Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us!
We are returning to Sunday School before the worship service this week.
When we meet in person, we take time to share any joys or concerns from the previous week. If you have any to share, please add them as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, I know that there are many dangers and difficulties in life that combine to shipwreck my faith in You. I desire to love You more, to know You better, to keep the Lord Jesus as the centre of my life, and to grow in grace. Give me the wisdom to discern what is not from You and ears to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit. In Your mercy, keep me under the shadow of Your protection. In Jesus' name, AMEN.
Today's lesson is on Jude 17-25.
Lesson Context
Jude, the author of this letter, was the brother of James, one of the elders and leaders of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; Galatians 1:19; 2:9). Since James was a brother of Jesus, this means Jude was as well. Though both opposed Jesus during his ministry before his death, both became committed believers after the resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:7; Jude 1). What we know as the book of Jude was probably a sermon that circulated among several congregations as an open letter. He addressed a number of congregations at one time, and they were all endangered by ungodly intruders and leaders. Jude clearly stated his main interest. He encouraged believers to "contend for the faith," that had been delivered to them (Jude 3). He identified the troublemakers, warned that their destiny is the same as that of Sodom and Gomorrah and the devil, and promised God would execute judgment against the "ungodly" for their "ungodly acts."
Lesson
The apostles warned about the rise of ungodly people who would disturb the church and seek to gain their own followers. By reminding them of this apostolic warning, Jude highlighted the importance of the apostolic voice in the early church. The apostolic word or teaching both guides and warns the church. The teaching of both the prophets and apostles is the church's foundation, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. Mockers and scoffers have always been part of the story of the church. Jude's warning is for all believers throughout the life span of the church. This is a constant danger rather than a unique one. What drives these false leaders? They did not believe God's judgment applied to them, or perhaps that there was any coming judgment at all. Rather, they followed their own desires. Jude emphasized that their motivations were ungodly. They were only interested in themselves, whether that greed or ambition was about wealth, power, or other possible lusts. These ungodly people are divisive, worldly, and lack the Spirit of God. In essence, Jude identified this ungodly presence by their works or effect on the congregation. In contrast, believers guild their lives on the faith, pray in the Spirit, and joyfully anticipate the mercy they will receive when Jesus comes again. Jude addressed these believers as dear friends, and their identity was rooted in God's love for them. In the Greek text, the main verb -- and the only command -- is keep yourselves in God's love. This was a call to action. As dangers mounted and seemed to overwhelm, believers need to continually ground themselves in God's love. While Jude stressed that believers are responsible for keeping themselves in the love of God, he also made it clear that it is God who empowers our perseverance in that love. God keeps us, while believers are also accountable for their own faith as well. Ultimately, believers do not save themselves, nor do they generate their own assurance. Rather, God acts to keep us and causes us to stand in God's glorious presence without blemish.
Conclusion
We live in perilous times, much like the church at the time when Jude was written. So we should recognize and identify the dangers. The church is called to exercise healthy discernment and heed the warnings of the apostles. At the same time, the church does not live in fear but in confidence. We root ourselves in God's love for us, and we pour that same love on those who have been damaged by these perilous times. While we practice discernment and contend for the faith, we also show God's mercy to others as we minister to those who doubt, those ensnared in the fire, and those who have soiled their garments. Secured in the love of God by the foundation laid down by apostolic teaching, praying in the Spirit, and looking forward to the mercy of Christ's second coming, we help others and show them the love which God has loved us.
Prayer
God, keep us secure in your love and enable us to show mercy to others in need of your love. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the New International Version.
Next week's lesson will be on 2 Corinthians 13:5-11.
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