Introduction

Jude is somewhat of a strange letter that is not very well known among Christians. Not only is it very short and tucked away right at the end of the Bible, but it also contains some peculiar references and teachings. For example, in Jude 1:9 we have mention of the archangel Michael contending with the devil for the body of Moses and then in Jude 1:14 this prophecy from Enoch. Now, you can go home and study the Old Testament from front to back but you will not find any mention of these two events. They are both taken from Jewish Apocryphal writings, books that are not part of the Bible—that raises some challenging questions: why does Jude use these books? Should they be added to the Bible? We will come to answer these questions in later weeks.

Today, before we get too distracted by these oddities, we should recognise that this letter is fundamentally about the importance of the right doctrine. The importance of learning the right things about God, believing the right things, and teaching the right things to others.

Unfortunately the idea of focusing on the right doctrine is not very popular in our day and age. Any talk of doctrine sounds academic and divisive. A narrow focus on right and wrong, a word associated with people who are dogmatic, old-fashioned, or intolerant. We all know the expression: love unites, doctrine divides, and if you wanted proof, you simply have to look at the history of the church where Christians have split into lots and lots of different groups and gatherings, each with their own unique label. The idea of the right doctrine might be unpopular, but it is a topic upon which Jude wants us to focus. And since he wrote under inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, we trust that it will be for our good to listen carefully to what he has to say.

The transformed life of Jude

• Explain: who was Jude?

• Explain: how did Jude’s understanding and relationship with Jesus change?

The transformed life of Christians

• Explain: what do the recipients of the letter have in common with Jude?

• Explain: what does it mean to be called, loved, and kept by God?

The faith once for all delivered

• Explain: why did Jude write this letter?

• Explain: what is the faith once for all delivered?

• Apply: if the faith was delivered once for all, does that mean we need dreams and continuing revelations today?

Contending for the faith

• Explain: why is there a need to contend for the faith?

• Explain: what does it mean to contend for the faith and who is meant to do it?

• Apply: what will it look like for this church to make a diligent effort to grow in their understanding of the Bible? Do you know the church creeds and confessions? Give practical examples that are relevant for the church in which you are serving.

Conclusion

Doctrine really matters. What we believe about God is not simply a matter of preference, we must submit to the teaching of Scripture and hold on to the doctrines taught by the apostles. An emphasis on using creeds and confessions is not aimed at splitting hairs or creating division, it is meant to keep us tied to the faith once for all delivered since it is only this faith that can save us. God uses truth to call and keep us for Jesus Christ. Let us therefore contend for the faith.