A study in Jude (vss. 5-7)

        The consequences of    
               defecting

      
Let’s review; According to verse 3, Jude states that it was his sincere desire to write to his readers about the salvation that they commonly shared.  But something happened.  He states that instead of writing to them about our great salvation, he felt led of God to write to them, urging them to fight for the gospel.  One of the reasons why he felt led to write urging them to fight for the gospel is because the gospel was under attack by apostate, false teachers.   In verse four (4), Jude states that these apostate, false teachers were stealthily placed by Satan into the fellowship of believers.  Jude further described these Apostates as condemned, ungodly and deceptive.

    Now according to verse five (5) Jude declares that he is also writing to remind his fellow believers of something that they’ve already learned and should still be mindful of.   You know, we need to be reminded of things that we have learned in times past.  Why?  For two reasons:

1.  In the words of D.L. Moody, "We leak".
2.  James writes, that we believers are sometimes, "forgetful hearers" (1:25)

                                                                                                                                         
Let me tell you exactly what Jude is reminding his fellow believers of; it can be summed up as follows: "There are consequences for defecting from the gospel".

    Hear this loud and clear, Jude is NOT writing to believers about believers defecting from the gospel.  Listen! Let me make this crystal clear based on what the Bible teaches.  True believers in Christ NEVER need fear defecting from the gospel. To say it this more clearly, true believers CAN, NEVER defect from the gospel.  I guess you call this Eternal Security.  I’m fully convinced that a true believer in Christ can NEVER lose his/her salvation.  My belief is anchored in understanding the bible’s teaching on the sovereignty of God in our total Salvation.  If according to Scripture I had nothing to do with gaining my salvation, then it’s only reasonable to believe that I have nothing to do with losing my salvation.  Eternal security CANNOT be properly understood apart from an understanding of Sovereign Election, the two go hand in hand.  Listen! If you don’t affirm sovereign election, you cannot affirm eternal security.  If man is a free moral agent (which he is not) and can choose when he/she is saved, then he/she can choose when not to be saved as well.  Therefore, when you read all of the so-called warning passages in Scripture (e.g.  Hebrews 6).  You must understand that these passages are NOT addressing true believers (i.e. “possessing professors”) rather they are addressing “non- possessing professors”.  True believers don’t have to worry about defecting from the gospel because of the sovereign work of salvation.  True believers are secure in Christ, not because of anything that they’ve done, rather, they are secure in Christ because and ONLY because of what He’s done for and in them (cf. Jude 1; Rom 8:28-30; Phil 1:6).  Therefore, Jude is NOT writing to remind his fellow believers about the dangers of defecting from the gospel, rather he is writing to remind his fellow believers that all false teachers will suffer the consequences of their defection from the truth. While we are engaged in the daily struggle of fighting for the sanctity and clarity of the gospel both inside and outside the church from apostate false teachers, it’s encouraging to know that ultimately they will get what they deserve in the end and that’s what Jude encouragingly reminds his readers of.    

    In verses 5-7, Jude recalls for his readers three historic groups in order to illustrate and remind his readers that there are indeed consequences for defecting from the gospel:

A.  Historic group number one: Israel (vs. 5)

“Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe”. 

     Jude writes that, “the Lord” (i.e. the sovereign master of the universe) after physically rescuing (i.e. saving) a people out of the land of Egypt – this people is none other than Israel (Ex 12:33f; 1 Cor 10:5-10; Heb 3:16f). Subsequently destroyed (i.e. brought to ruin, loss of well-being; not extinction.  The Bible DOES NOT teach Annihilationism) those who did not believe. 

B.  Historic group number two:  Angels (vs. 6)

“…And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day…”

     Much can be learned about “Angels”.  In fact a whole segment of Systematic Theology is dedicated to the study of angels called, Angelology.  Therefore suffice it to say, Angels are God’s handiwork, created for His glory (cf. Ps 145:2, 5; Col 1:16-17). Jude states that some of the angelic host, “… did not keep their own domain…” This means that some of the angels did not hold fast or cling to their God assigned positions or sphere of influence (i.e. domain).  Interestingly the verb “keep” here in verse six is in the Active voice meaning that these particular angels acted of their own volition and chose to leave their assigned roles.  Angels do have free will.  Jude further states that these certain angels, “…abandoned their proper abode…” The word, “abandoned” here is a military term and speaks of one deserting an assigned post. The phrase, “proper abode” simply means here, “home” or “dwelling”.  Therefore, some of these angels exerted their wills and deserted not only their assigned roles, but their assigned heavenly dwelling.  Jude concludes his thoughts on angels by stating that those who abandoned both role and dwelling now face the consequences of their actions. He states that God keeps these disobedient angels in, “…eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day”.  Therefore at one moment in time past, God rounded up all the disobedient angels, imprisoned them in the neither regions where utter darkness is defined as that which one can feel (cf. 2 Pet 2:4,17).  God continues to keep these angels in bondage until they face ultimate judgment.

C.  Historic group number three:  Sodom and Gomorrah (vs. 7)

“…just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire”

     Genesis 13 introduces us to the places of Sodom and Gomorrah (cf. vs. 10).  The reason I say, “places” is because they were two separate places evidenced by the fact that they were governed by two separate kings (cf. Gen 14:2, 8).  According to Gen 13; Abraham and his nephew Lot began to have some conflict over space (vs. 6).  Abraham provides a solution by having Lot choose wherever he wanted to settle (vs. 9).   Lot looks out over the vast land mass – the valley Jordan – likes what he sees and chooses it. It just so happens that two of the cities in the “valley” were Sodom and Gomorrah.  Verse 12 states that Lot moved his tents into Sodom.  You know it’s funny, we often pick places to live based on the property and not the people. That’s what happened to Lot; he saw the beauty of the suburbs and didn’t consider the depravity of the residents.  Verse13 states, “Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the LORD”.  The other cities around Sodom and Gomorrah included: Admah, Zeboiim and Zoar (Gen 14:8).  Jude writes that all these cities were corrupt and sinful and gave themselves to “…gross immorality and going after strange flesh….”  The Greek word for, “gross immorality” is the word from which we derive the English word pornography.  This word speaks of any kind of illicit sexual intercourse.  Now you know this right?  Any kind of sexual activity outside of the bonds of marriage is illicit. This lets me know that marriage was not high on the priority list in the, “valley”. The idea of strange flesh is really weird it’s a compound word which means, “Flesh of different kinds”.  What’s being said here is that their sexual expression was not just confined to humans.  As we know, Sodom and the surrounding cities were destroyed by God’s judgment of fire (cf. Gen 19:24f). 

     What’s interesting is that the three characteristics and consequences that describe these three historic groups are the same characteristics and consequences that are found in and will be experienced by all false teachers:

1. Israel was characterized by unbelief and was subsequently destroyed.  In the same way false teachers are characterized by unbelief will subsequently be destroyed by God.

2.  Angels were characterized by rebellion and were judged by God.  In the same way false teachers are characterized by rebellion and will be judged by God.

3.  Sodom and Gomorrah were characterized by immorality and perversity and were punished by God.  In the same way false teachers are characterized by immorality and perversity and will be punished by God in Hell.

     Remember!  Jude is NOT writing to warn his fellow believers about the dangers of defecting from the gospel - because true believers can’t defect. Rather he is writing to encourage his fellow believers that are engaged in the battle for the gospel that all false teachers who have crept into the church will one day be judged and will suffer the consequences of their defection from the truth of the gospel”.

For His Glory,
Todd

A study in Jude (vss.3-4)

                        The Fight   


In the Book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verse one, Solomon writes, "There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven..." he goes on to state in verse eight, "...A time for war and a time for peace".  After I graduated from high school, I immediately shipped out to boot camp.  I spent the next six and one half years serving this country as a member of the US Army. One thing that I never forgot while serving was - even though I was earning money for future education - that my main purpose for being in the Army was to, “……support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”  That meant that when my unit was called upon we would have to fight. 

     Turn to Jude and let’s look together at verses 3 & 4, they read as follows: “Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints”(NASB).

      Jude begins this passage in verse three (3) by addressing his readers with a familiar term of endearment, “Beloved”.  This word translates a Greek word that could also be translated, “Dear friends’ (cf. NIV). Therefore we gain insight that Jude wasn’t writing to strangers, but to folk that he was close to and well acquainted with.   Jude informs his readers that although it was his greatest intent (i.e., “making every effort..”)  to write to them concerning the salvation that they had in common, he felt the necessity to write to them something else.  The Greek word for, “necessity” is the word, “Ananke” (pron: Ah-non-kay).  This word means, “Constraint, compulsion or pressure”.  This same word is used in 2 Corinthians 9:7 where Paul teaches that believers should NEVER give money under compulsion, constraint or pressure, rather giving should be done freely and cheerfully.

     Therefore, Jude tells his readers that he had the greatest intent and desire to write to these dear friends in Christ about the wonderful salvation that they shared in common. But he instead felt the constraint and pressure to write to them something different.  The question may arise, “where did this pressure to do otherwise come from?”  I believe there are two sources for this pressure that Jude felt to go in a different direction in his writing.  The first source of this pressure was sovereign (cf. 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1: 20-21).  The second source was circumstantial (cf. Jude 4ff).  Now exactly what new thing did Jude feel compelled to write to these believers?  The answer is found in verse three (3), he states, “…I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly…”  The phrase, “contend earnestly” is one word in the Greek, it’s the word Epiagonizomai (pron: Epy-ah-gon-nidz-o-my).  Interestingly this word is used only 1 time in the Entire N.T. and its here in Jude 3.  This word means, “To strive strenuously in defense of something”.  It also means, “to fight as a combatant about something that is being assaulted”.  As we have seen, Jude intended to write to these fellow disciples about the great salvation that they shared in common.  But through a move of God and tenuous circumstances, he was sovereignly pressured to write to them: calling them and us to arms, urging them and us to battle, admonishing them and us to fight.  There are 3 things about this fight that Jude wanted them and us to understand (I've added a 4th):
                    
                        I.  The Nature of the fight (vs. 3)
     Exactly what would this fight that Jude called believers to then and today be like?  We gain some insight by examining again the word, epiagonizomai.  This word lets us know that this fight WILL be first, ongoing/continuous.  The word epiagonizomai is a present tense verb indicating continuous, ongoing action.  Jude informs us that this fight that he is calling us to will be an ongoing/continuous battle either to death or the Rapture, whichever comes first.  Second, this fight will be strenuous, severe and agonizing. This fight that we’re called to will be no Sunday afternoon stroll through the park, this fight will be anguishing and taxing.  This fight will bring pain and suffering – both mental and physical.

                                        II. The Object of the fight (vs. 3)

      Now to the obvious question, what fight is Jude calling believers too?   The answer is found in verse three (3), Jude states, and “…contend earnestly for the faith….”  The phrase, “the faith” is a translation of the Greek word, “pistis”.  Let me mention a rule of interpretation, when it comes to defining biblical words, the primary way a word is defined is not by the dictionary (that’s Lexicon to Bible students) but by context.  The word, “pistis” has several uses in the N.T. for example it can mean:

  1.  Firm persuasion (2 Co 5:7); 2. Assurance or firm conviction (Heb11); 3. Trust or belief (Matt 8:10; Acts 3:16)

     If you notice, each of these uses can be classified as, subjective, meaning that they are personal in nature.  Each of these relates to a person’s experience.  The, “pistis” (i.e., faith) that Jude speaks of is not subjective, but rather objective.  In other words, Jude is not speaking of one’s experience of faith (i.e., how one believes) rather he is speaking about the content of faith (i.e., what one believes).  Let me be clearer.  Jude is urging believers to fight NOT for how they believe, BUT for what they believe.  In other words Jude is NOT admonishing us to fight defending our personal experience of faith, but we are to fight defending the foundation of our faith.  The reason why we know that the content of faith is at issue and NOT the experience of faith is because of what Jude says in the remainder of verse three, “…contend earnestly for the faith, which was once for all handed down to the saints”.  This phrase is marvelous because it clearly teaches us that we have in our possession something that was given, “once for all times” NEVER to be repeated.  This phrase also states that this special possession was not given to just any old body, but to, “the saints”.  So what is this, “faith” that was given to us the saints once and for all times that we are called to fight for until death or Jesus’ return.  This “faith” is none other than, the gospel.  So, therefore the object of the fight that we are called to is the gospel.         

                              III. The Target of the fight (vs. 4)

     In verse four Jude writes, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”.  My brothers and sisters, the gospel is under attack. Just recently I was engaged in a conversation with two guys over this very issue – one a Muslim and the other a Jehovah’s Witness. They both affirmed that they were going to heaven or paradise when they died. Why? Because they believed that they had earned enough points to qualify. The Apostle Paul clearly writes in Galatians 1:8,”….if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed”. Listen, I know that we live in the age of political correctness and tolerance. No one wants to appear contrary and argumentative. But we cannot remain silent when the very thing that brings salvation to the lost (cf. Rom 1:16) is assaulted, undermined, distorted and redefined. You know what? We can debate the timing of the rapture, we can debate whether or not infants should be baptized, we can debate what place man plays in his/her salvation, we can debate whether or not women should be Elders in the church and a host of other important issues. BUT when it comes to the gospel, the debate is over. There is only one view, one correct understanding of the gospel and that is what we have been once for all given from the Apostles (cf., Gal 1:8; 1 Cor 15:1ff). And when this very gospel is attacked, it is our God given duty, our divine calling to protect and defend it with our very lives. Now let me say this quickly, some of you may be saying to yourselves, “I can’t defend the gospel, because I don’t have much education, or I don’t have the right kind of education. I didn’t go to Bible College or Seminary”. Hey! Are you born again? Do you possess the Holy Spirit? Do you have a Bible? Then, you can defend the gospel. This task is not just for ministerial professionals.  Jude describes the target of our fight in four (4) ways:

First, he describes their stealth (vs. 4)

     Jude states that, these certain unidentified men and women have, “crept in unnoticed”.  This phrase is a word in Greek that means, “To slip in stealthily”.  You’ve heard of stealth fighter jets?  These are planes that are able to literally fly, “under the radar”.  Jude states that these men were able to slip into the congregation of the saints, “under the radar”.  What’s interesting here also is to understand that the phrase, “have crept in unnoticed” is in the passive voice, indicating that these men are not acting in and for themselves, but are being acted upon.  In other words, they were snuck in, by Satan, no doubt.  According to Spanish history there existed something called, “the fifth Column”.  According to the Encyclopedia Britannica the “fifth Column” is, “…a clandestine group or faction of subversive agents who attempt to undermine a nation’s solidarity by any means at their disposal. The term is credited to Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War (1936–39). As four of his army columns moved on Madrid, the general referred to his militant supporters within the capital as his “fifth column,” intent on undermining the loyalist government from within.   So the fifth column is a group of secret sympathizers or supporters of an enemy that engage in espionage or sabotage within defense lines or national borders”.  In other words, this person or persons would become a public school teacher, a professor, a butcher, baker or candlestick maker.  His/her job was to corrupt the enemy from within without obvious detection.  Satan also has his fifth columnists.  I’m convinced that every local church has someone who is working for the enemy trying to corrupt that congregation from within.  These people are serving as Elders, Deacons, Sunday school teachers, Trustees, even teaching Pastors. 

 Second, he describes their condemnation (vs. 4)

“….those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation…”

     What Jude is saying is that these gospel attackers were, “marked out” (literally “written about”) in scripture long ages past.  Jude tells us that the announcements in Scripture concerning the condemnation of these deniers of the gospel was made in the past and is in full authority and effect at this present hour.  One writer writes, “Apostasy should not take us by surprise, for God predicted from the very beginning that Apostates would appear on the scene to work their destruction, and he also predicted their condemnation and punishment” (cf. Isa 8:19-21; Hos 9:9; Zeph 3:1-8; Jer 50:36; etc,.). 

                                    Third, he describes their ungodliness (vs. 4)

“…ungodly persons…”

     The Greek word here for ungodly speaks of someone who is, “without reverence for God” not just someone who is irreligious, but someone who acts in contravention of God’s demands”. This word ungodly speaks of those who are often referred to as heretical and Apostate.  True followers of Christ can never apostatize (i.e. fall away from the gospel) because as we learned in Jude verse one, true believers are, “kept” for Jesus Christ.  You realize a person may walk an aisle, pray a prayer, shed a tear or sign a pledge, but if that person falls away, according to Scripture they were NEVER redeemed in the first place (cf. 1 John 2:19).

                                       Fourth, he describes their deception (vs. 4)

“….who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ”.

   Jude states that these gospel attacking apostates turn (i.e. pervert) the free grace of God into a license for sin. They perverted the gospel by telling people that if you come to Christ by grace through faith, you are FREE to live as you please because all your sins are covered and there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.  These apostates also denied the Lord Jesus Christ.  The Greek word for “deny” means, “repudiate or disown”.   These apostates repudiated and disowned Christ and taught others to do the same. They denied the Sovereignty of Christ, The Lordship of Christ, The Uniqueness of Christ, the Oneness of Christ with the father.  I believe this is absolutely happening in our churches today, especially in the name of scholarship and education.  There are people who are placed there by Satan and over time they spread their apostasy.  They deny the sovereignty of Christ, they deny the Lordship of Christ (e.g. in salvation).

                                       
                                     IV. The resources for the fight

       In closing, allow me to mention the necessary tools for this fight that we are called to.  This fight for the sanctity and purity of the gospel as we have learned will be an ongoing, agonizing, anguishing, and painful – both mentally and physically.  Therefore if you plan on fighting for the gospel in your own power, know for certain that you will experience the same thing that the seven sons of Sceva in Acts experienced - you will go home bloodied and naked (Acts 19:14ff).  This fight requires divine resources.  Paul stated quite clearly, “the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly” (2 Cor 10:4).  Paul also states in Eph 6:10ff that we should put on the “full armor”.  God bless and protect you (which He will) as you are engaged in the most important fight of your life.

For His Glory

Todd

A study in Jude (vss. 1-2)

     Jude's introduction and    
                Greeting




In part one of my expositon of Jude, I gave you what I call a "contextual overview" of Jude's letter. Remember what I stated, "...doing a contextual overview of any given book or letter is important because it gives you a, "big picture" understanding of that particular piece of literature". In other words, an overview provides key information that will guide and protect you as you dig into the details (i.e., exegesis). Remember that a contextual overview consists of answering several key questions:

1. By whom was it written? (i.e., Author)

2. To who was it written? (i.e., Audience)

3. Why was it written? (i.e. purpose)

4. When was it written? (i.e., date)

5. Where was it written? (i.e., place)

6. About what is it written (i.e., Theme)

Therefore, the first principle in doing an effective Bible study is: "Overview before Exegesis"

Alright, once the overview is completed we then can begin the process of exegesis (i.e., discovering the meaning of the particulars). I will now take us into the very meat of Jude's epistle (i.e., letter). In part 2 of this series, I will deal with verses one and two. I've entitled this study: Jude's introductions and greeting. Verses one and two read as follows: "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you" (NASB).

I. Jude's introductions (verse one)

The reason why "introductions" is plural is because Jude makes several important introductions. First off, he introduces his self. "....Jude....". Jude begins his letter in a typical first century pattern. The writer(s) of letters would always begin by placing his or her name first. Next the writer(s) would identify the reciepient(s) of the letter. Lastly, the writer(s) would add a greeting to the reciepients. This pattern is found throughout the N.T. (e.g., Acts 15:22-23; Rom 1:1-7; 1 Cor 1:1-3). The only two writings that don't follow this typical pattern are: 1 John and the book of Hebrews. Let me just add for the record, many in Christian circles believe that the book of Hebrews was written by the Apostle Paul. I don't believe that Paul wrote Hebrews simply because Hebrews does not fit the pattern laid down in the rest of Paul's letters. Remember from part one of our study, I pointed out that the Jude mentioned at the beggining of this letter is none other than the brother of our Lord Jesus (see part one). By the way the name Jude or Judas means: "The praise of the Lord". Second, Jude introduces his slavery. He writes, "...a bond-servant of Jesus Christ..." The english word, "bond-servant" is not the best translation of the Greek word "Doulos". A better english translation of "doulos" is the word, "slave". A servant is someone who serves another at his or her discretion, like a hired butler or maid. At the end of the day, that hired servant goes home and does his or her thing. Whereas a slave is the property of another. A slave is someone who's rights are completely assigned to authority and will of another. You see a servant is someone who is in a temporary relation to another, whereas a slave is someone who is in a, "permaneat relation of servitude to another". What a powerful change that took place in Judes life. Before Jude's enslavement to Christ, he and the rest of his brothers were antagonistic toward Christ (cf John 7:5), but when you read Acts 1:14 you find gathered in the Upper room praying 120 disciples among whom were, "...Mary the mother of Jesus AND His brothers...". Somewhere between John Seven and Acts one, Jesus' brothers are converted by the sovereign grace of God. When Christ truly saves an individual, his or her life is NEVER the same. Jude was transformed from sinner to slave, from self-sufficient to totally submitted. "Yes", Jude would say, "Jesus is my brother", "But He's also my LORD". Third, Jude introduces his sibling. He writes, "....and brother of James...". As already mentioned (part one) James is also the brother of Jesus (cf Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3). James became the leader of the Jerusalem church (cf., Acts 12;17; 15:13). James is also credited with writing the letter in the N.T,.that carries his name. So why does Jude introduce us to his sibling James? By referring to himself as, "the brother of James", Jude was demonstrating humility. It is clear that Jude did not have the same prominence as His big brother James, yet he understood the sovereign providence of God in that He exalts whom He will and humbles whom He will. O, that we would learn how to discern God's sovereign providence in the affairs of His people. Fourth, Jude introduces his selected. He writes, "....To those who are the called.........". Jude is writing his letter to those he calls the, "called". The idea behind the word, "called" speaks of a summons or a special invitation. Here the word is used of what's called the, "effectual call". Simply put, the "effectual call" is the divine summons to every elect believer. Every person on the planet who is a true follower of Christ is one because they recieved a special invitation by the Sovereign God. Listen, NO ONE becomes a follower of Christ unless he or she is first called by a sovereign God (cf John 6:37, 44-46; Rom 8:28-30). There are no party crashers in the kingdom of heaven. You are a Christian NOT because you got up one morning and decided to follow Jesus. No, you are a Christian because the Sovereign God supernaturally summoned you and by His irresistable grace ENABLING you to respond (Eph 2:8-10). Had he not called you, you would STILL be dead in your sin and trespasses on your way to an Eternal Hell. But this is not the whole story, Jude describes believers using two other words described as participles. All believers are both, "Beloved" and "Kept". The word, "beloved" is a participle describing an action that took place prior to our being called. In other words, before God sovereignly summoned each believer, He is said to have "Beloved" that believer. Sometime in Eternity past God purposely placed His special love on certain individuals and in time effectually calls (i.e., summons) those beloved individuals to Himself. Jude goes on and states that all that God specially calls to Himself, He, "Keeps". The Greek word for, "kept" means, "...to watch, to stand guard over" It stesses vigil and care, a real committment to guard and keep something, to cherish it as one would a priceless treasure(MacArthur 17).
The word, "kept" also means to, "preserve forever". In other words, He keeps all true believers spiritually unharmed and undistured forever (i.e. secured). This is why Paul could say in Romans 8:38-39: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". One last thought before I move on. The word, "Beloved" as I mentioned is also a perfect tense participle which indicates that believers are in a LASTING state of love. This means that God's act of selfless committment to us in eternity past is still our experience today and forever. God's love must be understood not as an emotion or feeling per se, but more so as an active, selfless committment. God not only loved (selflessly committed to) you in the eternal past, but he continues to love you (i.e., be selflessly committed to you) TODAY and FOREVER and there is NOTHING that can EVER change that. Therefore STOP doubting and questioning God's committment toward you. God loves you no less than He did in Eternity past and He loves you no more than He will in the Eternal future. So in summary: God in the eternal past made a selfless, unconditional committment to an undeserving group of sinners, and those He committed to He calls to Himself throughout the ages and all that He calls to Himself, He keeps spiritually safe and unharmed forever (Rom 8:28-30).

II. Jude's greeting (verse two)

     Jude writes, "May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you". As we will see in further studies, the readers of Jude's epistle faced persecution and false teachers. Jude realizing the difficult situation that his readers faced on a daily basis offers them a greeting of consolation. First, he wants his readers to know the mercy of God. Mercy can be described as God's lovingkindness or compassion toward those suffering. Believers need mercy in times of need. Second, he wants his readers to know the peace of God. The peace mentioned here is not peace WITH God that comes through faith in Christ, rather this is the peace OF God which brings consolation and assurance to believers in times of trouble. Third, he wants his readers to know the love of God. There is nothing better than knowing that the Sovereign God of the universe is totally committed to us even in difficult times of suffering. Jude concludes his encouraging greeting by stating that he desires his readers to know the mercy, peace and love of God in an overflowing, abundant measure.
      In closing I want to say this loud and clear. My rallying cry until Jesus takes me home is this - "Sound doctrine is the very life blood of the Church". As we will see throughout the letter of Jude, false teaching and bad doctrine is poison to the believer and death to the church. As we will see in part 3, false teaching was SUCH a big deal that Jude changed what he was going to write about in order to deal with it (cf., vs 3).  Brothers and Sisters, may we refuse to continue to sit on our laurels and allow our families, our churches and our communities to be ravaged by the diesease of false doctrine.

For His Glory

Todd

A study in Jude (Introduction)

                  An Overview



Today I'd like to begin a new series of weekly expositions.  This new series of messages will focus on the little letter written by Jude.  This letter only contains 25 verses in the English, but power packed, I may be here for awhile.  Through my reading and interactions with a couple of men over the last few weeks, I have been reminded of the absolute importance of Scripture. To be more specific, I have been reminded of the importance of understanding and affirming the Scripture's sufficiency, reliability and authority.  I don't know if you have seen the cover of this week’s Time magazine.  In large red letters it states, "What if there is no Hell".  This cover story was sparked by a recent book written by a Michigan Pastor named, Rob Bell, his book is entitled, "Love wins".  Bell's book is a straight on attack against the Bible's sufficiency, reliability and authority.  Pastor Bell, "what do you mean there is no Hell?  "Of course there is a Hell, because the Scripture says there is a hell". Some of you may have seen my Facebook post concerning the Ordination of Omarosa. Her so-called Ordination is a blatant attack against the Sufficiency, reliability and authority of Scripture.

Therefore in light of such attacks, I feel compelled to remind us of Jude's central theme in his letter, we must, "...contend for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints" (vs. 3).  I hope my feeble attempt at exposition will be a blessing and encouragement in your daily walk with the King.

When I begin a study of any book of the Bible, I always begin my study by trying to get a big picture overview.  In other words you must first ascertain the Historical context before you do anything else.  The way you nail down the historical context is by answering several important questions:

Question number one:  By whom was Jude written?

     Open up your Bibles to Jude, right before the book of Revelation.  Look at verse one, it states the letter was written by Jude himself.  Well, who is Jude?  There are several Judes mentioned in the New Testament:

            1.  Judas Iscariot - The betrayer of our Lord (Luke 22:47)

               2.  Judas Barsabbas - A man appointed to travel with Paul and Silas (Acts 15:22-29)

               3.  Judas of Damascus - A man who housed the newly converted Apostle Paul (Acts 9:11)

               4.  Judas of Galilee - A rebel who opposed Roman taxation and who was killed in an insurrection (Acts 5:37)

               5.  Judas the Apostle (Aka Thaddeaus) - He was one of the twelve (Luke 6:16; Matt 10:3)

    Unfortunately, none of the Judes mentioned above are the author of this epistle.  Verse one though, gives us another clue as to the identity of the author.  The writer states that he is the, "...brother of James....".  The James referred to here is none other than the Lord's half brother who was head of the Jerusalem church (cf. Act 12:17; 15:13)). Therefore Jude the writer of this epistle was also one of the brothers of our Lord (cf. Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3).

Question number two:  To whom was Jude written?

     It seems that Jude had a specific audience in mind evidenced by use of the personal pronoun, "you" (cf., vs. 3, 5, 17 etc.,) but we don't know who they are.  Therefore Jude's epistle is considered a "general" epistle written to all believers without distinction (vs. 1).

Question number three:  What was the purpose of the writing of Jude's epistle?

     Kenneth Boa, writes, "...this letter is concerned with the threat of heretical teachers in the church and the believers proper response to that threat. The contents of this letter reveal two major purposes:

(1). to condemn the practices of ungodly libertines who were infesting the churches and corrupting believers.

(2).  To counsel the readers to stand firm, grow in their faith and contend for the truth as well as reach out to those who are misled by error" (211).

                             Question number four:  The Time of Jude's writing?

     Jude’s epistle was probably written very shortly after 2 Peter was written.  This would put the writing of the letter in the late 60's early 70's.  Harrison writes, "If Jude made use of 2 Peter, due time must be allowed for that epistle to have reached Jude.  This interval need not have been great.  A date between 66 and 70 is feasible..."(436). Another reason for this early date is because no mention is made in Jude's letter of the Fall of Jerusalem (c. A.D. 70).

Question number five:  From where was Jude's epistle written?

     To be perfectly honest, no mention is made within Jude's letter as to location, therefore the location of writing is unknown.

     There you have it, a general overview of this power packed epistle.  I can't think of a timelier letter in days like these.  I hope these expositions over the upcoming weeks will be a blessing to you, my dear brothers and sisters.

For His Glory,

Todd

A study in 1 John (1 John 2:15-17)

          Stop loving the world (part 2)


C. H. Spurgeon wrote,"If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me if I ...daily consorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brother’s heart; surely I too must be an accomplice in the crime. Sin murdered Christ; will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it?"

      Today I continue my discussion of first John chapter 2, verses fifteen through seventeen. If you rea d part one of, "Stop loving this world" I stated that John the Apostle who wrote first John has issued an urgent command to his believing readers (cf., vs 12) to STOP!! an awful action that had been going on. It appears that some professing Christians within this more than likely Ephesian congregation, had forsaken their first love (i.e., committment, priority) namely Christ, for another love, namely this anti-god, anti-Christ system and the stuff associated with this system.

     The Apostle John in verse sixteen gives three (3) reasons why Christians should not love (i.e., be committed to, prioritze, cherish or high prize) this anti-God, anti-Christ system and it's stuff. In other words, John gives three reasons why those of us who profess Christ as Lord and Saviour - when it comes to the world system and it's stuff - should be different, distinct, separate.

     The first reason is because of the content of this system (vs 16), "For everything in the world (system) - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world (system). Christians, of all people SHOULD NOT cherish, prioritze or be committed to this anti-God, anti-Christ system because of what's in it. John say's that there are three (3) components that make-up this evil, depraved, Satan inspired system: The first is the, "...the cravings of sinful man...." These are the insatiable yearnings or desires of our fallen human nature. This evil, anti-God, anti-Christ system promotes (i.e., encourages) fleshly lusts through things like the visual media, radio, music and the printed page. Satan has a corner office on Madison Avenue. The second thing that comprises this evil, depraved system is the, "....Lust of his eyes....." Scripturally, the eyes are the avenue of temptation. For instance according to Genesis 3:6, when Satan wanted to decieve Eve, he appealed to her sight. According to Josh 17:21, Achan the fellow who brought shame on Isreal by taking what was forbidden by Joshua did so because he was tempted by what he saw. Remember the song you learned in Sunday school, "Be careful little eyes what you see". Brothers and Sisters, we must STOP allowing this anti-God, anti-Christ system - which controls the culture in which we live, move and have our being - to seduce us through our eyes. TURN IT OFF, TURN IT OFF, TURN IT OFF!!! The third thing that comprises this evil, depraved system is, "...the boasting of what he has and does...." The New American Standard Bible translates this as, "The pride of life". One writer by the name of Vaughan decribes this kind of pride as, "...an arrogant spirit of self-sufficiency and a vain sense of security, both of which are based upon a false estimate of the stability and Value of worldly things". Ouch! read that again, I'll wait. Don't you love it when people post pictures of their stuff on Facebook or Twitter? Why?

     May I add a word of clarity here? When John say's do not love the things of this world, I don't believe he is talking about physical things per se. He's not talking about cars, clothes, cribs and all that stuff. He is talking about the attitudes and motivations of the fallen system that we Christian if we're not careful can buy into. This is what he has just described in verse sixteen. Christians of all people, those who have been reedemed from the curse of the Law, those who have been regenerated by Grace through faith. should NOT be committed to the same attitudes that exist among unregenerate, fallen humanity. We as Christians should not be Driven by the insatiable cravings of our flesh, we as Christians should not be controlled by the lust of our eyes. We as God's people should not be motivated by pride, in other words, boastiing about what we have and do. These are the things of the world system that John is talking about.

     The Second reason why Christians should NOT love this anti-God, anti-Christ world system nor the things associated with this evil system is because of who the creator of this system is. "...for everything in the world (system)......comes not from the Father but from the world..." What John is saying is that all the ugly, competitive attitudes that exist in this evil, anti-God, anti-Christ system does not originate in God the Creator. In other words, this anti-God, anti-Christ system shows absolutely no likeness at all to his character and is contrary to the life which he wills for His people. Listen!! because we are Children of God, we have NO BUSINESS, "....courting the world's favor, following it's customs, advice, principles, adopting it's values, coveting it's prizes or seeking it's fellowship" (i.e., partnership). Why? Because this evil system is not from God, but from it's father Satan.
  
      The Third reason why Christians should NOT love this anti-God, anti-Christ system is because of the destiny of this fallen, bankrupt system. " The world (i.e., system) and it's desires pass away..." Folks as I type this words, this evil, fallen, depraved, Satan inspired system is dissolving and fading away. This is very important, please GET THIS!!! As Christians, we are to be concerned withd the ETERNAL verses the TEMPORAL. If you conform yourself to this evil system, you have conformed yourself to a sinking ship.

     In closing John gives for his readers two (2) results or consequences if you will, that will occur based on how one responds to John's command. First, there is the negative result in verse fifteen (15). "....If anyone loves the world (i.e., system) the love of the Father is not in him". If you claim to be a follower of Christ and you have forsaken your First love, namely Christ, YET, you hear the call of God to Repent and turn back to Jesus AND you do so, you demonstrate that you are truly a child of God. Why? Because God's children always hear the voice of Christ and respond (John 10). Only God's children have ears to hear the voice of the master (Rev 2). But on the other hand, if you profess to be a Christian and your life is controlled by a committment to this world system and it's desires, motivations and attitudes and you remain in this state even after hearing the call of God to repent, then you demonstrate that you are not a child of God. In fact, you demonstrate that you were never a child of God (i.e., the love of God was NEVER in you). You can say all day that you love God, but love for God isn't measured by what you say, but by what you do (James 2). Second, there is the positive result (1 John 2:17b). For those of us who abide by John's command to not love the system nor adopt it's attitudes and motivations, John promises, "...the man who does the will of God, lives forever". Warren Wiersbe writes appropriately, "Long after this world system with it's vaunted culture, it's proud philosophies, it's egocentric intellectualism, and it's godless materialism has been forgotten, and long after this planet has been replaced by the new heavens and earth, God's faithful servants will remain - sharing the glory of God for all Eternity".

Amen!

For His Glory
Todd

A study in 1 John (1 John 2:15-17)

           Stop loving this world (part one)


The Story is told of Handley Page, a pioneer in aviation, who once landed in an isolated area during his travels. Unknow to him, a rat got aboard the plane there. On the next leg of the flight, Page heard the sickening sound of gnawing. Suspecting it was a rodent, his heart began to pound as he visualized the serious damage that could be done to the fragile mechanisms that controlled his plane and the difficulty of repairs because of the lack of skilled labor and materials in the area. What could he do? He remembered hearing that a rat cannot survive at high altitudes, so he pulled back on the stick. The airplane climbed higher and higher until Page found it difficult to breathe. He listened intently and finally sighed with relief. The gnawing had stopped. When he arrived at his destination, he found the rat lying dead behind the cockpit.
     Oftentimes we, God's children, are plagued by sin that gnaws at our life simply because we are living at too low a spiritual level. To see sin defeated in our lives requires that we move up - away from the world - to a higher level where the things of this world cannot survive".
     Over the next several weeks I'd like to examine a passage of Scripture that encourages believers to, "move up to a higher level". In your Bible's turn to First John chapter 2, look with me at verses 15-17. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it's desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (NIV).
     In verse 15 the Apostle issues a urgent command to his readers, "Do not love the world...." . You see the phrase, "Do not love"? According to New Testament Greek, this phrase is identified as a negative imperative. In other words, John is issuing an urgent command to his readers to STOP loving something. The word stop means to cease or discontinue something. The word for love here is the Greek word Agape (pron: aah-gah-pay) and means to cherish, to highly esteem, to put first, to greatly value, to be committed to. Therefore John's command to his readers is for them to cease, to discontinue, cherishing, highly esteeming, greatly valuing and being committed to something. That something John identifies as, "the World and the things in the world". When John speaks of the world here in this verse let me clarify that he's not referring to this celestial ball we call planet earth, nor is he referring to the world of people on the planet. Rather, he is speaking about an ordered system. Bible Teacher Kenneth Wuest describes this system in the following way, "...Satan is it's head, his fallen angels and demons are his emmissaries, and the unsaved of the human race are his subjects, together with those purposes, pursuits, pleasures, practices and places where God is not wanted". In other words, the world that John refers to here is an anti-God, anti-Christ system that is absolutely at odds and hostile to God. This is what Paul meant when he said that, "Satan is the god of this world"(2 Cor 4:4). Satan is the architect and builder of this anti-God, anti-Christ system.
     Therefore John issues an urgent command to his readers to cease, to discontinue cherishing, highly esteeming and putting first this anti-God, anti-Christ system. With this understanding in mind, let me now rewrite verses 15-17. Notice the impact of what John is telling his readers. "Cease and desist cherishing, prioritizing and committing to this anti-God, anti-Christ system and all the stuff in this system. If anyone highly esteems, prioritizes or commits to this system, they reveal that they are not believers at all. For everything in this anti-God, anti-Christ system - the cravings of sinful man and the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from God the Father, but from Satan. This anti-God, anti-Christ system and it's lusts will pass away, but the person who does God the Father's will last forever".
     Now here is where it gets interesting. Who is John the Apostle issuing this urgent command to? Who are the recipients of John's command? Let me help you by telling you that he is not addressing unbelievers. First John is not an evangelistic letter. John is not calling unbelievers to repentance. So, if he's not addressing unbelievers, that then means he must be who? That's right, he's addressing Christians, followers of Christ, Born again ones, the Redeemed, the Elect. Check out chapter two, verse twelve: "I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of His name". The phrase, "dear children" refers to all believers. Wiersbe writes, "All Christians have been born into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ, and theeir sins have been forgiven". The Apostle John lovingly, yet urgently reminds us, believers that we have no business cherishing, highly esteeming, prioritizing, greatly valuing and committing to this evil, Satan inspired, anti-God, anti-Christ system. Yet the sad reality is that if we're honest, many professing Christians do indeed love this system and the things of this system. I'll speak more about this system in my next note.
     Turn to Revelation, chapter 2. The same Apostle John who wrote First John, is the same one who wrote the book of Revelation. According to Revelation chapter two, verse one, John addresses the church at Ephesus, the same audience I believe he addresses in First John. In verses two and three, he commends some of the Ephesian believers, but in verse four he condemns some as well. John say's, "...I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love...". I've heard various arguments about whom this first love is, some have said that this first love is the people of God, fellow Christians. I'm not convinced at all that fellow Christians are in view. I believe that the identity of the forsaken first love is clear. Some professing believers in the Ephesian church had turned their backs on their true first love, namely Christ, they had stopped highly esteeming Christ, they had stopped greatly valuing Christ, they had stopped cherishing Christ, they had stopped putting Christ first, they had forsaken their committment to Christ in order to cherish, prioritize and esteem and be committed to another love, namely the fallen world system and John is calling them to Repentance (Rev 2:5).
     In closing, here is a point that clearly jumps out at me. If you claim to be a Christian, it matters not whether you be a preacher or a parishoner, If you continue to cherish, esteem, prioritze, greatly value and committed to this Satan inspired, anti-God, anti-Christ system and the stuff it pushes, you demonstrate that you are not a Christian at all. Jesus said it well, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other....." (Matt 6:24).

For His Glory

Todd

The Purpose of Theology

O.K. I'm driving to work, it takes me approximately 35 minutes one way, 30 minutes if I catch all the lights just right. One of the things I like to do on the drive is either listen to a downloaded sermon on my Ipod or talk on the phone, Jesus did say, "redeem the time" right? Well this time I'm listening to my favorite preacher, John MacArthur - who else- He is expounding 1 John 2:2. This is that great text which talks about Jesus being both our Advocate (i.e., defense attorney) and Propitiation (i.e., satisfaction). This was such excellent Bible teaching, unlike much of today's pulpiterring which is about motivation and entertainment, John's teaching resulted in my being convicted and encouraged at the same time which is what great preaching should do. Throughout this hour long sermon, I was reminded of the great doctrines of Christ's Advocacy and Propitiation. People!! When was the last time you heard a sermon on the PROPITIATION of Christ. Can you even say, Propitiation. My point is, we as God's people in this 21st century have been severely deprived when it comes to our Theology. You know what? When the average Christian hears the word, Theology, it's like hearing the word Castor Oil, we have an immediate gag reflex. Folks, I'm impressed to write to let us know that Theology is not a bad thing., it's not the enemy, it's our very life blood. God's gave us Theology (i.e., truth about God) not to make us smarter, not to give us careers (e.g. professional theologians), not to make us best selling authors. RATHER, God gave us Theology to make us Holier. The Apostle Paul makes it clear, God gave us Theology to:
1. Teach us
2. Reprove us
3. Correct us
4. Train us in righteousness
5. Equip us for every good work
Without  sound  Biblical Theology, we are like a body without a skeletal system, a plane without wings, a train without tracks. We must return to the old paths. I remember a time when I could sit in church and expect to hear a good sermon on something like the sufficiency of Scripture or the infallibity/inerrancy of Scripture. I also remember great sermons on the substitutionary atonement of Christ or how about the Rapture of the Church. Check this out, I remember being a part of an early morning Bible study led by the pastor at the church building on the significance and meaning of the Old Testament Tabernacle. Today you're lucky if the preacher mentions Jesus.

Thanks Dr. John for reminding me of the vast importance of theology.

For His Glory,
Todd

A study in Acts (2:43 & 47)

            The Impact of true   
              community


Not to long ago, I saw something on the T.V. that caught my attention. I believe it was the history channel. They were doing some retrospective on WW II. Part of this global conflict resulted in American forces dropping the Atomic bomb on two Japanese cities. The devastation that was caused by that explosion was incredible. I then began pondering on what exactly made the Atomic bomb so devasting. It seems based on what I could understand that atomic explosion is the result of an several atoms being brought together and then fueled with something like Plutonium creating this fusion thus resulting in this devasting blast. This atomic explosion reminded me of what I've been writing about over the last couple of weeks related to, "True Christian Community". When saved, committed, Spirit-filled believers spend quality time together in the Scripture, fellowship, communion and prayer, the result is an atomic explosion (i.e., massive impact).

Here's a question, "in light of the actions of the first century community of believers, exactly what kind of reactions did the first century community of believers recieve from the world at large"? In your Bible's turn to Acts 2, verses 43 & 47. In these two verses, I see three reactions to the first century community of believers.

I. The first reaction is fear (vs 43)"...and fear came upon every soul...." The word fear used in the Scripture can have at least two connotations. The first is, "respect or awe". The second is just plain ol terror. In Acts 2:43 the word fear means the latter. The first century community of believers provoked a healthy fear of God in a watching world. Let me describe for you the two ways in which this early Christian community provoked a healthy fear of God:

A. By their message (cf Acts 2:22-37; 3:13-26; 4:8-12) The message of the early church was very clear and focused, "Jesus Christ is the risen Lord, therefore everyone of you turn from your sin and confess Him as the only Lord and Saviour". I believe one of the reasons why the Christian community today is not having a great impact on the world at large is because our message is not very clear nor focused. Rather our message is confused and disjointed. A quote from one of my favorite preachers perfectly captures what I'm saying, "We live in a time when certainty and conviction about what is true is not tolerated. The politically correct attitude is one of uncertainty with nothing absolute. There's a new hermeneutic, a new science of interpretation called the Hermeneutic of Humility, and this is serious to the people who espoused this and their Hermeneutic of Humility say, "I'm too humble to think that I could ever know what the Bible really means and so I can only offer my opinion and I certainly can't say that this is in fact the truth." They pat themselves on the back congratulating themselves for such intellectual openness. Opinions and feelings tend to rule the mood of our time. And the church as it always does fall prey to this sort of post-modern inclusivism that wants to embrace everything everybody thinks as truth for them. And so the church has lost its convictions, its lost its certainties..." The message coming from the Christian community today cannot and will not foster a healthy fear of God because Christ is not at the heart of our message. The Christian community today for the most part is not preaching the Gospel of the risen Lord, the so-called Christian community today is not preaching, "Repentance and faith in Christ alone". Rather the Christian community today is preaching prosperity and sanctified materialism. The Christian community today is preaching "cheap grace" and "easy believism". The Christian community today is preaching tolerance and inclusivism. My wife Stacey pointed out to me the other day an online article concerning a black pastor who felt his mission was to apologize to the Lesbian community for how he and other Christians have treated them and condemned their so-called alternative lifestyles. And all of God's people said, WHAT!!!! Now I don't believe that anyone should be mistreated, God calls us to Love our fellow man, but apologizing for our message, that's crap!!

No wonder the world ridicules and laughs at the Christian community, because our message is weak, muddy, convictionless and uncertain and in no way reflects the message of our early Christian community predecessors.

B. By their ministry (cf Acts 2:43) Verse 43 states that incredible things were happening through the Apostles that validated their ministry and message. I confess that I'm a die-hard Dispensationalist who believes that the office of Apostle no longer exists, because the Apostles were a group of men specially chosen by our Lord for a specific ministry in time (e.g., the establisment of the Church and the writing of Scripture). Their office ceased when the last Apostle (i.e., John) passed from the earth and therefore also the necessity of special signs and wonders to validate their specific ministry. I believe that the Scriptures clearly teach that the things that validate the ministry and message of the Christian today are not signs and wonders, but rather Spirit-filled, obedient character (cf., 2 Cor 6). When the world at large sees our chaste and God-glorifying lifestyles, the result is fear. Check out this text from Philipians 2:27-28, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God". When the Christian community responds to life and one another in a God glorifying way, those that don't know God take notice and experience the fear of God. Another reason why the Christian community of today is not having the kind of impact in our world like we could and should is because our ministry is not very authentic/valid. Let me add this, a ministry that existed in the early Christian community that hardly exists today is the ministry of Church discipline. When the church practised healthy church discipline, the church encouraged a healthy fear of God. When Church discipline is practised, the message that is communicated is that, "we take sin seriously and so does God". Read the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). Church discipline when practised rightly validates the church as being truly of God and creates a healthy fear of God in the world at large. When it is not practised, just the opposite is true.


II. The Second reaction is favor (vs 47a) "...having favor with all the people..." The early Christian community because of her authentic message and ministry, won the respect of the world at large. They world may not have liked her, but they had to respect her. We as the Christian community are sadly mistaken if we think the way to garner the world's respect is by compromise and conformity. NO!! NO!!! NO!!! Listen, the only legitmate way that God's people will win peoples respect is through an authentic message and ministry.

III. The Third reaction is fattening (vs 47b) "........And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved..." Allow me the liberty to paraphrase what one commentator has written concerning this verse, "When the Christian community is truly Christian in it's message and ministry, it is a growing church.....the impact of the few at Pentecost had broadened and became the impact of many..."

In summary, when committed, Spirit-filled believers spend quality time together in the Scripture, fellowship, communion and prayer, with a committment to the right message and mininstry, The impact on the world at large is fear, favor and fattening.

For His Glory,
Todd

A study in Acts (2:44-47)

                          The Characteristics of true community (part 2)


In my last article entitled, "Characteristics of true community (part 1)" I stated, "If we today, are going to experience (i.e., live out) real, sharing, caring community, the same characteristics that described the early Christian community must be true of us also". According to Acts 2, verses 37-47, there are at least four key characteristics that described the early Christian community, so far we've looked at two:

1. They were a saved community(2:22-41)
2. They were a committed community(2:42)
a. They were committed to Scripture
b. They were committed to fellowshipc. They were committed to communiond. They were committed to prayer

The remaining two characteristics are found in Acts 2:44-46:

3. They were a together community(2:44-46) "...now all who believed were together...."Listen! A healthy, sharing, caring Christian community is impossible to experience once a week or at a distance. Believers must spend face to face time together. Brothers and Sisters, facebook, twitter, myspace are NOT substitutes for quality time spent together with other believers. Notice with me some of the things the early Christian community did to foster quality and quantity time together:

A. They shared together (vss 44b-45) The last part of verse 44 states that they, "....had all things in common". This phrase means that these believers shared their, "property and goods" with each other. In fact, verse 45 declares that these believers would sell their goods and give the proceeds to needy believers within the community. Boy! this is a far cry from what goes on in today's Christian community.

B. They worshipped and celebrated together (vs 46a) "Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house....". The early Christian community spent alot of time worshipping and celebrating the person and work of Christ. The Breaking of Bread is a way of referring to communion (cf., Luke 24:30; Acts 2:42; 20:7). The heart of true community is the person and work of Christ. True community cannot be experienced when Christ is not the main attraction. Again, notice something about the early Christian community, they focused on Jesus in the Temple (i.e., the official place of worship) and in the home. This means that whenever and wherever the Christians gathered, Christ was the focal point. Not so today, when Christians gather it's about everything but Christ (Can I get a witness!!).

C. They ate together (vs 46b) "....they were taking their meals together..." The early community would eat a common meal in connection with communion (cf., 1 Cor 11; Jude 12).

Again, let me say it, if we are going to experience real, sharing caring community, we must spend meaningful, quantiful time together.

4. They were a Spirit-filled community (Acts 2:46c-47a) "....with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God..." The evidence of the Spirit's control of these believers is seen in their attitudes toward the Lord and each other. The text states that they were full of joy, sincere (i.e., not fake and phoney) and praising God. All of these things give hearty evidence that the Spirit of God was in full control (cf., Eph 5:18ff & Gal 5:22-23). Nothing kills the experience of true community faster than being in the flesh. You may recall recently hearing in the news of members of a local church in North Carolina who got in a physical fight with each other over some issue in the congregation. The oil that makes the machinery of community run smoothly is the Holy Spirit.

In Summary:
As I stated in part one (see last weeks article) True Christian community is not something that can be conjured up or produced by some curriculum or program. Community is something that is organic to being a Christian. When I was born again by the Spirit of God, I became part and parcel of THE Christian community called the Body of Christ (in other words, we don't become a community, we are a community), but here's the rub, just because I'm part of the Christian community by new birth, does not mean that my experience of community is that wonderful. Again, if we today are to experience the kind of God glorifying community that existed in the early church we must possess the same characteristics that they possessed. So if you are hanging out with a group of frustrated believers trying to figure out why your community experience is not that that great, ask yourselves the following questions:
1. Are we saved? Does everyone in our group truly know Jesus as Lord and saviour? Remember! true community can't happen with non-christians.
2. Are we committed?
a. To Scripture
b. To Fellowship
c. To Communion
d. To Prayer
3. Are we spending meaningful time together?
4. Are we Spirit-filled?

In my next article from Acts 2:42-47, I want to look at the Impact of true community on a lost and dying world. When the church acts like the church is suppossed to act, the world is different.

For His Glory,
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