Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Prayer Meeting Lesson Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/pm/pm20010627.htm

JUDE: GOD'S CALL TO CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH
Part II: Distinguishing The Ministry Profiles Of Apostates From Godly Leaders
(Jude :5-16)
  1. Introduction
    1. Having learned there is a tendency in Christendom for leaders to depart from the truth (apostasy), we need to be able to discern just who are the godly to heed and who are the apostate leaders to avoid.
    2. Jude provides this insight in verses 5-16, and we present it in a "grocery list" for practical use as follows:
  2. Distinguishing The Ministry Profiles Of Apostates >From Godly Leaders, Jude :5-16.
    1. Apostates dream up their teachings, depending on imagination, Jude :8a. Godly leaders follow written Scripture instead, compare 2 Timothy 3:14-17.
    2. Apostates reject divine and human authority structures, Jude :8b, 9. Godly teachers work within man's and God's authority structures, cf. 2 Peter 2:13.
    3. Apostates speak abusively about what they do not understand, Jude :10a. Godly teachers speak only what they know the Bible teaches, and they do so in meek ways, James 3:13, 18.
    4. Apostates operate by natural instincts like animals do, Jude :10b. Godly leaders work by leadership styles and methods sanctioned by Scripture, cf. 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
    5. Apostates have their ministry efforts backfire to hurt themselves, Jude :10b. The godly witness their efforts produce righteousness in their hearers' lives, James 3:18.
    6. Like Cain, apostates disobey God only to become angry and jealous when others are blessed; they consequently attack the godly, Jude :11a. The godly, like Abel, stick to their own callings under God.
    7. Apostates, like Balaam, modify their ministry efforts for financial gain, Jude :11b. Godly leaders stay away from the pull of money in the ministry, 1 Timothy 6:10-11.
    8. Apostates, lusting after power and position, rebel against authority via politics like Korah did, Jude :11c. The godly are content to serve God in their appointments, so God elevates them for it, 1 Peter 5:5-6.
    9. Apostates lack a sense of accountability to God, and thus sin, Jude :12a. The godly are content to revere God and submit to His authority to remain righteous.
    10. Apostates minister for their own welfare at the expense of God's flock under their assignment, Jude :12b. Godly leaders sacrificially serve for the flocks' welfare, John 10:11.
    11. Apostates initially appear to promise spiritual food but later disappoint, Jude :12c. Godly teachers prove to be increasingly beneficial to feeding the flock of God, 1 Timothy 4:12-15.
    12. Apostates teach the prevailing winds of popular ideas, Jude :12d. The godly stick to the unchanging, authoritative Scripture for their teachings, 2 Timothy 4:1-2.
    13. Apostates do not see fruit in the lives of their hearers as they themselves are unregenerate, twice-dead autumn trees plucked up, Jude :12e. Godly teachers are not only justified by God, but constantly overflow with satisfying spiritual teaching, John 7:38-39.
    14. Apostates produce a lot of pageantry with nothing lasting to show for it but their shame, Jude :13a; godly teachers are low-key in presentation but overflow in spiritual production, James 3:18.
    15. Apostates try to guide others, but their efforts do not help, Jude :13b. The godly are fixed stars (unlike the apostate shooting stars) by whom their hearers can safely, easily navigate in their lives, cf. 1 Tim. 4:16.
    16. Apostates grumble and find fault according to their own lusts, Jude :16a. Godly leaders sacrificially encourage and edify others as they themselves follow and teach Scripture.
    17. Apostates boast and flatter in order to manipulate others to their own political advantage, Jude :16b. Godly leaders do not manipulate, but let God create the response to their efforts they desire as they keep their focus on heeding the Lord in their lives and ministries, Revelation 3:14-22.
Lesson: We can tell from applying this "grocery list" to a party if he tends toward apostasy or the truth.

Application: (1) If we apply this "grocery list" to a party in question and find a clear profile develops we owe it to God, others and ourselves to investigate these our initial observations further. (2) If we still have questions on a party because the issues may be too subjective for us to make a clear judgment, we should seek the advice from multiple other reputable believers, Proverbs 11:14.