Combating Counterfeit Christianity Jude 1-4

Who is Jude? Jude & Judas are Greek variations of “Judah” At least 3 men in the N.T. with this name Judas Iscariot Judas the Son of James (aka Thaddeus) Judas the brother of Jesus (He wrote Jude)

Why doesn’t he tell us Jesus is his brother? Most people alive at this time already knew Some in the early church elevated the family of Jesus above all people Jude knew being a relative of Jesus couldn’t get him into heaven He realized his dependence on Jesus for salvation

To Those who have been Called “He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight.” (Eph. 1:4) “Those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” (Rom. 8:30)

To Those who are Loved by God “God demonstrates His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

To Those who are Kept by Jesus Christ “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (Jn. 10:27-29)

Jude’s Purpose for Writing The Holy Spirit revealed to him that there were serious threats against the church False teachers had “secretly slipped in” among them They came in pretending to be something they weren’t – they didn’t really believe what they professed

Acts 20:29-31 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on guard!”

II Timothy 3:5-6 “These men have the appearance of godliness, but they deny its power. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires.”

Galatians 2:4 “This matter arose because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves.”

The False Teaching Jude was Concerned About They were using the grace of God as a license to sin The liberty we have in Christ is NOT a license to sin (Rom. 6:1-2) If we fall back into a life of sin, we crucify Christ all over again (Heb. 6:6)

II Corinthians 11:13-15 “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”

Defending Against False Teachers The best defense against a counterfeit is to be firmly grounded in the truth Study your Bibles and attend a strong Bible teaching church Equip yourself to contend for the faith and carry out the work God has prepared for you