The book of Jude is small but extremely important. It packs a powerful punch and leaves a lasting impression. While it is often neglected, it does contain a relevant message for any generation of Christians.

Jude describes himself first as a bondservant of Jesus (Jude 1). He also was the brother of James. This was the same James who wrote the book of James and was also a brother of Jesus. This means that Jude was also related to Jesus.

Jude originally intended this letter to be about the “common salvation,” but he changed his mind and made the letter a warning against false teachers (Jude 2-4). This is a recurring theme throughout the New Testament (Matthew 7:15-20; 1 John 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

The Warnings

  • False teachers perverted the grace of Christ (Jude 4). They attempted to use God’s grace as a license to sin.
  • They denied Jesus (Jude 4). Maybe they denied His deity. Maybe they denied His humanity and His coming in the flesh. Maybe they denied the need to submit to His authority.
  • They were like Cain (Jude 11). Cain didn’t please God in his worship, and his heart was far from God. He also murdered his brother.
  • They were like Balaam (Jude 11). Balaam was a stumbling block to Israel and was a covetous prophet (Numbers 22; 2 Peter 2:15).
  • They were like Korah (Jude 11). Korah rebelled against God’s leaders and was punished (Numbers 16). God wasn’t pleased with the rebellion he led in Israel.
  • They were like clouds without water and autumn trees without fruit (Jude 12). They were useless, fruitless, and had nothing good to offer.
  • They would be punished (Jude 5-7).
    • They would be punished like those who rebelled after being delivered from Egypt.
    • They would be punished like those angels who have disobeyed God.
    • They would be punished like the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah.
  • False teachers continue to be a threat to God’s people. They are all around us, and we must guard against them (Jude 3). We must “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saint.” The “faith” Jude is referring to the source of faith. It is the one faith (Ephesians 4:4). It is the gospel of Christ!
  • God’s complete revelation to man is in His word (Jude 3).

How do we contend for the faith?

  • We must know it (2 Peter 1:5).
  • We must evaluate teachers (Matthew 7:20; Acts 17:11).
  • We must open our mouths and disarm false teachers with God’s word (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
  • We must pray for faith and courage to defend God’s word (Jude 20).
  • We must keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 21).
  • We must help one another (Jude 22-23). We must rescue those brethren in spiritual danger!
  • We must pray for our shepherds (Acts 20:28-31). Shepherds are appointed to protect the sheep from the wolves.

Conclusion:

Have you obeyed the faith and participated in the common salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38)?