17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
Three Imperatives that will help the Church battle together for the faith in an era of false teachers:
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
Three Imperatives that will help the Church battle together for the faith in an era of false teachers.
Recall the previous warnings (v. 17-19)
Remain in the love of God (v. 20-21)
“building yourselves up on your most holy faith” (v. 20)
17 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, 18 that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” 19 These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on some, who are doubting; 23 save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.
Three Imperatives that will help the Church battle together for the faith in an era of false teachers.
1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into indecent behavior and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Sermon Theme: In light of immoral false teachers creeping into the Church, we as true Christians must earnestly contend for the faith found in God’s Word.
Outline:
Intro – Greetings & Benediction (vv. 1-2)
You are called to contend for the faith (v. 3)
Why you are called to contend for the faith (v. 4)
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Theme/Proposition: In light of the Christian’s identity as a new man in Christ, you and I must put on the God-given garments of that new man.
Outline:
The Outer Garments of the New Man:
Garment of Love (v.14) Garment of Peace (v.15a) Garment of Thankfulness (v. 15b)
19 My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you strays from the truth and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that the one who has turned a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
Theme: It is the whole church’s responsibility to help restore straying sinners back to the truth.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
Theme: Since the prayer of the righteous is very powerful, we as Christians should be motivated to pray.
1) A Motivation to pray (5:16b)
2) An Illustration of the power of prayer (5:17-18)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much.
Theme: Prayer is an expression of our dependence on God in all of life’s circumstances.
1) Times of suffering should lead us to prayer (5:13a)
2) Times of blessing should lead us to praise (5:13b)
3) In extreme sickness, we should call on the elders to pray (5:14-15)
4) In struggles with sin, we should confess to one another and pray (5:16a)
12But above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you do not fall under judgment.
Theme: Christians are called to be people who speak the truth and are faithful to keep their word.
Outline:
1)Don’t swear or take oaths to authenticate the truth(5:12a)
2)Make swearing/oaths unnecessary by always speaking the truth(5:12b)
