8 Yet in the same way these people also, dreaming, defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak abusively of angelic majesties. 9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him an abusive judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people disparage all the things that they do not understand; and all the things that they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have given themselves up to the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, like shepherds caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted.
Theme: Believers in the Church must be on the lookout for what false teachers do and what they are like.
They Scorn Supernatural Beings (v. 8d-10)
They’re Marked by Murder, Money, and Mutiny (v. 11)
5 Now I want to remind you, though you know everything once and for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And angels who did not keep their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling place, these He has kept in eternal restraints under darkness for the judgment of the great day, 7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these angels indulged in sexual perversion and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.
8 Yet in the same way these people also, dreaming, defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak abusively of angelic majesties.
Theme: Deceptive, immoral false teachers are headed for God’s eternal judgment, and true believers in the Church must be alerted not to follow or fall for them.
Three examples of arrogance and immorality that bring God’s wrath and condemnation.
24 and let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, 25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Ephesians 4:3 (NASB)
3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
1 Timothy 4:13 (NASB)
13Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching.
Theme: Remember the responsibilities & privileges of Church Membership!
Four Biblical Bases for Local Church Membership:
1) The Example of the Early Church
2) The Exercise of Church Discipline
3) The Existence of Church Gov’t
4) The Exhortation of the One-Another Commands
FBC “I Will” Statements:
·I will always be willing to both give and receive admonition and instruction with meekness and in love, and humbly submit to the practice of church discipline.
· I will be subject to spiritually gifted elders and their biblical teachings for the edification of Christ’s church.
· I will commit to praying for the ministry here in this church, for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the lost who need the Savior.
9 Now as to the love of the brothers and sisters, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10 for indeed you practice it toward all the brothers and sisters who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to excel even more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we instructed you, 12 so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.
Christians are commanded to excel in loving each other and to live respectably among non-believers as testimonies for Christ.
1) Abounding love for fellow Christians (4:9-10)
2) Respectable lives among non-Christians (4:11-12)
Theme: Christians should know clearly from the Bible what our purpose and part is in the local church, so that we can stay focused on the mission and move forward together under God’s direction.
Outline: The “Big 3” of God’s purpose for the local church, which must be our purpose as a church, in order to glorify Him:
