Last Sunday, Pastor Kyle preached an overview of the book of Jude and its meaning concerning the Christian Life. The old saying goes: A simple picture paints a thousand words. The book of Jude is only one chapter with twenty-five verses, but is packed with straight-forward and practical biblical truth for the Christian today. Jude is not a detailed description of Jesus and Hid earthly ministry, like the gospels. It does not describe the historical growth of the Christian church, like the book of Acts. It is not an exhaustive Theological unpacking of how the Christian is to live, like the Epistles Paul and Peter. But, paints a picture of what a godly Christian life and church looks like.
Jude 1:1-2 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, to those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jude was, most likely, the half-brother of Jesus and the brother of James. His point in not bring that fact to attention is to point to Jesus and elevate the Lord, as we all should also. The structure of his letter is a sermon. Humility is the foundation of his message. A little humility goes a long way in life. Proverbs 22:4 tells us, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.” It is of utmost importance that people know whose we are as servants of Jesus than who we are. The most powerful connection I can give someone is to humbly introduce them to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Humility is one of the core proofs that Christ is in us. It is the foundation of the disciple’s heart that follows Jesus. Our title as “Servant of Jesus Christ makes us more effective and meaningful in life between the dash (birth date-date of death).
Jude 1:3 “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
The Bible is the walls that the Holy Spirit uses to build and hold up our faith. The Wo0rd of God provides connection and communion with God. We commune with God by engaging with the holy Scriptures. We cannot grow spiritually without the Bible. The Holy Spirit grows and matures us, but the Word of God is the primary vehicle that He use in our lives for our spiritual development. God can speak through any way or means He desires and chooses, but since we are “fallen” beings, we need the Scriptures to guide us. Solitude and silent are great spiritual disciplines, but are not complete in and of themselves. Adding Scripture after your mind clears before God, guides your thoughts and prayers. God’s Word is how we contend daily for the faith. In the struggles of life, the Scriptures keep us focused on what God wants us to do and be. The walls of our spiritual live need daily maintenance. The Word of God is the tool we use to maintain the house of our soul.
Jude 1:4 “For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
The Word of God brings us conviction and correction. Due to the darkness of sin, certain people have crept into the church with false doctrinal teaching found nowhere in the Bible and a sinful lifestyle. Conviction is what happens before correction. It is when the Lord lays upon your heart an ungodly and sinful thought, word and behavior in your life. God has something better for you. God also convicts us positively when we are right on track with where we ought to be. Contend for the faith because there are dangers (temptations, distractions, and lies) lurking in the shadows for Christians.
Let's continue Pastor Kyle's message on the book of Jude in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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