This exposition of Jude 20-23 by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, January 27, 2019.
Intro:
The older I get the more I understand the need for balance (not just that I’m getting old and feeble and thus worry about breaking a hip) but balance of perspective socially, politically and theologically.
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Yes, I have a certain political perspective. I’m of a conservative persuasion but I’m not in lock step with conservatives on every issue. I’m reformed in my understanding of Scripture and how I approach give texts but again, I’m not in lockstep with reformed folks on every issue. I’m convinced I have much to learn from those who differ with me. In my younger days I was quick to equate balance with “fence sitting.” I would often urge people to “get off the fence” and take a stand. Now, I can see they weren’t avoiding a stance it is just that they were far more balanced than I. I bring this up because when dealing with error in doctrine or practice, balance is crucial. Yes, when there is error in a central doctrine of the church we must speak. When confronted with an error that leads someone away from the saving gospel we cannot be silent. And yes, when we address error it should be with passion, conviction and great boldness after all we are contending for the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. But, at the same time there must be compassion and understanding when dealing with those who have fallen victim to false teaching. There must be an awareness of our own faults and failings and an acknowledgement that the offense is not mine but my king’s. I’m not the one wronged, He is! Verse 20 of Jude signals a contrast.
Text: Jude 20-23
Jude has been confronting the false teachers.
Those who crept in unnoticed.
Those ungodly people who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
Then he says, “But you beloved…”
“But you” in contrast to them.
You who have the Spirit, who have been born again, who are walking by the power of the Spirit of God, your life should be different. Your life should stand in contrast to theirs. Don’t let these things be said about you. In these 4 short verses Jude gives some practical advice for true believers within the church. The heart of which is don’t be carried away into error yourselves, take some precautions.
But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
As we work our way through this passage we will note…
Thesis: In response to ungodly teachers and their false, destructive teachings, believers reaffirm and reinforce their own faith while responding with mercy and compassion for those who’ve fallen victim to damnable error.
I said last week the believer’s response to error is dual-focused. There is an inward focus where we scope ourselves lest we fall into error and an outward focus where we warn of the sure and certain judgment of the ungodly.
That same dual focus is found in tonight’s text. There are 2 things I want us to note quickly.
- Biblical faithfulness demands appropriate self-care. (20-21)
- Biblical faithfulness requires reasonable/restrained compassion. (22-23)
Jude then points to three categories of people and how we are to respond to each.
- We are to be merciful to those who doubt - 22
- We are to snatch from the fire those in grave danger - 23
- We are to show mercy to others (false teachers, ungodly) mixed with fear - 23
Conclusion:
The message here is that we don’t separate completely as if not having any contact at all - otherwise how could you ever minister? This is about keeping a safe/healthy distance.
If you see a person falling off a cliff you rush to help but you don’t go off the cliff yourself, that doesn’t do either of you any good!
Balance, as we respond to error we look inward and outward. We practice appropriate self-care but we also demonstrate reasonable, restrained compassion.
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