Bible Commentaries
Jude 1

Verse 1

Verse 1. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

I. Brother of James - Gal. 1:19 - James is the brother of Jesus.

II. Servant of the Lord - didn’t call himself brother of the Lord. (Matt. 13:55)

A. Servant is more important than brother - Matt. 12:46-50.

B. Everybody will know how salvation comes - not by physical relationship. The Jews had a problem with this.

III. Difference between Jude and II Peter.

A. Peter warns of false doctrine, while Jude warns of ungodliness as a result of false doctrines.

B. Doctrine is important for that keeps our thinking and actions straight.

Verse 2

Verse 2, Mercy unto you, and peace and love, be multiplied.

Verse 3

Verse 3, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

I. The common salvation.

A. This is the "uncommon" salvation received as a gift of God to all believers.

1. Jude is not stating that the salvation is common (ordinary).

2. He is saying all believers have the same salvation.

B. The subject of the book of Jude is not the common salvation.

1. I am sure Jude would have loved to write about the salvation of God because it is always a joy to behold what God has done for totally depraved sinners.

2. It is the duty of Jude (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) to write concerning how true believers should contend for the faith when false teachers enter into the congregation.

3. Now is the time to stand for the truth - eternity will be the time to rest and relax.

4. We must work while it is day - before the night comes.

II. Faith - a system of doctrine - so called because all doctrine lies in faith.

A. Titus 1:13 - Rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.

B. Phil 1:27 - A church striving together for the faith of the gospel.

III. Whose job is it to contend for the faith? (Contend, don’t be contentious.)

A. The church - A nice solid scriptural answer. But if we’re not careful, this leaves all the church members looking around at all the other church members and nobody doing anything because:

1. They think it’s somebody else’s job.

2. They don’t want to offend anybody.

3. They don’t want other church members to think they’re trying to run the church.

B. The pastor - True, the pastor has a responsibility to God to stand for the truth of the gospel.

1. But many church members are looking for the pastor to do their job.

2. If it was the pastors job to do everything, then most church members would get mad at him, because they wouldn’t understand what the pastor was trying to do.

3. Most people who give the pastor trouble are in the middle category.

a. The first category is those who are very close to the work of the church, and try to be a help to the pastor and others.

b. The middle category are those on the outside of the inner circle. These people think they have a great understanding of the workings of the church, but they very seldom have as much understanding as they think they have.

c. The third category are those on the outside of the outside circle. Their attendance is irregular and their caring about church affairs is also irregular. But most of them know they are not active enough and therefore don’t cause much trouble.

4. If the pastor took care of everything, the church wouldn’t learn anything, then when the pastor left, the church wouldn’t have any idea what to stand for or against.

C. "Ye" - points to the individual people in the church. This is the point Jude is trying to get across. You can’t depend on anybody to stand for the things you ought to stand for.

IV. Crept in - II Peter 2:1 - "privily" (in secret, without telling their true purpose).

V. Unawares - because they weren’t looking for error. Some people accept anything with the name "Jesus" attached to it. Example:

A. Praise The Lord Club.

B. Readers Digest condensed Bible.

1. There have been a "ton" of false Bibles presented to the public since Readers Digest offered their condensed Bible.

2. These false Bibles are nothing but another way Satan is attempting to destroy the work of God.

VI. Before of old ordained. Not that God predestined them to sin, but "prographo" (to write beforehand). The example is given in verse 14-16 that Enoch wrote these things.

VII. Ungodly - destitute of reverential awe toward God. Rom. 3:18 - No fear of God before their eyes. Remember, according to II Peter 2:2, this lack of respect for God isn’t seen by many church members.

VIII. Turning - To put or place with or apart. (Therefore to add to or introduce in place of.)

IX. Lasciviousness - "aselgeia" - Excess - One who knows no restraint upon his desires.

X. Denying - Not His power, or knowledge. He must keep using the name of God and saying that God does give grace (in order to fool the listeners), but in his actions, he doesn’t prove that God is his Lord. He doesn’t use the Bible as a guide in his life, namely searching the law to see what he should do. He disregards the law of God as something impure to saved people. Instead of using God’s Word as a guide in his life, he uses his own mind and the thoughts of his heart.

Verse 4

Verse 4, For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

I. How did the church get to the place of following evil when they knew the truth to start with?

A. Remember - what causes our problems is what caused their problems.

B. This reveals that just because we are faithful today doesn’t mean we’ll be faithful tomorrow. II Peter 2 goes along with this passage. Notice that many shall follow their destructive ways. This can be us. Later we find they begin to speak evil of the way they once walked in. James Ivy is an example of this. He used to preach that lost people ought to be saved, now he speaks evil of those who preach that.

C. If they saw the problem, they did nothing, probably like we do, hoping the problem will go away.

D. Maybe they prayed that God would take care of the problems, but refused to do anything God lead them to do about the problem.

E. Maybe they saw the problems, but figured it was somebody else’s job to take care of it (they will put the work on the church or the pastor - both of these are scriptural, but the point is - they won’t take any responsibility upon themselves.)

F. Maybe they don’t like confrontations (makes them nervous) so they just let it go.

G. Maybe they’re not really committed to God in their lives, therefore don’t really care what happens. (According to the scripture, they knew the truth, but also see II Peter 2:2 - they {after their apostasy}, began to speak evil of the truth - and those that hold the truth.)

H. II Peter 2:3 - "feigned" to mold words that suit the vain imaginations of the listeners.

I. Maybe they’re friends with the one in error and don’t want to talk with them about it.

J. Maybe the one in error is kin to them and they don’t want to cause any family problems.

K. Maybe the sin comes in so slowly (therefore stays so long), they get used to it and don’t even see the error.

L. Maybe the church didn’t believe in church discipline.

II. The false teachers.

A. Their lives didn’t match their doctrines.

1. They spoke the words with their lips, but their actions didn’t agree.

2. They said they knew, but their actions betray them.

B. Ordained.

1. rather: marked out.

2. The word "prographo" is found in four other verses of the New Testament and is translated written, or set down.

a. Romans 15:4 - Things written aforetime.

b. Galatians 3:1 - The Galatians should remember that which was evidently set forth among them.

c. Eph. 3:3 - Paul wrote afore.

d. Jude verse 4 - before ordained.

3. It is not that these people were ordained to evil the way God’s children were ordained to eternal life.

4. God doesn’t predestinate any man to sin, rather leaves them to themselves, therefore they sin.

5. It is very important to understand that God knew all about these false teachers before they were ever born. Nothing takes God by surprise.

II. Ungodly men - The words are used 5 times is this book - they will not submit themselves to God.

A. I just heard last night on the news (last night was 6/16/2000) that the United Methodists denomination has given special recognization to homosexuals, not just as church members, but also as members of the clergy.

B. They are not only giving recognization of these abomination in their own congregations, but stated they will push for all other denominations to accept homosexuals also.

1. I do not know, but it seems that homosexuals are actively involved in the United Methodist denomination.

2. It seems likely to me that homosexuals are in charge of the United Methodist denomination.

IV. How do they turn the grace of God into lasciviousness?

A. By not partaking of grace - refusing to let the grace of God change their way of life.

B. This is antinomianism.

V. How do they deny the Lord that bought them?

A. With their lips they confess they know him, but their lives deny Him.

B. They say they are saved, yet act like they are lost.

C. They do in private things things they want no man to know.

Verse 5

Verse 5, I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.

There are three things Jude desires the people understand:

1. Verse 5 - God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, but later destroyed those that believed not.

2. Verse 6 - God established all the angels in their place, but those that left their place of service, He later established for destruction by binding them in eternal chains under darkness as they await the judgment.

3. Verse 7 - God blessed the cities of the plain (which included Sodom and Gomorrah) by making them a paradise like the Garden of Eden (Genesis 13:10), but changed the blessing into a curse because they didn’t worship and serve Him, but gave themselves over to fornication, going after strange flesh. God has established Sodom and Gomorrah as an example to all who would follow their steps.

4. Verse 8 - God uses the above three example to show all that Jude writes to that the certain men who crept in unawares of verse 4 will be established by God in the same condemnation as those of verse 5, 6, and 7.

As we think of the above verses, it is imperitive to remember II Cor. 5:11, "Knowing the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;…" We serve an omnipotent God, who is able to know all things about every person. He will bring every word, deed, and thought into judgment one of these days. It is very important that all of us obey His precious Word, not out of fear, but out of love, for His ways are best for all.

Numbers 13 - Moses chose 12 men to spy out the promised land for the Jews. Ten of the spies brought back an evil report and two brought back a good report. The people follow the majority, but the majority was wrong. Moses, being a good leader, didn’t go ahead and go into the promised land, but waited for the majority to get right (in this case, dead) and then lead them in. After 40 years all that generation had died, and the next generation was to go in. Joshua 4:19 - 40 years to the day they left Egypt, they crossed Jordan. Joshua 5:9 - the reproach of Egypt removed from Israel. Joshua 5:10 - Kept the Passover on the 14th day of the month (in the promised land).

The point of the verse is that God will hold all in judgment that disobey His will. This verse is not teaching that a person can lose their salvation because of disobedience, or that a saved person is immune from the judgment of God. It is teaching that a saved person can face the judgment of God because of an unfaithful life. The lost will be judged from the Bible for all their actions and thoughts which will determine their punishment through all eternity in the Lake of Fire.

Verse 6

Verse 6, And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

I. Estate of the angels - II Peter 2:4. Greek "arche" meaning beginning, compare with Verse 3.

II. Habitation - dwelling place - note the progressive steps.

A. I Tim. 4:1.

1. Giving heed to seducing spirits.

2. Doctrines of devils.

B. II Tim. 4:3.

1. Not endure sound doctrine.

2. Get new teachers.

C. This passage has no reference to the angels being the "sons of God" of Gen. 6 and having intercourse with the "sons of men" (women).

III. Chains are apparently darkness.

A. There is nothing quite so literal as spiritual darkness (lack of understanding).

B. The spiritual darkness is because God never prepared a way of salvation for the fallen angels.

C. God refuses to have the fallen angels be his messengers anymore. Now they only appear as messengers of light - II Cor. 11:14,15.

IV. Everlasting - Greek "aidios" - Used two times in the Bible. See Romans 1:20 - "eternal" power.

A. This shows that the fallen angels will not be released until God loses His power. (Of course, this will never happen.)

B. Everlasting fire - Matt. 25:41.

C. Note the change from everlasting darkness to everlasting fire.

V. Cast down to hell - Tartus - Used one time - II Peter 2:4 - apparently a temporary prison house.

A. Hades - the place of the dead (grave).

B. Gehenna - place of eternal destruction (burned the waste and dead in an area south of Jerusalem.

Verse 7

Verse 7 - Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Verse 7 is the third example Jude gives that shows the result of wrong doctrine.

The phrase "in like manner" of this verse does not make any reference to the fallen angels of verse 6, as some commentaries erronerously state. The phrase refers to the cities of the plain, as is clearly pointed out in verse 7. The entire phrase is, "Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication." Note the placement of commas: "…,and the cities about them in like manner,…" The phrase "in like manner" means the cities of the plain, like Sodom and Gomorrah, gave themselves over to fornication. God will judge them all.

Giving themselves over to fornication - The description of fornication is strange flesh. This doesn’t mean odd flesh, or bizarre flesh. It means flesh they were not supposed to have.

1. This could very well compare to Genesis 19:5 where the sodomites in the days of Lot desired to "know" the two angels who came to warn Lot of the next days destruction.

2. Romans 1:26 speaks of women turning the natural use into that which is against nature. (Lesbians)

3. Romans 1:27 speaks of men who did likewise as the women, burning in their lust one toward another. (Homosexuals)

4. I Cor. 6:9 declares that "…abusers of themselves with mankind…" (sodomites) shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of what God will do to sodomites, and to all who disobey and disregard the clear commands of God concerning holiness and righteousness. To those who listen, God will indeed be merciful, but to those that refuse to heed God’s warnings, there will be no mercy shown in the time of judgment. So polluted is the minds of men today, that they use the story of Sodom and Gomorrah to confirm homosexuality. These people of perverted minds also use the pure Godly love of Jonathan and David and declare these two men had a homosexual relationship. This is, of course, the worse sort of perversion possible. To use Godly men and twist their relationships into homosexuality is certainly a wicked perversion of scripture. It is no wonder God will not show them any mercy in the day of judgment!

Verse 8

Verse 8 - Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Just as the three examples given in verse 5, 6, and 7 defiled their flesh, so those that creep in unaware defile their own flesh. They are not content to just defile themselves, but desire also that every man and woman defile themselves. Romans 1:32 declares, "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

These filthy dreamers have disregarded the Bible as the holy Word of God, and a guide for living. They have replaced God’s Word with their own particular versions of the Bible, which versions compliment their own twisted truths (which are nothing but lies). These filthy dreamers are more concerned with their own thoughts (because all truth begins and ends with them) than they are with the Word of God. They have no desire to look to any authority, because they believe they are the final authority.

This whole verse describes to a "t" the polluted thoughts of these perverted people.

Note: progression of sin.

1. Defile their own flesh.

2. Despise (an inward action) dominion.

3. Speak evil of dignities (action as a result of # 1 and # 2).

Dreamers - divine false dreams of their own to reinforce their own false ideas. Remember their wrong doctrine causes them to have wrong actions.

Defile - To stain. Their sincerely believe (because they believe false doctrine) their ways are correct, yet as they put into action their false doctrine, their lives become more and more defiled.

Despise - To put aside, especially refers to putting aside all authority except their own.

Dominion - Lordships, or authority.

Dignities - Glory, esteem, reputation.

Example # 1

Genesis 3:1-5 - This was Satan’s ploy at the beginning, and remains so until now.

Example # 2

Refer to Verse 5 - Why were the Israelites destroyed?

Num. 13,14 - They didn’t believe God.

Num. 9:18-23 - Taught to follow.

Num. 11 - Following the mixt multitude.

Num. 16 - Korah and followers rebelled against Moses.

Num. 17 - God established Aaron as High Priest.

Joshua 4:14 - Joshua established as leader of Israel.

Example # 3

Refer to Verse 6 - The angels rebelling against God given order and authority.

Isaiah 14:12-14 - Satan trying to raise himself above God. The fallen angels are trying to follow Satan instead of God.

Example # 4

Refer to Verse 7 - Gen. 19 - The men of Sodom "desired" and angels of God.

Gen. 19:14 - They refused God by refusing Lot’s message. They didn’t have an excuse because they heard the message of judgment. They didn’t have an confidence in the messenger, but this isn’t their fault, it’s Lot’s fault.

The "likewise" of Verse 8 refers to the disobeyers of verse 5, 6, and 7. See my notes on verse 5.

Verse 9

Verse 9, Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

See V09.DOC for a discussion of this verse.

It is extremely interesting to compare how Michael the archangel of God contended with Satan, and how these filthy dreamers of verse 8 contend with God. A great dignity like Michael, the archangel will not bring any sort of raining accusation against Satan or any reason. But Satan and his followers, because they do not believe in God, or any authority except their own, because they are natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, they continue to follow their own flesh lusts, not just to fornication, but also to the greatest perversions of the mind and soul - speaking against the Almighty God and His Holy Angels, and all the followers of God.

I. The authenticity of the scripture.

A. From Wuest "Word Study of the New Testament."

(1) Michael is commissioned to bury Moses,

(2) Satan opposes his burial on two grounds:

(a) he claims to be the lord of matter (Hence the body should be handed over to him.) To this claim Michael rejoins, "The Lord rebuke thee, for it was God’s spirit which created the world and all mankind."

(b) He brings the charge of murder against Moses (the answer is wanting). The story is based on Deuteronomy 34:6, "He buried him in the valley...but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day." From a book "Assumptio Mosis" by Clement quoted from by Charles in his book "Assumption."

B. There is no other place in scripture where this passage is referred to.

C. I accept this passage as true.

1. Jude treats it as a fact.

2. If we don’t accept verse 9 as being verbally inspired, let’s not accept any of the book of Jude. (If we can’t trust Jude in verse 9, we can’t trust him in anything else.)

D. There is a lot of controversy over what this passage means.

1. Personally, if God didn’t tell us, He didn’t intend for us to dream up wild ideas about it.

2. If God wants us to know a certain thing, He will reveal it to us in His Word.

3. If we don’t have a Word from God (from his Holy Scriptures) then we shouldn’t follow our own conjectures or dreams about it.

II. Our actions should be like Michael the archangel. (Be sure and compare verse 8 and verse 9.)

A. Don’t rail back at those who rail against us. (All it’ll be is a shouting, angry session.)

B. Zech 3:1-3.

1. I don’t believe this passage is referring to Jude Verse 9, even though many commentaries believe it does. (Joshua is not Moses).

2. As Satan resisted Joshua, so Satan always resists those who try to do something for God. Especially those leaders God has chosen.

C. Isaiah 53:7 - Christ didn’t speak against His accusers. (We should be like Christ.)

D. I Peter 2:19-24 - We should take wrong patiently.

1. Verse 20 - Patiently suffering wrong doing toward us is acceptable with God.

2. II Cor. 11:23-33 - Paul underwent many evil things patiently, yet never railed upon those that mistreated him.

3. Our fathers in the faith (during the dark ages especially) didn’t accuse those who mistreated them, even unto death. They patiently endured what was put upon them.

E. Rev. 12:10 - The accuser of our brethren is cast down. (Satan is behind all rebellion against God’s people.)

F. Heb. 12:1-3 - We need to follow the example of Christ.

1. Verse 1 - Let us run with patience (James 1:3 - patience comes by tribulation) the race that is set before us.

2. Verse 2 - Looking unto Jesus, not evil circumstances around us.

3. Verse 2 - Endured the cross.

4. Verse 2 - Despising the shame.

5. Verse 2 - Because of the joy when that present suffering was over.

G. Jude 9 - We ought to say "The Lord rebuke thee."

1. Our strongest rebuke.

2. We think a good "poke in the nose" would be more effective. (This is in our nature and satisfies the desires of the flesh.)

3. Rom. 12:19-21 - Verse 19 - Vengeance belongs to the Lord (a quote from Deut. 32:35) Verse 20 - Don’t give food and drink to enemies in order to heap coals of fire on their head, but in order to win them to the Lord. (Matt. 5:43-48) (We do want our attitude to be right.)

Verse 10

Verse 10, But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

I. Speaking evil of what they know not:

A. Compare with verse 9, Michael knowing spiritual things didn’t speak roughly against them.

B. Luke 23:34 - Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

1. the result of this prayer was the salvation of these people. Acts 2.

2. This ought to be our attitude. Since we don’t’ know who the elect are, we might condemn someone wrongly. We need to follow verse 9.

C. Matt. 25:13 - Nobody knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return. II Peter 3:4 - Where is the promise of His coming? We don’t need to be like these people.

II. Corrupting themselves as brute beasts (unteachable living animals) Rom. 1.

III. Know.

A. First know - A mental comprehension and knowledge of invisible things.

B. Second know - To understand.

Verse 11

Verse 11, Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

See V11.doc for a discussion of this verse.

I. Woe unto them - This is a terrible condemnation God places upon unbelievers.

A. Matt. 23 - Woes upon the Pharisees who were seeking the fleshly kingdom of God.

B. Revelation woes -

1. Rev. 8:13 - woe, woe, woe, (three woes to come)

2. Rev. 9:12 - One woe is past - creatures from bottomless pit.

3. Rev. 11:14 - Second woe is past - Two witnesses killed - then verse 12,13.

4. Rev. 12:12 - Last woe - devil coming down to the earth with great wrath.

II. PARTS II., III., AND IV., ARE SELF-SATISFYING TO THE FLESH. (These is an unholy trinity of apostasy.)

1. Cain - a fleshly way of salvation.

2. Balaam - a fleshly way for rewards.

3. Korah - a fleshly way for leadership.

Part 1. Cain - A fleshly way of salvation. (There are only two religions in this entire world - one of works {flesh}, and the other of faith {God}.)

A. Gone - gone from the presence of the Lord (from the place where God is worshipped) - Gen. 4:16.

B. Gen. 4:11,12 - Cain killing Abel and being expelled from the presence of God.

C. I John 3:12 - The reason Cain killed Abel. "…And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous."

D. Why didn’t God kill Cain?

1. Ex. 21:14 - Capital punishment for the murderer in the law.

2. Gen. 9:6 - Capital punishment before the law - God doesn’t have one standard for Himself and another for everybody else.

3. Matt. 13:38 - There are two families on this earth (God’s and Satan’s)

4. Luke 4:5-8 - Satan has a kingdom upon this earth. A kingdom is made up of people + authority + a reign + sovereignty. Satan must have a people to rule over.

5. This may help explain why God doesn’t just kill everybody who opposes Him today.

Part 2. Balaam - a fleshly way for rewards.

A. Note: ran greedily - giving themselves up unto a thing, rushing headlong toward it.

B. Num. 22:6 - Evidently an older prophet who in times past had been faithful in God’s blessings and cursings.

1. He was well known to Israel as a prophet of God. (This is the reason many people followed him even when he was in error.)

2. He was well known to the enemies of Israel as a prophet of God.

3. The application is that lost people know who God’s people are. God’s people have a good reputation with lost people. (When they act like God desires them to act!)

C. When we have a good reputation and many people are following us, we need to beware for this is the time when we will most likely fall. When we begin to think that everything is going along just fine, that is when Satan will strike.

D. Balaam showed a complete disregard for the people of God in his headlong rush for material possessions (fame).

1. Num. 22:7 - reward for divination.

2. Num. 22:17 - reward for divination.

3. Num. 22:37 - reward for divination.

4. Num. 22:11 - reward for divination lost. (note: Balaam lost the rewards that had been promised him, but he also lost his life, as we shall see later. This is always the result of our following the desires of the flesh instead of following God.)

5. The Bible says take no gift (bribe).

a. Ex. 23:8 - take no gift.

b. Prov. 17:23 - take no gift.

6. Compare Elisha and Naaman, II Kings 5:15,16 and Elisha’s servant Gehazi. (Verse 20-27) Gehazi decided to take the gift Elisha refused, and wound up with the leprosy Naaman had.

E. Result of Balaam’s sin.

1. Num. 25:3 - Israel joined herself to Baal-Peor.

2. Num. 25:9 - 24,000 Israelites died in the plague.

3. Num. 31:8 - Balaam killed by his own people (compare with Num. 23:10 - Some think that Balaam, after Num. 22, joined himself to the Midians because of the rewards he could receive.) NOTE: Balaam has lost everything. Not only the rewards he was to get, but now he has lost his life.

4. The things we do affect many people. The more influence you have, the more careful you ought to be. (Think of all the people who are looking to you as a guide. They are following behind you in your footsteps. This really ought to make us think about the things we do.)

5. Don’t just follow men, they’ll let you down, trust God, and follow Him. Remember, if you follow God, you’ll always follow the man God set up as your leader.

E. Godly men who refused to let money, or the love of money, taint their testimony.

1. III John 1:7 - Godly men took the gospel, but took nothing of the Gentiles.

2. II Kings 5:15,16 - Elisha refused to accept any payment from Naaman for his healing because the healing was from the Lord, not from Elisha. II Kings 5:20-27 - Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, did take an offering, and received the leprosy of Naaman for his troubles!

3. Gen. 14:21-24 - Abraham refused to take an offering for capturing Lot and all that company because he wanted people to know that God had made him rich, not men.

4. Acts 8:18-20 - Peter refused to accept money for the gift of laying on of hands.

5. People and churches that take money for forgiveness of sins, indulgencies, and such are of Satan, not of God.

Part 3. Korah - a fleshly way for leadership.- Numbers 16 Jude 11 states that perishing is the end result of the gainsaying of Korah.

A. Korah and Moses are 1^st cousins. Ex. 6:16-21 (verse 16,18,20,21). So this dispute is a family problem and also a natural greed for power.

B. Korah and company knew the history of Moses and probably considered Moses an outsider. He didn’t go through the trials in Egypt. (note: The trials in Egypt had been forgotten - Num. 16:13,14.)

C. The size of the dispute. 254 to 600,000. (.0004233) If we had 100 members this would not be ½ of 1/10th of one person. God took care of Moses, so surely He can take care of us. Note: the rest of the people (99.95765%) did nothing. Verse 23-27 - They didn’t even separate themselves from the evil doers.

D. Korah’s job - Num. 4:15 - Commanded to carry the sanctuary and vessels of the sanctuary. They are protected by Moses and Aaron while doing this. Verse 17-20. But they forget, even though this protection had gone on for many years. Numbers 16:3.

E. One thing we need to remember is that every individual person must stand or fall by themselves.

1. Numbers 26:11 - "Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not."

2. Psalms 84 - The introduction to this psalms declares, To the chief musician upon Gittith, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.

3. It was the sons of Korah who sang in verse 10, "…I had rather a be a door keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."

4. The other verses of this psalm gives us a GREAT look into the thoughts of the sons of Korah, and why God didn’t kill them along with Korah and his followers.

Numbers 16:

Verse 1, Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: {2} And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:

1. There had to be some talking behind Moses back as Korah persuaded people to follow him. This is the way of those who try to take over leadership. They’ll talk and try to get a following before they make their move in order to be successful.

2. This is the way the people did who crucified Christ - John 18:3.

3. This proves that they are not looking to God to help them, but completely to men.

Verse 3, And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?

1. They looked upon the ministry of the Lord as purely fleshly. They didn’t recognize that God had placed Moses and Aaron in their place.

2. Their purpose is to destroy Moses and Aaron and set themselves up as leaders.

3. In their speech, they appear as defenders of the rights of the people. (Sounds like politicians and communism!!) (Thought they needed a more important job)

4. Why didn’t Korah and company try to be leaders in Egypt? Maybe there was too much trouble there.

5. They actually accuse Moses and Aaron of leading the people!!

6. Korah and company didn’t go up on Mt. Sinai, but helped make the golden calf.

Verse 4, And when Moses heard it, he fell upon his face:

Moses regaining his composure. No doubt praying for God to give him an answer.

Verse 5, And he spake unto Korah and unto all his company, saying, Even to morrow the LORD will show who are his, and who is holy; and will cause him to come near unto him: even him whom he hath chosen will he cause to come near unto him.

The Lord will show who are His. This is the best way. Let the Lord decide. Let us not try to raise ourselves up to a position of authority God doesn’t want us in. Who can question God?

Verse 6, This do; Take you censers, Korah, and all his company;

1. The censers are holy things offered to the Lord - all that take censers unworthily are doomed to die. See Numbers 4:15,16.

2. The result of taking the censers unworthily - Numbers 17:36-40.

3. It was at this point that Moses and Aaron removed their protecting hand from the rebels.

Verse 7, And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the LORD to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the LORD doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

Fire from the altar - See Lev. 10:1-3 - It couldn’t have been strange fire, for they would have been consumed immediately.

Verse 15, And Moses was very wroth, and said unto the LORD, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.

Moses was very wroth - But didn’t throw a fit, said (Jude 9) "The Lord rebuke thee."

Verse 22, And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation?

One man’s rebellion can bring the judgment of God upon the entire congregation.

Verse 25, And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

1. God’s leaders always need God’s people to help them.

2. This helping ought to be voluntary, not compulsory.

3. God’s people will always follow God’s man, whether he’s in trouble or not.

4. They try to be a friend to him.

5. They never follow him when he’s wrong, but they will try to correct him when he’s wrong.

Verse 26, And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.

The danger of being associated with rebels.

Verse 27, So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

1. Moses could have stopped with the end of this verse. The people had obeyed him when they separated themselves from the rebels, showing they respected him as their leader.

2. Most of our church discipline stops with the identification of the problem, not the solving of it. So Moses goes on to solve the problem.

3. If Moses had stopped any sooner, the problem would not really have been solved. There would have been many problems later because this problem was only identified, not solved.

4. This is why many churches stay in so much trouble, and God doesn’t bless them. They won’t discipline unruly members. They put up with their trouble.

Verse 29, If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.

1. There is no thought of a reconciliation. The ended yesterday. The only solution now is death.

2. Sometimes this is the way it is in the Lord’s church. There is no reconciliation, only exclusion.

3. Moses is not condemning these to death. They have done the condemning.

4. Moses makes no emotional appeal to the people, but lets the Lord deal in the facts.

Verse 30, But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.

Provoked the Lord - not me.

1. When people rebel against the leadership of God’s ministers, they are not really rebelling against them, but against God.

2. Quick - you couldn’t ask for it any quicker.

Verse 34, And all Israel that were round about them fled at the cry of them: for they said, Lest the earth swallow us up also.

1. Running is not necessary.

2. These folks don’t believe the Lord (verse 26). Perhaps they had been too close to rebelling to believe the Lord.

3. The pit - Hades - grave of the departed wicked ones.

Verse 35, And there came out a fire from the LORD, and consumed the two hundred and fifty men that offered incense.

Even as Lev. 10:1-3 - This time the fire is holy, but the ones offering the incense are unholy.

Verse 36-40, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, {37} Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed. {38} The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel. {39} And Eleazar the priest took the brazen censers, wherewith they that were burnt had offered; and they were made broad plates for a covering of the altar: {40} To be a memorial unto the children of Israel, that no stranger, which is not of the seed of Aaron, come near to offer incense before the LORD; that he be not as Korah, and as his company: as the LORD said to him by the hand of Moses.

A memorial (remembrance).

Verse 41, But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

1. The next day - a lesson that is not learned.

2. "People of the Lord"!!

3. How could they say that????

Verse 12

Verse 12, These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

I. Spot - Greek, "spilas," a "sunken" rock or "hidden" rock.

A. A ship would crash into these and sink because they could not be seen. A hidden danger.

1. The unwary Christian who comes across one of these spots, or hidden rocks in the sea of life, will likely get a hole in their ship and sink.

2. The unward Christian, who comes across one of these spots, will likely get a hole in his heart and may sink from true service.

B. Not the same as a "stumbling, or rock of offence." I Peter 2:8. Christ was this. If we’ll be like Christ, we will also.

C. Greek, "Spilon."

1. Eph. 5:27 - a church that is without spot and blemish.

2. II Peter 2:13 - spots are they and blemishes.

D. Greek, "Aspilos."

1. I Tim. 6:14 - Keep commandment without spot, there is no reason to rebuke them.

2. I Peter 3:14 - Be diligent to be found without spot.

3. I Peter 1:19 - Christ is without spot.

II. Feast of charity - a church service of love. This is what true worship is. Not the love of singing, preaching, learning, knowledge, but the love of Christ, which causes us to love each other, and love singing, and love preaching, and love learning, and love knowledge.

III. Feast with you - they are present. Feeding themselves without fear - They have no fear of God (Rom. 3:18), or man when they come into services. This expression reveals how much confidence they have in the masses, and how much confidence the masses have in them. But if they have no fear of God or man or holy things, why do they come to services and fake worship?

A. Verse 4.

B. Fulfills a natural desire to religion.

1. They are feeding themselves, they are not feeding others.

2. They care only about their themselves, and do not care about others.

3. Note: there is no mention made of a difference between laity and clergy.

4. There are those laity who come into services only to feed themselves.

5. There are also those clergy who do nothing to glorify God, or edify the people, but constantly look for ways to make themselves into somebody.

C. Enables them to increase their own personal knowledge. (They consider this the primary objective of worship.)

D. Enables them to further their own schemes and lust instead of thinking and working for the best interest of the church.

IV. Clouds without water. (II Peter 2:17 - wells without water.) A promise of a refreshing blessing (like a rain in the midst of a drought) but there is nothing. "Water" is used many times to refer to the living word. John 4:13,14 - Salvation, eternal blessings is called the "living water."

V. Carried about of winds (tempest - II Peter 2:17). Eph. 4:14 - Let us not be tossed about with every wind of doctrine. "Wind" is used to describe the leadership of the Holy Spirit - John 3:8. This also refers to the "Unholy Spirit" - leadership of the devil.

VI. Trees whose fruit withereth (withereth is Greek, "phthinop" - Autumn trees), no leaves, no fruit.

A. Not that they had fruit and it withered as:

1. Matt. 13:22 - The cares of this world choke the fruit of the saved.

2. Luke 8:14 - Saved people that bear no fruit to perfection.

B. But like trees in autumn with nothing to bear evidence of life. Like older "Christians," who having been in religion all of their lives, come to the end of their days with nothing for themselves. Having been around religion and perhaps teaching, they have earned nothing for their souls comfort in their old age. Happy (content) is that older person, who finds they cannot attend services or read their Bible, who remain full of faith in the Lord. They have gained God for themselves. This is the desire of the Christian.

C. Twice dead.

1. Physical death - dead to the winter months (They have no faith in God in their old age).

2. Spiritual death - There is also a deadness in the heart of the tree. (Just as there is a deadness in the soul, their eternal abode is in the Lake of Fire.)

D. Plucked up by the roots.

1. Nothing left but to be totally done away with. Shows destruction of body, soul, and spirit in the Lake of Fire.

2. Not cut down and leave a stump. Isaiah 11:1 - Christ is the rod that grew out of the supposedly "dead" stump of David. It won’t be so with these, they leave nothing behind. There is absolutely no chance for their ever being anything more than what they are upon this earth.

Verse 13

Verse 13, Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever.

I. Raging waves of the sea.

A. Raging - wild, fierce, untamed. Noisy and bold in religious affairs - but not all of these are true men.

B. Compare with Psalms 2:1. They are raging against God and His laws and commands. In doing so, they always fight the men and women of God.

C. Waves - II Peter 2:18 - "Great swelling words."

D. I like to compare the above with the great waves of the sea driven with a fierce wind (the unholy spirit). Note: in this comparison, we only see a very small part of the wickedness. There is a great ocean, the depths of which we don’t know (the depths of sin we don’t know either.) This force is moving these wicked sinners against God, and God’s people.

E. Sea.

1. Refers to the people of the nations - Compare Rev. 13:1, 17:1,15.

2. These people in Jude 13 seem to be just the "tip of the iceberg." According to verse 13, the source of the people and their wickedness is the people of the world.

II. Foaming out their own shame.

A. Compare to the ocean wave - all of the roaring and noise, they produce only foam, which soon disappears whence it comes.

B. Note: that on the ocean, there is one wave after another. This is how it is in our Christian experience. There is one battle after another. These come in a constant stream. They’ll never end until we are dead.

C. Unable to cause an effect on God’s people. They might trouble us for a while, but evidently they’ll cause us to lean all the more upon the Lord. Rom. 8:35-39.

D. God’s people will listen to the still small voice of the Lord even in the midst of all of the roaring the devil puts up. This voice may be hard to hear at times, but it is to this voice that God’s person desires to listen.

E. Most of the people that have blessed me have not been the loud, boisterous ones, but the ones that sincerely love the Word of God. (This is not talking about personalities- some are naturally louder and some naturally quiet, but real Christians are super-naturally humble.)

III. Wandering stars - Some say planets, some say comets. Probably comets. They are "wandering" (without a course for this life.)

A. Matt. 7:13,14 - Not talking about salvation, but service. Let us head for Christ.

B. Phil. 3:13-15 - Let us "shoot" a straight course for Christ.

C. Life is like a race - Let us know where we’re headed, we’re to keep our eyes on Christ, and run toward Him.

D. The person who runs the wrong way in a football game and makes a touchdown for the other side learns quickly not to do that again.

IV. Reserved - prepared for you. Blackness of Darkness - as opposed to Rev. 21:23 - Christ is the light of the New City. There will be no light in the Lake of Fire (Even though there will be flames in hell, they will not put out any light as flames do on this earth.) Forever = eternity.

Verses 14-15

Verse 14,15, And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, {15} To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

I. Where did this prophecy come from?

A. Apocryphal Book of Enoch. (Revelation purported to Noah and Enoch.) Book was well known to 2nd century church, but lost. Rediscovered in 1773.

B. Book of Enoch is not inspired, but what Jude said about the book is inspired. What Satan said in Genesis 3:4 is not inspired, but what the Bible says about Satan’s words are inspired.

II. Enoch - Genesis 5:18-24 - Story of Enoch’s life. Heb. 11:5 - Enoch translated that he should not see death.

A. I think it is extremely interesting to note that Enoch lived before the flood, and prophesied concerning the coming judgment of God.

1. The immediate fulfillment of Enoch’s prophesy is that God judged wicked sinners with the flood, which occurred in Noah’s day.

2. The long term fulfillment of Enoch’s prophesy is that God will judge wicked sinners of all their wickedness, regardless of which form it takes.

B. It it necessary to understand that prophesy usually contains two meanings: one is short term (as Enoch’s prophesy was concerned with the sinners being destroyed in the flood) and a long term (as Enoch’s prophesy was concerned with latter day sinners being destroyed.

III. Seventh from Adam: Compare:

Enoch Genesis 5	Lamech Genesis 4:1,17,18
Adam	Adam
Seth	Cain
Enos	Enoch
Cainan	Irad
Mahalaleel	Mehujael
Jared	Methusael
Enoch	Lamech

ENOCH: walked with God	LAMECH
(NOTE: It’s possible to live Godly when others live ungodly-- Enoch did!!)	First polygamist
	Hated God and His Word
	Murderer

Note: The generations of Seth have the years of life included, while the generations of Cain do not. If you trace this, you will find it gives the years from the creation of the world until Christ.

IV. Prophesied - preached (declared the truth concerning). Enoch was not necessarily pointing ahead to the church age and the deceivers that would come into the church, but rather pointing to unbelievers in their midst in that day. (There have always been hypocrites - our problem is seeing who they are. Let no man deceive you.)

V. What Enoch said:

A. Doesn’t prove a post-tribulation return any more than II Peter 3:10,11.

B. Did any of the prophets foresee the "church"? Perhaps not - it seems when the prophets foresaw the Gentiles in Jerusalem, they always saw them against God and His people.

C. Rev. 19:11-16 - This is what Enoch was looking for. (Note: That’s not what he got. We look for the return of the Lord, but that’s not necessarily what we’ll get.) I Thess. 4:17 - (we) look for the rapture of the saints. (The term "rapture of the church" is wrong.)

D. Enoch - as well as we, realize there are people who cannot be convinced of anything. Do you know anybody like this? Don’t let people deceive you.

E. Deeds and words (note the progression). They are ungodly, therefore commit ungodly deeds. If any would rebuke them or be against their ungodly deeds, they will then defend the things they did (instead of repenting) speaking against God (upon this earth, they speak against God’s servants).

Four "Ungodly" of verse 15

1. Ungodly - total sinners.

2. Ungodly deeds - deeds that are sin.

3. Ungodly committed - purpose is to commit sins.

4. Ungodly sinners - more corrupt because they have now rejected the truth.

Verse 16

Verse 16, These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

I. Murmuring.

A. John 6:43 - Jesus said "murmur not among yourselves." This gives us a description of murmuring. It is not that loud rebellion, but that quiet, behind the scenes talking against someone or some idea. It is the thing that causes discontent and dissatisfaction with the way things are going. It is the thing that causes open rebellion. It is the thing that people do just before they come out in open rebellion against their leaders.

B. I Cor. 10:10 - (See verses 6-11) murmurers were destroyed.

1. Ex. 14:11 - murmuring before the Red Sea (See verse 12!)

2. Ex. 15:24 - murmuring against Moses because of thirst (didn’t pray).

3. Ex. 16:2 - murmuring against Moses and Aaron - desire death - request granted.

NOTE: So far all of the murmuring has been against Moses and Aaron. What the people don’t realize is that they are actually murmuring against God. We’ll see this as we study further about murmuring. The same thing goes on today. People don’t think much about murmuring against their pastor (the man God has placed over them), but they wouldn’t think about murmuring against God. What they don’t realize is that they are murmuring against God when they murmur against God’s man.

4. Ex. 17:3 - murmuring against Moses because of thirst.

5. Num. 11:1 - People complained - fire of God destroying them. Verse 34 - Buried those that lusted - didn’t carry their bodies into the promised land, like they carried the bodies of Jacob and Joseph. (Refer again to Ex. 14:12.)

6. Numbers 14:27 - The Lord said the people were murmuring against Him. The people thought they were against a mere man. They really didn’t realize they were against a man of God.

7. Num. 20:3 - People chiding with Moses.

8. Num. 21:5 - People speaking against God and Moses.

II. Walking after their own lusts. This has already been covered in Part I. When the people of Israel murmured, they were not considering that God was able to do anything. They were simply desiring the fulfilling of their own lusts. I remember a person who got mad and walked out of church mad. He was trying to tell the church what the church was going to do. He would not listen to the church or the pastor, but constantly spread ugly rumors about the unfaithfulness of the church and pastor. Of course, this was all the pastors fault. I was very relieved the day one of the church members (this persons brother) told the church he knew the trouble lay with the brother and not with the church or the pastor.

III. Mouth speaking great swelling words and having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. This means that great speeches are made (1) to speak great words against those doing right, and (2) the evil person will sneak around and side up with someone and flatter them in order to get that person on their side against the church and pastor. It also has the meaning that some in the church are greater than others, and some people (because they seem to be "somebody") are allowed to get away with things others are not allowed to get away with.

This is a true example. A pastor who found out that the leader of the young people’s group was homosexual. The pastor brought this up before the church and the young man admitted that it was so in front of the entire church. Therefore the church voted to exclude the man from their church because of his being a homosexual. The pastor later had to resign the church because the church said the pastor had the man excluded wrong. (The pastor didn’t handle the matter correctly.) The truth of the matter was that the homosexual was a member of a very important family in church and his exclusion was an embarrassment to the family. And that family had enough power in the church to cause the church to rescind their action. Do you know any churches that’s like that today. I’m sure you do.

I state here and now. I’m not against church discipline. I’m for it 100%. But I’m totally against "pastor discipline." "Pastor discipline" will not work for very long. (Probably until the pastor is forced to leave, and the church doesn’t learn anything.) Church discipline is the only kind of discipline the Bible talks about and the only kind that will really work.

I’ve had pastors tell me that they received somebody into the church. And that they had somebody’s name removed from the church rolls. This may sound very strong and firm and doctrinally sound, but in reality, it’s pastor dictatorship. (Doctrine of Nicolaitanes)

Again I state, the only kind of discipline that will work is when the church wants it done and is willing not only to exclude that person, but also willing to go through the talk in the community about the excluding. This will build a strong church, nothing else will.

IV. Phil 2:14 - Do all things without murmuring and disputing.

Verses 17-19

Verse 17-19, But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; {18} How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. {19} These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.

I. Beloved - not necessarily beloved by Jude, but by Jesus Christ. Note: the compassion with which Jude speaks to God’s people as contrasted with his mood when he talked about the deceivers.

II. Remember - Acts 20:17-28 - Remember what Paul said to the Ephesus brothers. II Peter 3:1-3 - The mockers and scoffers are the same people. Acts 2:42 - Additions to church continued in Apostles doctrine (not their own) and fellowship. Since we as well as Jude’s listeners, are additions to the church, we need to heed this same warning.

I Tim. 4:1-3 - Religion in the last days shall turn to what people want to hear, not what the truth is.

II Tim. 4:1-4 - Paul said, "Saved people will turn their ears from the truth."

III. Separate themselves - I John 2:18,19. Desiring a clique of their own. NOTE: the two groups. One group wished to get along with everybody, but the other group wished for everyone to get along with them. This is a difference!!

Sensual - Not sexual - "Animal sensual" as opposed to "Having the Spirit." I Cor. 2:14 - natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.

Having not the spirit - lost.

Verses 20-22

Verse 20,21, But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, {21} Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

There are two main things being talked about in verse 20-23.

1. Verse 20,21 - Take care of yourself.

2. Verse 22,23 - Take care of others.

a. The only way you can take care of someone else is to first be able to take care of yourself. This is practical Christianity.

b. I’ve seen people try to help somebody (which is very commendable), but they were not "grown up" enough to realize that they had to help themselves first. These people wound up falling into sin and away from God.

Verse 20 - There are four main things being talked about:

I. Build up yourself (Let God talk to you through His Word {listen first}).

A. Define "build" - to finish the structure of which the foundation has already been laid.

B. I Cor. 3:10-12 - This is our responsibility.

C. This "building" must be done in the local church. This is the only place that building can take place. It’s helping the local congregation. People will see that you are trying and that will be a great encouragement to them.

D. Strengthen yourselves - gain strength for yourself.

E. Most holy faith - not the faith we live by, but our system of doctrine or religion. This is how God reveals Himself to us. If we will study our Bibles and pray to God, He will reveal Himself to us through his Word. (This is the only way we will get a true picture of God, and of what He expects of us.)

II. Praying in the Holy Ghost (talk to God {second}).

A. Doesn’t mean praying in tongues as some believe.

B. Rom. 8:26,27 - The Holy Spirit makes sure the desire of our heart reaches God according to His will.

C. James 5:16-18 -

1. Pray for sick ones.

2. Effectual fervent - "to work in" prayer.

3. Prayed earnestly - prayed "with a prayer."

4. Prayed - actually according to I Kings 18:44, Elijah prayed seven times. This shows constant praying according to the will of God.

III. Keep yourselves in love.

A. Not that we have the power to keep ourselves saved or the power to serve Him, but keep yourselves in the good will of God, not in the wrath or judgment of God. Talking about the "will of command" or the "will of purpose." Which one of the "wills" of God do we walk in?

B. Eph. 6:4 - Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath (of God). Fathers should try to raise their children so that they will not be in the wrath of God, but rather in the love of God.

IV. Looking for mercy.

A. After you’ve read the Bible, and prayed by the Holy Ghost, and kept yourself in the love of God, you still need mercy. The truly "grown up" Christian realizes more than ever how much they need the love of God. True Bible study and prayer and struggling in Christian living, makes us realize more than ever how much we need the grace of God upon us. there is no room for false pride or joy in the accomplishments of the flesh, only a desire for more help from the Lord. Like the publican, we’ll realize more and more our unworthiness to come before God and we’ll cry out more than ever that we need the mercy of God. May God help us to see this great spiritual truth.

B. Looking for the return of the Lord.

1. Titus 2:13 - Looking for the blessed hope.

2. II Peter 3:12 - Looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day.

3. Looking for the crown of righteousness because we love His appearing.

Verse 22, And of some have compassion, making a difference:

I. Have compassion.

A. Acts 20:35 - We ought to support the weak.

B. Rom. 14:1 - Receive the weak.

C. Rom. 15:1 - Strong ought to help the weak.

D. Barnabas had compassion on John Mark.

1. Acts 13:13 - Mark left.

2. Acts 15:36-40 - Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.

3. II Tim. 4:11 - Reconciliation.

E. I Thess. 5:14 - Support the weak.

II. Making a difference - (This {above} is the "normal" way, but sometimes we can’t use that way) - not in our desire for them, but in our method of approaching them.

Verse 23

Verse 23, And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

I. Pulling them out of the fire - always remember Titus 3:10 - reject after 2nd admonition.

A. Lost - Acts 8:20-23 - Simon being pulled out of fire (apparently it didn’t work).

B. Saved.

1. Gen. 18 (19:17) - Abraham pleading for Lot.

2. I Cor. 3:15 - helping people "saved so as by fire."

II. Save with fear.

A. Lest we fall into reproach - John 4 - Christ talked to woman at well, not at her house.

B. Acts 24:25 - Paul before Felix - (Using words causing them to fear because of coming judgment.)

III. Hating the garment spotted by the flesh. Barnes Notes: While we endeavor to save the sinner, we cannot too deeply loath his sins; and in approaching some classes of sinners there is need of as much care to avoid being defiled by them, as there would be to escape the plague if we had any transaction with one who had it. Not a few have been deeply corrupted in their attempts to reform the polluted. There never could be, for example, too much circumspection and prayer for personal safety from pollution, in attempting to reform licentious and abandoned females.

Verses 24-25

Verse 24,25, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, {25} To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.

I. To keep you from falling (Preserve from falling into sin, not stumbling, without falling into sin - blameless.)

II. Present you faultless - unblameable - Col. 1:22 (21,22).

III. The only wise God - Rev. 4:11 - To God be glory, honor, and power.