Notes - Rebels::Declared - Jude 1-10

Introduction

• Jude: quite possibly the least studied book in the New Testament, but a power packed guide on rebellion.
  
• Jesus, Peter, and Paul all warned of apostasy - abandonment of scriptural faith.
• Jude saw apostasy (rebellion).
• Jude's mission: Enable us to contend for the faith in the face of rebellion.
• Jude 1-10 - Rebels: A Declaration.
• Jude 11-16 - Rebels: A Description.
• Jude 17-25 - Rebels: A Defense.

Rebel Focus (1-4)
Jude’s Intro (1-2)

• Self Description (1A)
• 1. Jude: Jesus’ half-brother.  
• 1. A bondservant of Jesus Christ: Rather than claim brotherhood, he chooses to claim servanthood.  
• The blood that cleansed him vs. The blood within him.   
• Saint Depiction (1B)
  
• 1. To those: No geographic location - a general open letter to saints.  
• 1. Called / Sanctified / Preserved: Jude’s first cluster of three (2, 4, 5-7, 11).
• Great description of God’s work in a believer’s life.
• Holy Spirit - Called.
• Father - Sanctified.
• Jesus - Preserved.
• Sweet Multiplication (2)
• 2. Multiplied: A beautiful blessing - not only addition.
  

Jude’s Topic (3)

• 3. Was - common salvation / Necessary - contend earnestly: This was the letter that refused to remain unwritten.
• 3. Contend earnestly: To struggle, contend with an adversary, wrestle, agonize continually.
• Christians are to be engaged in a continual agonizing struggle for the faith.
• 3. The faith: Only one, not “your faith” - something worth fighting for.
• 3. The faith: Not your own agenda.
• 3. Once for all: It was fully delivered at Jude’s day.  Fight for the word, not traditions.

Jude’s Logic (4)

• 4. Certain men: Jude will describe the rebels first.  
• 4. Unnoticed: They might look and sound spiritual.  
• These men are described in three specific ways.
• Ungodly men: They are destitute of reverential awe towards God (Strong’s).  
• Turn / grace / into lewdness: They make the gospel message a license for immorality.  
• Deny: They deny God the Father and God the Son.

Rebel Future (5-7)

• 5. Remind you: Jude will use three OT illustrations to remind these believers.
• Each example identifies a different group with a different punishment.
  

• 5. Having saved the people: The group.
• 5. Those who did not believe: The sin.
• 5. Destroyed: The judgment.
  

• 6. The angels: The group.
• 6. Did not keep their proper domain: The sin.
• 6. Reserved in everlasting chains: The judgment.

• 7. Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them: The group.
• 7. Given themselves over to sexual immorality: The sin.
• 7. Vengeance of eternal fire: The judgment.
  

Rebel Fiber (8-10)

• They Are Like The Exemplified (8)
• 8. These dreamers: Out of touch with reality.
•  They Are Unlike The Archangel (9)
• 9. Michael the archangel: Jude magnifies the sin of speaking evil of authorities/dignitaries.
• Michael - pure, holy.
• Satan - sinful, unholy.
• Michael wouldn’t speak out against Satan, who is obviously in error.
• They Are Like Brute Beasts (10)
• 10. Speak evil of whatever they do not know: Abusively of what they do not understand (NIV).  
• Diotrephes: who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us (3 Jn 9).
• Heb 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.
• Heb 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account.

Closing

• Put your dukes up.
• Realize the preciousness of the faith.
• Be godly.
• Believe God.
• Remain in your sphere.