A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 1

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1 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 1 Jud 1:1 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: 1) Who is declared the Author of this Epistle? Teachers Notes: Someone named Jude. 2) What does Jude call himself, and what does it mean? Teachers Notes: Jude calls himself 'the servant of Jesus Christ', and this word servant denotes, 'a slave who is devoted to another s interests and not his own'. 3) In light of this word servant, what type of Christianity did Jude live, and is this an example of how Christians should live today? Teachers Notes: Jude lived a Christianity that laid down his life and interests in this life, for Christ s interests. This Christianity is the only Christianity that one must live. Read: Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 4) What should a Christian then say in response to a comment from someone who tells them that they don t have to be so radical or fanatical about their faith? Teachers Notes: They should teach them the Bible s version of Christianity (which is the only authorative version) which as Jude says, is slavery, servant hood, absolute total selling out of ones own life and ways for Jesus, He is worthy of laying down your life for. Mankind is fanatical about something even if it be their own life, true Christianity is one that lays down its life for Christ and His purposes, following the Spirit of God's leading and being white hot for Jesus. 5) Who is this Epistle written too? Teachers Notes: "To them that are sanctified". 6) Who are those that are sanctified, and what does that mean? Teachers Notes: Those who are sanctified are those who are called Christians, and sanctified means, 'to make holy, to separate from profane things (empty, vain, sin) and dedicate to God'. 7) In light of this, what happens to one who becomes a Christian? Teachers Notes: When a sinner repents and turns to faith in Jesus Christ they are made holy like God, being separated from sin and forever dedicated to God (provided that person doesn t make a decision to convert again back to sin). Christianity is like marriage, you take vows believing you are forever dedicated to each other, nobody expects the other to walk away or commit adultery. God says yes forever, in faith that you meant you re yes towards Him. God will be dedicated to you for life or dedicated to you for your destruction, which one you choose. 8) Why should a Christian then walk away from sins? Teachers Notes: Because it s not them anymore, they have been made holy, that is a Christian s identity, holiness to God and being like God. To a Christian sin is like putting dirt on a clean garment, the two don t go together, it is foolishness. We have been separated from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ; we live like God now, holy, just, righteous. 9) If we have been made clean again, what has God officially done? Teachers Notes: When God created mankind He created them in His image (Gen1:26). That image wasn t physical alone, but also represented the state of a man s spirit or heart. In Christ we now represent the image of God once more from our inward man and God does not sin. 10) If Christians are now like God, holy, just and righteous, what else does God do that we should do? Teachers Notes: Read: Act 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. To be holy and righteous at home is not where God wants His people created in His image, ask yourself this question, 'if Jesus were here in the flesh where would He be and what would He be doing? He would be out in the streets and homes of the lost reaching them, He would be finding something satan and sin had corrupted and reversing the curse. If Christians are made like God, Christians should be acting just like God. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 1

2 11) What does, 'and preserved in Jesus Christ' mean? Teachers Notes: It means 'to attend to carefully, to guard, to keep one in the state which they are'. 12) If I am preserved in Jesus Christ does that mean I can never lose my salvation? Teachers Notes: Is a pickle in a jar of vinegar preserved? Yes, provided the pickle stays in the vinegar and keeps the lid on, but if the pickle leaves that environment it will fade. Christians must stay in God, because if they leave God's environment for the world they will fade. This teaches us that God is not the author of those who turn back, that He indeed does everything He can to preserve ones salvation, but cannot override a persons free will choices like the example of Esau. Read: Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 13) Discuss what you believe the environment of God is that Christians must stay in. Teachers Notes: Obedience to God's Word, commitment, faith, love, holiness, church attendance, fellowship, prayer, Holy Ghost, anointing etc. Read: Rom 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 14) What does it mean to be 'called'? Teachers Notes: We are the called of Jesus Christ, called to salvation, called to Heaven, called to be children of God. 15) Does that mean that God calls some and not others? Teachers Notes: No! Read these scriptures to find out just who else God has and is calling. John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God has and is calling every human being to repentance, Jesus Christ didn t die for the few but for the world. Jud 1:2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. 1) What is Jude s greeting saying here and what does this teach us? Teachers Notes: Jude writes to the brethren saying, Mercy (Tender compassion), Peace (prosperity, quietness, rest, set at one again), Love (brotherly love, affection, goodwill) be unto you. If a brother can greet with this desire in his heart towards God s children how much more does God wish this towards us? 2) What then is the will of God for us as Christians? Teachers Notes: Mercy, peace and love. Mat 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. Mat 10:35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Mat 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 1) If God has come to give us mercy, peace and love and we must do the same, why then did He say this? Teachers Notes: The will of God is for us to have these things and for us to also show these things to the world, however, because of sin there will be those who will oppose, resist, cause trouble and even cause many who would turn to Christ to stumble and fall, it is because of these things that there will be separation and division between God s people and those who follow sin and satan, even if they be your family. 2) What then is also the will of God for God s children while we still struggle in the flesh? Teachers Notes: Division, spiritual warfare, and opposition to those who would trouble the people of God. Although it is imperative to rightly discern God s will for these decisions, as love, peace and mercy must first be applied, before division is applied. Many people will leave us no choice but the later, yet we must always pray for them to be saved and delivered. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 2

3 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 2. Jud 1:3 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. 1) What does beloved mean, and what does this teach us about ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ? Teachers Notes: It means, esteemed, dear or favored. It teaches us that we are loved by God dearly and so are our brothers and sisters. We must always be aware that our brethren are the beloved of God and we should take great care in not offending one another or causing each other to stumble. Satan is the Christian s adversary not another brother or sister in Christ, unless of course that brother or sister is infected by satan. 2) What is the common salvation and what does it teach us about Jude s letter? Teachers Notes: The common salvation is the general or normal message of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The use of the word common tells us that there may have been other perverted versions of the Gospel that strayed away from right teaching floating around. 3) Can you think of any other messages of Christian salvation that stray away from correct Biblical teaching today? Teachers Notes: Seventh Day Adventism: although they may be born again, they teach salvation through other forms such as abstaining from certain foods, Saturday worship only, and much more. Christadelphianism: They don t believe in the Holy Spirit, nor the devil and much more. Some Christian sects teach salvation through baptism in water, while others teach it through the baptism in the Holy Ghost and speaking in tongues. Mormonism, Jehovah s witness s, Brahnamites. All these and many more stray away from the common salvation laid down in the Bible. 4) What does Jude exhort the Christians to do? Teachers Notes: Jude tells the Christians that it is needful for them to contend or struggle earnestly for the faith (common message of salvation) that was first given to the saints. 5) How should a Christian contend for the faith in this way? Teachers Notes: Christians must fight to bring forth the true message of salvation from the Holy Bible through, teaching, correction, debating, rebuking, taking a stand against those who bring in some other message or a twisted version and warning them. Christians must uphold the standard of Christianity and tell those people who profess to be Christians but don t bear good fruits that they are not. Christians must be zealous for the truth of God s Word and correct any false doctrines or twisted versions. Read: Tit 3:10-11 A man that is an heretick (one given to false doctrine) after the first and second admonition (warning to stop) reject (kick em out) ; Knowing that he that is such is subverted (perverted, twisted), and sinneth, being condemned of himself. 6) What does this then highlight the importance of? Teachers Notes: It highlights the importance of every Christian knowing their Bible, comparing scripture with scripture so that they will be able to teach, admonish and correct false doctrines. Read: Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing (to warn, caution or reprove gently) one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Jud 1:4 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. 1) Why did Jude say to contend for the faith in this instance? Teachers Notes: There are ungodly men who are teaching false doctrine in the Church. 2) How do you think these men came into the Church in the first place? Teachers Notes: These men may have avoided the leadership of the Church seeking rather to infect the people with false doctrines unawares to the leadership, but the more likely reason that these men were in the Church was because they had once been disciples of Jesus. 3) What does this teach us? Teachers Notes: Not all who attend Church are with Jesus Christ, and many have alteria motives for being there. We must all continue to grow individually towards Christ. 4) Will this happen to Churches today? Teachers Notes: Yes, this is one of the devils main forms of attack on the church, to cause trouble from on the inside amongst the brethren. 5) How can we know if there are those people amongst us? Teachers Notes: There are a few ways to know them. The gift of discerning of spirits, the word of the Lord, but most of all, we judge Christians by the fruits they bear. If you see constant gossip, division, negativity, higher mindedness, undermining of leadership or other brethren, gently warn them to stop and encourage them to bear good fruits. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 3

4 6) The statement who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men seems at first glance to imply what? Teachers Notes: This statement at first glance seems to imply that these men who have crept into the church teaching false doctrine, were ordained by God from the very beginning of time to be sentenced to Hell. 7) How do we know that this statement cannot be saying this? Teachers Notes: Simply because when we compare scripture with scripture the overwhelming majority of scripture teaches us clearly that God doesn t ordain anyone to Hell, nor does He wish any to perish there. Also if we examine the Greek we see the rendering of these phrases never imply such statements. 8) What then is this saying? Teachers Notes: If we read the text closely it is saying that ungodly men will suffer condemnation, not certain men in particular. Why are these men condemned? Because they are ungodly men and God has decreed those who live ungodly will suffer condemnation. Further to that, as we will shortly see in the immediate next verse, Jude goes on to mention those who were once with Christ and have turned back, implying that these men causing trouble may have once received Christ but later turned back to sin and false doctrine. Due to the translation of the Greek into old English many may read this scripture incorrectly therefore to help us interpret what this verse is saying correctly I have added my paraphrased translation: For there are certain men who have crept in unawares, who as God has said and written down previously before, in the old times (Old Testament), that ungodly men will suffer condemnation, these men are turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and by so doing deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 9) What was one of the false doctrines that were being taught by these ungodly men? Teachers Notes: Some of the false teachings that these were teaching was, abusing the doctrine of grace and perverting it to the extent of giving a license to Christians to commit sins of lasciviousness (filthy wantonness, unbridled lust, outrageous shamelessness). 10) Do you think these men denied Jesus Christ in their teachings? Teachers Notes: I do not believe that these ungodly false teachers directly denied God the Father or Jesus Christ as they seemed to be able to teach and congregate amongst the believers. I believe this statement means that by teaching these false doctrines they denied God the Father and Jesus Christ because what they teach is not the Word of God, but the word of satan. The context implies very clearly that these men have once been Christians and have gone back to sin yet are still congregating with Christians and are now teaching that it s alright to sin in certain areas. Jud 1:5 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. 1) Why does Jude write this, I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this? Teachers Notes: Jude s writing this statement is sarcastic in nature as if these believers had fallen victims to believing these false doctrines taught to them, as if they had forgotten the truth about holiness in Christ and were committing sins of lasciviousness, thinking that it s ok and the grace of God is with them, and that they are still saved. 2) What does Jude remind these Christians of? Teachers Notes: Jude reminds them of the example of Israel being delivered out of Egypt, and later being condemned to destruction for not believing in God. 3) How were the children of Israel judged to be non believers? Teachers Notes: The children of Israel went back to sin and thereby showed that they truly don t believe God s Word. Therefore when one professes faith in Christ yet continues in habitual sins living like the devil they are not Christians. Yet we must reach out to them and admonish them just as Jude is doing in his letter here. 4) Why does Jude use this example to Christians from the Old Testament? Teachers Notes: Jude is warning Christians that the same can happen to them, they can lose their salvation if they go back to sin. 5) Why would it be easy to receive a doctrine condoning sexual immorality? Teachers Notes: Our flesh man has been corrupted by sin, it desires sin and will until it is dead or has been crucified by its owner. Through the Spirit we do mortify the deeds of the body. It will always be easier to take the path of sin than follow the path of righteousness, and there are many that today still teach that these things are acceptable, yet the Word of God teaches different. Read the following scriptures. Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. Col 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 4

5 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 3. Jud 1:5 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. 1) Why were some of the children of Israel destroyed? Teachers Notes: Because they went back to sin. Jud 1:6 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. 1) Who are these angels? Teachers Notes: These angels are the third part of all the created angels of God that followed Lucifer in his rebellion against God. 2) What was their first estate and their original habitation? Teachers Notes: Their first estate was to serve God in His purposes chosen and their original habitation was the third Heaven where God dwells, that was their home. 3) What are they now clothed with? Teachers Notes: They are clothed in everlasting chains of darkness. 4) Does that mean they are chained up? Teachers Notes: Some are chained up permanently awaiting release in the Last Days, while the majority of the fallen angels are chained within themselves with chains of sin. 5) What do these fallen angels do now? Teachers Notes: These fallen angels bind mankind who is created in the image of God with those same cords of sin. But through Jesus blood and our choice to walk away from the temptation to sin, their chains that bind us are broken. 6) What is the fate of those angels which rebelled against God the Father? Teachers Notes: They will be judged by God and sentenced to the lake of fire for eternity. 7) Why did Jude use this example in speaking to the brethren? Teachers Notes: Jude warns these believers that may be sinning and thinking that they can make it to Heaven, that those who chose to leave their first faith and follow sin will have the same fate. This proves to us that assurance of salvation depends on each Christian holding onto Christ till the end and not turning back to sin. Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1) We have just seen Jude s warnings concerning turning away from God to sin and the punishment for those who do so is death, not life, yet some would claim that they cannot lose their salvation because of these verses in Romans, is the Bible contradicting itself? Teachers Notes: As you can see the Apostle Paul is encouraging Christians who are following God that no tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, sword, death, life, fallen angels, principalities, powers, nor anything present, nor anything to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing can take you away from Christ and your salvation, yet he doesn t list sin in his list, and he isn t speaking to people who were turning away from Christ back to sin, he was encouraging Christians that if you ve made that decision for Christ and stick to it don t ever fear any of these has the power to take it away from you. The Bible is not contradicting itself, nothing has the power to override your salvation except your free will choice to turn your back on it, and that s what Jude is warning these Christians about. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 5

6 Jud 1:7 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. 1) Why does Jude use this example to the believers? Teachers Notes: To warn them of turning back to sin once you have received Christ. 2) What is the punishment for such a choice? Teachers Notes: Judgment that ends in eternal death in the Lake of fire. 3) What is fornication? Teachers Notes: This word fornication here is the Greek reference 1608 exporneuo meaning to go a whoring after, to be utterly unchaste in the sexual perverse way. 4) What sin were these cities renowned for, and what does this scripture call it? Teachers Notes: From the Old Testaments record of this event these cities were renowned for sexual perversion but especially homosexuality, men with men and women with women which is called in this scripture going after strange flesh. 5) What then does God think about homosexuality? Teachers Notes: He hates it and will judge those who practice it worthy of eternal death. God teaches us that to be with the same sex is to be with a strange flesh, the flesh that is to be with man is the flesh of woman, and the flesh to be with woman is the flesh of man. 6) Many people professing Christianity such as Opposition leader Kevin Rudd of the Labor Political Party state openly to the Media that the Bible does not condemn homosexual behavior. What do you think of that? Teachers Notes: These people obviously don t read the Bible, and if they do they are obviously not agreeing with it and somehow trying to make it say something else. The Bible is clear, you cannot be a Christian and a practicing homosexual, and they that say otherwise should not assume to teach the Bible. Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 1) Does Jude seem aggressive in his writing and do you think Christians should also display these characteristics? Teachers Notes: Yes, Jude is aggressive; he even calls these ungodly men names like filthy dreamers. When you love the Word of God you have a zeal for truth and righteousness, we as Christians must contend for the truth of God s Word and tell people its not alright to be a Christian and continue in sin, nor is it right to teach these things, that is the whole thrust of Jude s letter. 2) What other judgments does Jude accuse these ungodly men of? Teachers Notes: These were teaching sexual immorality was ok to continue in because of grace, but it could be from Jude s use of the example of Sodom and Gomorrah that these were teaching homosexuality as well. They also despised authorities and spoke against them (they had no respect for people in power or position, whether in church or in government or so on) when they should have honored such people as the Bible teaches. Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 1) From this scripture what do we learn? Teachers Notes: We learn that God wants us to respect one another, he wants us to pay our taxes, he wants us to work with the authorities that govern things and respect them, that means our boss s at work, our government, our parents if you re a child in their care, our teachers at school, our spouses, our church leaders and so on. 2) What were these ungodly men promoting amongst the brethren? Teachers Notes: To disrespect anyone and anything, obviously except themselves. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 6

7 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 4. Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Jud 1:9 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. 1) Can a person defile their flesh and what repercussions may happen as a result? Teachers Notes: As we know these ungodly men were teaching sexual immorality, all throughout the Bible it speaks about sexual practices defiling the body, the result of sowing sin into your body usually ends in sickness and disease s, this is also a Biblical fact. We must live a holy life and exercise the fruit of self control which is in our spirit. 2) What is an Archangel? Teachers Notes: An Archangel is simply a ruling angel or great angel in rank above other angels. Lucifer was an Archangel before he sinned; now he commands all the fallen angels (demons). Gabriel and Michael are the only other two Archangels that scripture mentions. 3) What does verse 9 tell us happened in the spirit realm when Moses passed away? Teachers Notes: Satan came to take or expose to men where Moses body was. Deu 34:4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. Deu 34:5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. Deu 34:6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 1) What promise did God give to Moses here? Teachers Notes: To see the Promised Land, but God swore that he would not go over into it because he had sinned (Num 20:12 & Deut 34:4). 2) How does Jude say God buried Moses? Teachers Notes: God used one of his servants the Archangel Michael. 3) Why do you think God had to bury Moses body where no one could find it, and why was satan so interested in Moses dead body that he came to dispute with the Archangel Michael? Teachers Notes: I believe for two reasons: 1. Because the children of Israel would carry Moses bones into the promised land which was customary, thereby annulling God s Word which told him he would not come into the Promised Land (Deut 34:4). 2. If the people were commanded not to bring Moses bones over then the children of Israel may have forever been distracted by the loss of Moses their great leader, and probably be worshipping his tomb or his bones when all the time God was the true leader of Israel and Moses was just a simple leader obeying God. Removing Moses body meant a quick mourning period and a smooth transfer of Moses leadership anointing onto Joshua, so that the people could focus on God and come into the Promised Land. 3) What does this teach us about satan? Teachers Notes: He wants to distract us from the Promised Land we are walking into, by sidetracking us with things that don t matter. He also fights against God s Words to make us believe they don t work. Satan will always be opposing God s Word and trying to stop them from coming to pass. 4) What is Jude s use of this story specifically speaking about here though? Teachers Notes: Jude s message in the use of telling us this story is to correct those ungodly men of their ungodly railing against dignitaries and authorities. He states that even though the Archangel Michael had full right to begin accusing satan of many of his sins he simply said, the Lord rebuke thee. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 7

8 5) Why do you think the Archangel Michael simply said, the Lord rebuke thee, instead of accusing him of his many sins, and what does that teach us? Teachers Notes: Satan is sick and twisted, he fails to be able to see truth and therefore it avails nothing to accuse him, it is best left for the Day of Judgment. The Archangel Michael had been sent on a mission from God, to bury the body of Moses in a place no one would know or find, he wasn t about to get distracted by satan in doing this. This teaches us that there are also those people who do not have hearts to listen to the truth, even some who claim to be Christians, and therefore it profits nothing to debate with them about their sins, nor try to reason with them, there are many that will try to distract us from preaching the Gospel, don t accommodate them, let them think and say what they wish the day of judgment will reveal all. Stay focused on the mission given you, be aware of the distractions, simply rebuke those don t have a right heart and oppose you, and keep going. Jud 1:10 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. 1) What accusation does Jude charge these ungodly men in the church with? Teachers Notes: They are accused of speaking against positions and people that they don t understand anything about. 2) What should that teach us? Teachers Notes: This should teach us to be humble, we should be very careful not to comment on positions of authority unless we know what its like to occupy them. We should also be very careful in our judgment of people because we may not know the full story or know their hearts in matters. 3) What is meant by the statement, but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves? Teachers Notes: These ungodly men comment on things that they don t understand by their lustful appetites, by how they feel from their senses. Therefore their judgments are not righteous but selfishly motivated by their lusts. Jude states that they are like animals following their flesh. Jud 1:11 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. 1) Who was Cain and what was the way in which he went? Teachers Notes: Cain was the first child ever born, he was the son of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 4:5-12 Cain murdered his brother Abel because he was jealous, hateful and envious of his brother, because his brother received praise from God because he worshipped God with his whole heart, but Cain received not praise because he held back the first fruits of his labor because he cared more about his lust and greed. 2) Sum up what you think these ungodly men were doing in the Church from this account? Teachers Notes: These ungodly men were following their fleshly lusts and hating, despising and speaking evil against those who loved and served God with a whole heart. 3) What was the error of Balaam and what do we derive from it concerning these ungodly men in the Church Jude is writing too? Teachers Notes: In Numbers 22 Balaam desired treasures of this earth more than obedience to God and righteousness. This is just another example Jude uses to teach the brethren he is writing too, teaching them that these men are in the flesh and not in the Spirit, and that they are dangerous. 4) What was the gainsaying of Korah and what does this example teach us about these ungodly men in the Church? Teachers Notes: In Numbers 16 Korah gathered many people behind him and challenged the authority of Moses and Aaron s leadership over the people of Israel. They tried to establish themselves as the people s leaders instead of Moses and Aaron and God killed them. These ungodly men are doing the same thing as Korah, rising up above authority in self appointment and pride and will suffer the same fate as Korah who went down into Hades with all that he had. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 8

9 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 5. Jud 1:12 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; Jud 1:13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 1) Name some of the characteristics Jude accused these ungodly false teachers in the church of? Teachers Notes: Spots of darkness in your fellowship gatherings, waterless or lifeless empty clouds blown any way by any wind, trees that either have no fruit, bad fruit or fruit that doesn t last, dead on the outside and dead on the inside and not planted in God at all. They look and act like raging waves from the sea which seem powerful and forceful yet carry dirty foam filled with shameful sins, stars that don t have a place in the heaven. And to these people who follow these ways and will not repent is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jud 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jud 1:15 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. 1) Jude quotes a prophecy from Enoch the seventh in the lineage of Adam the first man, concerning the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, what is described will happen? Teachers Notes: Jesus Christ will return to earth with ten thousands of those who have already passed away in the flesh as Christians. When He returns He will execute a court of justice upon all of mankind that ever lived. In this court case He will convince all that have lived ungodly of their sins and sentence them to eternity in the Lake of Fire. 2) Why do you think Jude uses this prophecy of Enoch s? Teachers Notes: In the last part of the prophecy it is spoken that Jesus will judge the hard speeches that the ungodly have spoken against Christ. We know these ungodly men are speaking against those in authority over the church, but the Bible tells us to do so is to speak against Christ Himself not necessarily the man, because the man is simply the messenger of Christ, filling the role of office of Christ for Christ. Read: Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, Act 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 3) What should this teach us? Teachers Notes: To be very cautious in speaking against those in position of authority in God s Churches. Make sure your judgment comes out of truth, righteousness, humility and love. Even the Apostle Paul repented for speaking against the High Priest even when the High Priest was wrong (Acts 23:1:5). Jud 1:16 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. 1) Does this mean that if a brother or sister murmers, or complains a little then they should be classed as these ungodly men? Teachers Notes: Not at all, we all may have times where the flesh rises up and we may say something we These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 9

10 shouldn t. We should have love, forgiveness and understanding for one another, but if these things are constantly coming out then we must gently warn the people to get back in the Spirit. 2) Explain some of the fruits this statement might display, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. Teachers Notes: Many people come to a church and speak highly of themselves with a motive of pride, and others with a motive of use me in the ministry. They also try to flatter the Pastor or Leaders in order to gain position. I have had this happen many times and it will happen to those in leadership, therefore, we must be careful to watch people closely, and seek God diligently in prayer for who fills leadership and ministry positions within the Church. These positions are God s to fill, and many times the seemingly most qualified is not chosen but the most unqualified, because they have a right heart. 3) Have you ever met one who spoke great swelling marvelous Christian words, yet walked after their lusts and complained about others? What should this warn us of? Teachers Notes: It s easy to be swept away by words, people can convince you in a moment, this should warn us to watch for someone s fruits over time and not be quickly convinced as to their life by their words. The majority of what people consistently do shows where their heart really is. The Bible tells us to judge all things, prove all things so we must be lining everything up with the Word of God. Jud 1:17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; Jud 1:18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 1) What did the Apostles warn the Christians of their day about, and does that apply to us today? Teachers Notes: The Apostles warned many times in scripture and no doubt many more times to their disciples, that there would be mockers of Christianity and its godly standards. This applies to us today because the phrase, in the last time, applies to every day until Jesus Christ returns, from the day they said it. That means there is the possibility of there being people inside and outside of the Church who are mockers. 2) What is meant by the phrase, These be they who separate themselves? Teachers Notes: These mockers who are following their lusts and teaching false doctrine and a lapsed standard of Christianity in the Church Jude is writing to, are not under the governing church authority, they separate themselves from unity and accountability, they may be attending the church as Jude s letter tells us they are, but they are not with the Church in heart, they are their own Lord, doing whatever they feel like doing and not allowing themselves to be made disciples as the Word of God commands them. 3) Have you heard supposed Christians state that they don t go to church anymore, but they still pray and read at home, and is this right? Teachers Notes: No, it isn t, they have separated themselves from God s Church, which usually means they are backslidden and following sin but don t want anyone to know. There are genuine cases of this situation such as one who may be too old to go out anymore, but fellowship another way can and should be organized. Also, one may not have a church to go to under certain circumstances. But unless a Christian has such an excuse it is not acceptable that they are doing their own thing, that is not obedience to God s Word. 4) What does it mean to be sensual? Teachers Notes: Sensual means to follow your corrupted flesh nature. Whatever feels good at the time, in touch and giving over to the lusts of the flesh. 5) Finally, what does Jude accuse these ungodly men of, and how can he judge this? Teachers Notes: Jude accuses these ungodly men in the Church of not being born again, and Jude is able to judge this simply by the fruits they bear, you cannot be saved if you practice such things as these ungodly men practiced, and you cannot have the inward convictions of the Holy Spirit if you are able to teach doctrines that allow sexual immorality. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 10

11 A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF JUDE. No 6. Jud 1:19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. Jud 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 1) What does Jude mean by starting verse 20 with But ye beloved and what relation does his following comments have to the flesh? Teachers Notes: Jude is basically saying, But you beloved should not do the things listed in the previous verses. Instead you should be building up your spirit man. The building up of a Christian s spirit man in relation to the flesh, is whether one will have the power to overcome their flesh man or not. If a Christian will not pray they will more likely give in to the temptations of their sinful flesh. 2) What is praying in the Holy Ghost? Teachers Notes: Praying in the Holy Ghost is praying in tongues. When you are baptized in the Holy Ghost you will pray in another tongue through the unction of the Holy Ghost. The gift of tongues is of the Holy Ghost, functioned by the Holy Ghost, and therefore to pray in the Holy Ghost is to pray in tongues. 3) What does this verse tell us praying in tongues does? Teachers Notes: Praying in tongues builds up your spirit man, within your spirit man is a spiritual substance called faith. When you pray in tongues you build up that substance. 4) Where does responsibility lay for building up ones spirit man? Teachers Notes: The scripture tells us to build up yourselves. Therefore it is every Christian s responsibility to spend time praying in order to be strong Christians. 5) Apart from praying in tongues, what else does Jude encourage Christians to do? Teachers Notes: Jude tells these Christians to keep themselves in God s love, and to keep expectantly looking for the merciful salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ which leads to eternal life. 6) What context is this keeping of ones self in the love of God in? Teachers Notes: The context of this writing is in relation to God s loving saving grace for salvation, as the next part of that verse speaks about looking for Christ s mercy for salvation. 7) Whose responsibility is it to stay in God s love, God or the Christian? Teachers Notes: The scripture states, keep yourselves in the love of God, therefore it is the responsibility of each Christian to stay in God s love unto salvation. 8) If you don t keep yourselves in God s love concerning salvation what then must you be in? Teachers Notes: If you don t keep yourself in God s love for salvation you must be under God s anger for judgment. Read: Psa 7:11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. Psa 7:12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 9) What in essence then is this saying? Teachers Notes: It is telling Christians to stay right with God or risk falling out of His saving love and under His wrath for judgment. In context with all of his writing so far Jude is again telling Christians that it is possible for one to lose their salvation. To keep ourselves in the love of God in this instance simply means it is the responsibility of each Christian to keep saved. Don t keep sinning or start practicing sin or you may come under judgment. Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 1) What does it mean by and of some have compassion? Teachers Notes: Compassion in this context means that there are some that have strayed into sin with a form of ignorance, possibly not being mature in their Christianity, and genuinely believing the false teaching of some. In its context we have been reading about sternly warning and rebuking those who stray away from godliness into sins. Jude is now telling these Christians to be gentle with some who have strayed into sin rather than using stern rebuke and warnings for them to come to repentance. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 11

12 2) When would you stop gentle admonishing and start stern rebuking and warning one who has strayed from Christ into sin. Teachers Notes: You would cease when that person doesn t respond to the gentle admonishing to repent. Usually if a person doesn t respond to the goodness of God it means that their heart doesn t want to repent and salvation is not present, stern warnings and rebuke should follow and if there is no response to that, then they should be put out of the church. The Christians Church is no place for unrepentant sinners to forever congregate, and if allowed what do we differ from the world? 3) What does Jude mean by the phrase making a difference? Teachers Notes: Compassion really does make a difference on some who are ignorant of God s Word and Godly living. We can make a difference in ones life when we gently lead them back into Christ. Jud 1:23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. 1) Why would we save others with fear, and what does it mean to pull them out of the fire? Teachers Notes: We fear for the wrath of God to come on a Christian continuing in sin, the end result being loss of salvation and eternal condemnation for their sins in the fires of Hell. We are pulling them out of the fires that their sins have already condemned them to. 2) What does this statement mean, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh? Teachers Notes: It means that we are to hate the lusts of the flesh, not the person, even to the point of being disgusted with the clothing of a person which has been touched by sin. It is an extreme statement of how we should separate ourselves from sin. Jud 1:24 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, Jud 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 1) Can verse 24 be taken as, I can never lose my salvation because God won t let me? Teachers Notes: No it doesn t. This statement is part of a whole; it cannot be taken out of context. We have just been warned about going back to sin once we have been saved and the punishment if we do so; therefore we cannot disregard the whole Epistle of Jude and state that this means we have no free will to return to sin and lose our salvation. Scripture must not be interpreted out of context. 2) What does it mean then? Teachers Notes: Falling in the Greek means stumbling, as in an accident outside of our control. We should not fear of committing any accident of sin sending us to Hell. We should not fear of some thing taking us away from Christ. But if we harden our hearts and return to sin of our own free will, salvation is not guaranteed but condemnation is. 3) What do you think is Jude s motive for writing verse 24 at the end of his Epistle to the Christians? Teachers Notes: Jude s letter is very weighty, it is heavy in its correction and warnings of those who profess Christ and continue in sin or turn back to it, no doubt after reading it, and more so as we have done over many weeks of studying it, there is left the sense of fear if we are to turn back to sin. Jude ends his writing with an encouragement to balance out the heaviness. God is able to keep us from falling and to present us before Him faultless and joyfully as the redeemed. Let s sum up the Epistle of Jude by answering these questions: 1) Who is this written too? Teachers Notes: Christians. 2) What is the main reason for Jude s writing? Teachers Notes: To warn Christians about false teachers and false brethren, teaching them to contend for true Christianity, and deal with those who oppose it in the Church and everywhere else, both gently on some and hard on others. 3) What should we as Christians today do in light of Jude s Epistle? Teachers Notes: This is God s Word to us today and we should follow this letter as our example in dealing with people who teach false doctrine and live ungodly. These studies must be used in conjunction with and according to the Home Group or Bible Study/Discipleship Manuals. 12