therefore put you in remembrance, though you once knew this, how the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed then that believed not.” Jude 5 Hebrews 3:12-4:2 A firm warning; learn from their folly Children of Israel were the “chosen” people of God; angels were created to serve in the presence of God “Did not keep their proper domain:” “left their habitation” Jude 6 Jude 7 The citizens of Sodom & Gomorrah chose to engage in lewdness… When given the opportunity to repent, they flatly refused Genesis 18:20; Genesis 19:5-10, 24-25

Libertine vision with respect to the church “Defiled the flesh” “DREAMERS” WHO IN REALITY ARE “HIDDEN REEFS” PROMISING ONLY PERIL & SPIRITUAL SHIPWRECK Jude 8-13 Libertine vision with respect to the church “Defiled the flesh” “Rejected authority” “Speak evil” Total Lack Of Appreciation For Authority Numbers 16:1-45 Rebellion of Korah (see as well Numbers 26:9) “Clouds with out water” “Late autumn trees without fruit” “Raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame” “Wandering stars”

“These are grumblers, finding fault, following after their own lusts; they speak arrogantly, flattering people for the sake of gaining advantage.” Jude 16 1Corinthians 10:10 Philippians 2:14 “Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teachings which you have learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” Romans 16:17-18 Galatians 5:16-21 The deeds of the flesh

EXHORTATION TO THE “BELOVED IN CHRIST” Jude 17-18, 20-21 Beloved: descriptive of those held in high regard and dear to the heart of the one using it Time To Engage The Adversary 2Peter 3:1-3; 2Timothy 3:1-5, 4:3-4 Time To Be “Building Yourselves Up” 2Peter 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; Acts 2:42; Colossians 4:12-13; Ephesians 4:14-32 Time To “Keep Yourselves In The Love Of God” 1Peter 1:5; Romans 8:31, 35-39; Titus 3:4-7

AFTER LOOKING UPWARD (to God) THEN INWARD (self in relationship to God) A BALANCE IS FOUND… WE LOOK OUTWARD Jude 22-23 Galatians 6:1 2Timothy 2:24-26 Matthew 9:36-38, 10:1

GLORY: dignity and honor MAJESTY: greatness “To the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” GLORY: dignity and honor MAJESTY: greatness DOMINION: supreme authority; absolute ownership POWER (as used here/”exousia”): strength; jurisdiction; authority God Deserves Of Our Recognition Of His Total Essence; Reverence & Awe. Placing Him In The Preeminent Position In Our Being