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| Like Wolves In Sheep's Clothing |
The Church of Divine Guidance (CDG) Sunday morning adult bible study of the book of Jude. These posts are my notes for each session. Please study with us. You can participate by asking your questions or making comments below. We welcome your thoughts, questions, comments, and prayers.
John 1:1, 14 (NKJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Galatians 4:4-5 (NKJV)4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Philippians 2:7-8 (NKJV)7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
This philosophy the belief that, on the one hand, a person is not under obligation to obey the moral law, and on the other hand it promotes abuse of the body to promote spirituality. Jude, in his letter, rebukes these and other false teachers who deceive unstable believers and corrupt the Lord's table.
Jude identifies himself as the brother of James, who was the brother of Jesus, and also the leader of the church in Jerusalem
That may have made him a person of importance in the early church. He also identifies himself as a bondservant of Christ much like Paul identified himself as being “sold out” for Christ.
Jude said that these people:
Entered the church secretly (under false pretenses, wolves in sheep's clothing, con-men and women);
- They are ungodly, i.e., irreverent;
- They deny Christ as Master and Lord
- They were previously appointed to condemnation
It can be hard to resist because
- It has a kernel of truth - We walk by faith and not by sight - Give and it will be given unto un pressed down shaken together and running over - whatever we ask in prayer we can have - I can do all things through Christ
- It has a strong appeal - Those things that I mentioned don't require any change in the person. Just do it and you'll have what I have. That's a big draw to many churches with huge congregations and lots of flash but not much substance.
- It has the appearance of sanctity:
Jude 14-15 (NKJV) 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him."
Now keep in mind the characteristics of these false teachers is no different from those in the church today preaching, what Paul described as a different gospel.
Galatians 1:6-9 (HCSB)6 I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ ⌊and are turning⌋ to a different gospel—7 not that there is another ⌊gospel⌋, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah.8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him!9 As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!
The best way to guard yourself against false teachers and teaching is to know the truth. Careful study of the Word of God will help you identify a counterfeit because once you know the genuine article you will be able to quickly identify a fake.
How does Jude describe the character of these false teachers?
Jude 16 (NKJV) These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.
After affirming the doom of false teachers, Jude describes their character in three ways.
- They are grumblers, i.e., furtive complainers;
- They are malcontents, whose sole guide is their passions;
Grumblers, Malcontents, Boasters - They are given to noisy boasting, with a view to securing gain for themselves.
Numbers 11:1-2 (NLT)1 Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the LORD heard everything they said. Then the LORD’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.
Psalm 106:21-27 (NLT)21 They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt—22 such wonderful things in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Red Sea.23 So he declared he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stepped between the LORD and the people. He begged him to turn from his anger and not destroy them.24 The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them.25 Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the LORD.26 Therefore, he solemnly swore that he would kill them in the wilderness,27 that he would scatter their descendants among the nations, exiling them to distant lands.
These men forget that God in Jesus has rescued men and women from being slaves to evil.
Galatians 1:4-5 (NLT)4 Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.5 All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
Romans 6:1-4, 14 (NLT)1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace?2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death?4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.
All they want to do is to satisfy their own wicked desires.
Romans 16:17-18 (NLT)17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
They love to impress other people by the way they talk about themselves in a noisy way.
1 Timothy 1:5-7 (NLT)5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.6 But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions.7 They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently.
Here is what God said through Jeremiah when false prophets in Judah were saying that God had spoken to them and told them that they would not be conquered and sent into exile in contrast to other prophets who really were prophets who were saying the exact opposite.
Jeremiah 23:21-40 (NLT).21 “I have not sent these prophets, yet they run around claiming to speak for me. I have given them no message, yet they go on prophesying.22 If they had stood before me and listened to me, they would have spoken my words, and they would have turned my people from their evil ways and deeds.23 Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the LORD. “No, I am far away at the same time.24 Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.25 “I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name.26 How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say.27 By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.28 “Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between straw and grain!29 Does not my word burn like fire?” says the LORD. “Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?30 “Therefore,” says the LORD, “I am against these prophets who steal messages from each other and claim they are from me.31 I am against these smooth-tongued prophets who say, ‘This prophecy is from the LORD!’32 I am against these false prophets. Their imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people. I, the LORD have spoken!33 “Suppose one of the people or one of the prophets or priests asks you, ‘What prophecy has the LORD burdened you with now?’ You must reply, ‘You are the burden! The LORD says he will abandon you!’34 “If any prophet, priest, or anyone else says, ‘I have a prophecy from the LORD,’ I will punish that person along with his entire family.35 You should keep asking each other, ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’36 But stop using this phrase, ‘prophecy from the LORD.’ For people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.37 “This is what you should say to the prophets: ‘What is the LORD’s answer?’ or ‘What is the LORD saying?’38 But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the LORD!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Because you have used this phrase, “prophecy from the LORD,” even though I warned you not to use it,39 I will forget you completely. I will expel you from my presence, along with this city that I gave to you and your ancestors.40 And I will make you an object of ridicule, and your name will be infamous throughout the ages.’”
The bottom line was that the false prophets cannot hide from God to escape his punishment. Same thing today.
So now that we have this information about these folk what do we do?
Verses 17-19 says remember
Jude 17-19 (NLT)17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said.18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires.19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.
The apostles had warned the church about wicked men.
Memory was very important in the ancient world. Few people could read and any books were rare. So Christians must develop their memories. Jude’s readers must always keep clearly in their minds the good news of the gospel (what the Lord Jesus Christ has taught and done for them). Only then will they be strong enough to defend their faith against false teachers. Men who are as wicked as that only believe in their own ideas. They do not believe in what God teaches.
When Paul gave his farewell to the leaders from Ephesus;
Acts 20:29 (NLT) I know that false teachers, like vicious wolves, will come in among you after I leave, not sparing the flock.
Paul in his first letter to Timothy 1 Timothy 4:1 (NLT) 1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons.
In Peter's letter to the believers
2 Peter 3:3 (NLT) Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires
Jesus also had warned about people like that.
Matthew 7:15 (NLT) “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
Matthew 24:11 (NLT) And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
By their selfish words and actions, these evil men upset the unity of the church members. They did so by forming their own groups at the love-meals. They did so when they claimed to be superior Christians. They claimed that the Holy Spirit was guiding them. They certainly did not have the Holy Spirit in their lives. God’s Spirit intends Christians to love and to help each other and to keep together.
Verse 20 says Build Yourselves up
Jude 1:20 (NLT) But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,
How do you build yourself up?
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit - Their prayers must not be selfish or impatient. The Holy Spirit will teach them to know God’s desires, both for themselves and for other people
This does not mean praying in tongues. The Greek word translated “pray in” can have several different meanings. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.” Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for.
Jesus also had warned about people like that.
Matthew 7:15 (NLT) “Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep but are really vicious wolves.
Matthew 24:11 (NLT) And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.
By their selfish words and actions, these evil men upset the unity of the church members. They did so by forming their own groups at the love-meals. They did so when they claimed to be superior Christians. They claimed that the Holy Spirit was guiding them. They certainly did not have the Holy Spirit in their lives. God’s Spirit intends Christians to love and to help each other and to keep together.
Verse 20 says Build Yourselves up
Jude 1:20 (NLT) But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,
How do you build yourself up?
Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit - Their prayers must not be selfish or impatient. The Holy Spirit will teach them to know God’s desires, both for themselves and for other people
This does not mean praying in tongues. The Greek word translated “pray in” can have several different meanings. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.” Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for.
Romans 8:26 (NLT) And the
Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants
us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be
expressed in words.
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Verse 21 says Wait
Jude 21 (NLT) and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
We must spend time quietly with him. We must talk (pray) to him, even about the little things of life. We must listen to what he says to us in our hearts. We must obey what he tells us to do. We shall want to please him at all times. Because we are preparing for life with God in heaven. That life is the gift of Jesus Christ to loyal Christians on the day when he returns.
Verses 22 and 23 say have compassion and a burden for others.
Jude 22-23 (NLT)22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
There are 2 groups of people
1. There are those with doubts, whose faith is wavering. The false teachers have already damaged the faith of some weaker Christians. Now those weaker Christians are not sure about what to believe or how to live. Jude urges his readers to be especially kind to those who have doubts. They need help to understand clearly how God wants them to live. They are to be holy, as God is holy. They are to care for other people, and not be selfish. At all times they are to trust God completely, and not their own thoughts.
2. Those who have been duped by the false teachers. Jude uses picture language. The people in this group are like a stick that is beginning to burn. Jude’s readers must rescue them quickly, before the fire burns them completely. Others are in great danger. These are people who refuse to turn to God.
Christians must pity them and be kind to them. But they must act with great care. This is in case the life without God that these people lead begins to appear attractive. Jude’s readers must hate these people’s evil practices as they would hate to touch their dirty underwear (clothes that people wear next to the skin).
Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
The Benediction
Jude 24-25 (NLT) 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
These verses are often used as a benediction or the doxology at the end of worship services. It is a description of God's power and His character.
One of the great and lofty benedictions of the NT is the one at the end of this short epistle. This is a reminder of the infinite resource of God himself, who alone is competent to keep us from falling in this life and to bring us to himself in the last day. He will perfect the work of sanctification so that the believer will be faultless, or without blemish.
Jude 25 teaches both the oneness of God and the equality of Jesus Christ with God the Father. Thus it militates against the view that the deity of Christ was an invention of the post-apostolic church. God is spoken of as Saviour seven times in the NT. Here his saving power is shown in the Person of his Son, whom the Church acknowledges as "Lord," i.e., God. The final ascription of glory, majesty, dominion, and authority is Jude's testimony to the gracious character of God, who wrought our salvation through Christ.
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Verse 21 says Wait
Jude 21 (NLT) and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.
We must spend time quietly with him. We must talk (pray) to him, even about the little things of life. We must listen to what he says to us in our hearts. We must obey what he tells us to do. We shall want to please him at all times. Because we are preparing for life with God in heaven. That life is the gift of Jesus Christ to loyal Christians on the day when he returns.
Verses 22 and 23 say have compassion and a burden for others.
Jude 22-23 (NLT)22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering.23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.
There are 2 groups of people
1. There are those with doubts, whose faith is wavering. The false teachers have already damaged the faith of some weaker Christians. Now those weaker Christians are not sure about what to believe or how to live. Jude urges his readers to be especially kind to those who have doubts. They need help to understand clearly how God wants them to live. They are to be holy, as God is holy. They are to care for other people, and not be selfish. At all times they are to trust God completely, and not their own thoughts.
2. Those who have been duped by the false teachers. Jude uses picture language. The people in this group are like a stick that is beginning to burn. Jude’s readers must rescue them quickly, before the fire burns them completely. Others are in great danger. These are people who refuse to turn to God.
Christians must pity them and be kind to them. But they must act with great care. This is in case the life without God that these people lead begins to appear attractive. Jude’s readers must hate these people’s evil practices as they would hate to touch their dirty underwear (clothes that people wear next to the skin).
Galatians 6:1 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
The Benediction
Jude 24-25 (NLT) 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
These verses are often used as a benediction or the doxology at the end of worship services. It is a description of God's power and His character.
One of the great and lofty benedictions of the NT is the one at the end of this short epistle. This is a reminder of the infinite resource of God himself, who alone is competent to keep us from falling in this life and to bring us to himself in the last day. He will perfect the work of sanctification so that the believer will be faultless, or without blemish.
Jude 25 teaches both the oneness of God and the equality of Jesus Christ with God the Father. Thus it militates against the view that the deity of Christ was an invention of the post-apostolic church. God is spoken of as Saviour seven times in the NT. Here his saving power is shown in the Person of his Son, whom the Church acknowledges as "Lord," i.e., God. The final ascription of glory, majesty, dominion, and authority is Jude's testimony to the gracious character of God, who wrought our salvation through Christ.
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