Last Sunday, we continued our 4-part expository sermon series through the book of Jude, "Contending for the Faith in Faithless Times," as we considered, "Depictions of Defection."
General William Booth was the notable founder of the Salvation Army. A great and godly man, he possessed great insight. General Booth thought about the time in which we’re living, and he said:
"The great danger of the Twentieth Century will be religion without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, Heaven without Hell.”
General Booth was referring to the state of the church in what we now perceive as days of apostasy. It was the same apostasy that Jude warned us about when he said, "For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4).
Now, in verses 5-10, Jude gives us, what I have labeled, four depictions of defection--a portrait of those who have "gone away" from the faith.
First, he gives a practical depiction: subtle imitation. He begins in verse 5, "Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt…" Now there were two kinds of people who came out of Egypt.
First, there were the soundly saved--those who were walking the God, trusting God, dependent upon God, and loved God. But how were they saved in the Old Testament? Obviously there was no Christ during that time--as they were anticipating his first coming, but not until many years later. They weren't saved by the repeated judgments of God on Pharaoh that effected their redemption. They weren't saved by keeping the Law of Moses or the Ten Commandments. In no way does the keeping of the Ten Commandments procure salvation, whether past or present. They were saved, quite literally, by the blood of the lamb! It was the blood on the doorposts and the lintel and the blood in the basin on the doorstep that saved them. This blood which broke all of the power of the enemy. It was by the shed blood of the lamb that they became God’s purchased possession. But, still, how were they saved? The entire sacrificial system, the laws, the ordinances, the feasts, and the fasts were all part of their spiritual education. But the truth was all there in picture, type, shadow, symbol, and ritual. Yes, indeed, they were soundly saved. As we, by faith, look back to Calvary, so the children of Israel—in however a hazy, vague, and limited way—looked forward by faith to Calvary. They were saved by Christ "dimly perceived."
Second, there were the supposedly saved. Jude continues in the fifth verse, "The Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.” God saw the plight of his chosen people, and he “saved,” delivered, or rescued them out of Egypt. He sent plagues on Egypt, parted the Red Sea, destroyed Pharaoh’s army, and provided manna, quail, and water. He was their glory cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. So, Israel had an amazing past, a marvelous legacy. The book of Exodus is a witness to God’s grace and salvation. However, the issue for them and the issue for us is this: Are you trusting God today? Are you trusting God now? Well, to fast forward in our synopsis, many missed the promised land. They missed God’s best. Forgetting God’s grace and greatness, they dug their graves in the wilderness within sight of the land God had promised, saying, “God did it before, but I cannot trust him to do it again.”
Second, he gives a spiritual depiction: satanic invasion. Jude pens in verse 6, "And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day."
Now what is Jude referring to here? Well, theologians have long speculated. Personally, if there are three views, as most would concur, I adhere to a specific view that Jude is drawing reference to the episode in Genesis 6 where fallen angels had sexual relations and cohabited with women and produced an evil race of men who brought God’s judgment on the world through the flood. However, that's beside the point. There are really two things to note about the satanic invasion of the human mind--and of the church--and that is, 1) they were not satisfied with God's plan and 2) they were not submitted to God's plan. Think about it. Here were angels that occupied the highest celestial positions possible. Yet, they were discontent. Dissatisfied. And, ultimately, deceived. Think about Genesis 3 and the Garden of Eden--the serpent, as crafty as he was, convinced Eve to give up the splendors of paradise by indulging in the one thing God had requested they not partake. Today, the human race is reaping the consequences because of the sinful indulgence of Adam and Eve. The same is true today. Our culture is infected with "the grass is greener" syndrome, believe that there is "something better" on the other side.
One commentary, in explaining the angels and what they gave up, put it this way:
"Not content with heaven, these angels get hell instead. Think about what their rebellion cost them:
- They gave up Heaven for Hell.
- They gave up being servants of God to be slaves of Satan.
- They have up light for darkness.
- Freedom for chains.
- Joy in His presence to condemnation in perdition.
- Awesome privilege to awesome punishment.
- Great honor for incredible disgrace."
Third, Jude gives us a fleshly depiction: sexual perversion. Verse 7, in considering the historic Old Testament account of Sodom and Gommorah, Jude reminds them of the judgment which God will inflict upon the wicked. While God may be longsuffering, it does not mean that we are immune to His wrath. While perversion consumed them, punishment eventually claimed them. A time came when God said, “Enough!” Genesis 19 records the cataclysmic judgment as “out of the sky the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah burning sulfur from the Lord” (Gen 19:24).
Finally, Jude gives us a worldly depiction: social upheaval. Verses 8-10 reveal that they were rebellious, arrogant, and ignorant. It was a time of total social chaos. Such is true today. One commentator worded such candidly in regard to the church:
"Today we claim to be spiritual, but we are not godly. We are sporadic in church attendance and stingy in our giving. We are frequent participants in alcohol abuse, tobacco, and profanity. We dress offensively and seductively. We surf the Internet for pornography and mutilate or desecrate our bodies, which we claim are the temple of the Holy Spirit. All the while we say, “It’s no big deal. I am free in Christ.
We claim to be missional but are not doing missions. We claim to be engaging the culture but are not doing evangelism. We claim to be salt and light while actually being dirt and darkness. Theology is left behind, expository preaching is lampooned, and moral integrity is laughed out of court as old-fashioned and outdated legalism."
In a loud, chaotic, miscalculated culture, what we desperately need is to simply be silent, listen, and refocus on Christ and allow His Spirit to guide us into the everlasting truth of His Word. It is only when we do such that we can begin contending for the faith.
Church Events
Vacation Bible School is off to a great start! It's not too late to register your child for this wonderful week. Bring them today through Wednesday at 5:30pm!
Be reminded that I will be in Washington D.C. on June 4-5, and at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Indianapolis on June 8-14. Should you need pastoral care during my time away, Bro. A.G. Stepp, a retired pastor in our church, is available to assist you. His contact information is listed in our church directory. For other needs, contact one of our deacons or staff members, as listed in the bulletin.
Next Sunday at 10 am, Dr. Scotty Hogan, former pastor at Westmeade Baptist Church in Decatur, will be filling in during my absence. I always miss not being in the pulpit, but I know you will certainly enjoy Bro. Scotty's message on Sunday. Make sure you are making plans now to be there on Sunday... don't miss just because I'm not there!
Gavin Lee will be leading the Wednesday night study in my absence on June 12th. He will also be preaching on Sunday evening, June 9th.
We can still use volunteers for Vacation Bible School. A sign-up sheet is located in the lobby, or you can call the church office at (256) 773-8997 and they can put your name down.
Prayer Needs
*If you have a serious life event or prayer need, please call the church office so our church staff can know how to pray for you.*
Kay Bowers came home from the hospital on Saturday, Had a great visit with her and Jim yesterday. Pray for their continued recovery.
Continue to pray for Deb Ornburn and her chemotherapy treatments.
Continue to pray for Bobby and Karen Tapscott's daughter, Amy Harvel and her Mastocytosis. This is a serious illness, so sincerely pray for Amy and her family.
Pray for Mike Elam as he continues to deal with his various health issues.
Pray for our Southern Baptist Convention next week as we meet in Indianapolis and deal with some rather contentious issues. Pray for a spirit of unity and humility.
Church Information
Contact: (256) 773-8997 / office@mzbchartselle.org
Address: 250 Mt. Zion Road, Hartselle, AL 35640
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30-4:30
Staff
Senior Pastor - Rev. Spencer Bell
Minister of Music - Randall Key
Minister of Students - Gavin Lee
Pianist - Allison Keenum
Deacons
Myron Tapscott
Tim Sivley
Charles Lott
Kenneth Clark
Trustees
Gary Mote
Frank Thompson
Gerry Holmes
Jim Boyer
Tyde Tapscott
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