Sermon 11 in Series on Jude--(Also Attached In WordPerfect 9.0 Format)
Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>
CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
THE BOOK OF JUDE
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APOSTATES--WRONG THOUGHTS (VS 8-10)
Introduction
The apostates engage in the pleasures of the world. Fulfilling the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh. They do not struggle to keep their thoughts clean and pure. They dream and covet after the positions, possessions, and things of the world.. The result is thoughts and dreams of success, grandeur, personal recognition and honor, and sexual misbehavior. False teachers defile the flesh through such dreams.
I. A WRONG THOUGHT LIFE CONTRIBUTES TO WRONG AMBITIONS.
The idea is that these dreams are intentional (daydreams) not passive (dreams in the night).
"For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15:19).
A. Filthy Dreams Come From An Undisciplined Life. (Ezekiel 16:48-50)
1. Pride--Arrogancy, Swelling
2. Fulness of Bread--having had enough or more than enough
To gratify with more than enough, so as to weary or disgust.
Gluttony.
3. Abundance of Idleness--Not busy about the right things.
4. Haughty-- "To soar, to be lofty." Having or showing great pride
in oneself and disdain or contempt for others.
Self-exaltation.
5. Committed Abomination--Something morally disgusting; an abhorrence.
B. Filthy Dreams Come From Undisciplined Thinking. (Romans 1:21)
1. The Right Thing--Knowing God's eternal power and Godhead and glorifying him as God.
2. The Wrong Thing--Becoming vain in our imaginations.
vain-- "to render or become foolish, that is, morally wicked or even idolatrous.
(Proverbs 6:18)--"A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief"
(Ezekiel 8:12).-- "Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth"
C. Right Dreams Come From Right Thinking. (Philippians 4:8)
The things we are to think upon are those things that are:
1. True
2. Honest--Honorable or worthy of respect.
3. Just--Equitable.
4. Lovely--Acceptable.
5. Good Report--Well spoken of. Reputable.
6. If there be any virtue--excellence.
7. If there be any praise--something commendable.
II. WRONG AMBITIONS LEAD TO A WRONG WALK.
A. Defiling Of The Flesh. (Titus 1:15-16)
Defiling--To taint or contaminate.
B. Despising Of Dominion. (Judges 21:23)
They reject authority like the unbelieving Israelites who rejected Moses' and God's authority.
Psalm 12:1-4
C. Speaking Evil Of Dignities. (Jude 9-10)
Dignities--A very apparent glory.
The idea of another dimension of being, of a spiritual world that is as real and alive as the physical world is questioned.
The idea of levels of authority, of principalities and powers and rulers in a spiritual world is mocked.
The idea of Christ being exalted to the right hand of God and of believers someday ruling and serving and ministering for Christ in a new heavens and earth is doubted and often ridiculed.
The false teachers Jude spoke of had no respect for authority or for angels.
The apostates' slandering of celestial beings stands in arrogant contrast to the chief
angelic being, Michael, who would not dare slander Satan, chief of the
fallen angels.
They speak evil of the things that they don't even know about and in the things that they do know about they corrupt themselves.