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Introduction to Jude
INTRODUCTION
1. In several passages throughout the New Testament, we find serious warnings about impending apostasy... a. Jesus warned that false prophets would arise, the love of many would grow cold, and only those who endure to the end would be saved - Mt 24:11-13 b. Paul foretold of many disciples being drawn away - Ac 20:29-30 c. Peter warned about the rise of false teachers, and how many would follow their destructive ways - 2 Pe 2:1-3 2. But by the time the epistles of John and Jude were written, the danger was no longer impending, it was very much in existence... a. Antichrists were present, and false prophets were in the world - 1 Jn 2:18; 4:1; 2 Jn 7 b. Jude was forced to change his original purpose to deal with the crisis - Ju 3-4 3. If the danger of apostasy was already present in the First Century A.D.... a. We should not be surprised that the dangers exists in the twentieth century! b. We would do well to pay close heed to those epistles written to tell us how to deal with it 4. That makes The Epistle Of Jude especially relevant, and with this lesson we begin a series of expository sermons based upon its contents 5. In verses 1-2, Jude begins his letter in typical fashion: a. He identifies himself... 1) As "a servant of Jesus Christ" and "brother of James" 2) It is considered very likely that James was the brother of the Lord who had become prominent in the church at Jerusalem Ga 1:16; 2:9 3) This would mean Jude was also a brother to the Lord Jesus - cf. also Mt 13:54-56 4) That Judas would describe himself as a servant of the Lord and not His brother is typical of the modesty shown by James as well - Ja 1:1 b. He then addresses his original readers... 1) No particular church or individuals are named 2) They are simply "those who are called, sanctified by God theFather, and preserved in Jesus Christ:"
3) For this reason, the epistle of Jude has been categorized as a catholic, or general, epistle (like James, 1st & 2nd Peter, and 1st John) c. He concludes his salutation with a three-fold benediction: "Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you" 6. Before we go any further, the manner in which Jude addressed his readers is worthy of careful notice... a. Jude's purpose is to warn of those "ungodly men" who have crept in b. That a warning is necessary suggests a danger that is real: being led away from the faith c. Yet Jude uses terms in his address that some would say teaches the impossibility of apostasy (especially the phrase: "preservedin Jesus Christ")
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