My text tonight is found in Jude 1:17-19. I want to speak to you by the power of God’s Spirit about MOCKERS IN THE HOUSE OF GOD, and issue an imperative call to steadfastness in the faith of the gospel.
We are living in what the Word of God speaks of as “the last days.” The Scriptures clearly identify “the last days” as those days that began with our Savior’s incarnation and end with his second coming. It is my opinion that we are probably living in the latter portion of “the last days,” the very end of time. I say that because it is obvious that Satan has been loosed upon the earth to deceive the nations again.
The spirit of antichrist is so thick in this generation of free-will/works religion that you can cut it with a knife. It seems to me that the time of great apostasy has come that Paul told us must come before Christ comes again in 2nd Thessalonians 2.
How thankful we ought to be for God’s great electing love and preserving grace, by which we have been and are preserved from the delusions of Arminian, free-will, works religion! The only reason we have not fallen for Satan’s lies is the fact that we are “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called.” Therefore we are called to steadfastness (2 Thess. 2:13-15; Jude 1:17-19).
(2 Thessalonians 2:13-15) “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (14) Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (15) Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
Now, look at our text. Jude calls us to this same steadfastness in these dark, dark days. How are we to react to the increasing apostasy around us? What are we to do in the midst of this reprobate age of Arminian, free-will, works religion? Many answers could be given to those questions from the Word of God. Here is the answer God the Holy Spirit gives us by the pen of his servant Jude…
(Jude 1:17-19) “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; (18) How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
Jude has shown us the history and definition of apostasy, and has given examples of it. He has warned us to be prepared for it, and urges us fight against it, “to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
Proposition: Here, Jude calls for us to remember the Word of God, because it is the Word of God that gives us stability in the midst of an unceasing onslaught of heresy.
REMEMBER(Jude 1:17) “But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;”
“But” – That little contraction is very important. Jude has given us warnings concerning terrible things, great dangers, and horrible ungodliness. “But,” he says, these are things about which we have been warned repeatedly in the Word of God, and warned repeatedly by “the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Look at the next word in our text – “Beloved.” What a great, sweet, assuring, encouraging word that is! Jude addresses all who believe as people “beloved.”
He calls us “beloved” to distinguish us from the apostates he has been describing and to assure us that being “sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called,” we shall never be condemned with the wicked.
As we are subjected to the great swelling words of blustering heresy, Jude says, – Ignore them and remember what God the Holy Spirit, by his inspired Apostles, has told you in his Word. – If we would stand firm in these days, if we would not be shaken by every wind of doctrine, we must be familiar with and have fixed in our hearts and minds the Word of God. Instability comes when we forget that which God has taught us in his Word.
One great benefit of adhering ourselves to the preaching of the gospel is the stability it gives to our lives.
(Psalms 119:11) “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
(Psalms 119:105) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
(Jeremiah 3:15) “And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
(Ephesians 4:11-16) “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
(Philippians 3:1-3) “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. (2) Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. (3) For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
(2 Peter 1:12) “Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.”
(2 Peter 1:15) “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”
(1 Timothy 4:1-2) “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
Paul is telling us that when these men speak lies their consciences do not even bother them, because their consciences are seared with a hot iron. Read on…
(1 Timothy 4:3-6) “Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (4) For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: (5) For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. (6) If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.”
(2 Timothy 4:1-4) “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
That which Jude writes is in complete agreement with Peter and Paul. Indeed, every faithful gospel preacher warns those who hear him against false religion and false prophets. It is imperative that we remember these warnings of Holy Scripture.
The word “remember” in our text is in the imperative mood. Jude is saying, Whatever false prophets may do and say, do not be deceived, by them. No matter how popular their doctrine becomes, hold on to the revelation of God that has been authored by the Apostles of our Lord. That is the only security that you have against false doctrine.
(Hebrews 2:1-4) “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (2) For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; (3) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (4) God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?”
(2 Peter 3:17-18) “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. (18) But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.”
Jude tells us that it is imperative for us to “remember the words which were spoken to us by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s look at some more of those words to which he refers, and ask God the Holy Spirit to write them upon our hearts.
(Acts 20:28-30) “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (29) For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. (30) Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.”
(2 Corinthians 11:13-15) “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
(Colossians 2:4-5) “And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (5) For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.”
(1 Timothy 6:20-21) “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: (21) Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.”
(2 Timothy 3:1) “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.”
(2 Timothy 3:5) “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(2 Timothy 3:8-9) “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. (9) But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.”
(1 John 2:18-19) “Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. (19) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
(2 John 1:7) “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.”
And be sure you remember these words of the Apostle Paul. The apostasy of antichrist and the influence of antichrist will cause no harm in God’s church and kingdom. The gates of hell shall not prevail against the church of the living God!
(1 Corinthians 11:19) “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.”
If the Word of God has warned us about these things, we ought not be surprised that they have come to pass; and we ought to be sensible enough not to be shaken by them. In verses 18 and 19, Jude describes these mockers in God’s house in scathing terms.
(Jude 1:18-19) “How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. (19) These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.”
First, he tells us that all who, by their doctrines of free-will, works religion, “turn the grace of our God into lasciviousness, denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ,” are “mockers…who walk after their own lusts.” False prophets are mockers (scoffers) in the pulpit who deceive others regarding the truth of the Gospel. Their ignorance is willing ignorance.
(2 Peter 3:3-5) “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, (4) And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (5) For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.”
Let me be crystal clear. These mockers are men who dare to assert that…
(Galatians 1:6-9) “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
(Galatians 5:12) “I would they were even cut off which trouble you.”
(Philippians 3:18-19) “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)”
False prophets, all of them, are men who “walk after their own lusts.” They are motivated by personal ambition and they derive their doctrine from their own reason, despising the authority of Holy Scripture. Having rejected the revelation of God, making their own carnal reason the measure of all truth, they are controlled by no other authority. They will not bow to even the most self-evident truths of Holy Scripture, if those truths conflict with their thoughts. Therefore our Lord tells us…
(Matthew 7:6) “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”
Next, Jude describes these self-serving mockers as separatists. – “These be they which separate themselves.”
That phrase, “they which separate themselves,” is found only here in Scripture. It refers to people who think that they are superior. Like the Pharisees, they want to elevate themselves as the spiritually elite. They form little cliques of followers to make them feel important, and seek to divide friends. They think they are great. If you do not think they are great, they will separate themselves from you and blubber the world over about how you have mistreated them. – Beware of those who separate themselves from…
Then Jude writes, “These are...sensual.” They consider themselves superior to others, but they are in reality just natural men, motivated by nothing but natural lusts, having nothing but natural knowledge. They live, operate in, and experience nothing but that which is natural to lost men.
These spiritual elitists vainly imagine that they are elevated to the highest level of life. They assume that everyone else is lost and do not hesitate to declare it, with great humility, of course. Jude tells us, by divine inspiration, that all such imaginary spiritual giants are less than pigmies, that they are just sensual, brute beasts, religious frauds, governed by their own lusts, and nothing else.
LOSTHis next word concerning these men is this. They are men “having not the Spirit.” If you want to know what that means, read Romans 8:9.
(Romans 8:7-9) “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Jude is telling us that false prophets are lost men. They walk not after the Spirit, but after the flesh. They may appear to be very spiritual; but they are not. They are altogether without…
In the light of these divinely revealed facts, it is no wonder that Jude says, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (v. 3). Let us therefore “remember the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” and “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”
(Romans 9:33) “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”
(Romans 10:1-13) “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (5) For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. (6) But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”