Quote from Forum Archives on June 4, 2002, 11:37 am

Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

THE BOOK OF JUDE

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE APOSTATE

"FOR THEY HAVE. . .PERISHED IN THE GAINSAYING OF CORE (KORAH)"(VS 11)

 

I. THE DEFINITION OF THE "GAINSAYING."

It comes from the Greek word "antilogia" which means "dispute, disobedience."

The Greek word translated "gainsaying" is also translated:

1. "contradiction" in Hebrews 7:7 (vs 4-8) and Hebrews 12:3 (vs 1-4)

2. "strife" in Hebrews 6:16 (vs 11-19)

It is a derivative of the Greek word "antilego" which means "to dispute, refuse."

This word is translated as:

1. "gainsayers" in Titus 1:9 (vs 7-11).

2. "gainsaying" in Romans 10:21 (vs 16-21 cf Isaiah 65:1-3)

3. "answering again" in Titus 2:9 (vs 9-12)

4. "contradicting" in Acts 13:45. (Vs 43-46)

5. "deny" in Luke 20:27. (Vs 27-40)

6. "speaketh against" John 19:12. (vs 1-16)

II. THE EXAMINATION OF THE "GAINSAYING." (NUMBERS 16:1ff)

A. WHO WAS INVOLVED? (VS 1)

1. KORAH, A LEVITE.

The Levites were given charge over the keeping of the Tabernacle.

So this rebellion was a challenge against the religious leadership of Moses.

Aaron, the high priest, also became an object of their attack. (Vs 9-10)

2. DATHAN AND ABIRAM, REUBENITES.

Reuben was the firstborn son of Jacob (Israel).

So, this was also a challenge against the political leadership of Moses.

3. 250 PRINCES OF THE ASSEMBLY.

They recruited 250 of the top leaders of Israel as collaborators.

Notice these men were "famous in the congregation, men of renown."

B. WHAT WAS INVOLVED? (VS 2-3)

1. THEY ROSE UP BEFORE MOSES. (Vs 2)

We think of it in our day as "getting in his face."

2. THEY GATHERED THEMSELVES TOGETHER AGAINST MOSES AND AGAINST AARON. (Vs 3)

This was a show of force against the men God put in charge.

3. THEY GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST GOD. (Vs 11)

C. WHAT WAS THEIR CHARGE? (VS 3, 13-14)

1. Moses and Aaron took too much leadership on themselves.

2. All the people were equally holy and capable of being leaders.

3. The Lord was as much among the people as He was with them.

D. WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM?--REBELLION AGAINST GODLY LEADERSHIP.

The Lord Himself had appointed Moses and Aaron to their offices.

III. THE RESULT OF THE "GAINSAYING." (16:29-35, 26:9-10)

They were all destroyed. Jude 11 says the apostates "perished in the gainsaying of Core."

You don't rebel against God and God given leadership without consequences.

Conclusion

What is your attitude toward the God-given leadership you have over you.

Young people-- God has given you your parents, Bro. Hoot and Bro. Randy, Bro. Duwayne, and pastoral leadership. You will give an account for a gainsaying attitude.

Wives--Husbands and Pastoral leadership and God. You will give an account for a gainsaying attitude.

Husbands--Pastoral leadership and God. You will give an account for a gainsaying attitude.

We who assume the leadership capacities will also give an account of our submission to God.