Pastor Lowell Nelson teaches about the Book of Jude "Contending Earnestly for the Faith Against Apostasy" on 3/14/2010 for our Sunday service.
Pastor Lowell identified Jude as the Lord's half-brother, a fact supported by Mark 6:3. Jude referred to himself as a "bondservant of Jesus Christ" and "brother of James," emphasizing his servant status rather than his familial relation to Jesus.
The epistle of Jude is addressed to "those who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ," essentially writing to the church. Jude's initial desire was to write about "common salvation," but he found it necessary to exhort them to "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints". This was due to the infiltration of apostates into the church—ungodly men who "turned the grace of our God into licentiousness" (license to sin) and denied the person and authority of Jesus Christ. Pastor Nelson highlighted that these apostates use grace as an excuse to live according to their desires, rejecting God's authority and speaking evil of things that bring conviction.
Pastor Nelson structured the book of Jude into four sections:
1. Prudence against apostasy (warnings from God).
2. Peril of apostasy (punishment or judgment God metes out). He provided examples of God's judgment on apostates, including those saved from Egypt who did not believe (Numbers 14:26-38, Hebrews 3:12-19), angels who did not keep their proper domain (Revelation 12:3-9), and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:12-29).
3. Practices of apostasy (defiling the flesh, turning God's grace into license to sin, denying Christ's authority). These apostates are described as "dreamers" who defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. He referenced Cain, Balaam, and Korah as historical examples of those who went against God's authority and brought judgment upon themselves.
4. Power against apostasy (how believers can overcome these desires). The sermon concluded by outlining steps for believers to contend for the faith: remembering the words of the apostles, building themselves up on their most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Spirit. He also stressed having compassion on some and, with fear, pulling others out of the fire, hating even the garments defiled by the flesh.
Pastor Nelson emphasized that while there are similarities between Jude and 2 Peter, Jude specifically addresses the fulfillment of Peter's prophecy—false teachers have already come. He underscored that these warnings against apostasy are relevant today, as false teachers continue to infiltrate the church, seeking to lead people away from biblical truth and encourage indulgence in the flesh. The sermon closed with a doxology, giving glory and majesty, dominion and power to God, who is able to keep believers from stumbling and present them faultless.
