Are you in the game? [Jude Part 2]

Last Sunday I spoke on and thus wrote on the first part of Jude.  I really zeroed in on the idea Jude focuses on of identifying false teachers.  We are called to know the truth we profess so that we can differentiate between truth and falsehood and thus identify the false teachers.  This week we finished Jude.  In the latter half of this short book Jude focuses on the antidote to the false teachers, or the hope of the church in times marked by those seeking to destroy her. The plan set out by Jude is not too different from that of a good coach.

1. We are to have a strong defense. (17-19) We are called to remember all that we have been taught and warned about.  We have been warned of the false teachers, we know what they will try to do. We have also been taught the truth.  We hold the truth and we must defend it.
2. We are to be disciplined. (20-21) We are to remain in the word of God, pray Christ centered prayers, be obedient to God and live with eternity in mind.  These are all aspects of following the narrow road of faith. Daily practice leads to discipline, discipline leads to success.
3. We are to have an active offense. (22-23) We are called to reach out with mercy and save those who doubt, those who are convinced and those who are leading others astray. It is not enough to sit back defending our faith in our own little circles.  We must be determined to take back those who have been stolen from our flock. This is love.

Do you see yourself as part of a team? Are you an active player?  When is the last time you strove to “score” on offense? We play a game with much higher stakes than any sport in the world but do we act like it?

Jude: Defending the Faith

When is the last time you read the book of Jude?  You know, that really short one just before Revelation.  This is a seldom taught and thus seldom read book of the Bible but it is so important to us in this day and age.  Jude writes this very urgent letter to instruct his readers on how to identify false teachers.  Jude does not hold any punches in his short letter when it comes to the character and judgment of these misleading leaders.  He compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah, fruitless tress and fallen angels.  Jude implores his readers to “contend vigorously” for the one true faith and gospel. He warns them to beware of self-seekers who wish to detract from Christ’s gospel.

So, what does false doctrine look like?  False doctrine is anything that places its focus outside of faith in Jesus Christ.  So, I have two questions for you.

Do you know your faith well enough to know when it is being attacked?

Are you actively involved in defending the faith?

There is no shortage of critics and false teachers of Christ.  I wonder what our families, schools, cities and countries would be like if we all began to stand up for our faith?

 

The Church: Vitamin or Oxygen

I recently had the opportunity to speak at Terrace Lake Community Church in Columbus, Indiana.  I took this opportunity to do some study on the local church, the following is an abbreviated version of what I shared.

The church has many roles in the lives of believers, however most fit in the following categories; worship, teaching, discipline, fellowship.

• Corporate Worship is our opportunity to return praise and honor to God.  It is our chance to stand in awe and give God acceptable worship. (Hebrews 12:28, 10:2)
• We also benefit from the teaching of the church.  If we are willing to truly submit ourselves to the authority of this right teaching we will be transformed by it. (Col 3:16, Titus 2:7)
• The least desirable of the roles of the church in our life is discipline however it is the most necessary.  Too often the church prefers to sidestep this responsibility in favor of not making anyone uncomfortable.  It is, however, this very role that protects the church (Heb 12:5/11,  1 Cor 11:32) as well as followers of Christ. (Mat 18:15-18, Gal 6:1-2, 1 Cor 5:1-5.)
• Fellowship and encouragement within the body of Christ is an aspect of the church that is very unique.  Where else can you find people who share the same life changing experience of the gospel, are truly committed to the well being of each other and all, give time regularly to the advancement and betterment of others’ children and freely give of their time and money so that this body continues to grow and thrive? I understand that this is a picture of a healthy church, however it is this idea of community that we all to often selfishly keep to ourselves. (Hebrews 10)

If the above is what we get from the church as believers next we look at what our role is within the church.

• Praying and working within the church. (1 Cor 12, Acts 2:42-47) I once heard that the fastest way to see if a church is a healthy, Christ-centered church is to look at the length of the list of volunteers in the Children’s department and nursery.
• Giving to the ministry of the Church. (Acts 4:32-37) Do I give what is possible and when “I can” or do I truly sacrifice?
• The church is to be a Family.  You will never feel like a part of this family until you give yourself fully to it.  Are you open to correction? Are you vulnerable?  Are you an attender (come when able), participant (come regularly, even some non-Sunday events), Involved (regular attender, help within church and give when able) or Invested: I tell others about the Church, I see myself as a teacher/ leader, I am constantly involved in at least one ministry of the church, I give until it hurts, I am committed to the success of the church (even if it means staying when leaving would be easier) The success of this community truly matters to me, when it hurts I hurt, when it rejoices I rejoice.

The church is Christ’s bride and chosen presence to the world.  Christ died for the church and will redeem her to be His bride.  Do you think He cares about how we view and treat the church?  Do you act like He cares about how we view and treat the church?

Do you treat the church like a vitamin (beneficial) or like oxygen (vital)?