Jude wishes to encourage the Lord's people in the gospel of God's grace and the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is this mercy that will bring all Christ's redeemed people to heavenly glory. He also instructs us to act with compassion to those around us while being ready to rebuke those who deal deceitfully with the gospel of grace.
Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espo...
Jude concludes his denunciation of the ungodly men who have crept into the congregations of the Lord's people by revealing the source of their problem. The do not have the Spirit of God in them. They are unregenerate and they are unbelieving. The speak of faith but have none. The speak of new life but they remain dead in trespasses and sins.
Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Luk 1:78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, Luk 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luk 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit,...
Enoch was a prophet of God and a man of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ from before the days of Noah and the flood. His faith is acknowledged in Hebrews where we are told that he pleased God. Enoch was a sinful man as we all are sinful but God was pleased with Enoch for Christ’s sake and justified this old saint by the blood and righteousness of his Saviour. Enoch walked with God and his testimony though small is a precious witness to the grace of God in Christ.
Luk 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Luk 1:68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, Luk 1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; Luk 1:70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: Luk 1:71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; Luk 1:72 To perform the mercy promised to our...
Jude lists four powerful descriptions to underscore the barrenness of these graceless men in the church fellowship. He likens them to clouds without water, trees without fruit, roaring, foaming waves and wandering stars. The metaphors emphasise the futility and sterility of a Christless gospel. When there is no spiritual life in a man and no gospel truth in his ministry there can be no lasting usefulness to his labours.
Jude warns the Lord's people to beware of brute beasts who enter the churches of Christ with the errors of false worship. He employs examples from Cain, Balaam and Korah.
Michael the archangel is very likely the Lord Jesus Christ by a heavenly name. Michael contended with Satan to deliver Jeshua from the devil’s accusations. Our Lord Jesus Christ has delivered His church from under the curse of Moses’ law and brought us peace with God.
Luk 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Luk 1:58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. Luk 1:59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. Luk 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. Luk 1:61 And they said unto her, There is none o...
Jude provides three examples of past judgments inflicted by the holy Lord God so the Lord's people may know how serious is false doctrine and how condemnable those who preach it within the assemblies of God's people.
Luk 1:46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, Luk 1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luk 1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Luk 1:49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. Luk 1:50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. Luk 1:51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination o...
Jude gives Christ's church three characteristics to identify the ungodly men who have crept into the church with their errors and evil conduct. They corrupt the grace of God. They deny the Lord God. They deny the efficacy of the work of Christ. Mark those men and earnestly contend for the truth.
Luk 1:39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; Luk 1:40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. Luk 1:41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Luk 1:43 And whence is this to me, that the ...
Jude’s message for the Lord’s people is an instruction to contend for the truth against those who would deny the doctrine and teaching of our common salvation once delivered to the saints by the Lord Jesus Christ and His apostles.
God’s mercy, peace and love are everlasting and constant to His people in Christ. Nevertheless, Jude knows we often fail to enjoy and lay hold upon these truths because our faith is weak and falters. Therefore, Jude prays that new and fresh applications of these three graces be granted and multiplied that Christ’s people may be helped through their Christian pilgrimage.
Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Luk 1:29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. Luk 1:30...
Jude tells us that He is a servant of Jesus Christ sent to minister to the church of Jesus Christ. He identifies the Lord's people by three blessed characteristics. We are sanctified by the Father, we are preserved in Jesus Christ, we are called to experience salvation by God the Holy Spirit.
Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest...
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:...
Luk 12:22 And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. Luk 12:23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Luk 12:24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? Luk 12:25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? Luk 12:26 If ye ...
Psa 48:1 A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psa 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psa 48:3 God is known in her palaces for a refuge. Psa 48:4 For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together. Psa 48:5 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away. Psa 48:6 Fear t...
Micah 2:10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction.
Isaiah preached the Lord Jesus Christ to his Old Testament congregation of faithful believers; a remnant people. He preached judgment for sin, grace for sinners and the glories of the Saviour Jesus Christ. We thank the prophet for His faithful testimony. We thank His Lord for so great salvation.
Man's reason causes him to imagine he knows how to pleased God. It gives him a false notion of holiness. Christ's coming was a new beginning for all those called to faith in Him. We are accepted in Christ and made perfect and holy in the Lord.
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Job 19:27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ ask their Saviour and Deliverer for many things to help, comfort and protect us from the troubles of life. However, sometimes our troubles bring us most good by exercising our faith and drawing us closer to the Lord. The Lord will rend the heavens and come down but it may not be in the way we desire or for the outcome that we ask.
God the Father has ‘made us meet’ to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. Paul could not describe sovereign grace better. From eternal love, election, justification, calling, and all other graces, God supplies every requirement to fit His people for glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ has set us free from the power of sin and Satan. He has delivered us from the power of darkness. This liberating work of God will be the focus of our attention in the sermon tomorrow.
