Bible Study - Tough Questions (1) - We Need to Defend Our Faith? - December 1, 2019

Bible Study – Tough Questions (1) - We Need to Defend Our Faith? – December 1, 2019.

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Answers to Tough Questions Defending What You Believe.”

Our focus scripture is Jude 1-4, 20-25.

GOD can use you to show others the truth.

Christianity is one generation away from extinction. That is one reason, we who know the truth of salvation through faith in JESUS CHRIST must continually pass on the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Christians are called to live out their faith every day among fellow Christians and those seeking to have the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Who is Jude, the author of the book of Jude? He tells us in verse one. He is the servant or slave of JESUS CHRIST. He is the brother of James. Who was James? This James was the half-brother of JESUS.

Let’s read Matthew 13:53-57:

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables, he left there. ⁵⁴ He went to his hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joseph,^[n] Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? So, where does he get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they were offended by him.

[Judas in Greek is Jude.]

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household.” 58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

We all stumble when we try to humanize JESUS. Yes, JESUS was 100% human but also 100% Divine. HE was GOD incarnate. HE chose to be limited by the flesh, otherwise HE could not have died physically. GOD revealed HIS power over physical death by resurrecting JESUS from the physically dead to live eternally as our Savior, Advocate and to be the LORD of all who place their faith in HIM. Keep in mind that JESUS lived a sinless life and as such was and is the perfect sacrifice for sin. By HIS death HE paid, in full, the penalty for all sin. Every person’s part is to acknowledge JESUS as his or her Savior from sin believing that HE gave HIS sinless life to pay for his or her sin. When a person believes that JESUS is his or her Savior and askes HIM to come into his or her life, a miracle takes place. A miracle takes place in that person’s life and he or she is Spiritually born into the Family of GOD. That person becomes a born-again Christian in his or her spirit to become a Spiritual Child of GOD, which will never change.

But consider with me. How did JESUS’ brothers look upon HIM?

Let’s read John 7:1-8:

7 After this, Jesus traveled in Galilee, since he did not want to travel in Judea because the Jews were trying to kill him. 2 The Jewish Festival of Shelters^[a] was near. ³ So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so your disciples can see your works that you are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ (For not even his brothers believed in him.)

⁶ Jesus told them, “My time has not yet arrived, but your time is always at hand. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it does hate me because I testify about it—that its works are evil. ⁸ Go up to the festival yourselves. I’m not going up to this festival,^[b] because my time has not yet fully come.”

Did the death and resurrection of JESUS make a difference how JESUS’ brothers looked upon HIM? Let’s consider after the resurrection of JESUS and HIS walk upon earth for 40 days following HIS resurrection. JESUS told HIS disciples to wait in Jerusalem until, as recorded in Acts 1:4-5:

⁴ While he was^[a] with them, he commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise. “Which,” he said, “you have heard me speak about; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit in a few days.”

Who were waiting for the Holt Spirit to come upon them let’s read as recorded in Acts 1:12-14:

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 They all were continually united in prayer,^[b] along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

The resurrection of JESUS made a difference in the lives of JESUS’ brothers. I think, also in the lives of HIS sisters.

Let’s explore!

Notice that Jude refers to himself as being the servant or slave of JESUS CHRIST and a brother of James, who is the half-brother of JESUS. Jude wanted his faith in JESUS to be based upon JESUS’ being the true Son of GOD and not his half-brother. Jude’s relationship with JESUS was through his acknowledgement of JESUS as the promised Messiah - period. Jude distanced himself from the blood relationship, because it was their Spiritual relationship that mattered. And that is the relationship that matters for every person upon earth. All people must see JESUS as the promised Messiah, Who willingly gave HIS physical life to pay for our individual sin. As such each person must accept JESUS as his or her personal Savior through faith. Now is your opportunity to make that decision. If you have not made that decision, please make it now. Accepting JESUS as your Savior is the most important decision you will ever make in your life. When you do, tell someone what you have done.

Let’s read Jude 1-4:
Greeting
¹ Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James:
To those who are the called, loved^[a] by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ.

² May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.

Jude’s Purpose in Writing

³ Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. ⁴ For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago,^[b] have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.

Jude was compelled to write to fellow Christians because of a very troublesome issue had come to his attention. It was that some so-called Christians had corrupted the true Gospel of JESUS. He addressed his letter as “dear friends or beloved.”

Jude’s writing was directed to those who know the truth and have been “called” by GOD, “loved” by GOD and “kept” for JESUS CHRIST. Jude reinforced these three words with “mercy,” “peace,” and “love.” These are word terms underscoring the blood covenant Christians have with GOD through faith in JESUS. It will never be broken and will only increase as Christians obediently serve GOD. Christians are sanctified or set aside for the purposes of GOD. As Christians work in the fields of harvest others may be inspired to join in. Be a good example! All who know the truth of salvation, through faith in JESUS, have a responsibility to “contend” or “defend” the truth of faith in JESUS. As a true born-again believer in JESUS, you must not allow the truth of faith in JESUS to be corrupted. You who know the truth are the light of truth, do not let your light be dimmed by remaining silent or passive.

Jude pointed out that some people, acting like Christians, had secretly come into their midst who were purposely corrupting the truth of JESUS. They were wolves in sheep’s clothing and had to be exposed lest they corrupt and destroy the true body of believers.

GOD depends upon those who know the truth to defend the truth of the Gospel. In doing so, GOD has “kept them safe.” HE has multiplied “in abundance” “mercy,” “peace,” and “love” to them. Jude used the word “mercy” which carries the idea of showing compassion, kindness and good will toward those afflicted or hurting. Mercy is an expression of favor. It is closely related to “grace” or unmerited favor. It is something no one earns but is a gift of GOD.

The readers of Jude would need an abundance of “mercy,” “peace” – denotes security, prosperity, intense happiness and security.

Jude also used the word Love – agape which is needed when serving our LORD.

These false teachers or “ungodly” are destitute and void of reverential awe toward GOD. They are wicked people who condemn GOD. They have turned the grace of GOD into “lasciviousness.” In doing so, they deny JESUS CHRIST our only Sovereign LORD.” These “ungodly” people were not proclaiming an evil message but they were living an evil lifestyle. Their walk did not match their talk.

Let’s read Jude 20-23:

Exhortation and Benediction

²⁰ But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. ²² Have mercy on those who waver; ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Jude listed four areas of a Christian’s Spiritual life that required attention, if they were going to defend the Gospel in the Spirit:

1.    Build yourselves up in your most holy faith:

They must build their faith in GOD by building their faith by trusting GOD. This must become a lifestyle through the study of GOD’S Word, prayer and putting into action as led by the Holy Spirit.

2.    Praying in the Holy Spirit:

Prayer is coming into the very presence of GOD and talking to HIM and listening. It is a two-way conversation. It is spending time with GOD. Do you recall last week’s study – Pray continuously about everything. We are all in the present, therefore pray because we do not know what is around the next turn in life’s adventure. Prayer puts us on the leading edge, ready to respond.

3.    Keep yourselves in the love of God:

GOD’S love for us never fades. Maintaining the right relationship with GOD keeps us engaged with GOD. HE never moves but we can move and think HE has left us when in reality, we left HIM. Being filled with GOD’S love keeps our minds upon JESUS and in doing so improves our response as we encounter others along life’s pathway. May we always respond with the love of GOD toward others.

4.    Have mercy on those who waver:

All Christians have received mercy from GOD and they, in turn, need to extend mercy or compassion to others. We need to show compassion to those who are not growing Spiritually, as we think they should. Often, those who are addicted fight their additions. Often, Christians think they are not growing Spiritually fast enough but we must be patient. Remember GOD is patient with us. I accepted the LORD JESUS when I was about 9 years old. I turned 82 yesterday. Guess what? I am still growing Spiritually and learning more each day. In fact, I have learned more in the past two years and put into practice trusting my LORD more as HE reveals truth through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It is awesome!

Verse ²³ save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

All Christians are on mission to rescue those destined for Hell. Christians know the truth and the truth is there will be Judgment Day and those not having a personal relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS will be judged. Satan’s lies are – you have plenty of time, no loving GOD would send you to Hell. Place your faith in JESUS and become a Son or Daughter of GOD through the miracle of rebirth in your Spirit. The instant you are born-again you have eternal life.

In showing mercy keep a close eye on yourself lest you fall into compromising your walk with JESUS.

“Hating even the garment defiled by the flesh” refers to another group of godless people who are so degenerate they smell like rotten flesh.

Showing mercy is not condoning or being eager to denounce but to be concerned by their lifestyle or actions that are contrary to GOD’S will and plan. Christians are to minister to doubters, unbelievers and ungodly but we are to keep a careful eye that we do not get sucked into their lifestyle.

Let’s read Jude 24-25:

²⁴ Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, ²⁵ to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,^[f] be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time,^[g] now and forever. Amen.

False teaching can lead a congregation down the wrong path. So, beware! Christians and church leaders must keep their eyes upon JESUS. When the angry waves of false doctrine billow around us, keep your eyes upon JESUS, study GOD’S Word, pray in the Holy Spirit and trust as GOD leads you.

GOD is The Only One Who can keep us from falling into the snare’s life offers. Christians are kept by GOD. We are not to become complacent but to keep seeking a deeper walk and relationship with GOD Who is perfecting us into the image of JESUS.

GOD will never forsake you or leave you as HIS Child.

JESUS tells us in John 5:24:

²⁴ “Truly I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.”

Fellow Christians, we are the salt and the light may we all respond to the needs of others as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Father protect us all as we travel life’s journey. We are in spiritual warfare, so stay suited up for battle.

Blessings!!!