Introduction
It would be very easy if false teachers and those with ungodly motives simply identified themselves and were honest from the beginning. In that way we could easily ignore them and refuse to give them any teaching opportunities in God’s churches. We would not allow them to join us for the Lord’s Supper and though we would certainly seek to be on friendly terms with them, we would know to treat them as we would any other unbeliever.
However, that is not the way in which false teachers operate. To use the words of Jesus, they are like wolves in sheep’s clothing which is why they can creep in unnoticed among God’s people. They claim to be Christians, confess the Apostles’ creed, and can speak about the grace of God for hours. It is easy to see how such people would be welcomed into any Christian community. But not only that, naturally there is a reluctance to challenge and oppose people who seem to be very sincere in their faith. Even if what they say and do is not in keeping with God’s Word; discipline is always hard. It requires courage and conviction, especially when you speak with people who claim to be living in a close relationship with God. And what is more, when an individual represents the opinion of a certain group, there will be tension and discomfort for a lot of people, perhaps even division in the church.
The book of Jude was written to help us identify and be on our guard against these false teachers.
Why the need for repetition and warnings?
Explain: what is the church meant to be?
Explain: brief reminder, how did the gospel transform the life of Jude and the church?
Explain: brief reminder, what are the identifying marks and teaching of the false teachers?
Explain: why does Jude need to repeat his warnings which he gave in verses 4-10?
False teachers lead people into sin
Explain: why the mention of Cain, Balaam, and Korah?
Explain: what happened to Cain and how does this relate to the false teachers?
Explain: what happened to Balaam and how does this relate to the false teachers?
Explain: what happened to Korah and how does this relate to the false teachers?
Explain/Apply: why should we be on guard against the false teachers?
False teachers are facing God’s judgment
Explain: what is the meaning of the quote from 1 Enoch?
Explain: give examples of false teaching in your area and affirm that those folk will be judged by God.
Explain: remind the church that judgment on false teachers was predicted by Jesus and that only those who repent will be spared.
Explain/Apply: why should we be on our guard against false teachers?
False teachers do not have the Spirit of God
Explain: what did the apostles predict?
Explain: what is the last time?
Explain: how do false teachers divide? How can we be sure they do not have the Spirit?
Explain: not all who follow the false teachers are unbelievers, some true Christians are caught up in their lies.
Apply: be on your guard by building yourself up in the faith.
Encourage: in the next sermon (Jude 1:20-25) we will consider in detail what it means to build yourself up in the faith so that we can be on our guard.
Conclusion
Jude encourages us to be on our guard against false teachers. On our guard because they lead people into sin and we do not want to do what God hates. On our guard because they will face the judgment of God and we do not want to perish in God’s fires with them. On our guard because they do not have the Spirit of God even though they claim to be led by him. May God help us not to be taken in with their lies but instead to build ourselves up in the true faith.
11 Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion.