It has been said that the best defense is a good offense and that definitely holds true when dealing with false teachers.  We need to be on the attack.  Jude lists all of the following as part of our battle plan: Build yourselves up:  This means we need to be ready to go into battle.  The best way to recognize error is to know truth.  Banks prepare their tellers to recognize counterfeit...

Other scriptures described False teachers as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” They would sneak into the fold, pretending to be one of us but having their own agenda – sowing discord.  They knew that the dissatisfied would be easier prey.  Jude describes them with these words: Grumblers Fault Finders Boast Flatter Scoffers Dividers Followers of natural instincts

In these verses Jude uses several graphic comparisons to emphasize the enticing allure, and often hidden deceit of false teachers who in the end can never truly deliver. Blemishes at your love feasts: Early Christians would often gather together for fellowship over food.  These feasts could become very hypocritical by showing bias to the rich.  False teachers would capitalize...

Again Jude uses examples from the Old Testament, but this time to explain the motives of false teachers. JEALOUSY:  Cain was so jealous of his brother that he ended up killing him.  Like Cain many cults and false teachers refuse to follow the truth, but they still desire attention and praise.  Often they will emphasize good works, or demand respect, or worship. GREED:  Baalam...

Anyone who follows false teachers will also share in their fate.  When describing their judgment Jude lists three examples from the Old Testament. DESTRUCTION for unbelievers:  Not all of the Israelites who escaped from slavery in Egypt were true believers.  Many were faithless, rebellious complaining idolaters. They faced judgment through fire, plagues, and wandering in the desert. IMPRISONMENT...

Heretics often mix truth with error and can be very deceiving.  The best way to spot a false teacher is to find out what they believe about Jesus and salvation.  If they stray even a tiny bit from the following truths than they can’t be trusted. Jesus Christ is God.  He is not an angel.  He is not just a great teacher.  He is not only a prophet.  HE IS GOD. Salvation is by faith not by...

Pastor Joe recently preached a series from Jude about false teachers.  Sometimes it is very easy to forget what we’ve learned, especially when there are so many distractions in the world.  I am going to do my best to post summaries of all of Pastor Joe sermons from now on.  Below is an outline of Jude as introduction to this series.  Each major heading will become a separate post. I.    ...

When I was growing up in a small suburb in Ohio, the first day of school was always special. I remember the smell of new book bags and the excited chatter of friends who had not seen each other for three months. Would I be assigned the nice teacher or the mean teacher? I never really loved school, but there was always a certain magic about the first day of school. Now I think of our children attending...

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord.”  (Psa 27:14) When there is a need in our lives, we often pray.  The single person will pray for the man/woman of God’s chosing to come along and sweep them off their feet.  Those with financial difficulties will pray for relief and/or a job.  Those with physical needs will pray for healing.  We pray fervently...

As many of you know, I have been reading (and really enjoying) John Ortberg’s book, If You Want to Walk on Water You’ve Got to Get Out of the Boat.  On page 147 Ortberg writes the following: “In the movie Chariots of Fire, British runner Harold Abrams runs against the Scottish champion Eric Liddell and loses for the first time in his life.  The pain of failure is so great...