Tough & Tender - Week 7 - St. Peter - Pastor Tim Glende
Tough and Tender
Week 7 - St Peter
Pastor Tim Glende
I need to reach out to you.
When I heard the news. I had to.
When I saw what happened, I had to say something.
When I heard the news. I had to call.
The odds are pretty good at some point in your life. You've been on both the receiving end and giving end of a statement like that.
When I saw what was going on? I couldn't contain myself. I just had to speak up. I had to say something. When I saw what was going on when I saw what was happening and what was taking place and how it was affecting you, I had to step in
And I'm not talking about those situations where if you're just a verbal vomiter, you're more than willing to speak into just about anything. Uh, I'm talking about those life situations, those things that take place where something is going on, people are being affected by someone, you know, someone you care about, maybe someone really close to you. Has something happened in their life and maybe they don't see it. Maybe they don't know it, maybe they can't do anything about it but you can and you had to say something.
Like that friend of yours, maybe your roommate at college. You see what's going on in their life. You see what's happening to them. You see the spiral that's taking place you're concerned about their well-being and you
You reach out and you call their parents and say hi. I had to call you and let you know.
Maybe it's a co-worker.
Someone you care about someone, you know, and behind-the-scenes, they don't know what's going on, but the things that are being said, that things that are being done the levers and buttons that are being pushed by others, are affecting them, their career, their reputation. And you feel compelled that I had to tell The Boss, say something.
Maybe it's a sibling.
Like that sibling that that you love and that you care about that lost their spouse. And after the funeral and all the time you spent with them, you can kind of see it happening and they began to isolate. They skip that holiday and they haven't reached out and So you have to call your other siblings or their family members and say, do we need to do something?
I want you to think about one of those moments, maybe in your life. I've had in mind both sides of it. I I've had to speak into it but but maybe from the side of specifically today, when someone else speaks ups and says, I had to
You think of a few events in my life, most of them involve my wife.
When something is happening, something is going on, when she see something, and It lingers around. There have been times. When she simply said to me, I had to do something. I had to say something.
Because sometimes we don't see it. Sometimes we don't know it, sometimes we want to overlook it, sometimes we might not believe it and sometimes we miss it.
And that's really why? I don't want you to miss the book of Jude.
Little book in the Bible. I don't know how many of you have read it, or maybe you have simply because we've given to you as homework for this week's gold star, or maybe you're doing this summer Bible reading plan. And you know, you're going to get to it, get through it and and read it. But a lot of times, the book of Jude is simply bypassed.
We love reading the Epistles of the Apostle Paul from The Book of Romans on, we get a whole lot of doctrine and a whole lot of insight and a whole lot of teaching. We've just gone through the book of 2nd Peter and sandwiched around those books of second Peter or the first letter. He wrote the ones that John wrote five books by the disciples that were in Jesus, Inner Circle, I mean, their knowledge, their Insight, their experience is something we gleaned from and look forward to hearing. And then you could just 1 little book, this one chapter, this one page that comes right after those Epistles, and If you miss it, you already see that Revelation is on the next one, and that's pretty exciting, too.
So today, I kind of want to give you a call and say we had to Preach on this book.
It's very similar to 2nd Peter, which is why we lump them together in this tough and tender series because that's what Jude's words are. But with one chapter that God inspired there's a whole lot in it and I must have been really important for God to include this little book by this little known person for a life of faith.
So the next two weeks, I pray that you are blessed to see the had to message of Jude. And this week we're going to cover most of the book and just going to be honest with you, the first roughly 20 verses of Jude's one chapter epistle contain a whole lot of tough and not a whole lot of tender. We're going to say that for Pastor Bill, he's far more tender and far more empathetic than me and he's going to share that with you next week. But you're going to see the heart of Jude, which was very tender and writing these words today, the tough words that need to be heard
Before we get into them, I just want to give you maybe a little bit of insight if you didn't know it, if you haven't read it or done any research on it as to who the author of this book is. If you turn to Jude chapter 1 and we just like to talk and chapters, there really are no chapters in, dude, it's just Jude one Jude. Verse 1 gives us insight as to the author names himself and a few descriptive words and then his audience who he was reaching out to, and who they were Judah servant of Jesus Christ in a brother of James.
Writing to those who've been called who are loved and God the father and kept for Jesus Christ. Going to come back to that because it's really about the tenderest words in this section. But I want to focus on those first few phrases because it tells us who the author was. He identifies himself as Jude servant of Jesus Christ, which isn't much different than the apostles and Paul the writers of New Testament books had described themselves, someone who had put themselves under Jesus Christ, a servant of the savior of God himself. The one who came who lived who died
That little phrase right in the middle is probably the biggest identifier of who we have is the author of this book and it does help us understand the passion for which he writes in the why he had to. Jude was a brother of James. And because he doesn't give him James any other identifier because there are several people in gospels even named James and it was a pretty common name. Most people believe this helps us understand that the author was writing to a specific group of people who knew this individual, and also writing to Christians, who understand the significance of this individual. If you have been with us here at 1:51, we've done a series on the Book of James and the author of the book of James inspired him to write. He was the leader of the early Christian Church. James, not the James who is one of the Inner Circle three, but Jesus' half-brother James. And so the author of this book identifies himself as a brother of that leader of the early Christian Church in Jerusalem. Was a half brother of Jesus, Son of Mary and Joseph, which means Jude was the same.
And what you don't identify as a sibling of Jesus? James had done, not done that either. Out of humility. He calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ.
So, the person writing this book is one of Jesus' half Brothers, he grew up with him, he knew him and I also think that plays into the passion of this message, that short. One chapter book. Because Jude like James at one time in his life would have been one who had not believed in Jesus as Lord. His brother scoffed at it. Doubted it. Thought he was crazy.
Later on, in life Jude, obviously by the power of the Holy Spirit like, James came to Faith, was now a pillar in the church and was passionate that people understood the importance of knowing Jesus, believing in Jesus and all that. Jesus had done it because it was life-changing for him and life-changing for them.
And as you read through the book, if you did. So if you haven't, you could go home today. And you can Blitz through it in about 2 minutes, you'll see and we're not going to focus on, on them, a whole lot of references to the Old Testament. Jude's examples that he wanted to use to reinforce some tough things that needed to be said include a whole lot of Old Testament examples of Stories, that probably well trained. Well, rooted in the Old Testament. Believing Jews would have known. Like references to Balaam and references to Cora and and references to people and individuals and events that weren't at the top of the list of general Bible knowledge. My guess is the Old Testament stories that just about any Christian, who would come to Faith? Maybe, as a gentile, they would have known things like the flood, and the story of Abraham and The Parting of the Red Sea. And maybe a King David Goliath moment here or there, but some of these stories are ones that you don't stumble across and aren't normal. And so the audience, most people believe were Palestinian Christians. Who were Jews?
And with that knowledge and that information Juden his history, his lack of faith. At one point is coming to Faith and his passion. For, for people who knew and had knowledge of the Bible, from beginning to end, it's all on display in these words. And why he was writing, We're going to see one of those lies today. Before we get into the why, maybe here's the Insight that comes in the next few verses of the two dear friends. Although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write.
Like it's obvious that Jude had on his heart, a desire on his heart to reach out to these Christians that he knew. And write a message and focus on. All the good stuff. The tender stuff, the things that all of us like to hear, right?
I mean, there's no better days in the church year than Christmas and Easter because it's filled with so much good stuff, right?
Love of Jesus. The resurrection of Jesus. Like when we hear stories of the, the grace of God, the Forgiveness of God, the Salvation that is ours, what is in store for us? In heaven. Those things are so fun, those things are so exciting, those things calm our hearts. Those things are so good to hear and so needed to hear and shoot. I've been wanting to write to you about these things.
But for some reason, he hadn't.
But at this point, he felt compelled to write.
Well, I wish it was this. What's about to follow? Is so vital and important. That I chose to be inspired by God, had to write instead.
And here's why. For certain individuals, go back to that verse for certain individuals, whose condemnation was written about long ago. I've secretly slipped in among you
What I'm telling you is nothing new but I'm telling you has been predicted what what I'm telling you. Jesus highlighted what I'm telling you Paul had may be referencing you had heard before. Maybe my brother James has mentioned it to you, is Judith. Probably written around the same time as Peter mid-60s and before the destruction of Jerusalem. Most people believe because he doesn't reference the Old Testament. It had been predicted there would be false prophets but Judas really highlighted what the Bible has highlighted for thousands of years that People will come in.
And they will seek to lead you astray.
When you look at those words, Jude understood the importance of why he was writing Certain individuals have secretly slipped in among you.
And when I hear words like that or the words that other New Testament books use or Jesus himself uses like the imagery of wolves in sheep's clothing for false teachers.
Part of me, says, I get it. But I think I would get it.
Like wolves and sheep. Look a little bit different.
There's someone coming in with a false message. Don't use a Christian thing that I would catch it.
Like I would see it.
I mean. We have members of our church who are pastors misspeak, and rightly so we'll send us an email and say you said this, I did a couple weeks ago for the Lord, a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day and then I slip it up and slipped it into. I rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God for one day than a thousand elsewhere and I flipped it around. I said 1,000 days and one day the opposite direction that made no sense. It wasn't a good look though. It wasn't true and someone said I caught it. I'm like, I know I did.
Just didn't stop. Like, you guys are really smart. We have someone come in and start teaching, there's a different way to heaven. You catch it, right? If someone started to undermine and teach things that weren't 200-proof, Grace and Truth you'd see it. But no one would secretly slip in what they
That's the devil, isn't it? He secretly slips in. He's a Deceiver.
It's easy for us to look at his first crime scene when he came to Eve and was tempted. Hear did God really saying like if you and I are watching the movie we're going, no, you should see it. But he slithered in and he snuck in and deceived subtly. Appealing to something that was there.
I think that's what Jude knew and understood, maybe it experience that he had seen before. Maybe he knew from his Own life experience and this is me just talking because I don't get the insight to what was going on in Jude's life or what he had told them. But Judah, at one point, had been convinced that Jesus wasn't the Messiah. Someone had secretly slipped in, someone had suddenly convinced him and maybe through the easiest of ways, like, no way your brother is that dude. Don't listen to him, he's crazy.
What have you been learning all this time? Can't be him.
A few verses later. Verse 16, when you jump ahead, you get some insight maybe as to how Jude understood there. They were able to secretly slip in. These people are grumblers and fault finders; they follow their own evil desires. They boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
I think two of those words give us some insight as to how they might have secretly slipped in how they might have gotten under the spiritual radar of these people, especially the last one. They flatter others for their own advantages.
Flattery will get you everywhere, right? All the husbands who are here. No, you know, you say nice things about your wife, you look pretty today. Thank you for the nice meal. Flattery goes a long way. I remember back in the day when you sat in the fifth grade classroom and there was that kid, who always was the Apple polisher, the one who buttered the teacher up, and it got them everywhere, like, they got to go first and they got the best jobs in the classroom. They never got in trouble. They never got sent to the principal's office.
That wasn't maybe me but it might have been. You flattery got them everywhere. Think about the person at work, who, who advances fast and you look at them and go.
They just are always kissing up to the boss.
Like flattery gets you in the door, flattery advances, you down the road flattery can cause people to overlook a whole lot of your issues.
And I have to imagine that's high on the list of why they could so easily slip in and why these Christians that Jude was writing to were buying into it, didn't see it.
And open the door for some of those other things that you see there that were gone rulers and fault finders and you know, the church is not filled with perfect people, but imperfect people who don't always get along and maybe these people were saying those people. Those leaders that person who's saying that Why do I listen to them? They're flawed, they might not be right flattery and the fault-finding together.
Might have caused those Christians to miss it.
I'm not sure, maybe exactly as to why they missed it. That's what I read into seeing in those words. But you do that, they had and he had to write, he was compelled to write because the spiritual danger was real.
Because he knew what was happening. He knew who they were. In Jude 1:4, he says this about them, their ungodly people.
They're not people who are just simply missing the mark accidentally. They're not people who have the best of intentions and they love God. And they have not understood something correctly, they are ungodly. In fact, if you read through all of Jude, there's a section in here that we're not going to tie late today. Very basically, in two verses, he calls them ungodly four times. Like these people are not of God. They don't like the things of God, they don't follow God. They are ungodly people.
And here are the two big concerns. The two big, why's that the reasons why? Judas writing. The issues that were in play. Many are more deadly for their spiritual well-being, they pervert the grace of God into a license for immorality. And they denied Jesus Christ as our only Sovereign Lord.
Like, at the end of the day, They are taking away the heart and center of the biblical truth, that Jesus is the only way to heaven. You can get there via other means. There are other paths. He's not the only way. It's not the one that we need to rely on by faith. It is by grace alone that were saved through Jesus Christ Alone. They deny him.
And it slipped under the radar and if you don't see it, if you don't identify it, if you don't speak up to it, if you don't fight for it. Your faith and the faith of others, the faith that the message of Salvation will be lost.
And it's not just that truth. They are also undermining the grace of God and there.
They're saying that God's grace is actually a license to sin.
The word that Jude uses is a strong word. A tough word. He said they're perverting it. Like they're making it into something that it's not designed to be like that's perversion by definition.
And they're taking God's grace and they're perverting it.
Which I think is, If we're honest, probably the most dangerous thing that Christians have faced for thousands of years.
Because it's so appealing to human nature.
To the Christian who knows the truth of Grace, but the human nature that is still drawn to sin.
And I really want to think about that one. I want you to think about that one.
Like we as a church value, 200 proof Grace and Truth. We use that phrase Jude valued, 200-proof Grace and Truth. You know why we've attached the word, 200 proof to grace and truth because 200 proof is 100% pure. When it comes to alcohol, please do not drink 200 proof alcohol ever. I'll be a recipe for disaster. But it identifies the pureness of it, 100% of it. And what was happening in these Christians’ world was that God's grace was getting diluted and watered down. God's grace was getting perverted and turned into something that it wasn't. See, grace is a gift from God. And, and when Jude or Paul or others were teaching these individuals, they taught them this about Grace, Grace abounds when we sin. Like the Bible talks about grace and grace and more grace God offers Grace in the face of sin. When you said, when you fall, God forgives And that is such a tender message in such an important truth to hold on to because you know what is true of us was true of Jude? What was true of those Christians? He was writing to what is true of 1:51, we are all sinful human beings who have fallen short of the glory of God. Guilty of sin, deserving of hell, but Grace, trumps guilt and the blood of Jesus has paid the price. And those Christians were taught that. But these who had secretly slipped under the radar were teaching something different. They were taking that Grace that God in Jesus had paid for all their sins at the cross. Those sins had been dealt with in full They were teaching them a different message, and perverted into this. And we became a license to sin. And Jude wanted them to know he had to speak tough words because it wasn't a license to sin.
Because I want you to think about for a second.
Because you probably maybe said it's this rationalization, this justification, this minimizing of sin.
I know it's wrong, but will God forgive me?
Like you willingly and deliberately do it knowing that it's wrong.
And your license to do it is Grace.
Like, maybe it's the anger issues that you have in. The harsh words that you use in the abuse that you Dole out to your spouse, your kids to others, I know it's wrong and help myself. Had a tough day at work. I just had to
Maybe it's the bottle.
Maybe it's the sexual line that you're crossing.
Maybe it's the relationship that you're choosing to end your marriage. I know it's wrong. But I'm going to do it anyway, because it makes me feel good. I'm happier with that person rather than that one.
What's your it. Because maybe you're in the same boat as those Christians were two thousand years ago. So Judah, want you here, the tough words. If you've ever used Grace as a license to sin, understand the danger, The deadly danger. The seriousness of it. I'm not going to give you all the words, but he uses examples of Old Testament stories. Like Cora and those who rebelled against God's chosen leadership. And as a result of their rebellion, they were destroyed and killed.
The example of the city of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Whose perversion left a whole region to this day, unable to bear any kind of fruit and hundreds of thousands of dead.
Like the Israelites in the desert who rebelled against God knowing the grace of God knowing the rescue of God.
That. Before they enter the promised land all. But two
Jude doesn't mince words. They’re strong words. They're tough words because he knew the danger of creating a license to sin by using grace. The author of Hebrews and maybe wrote to the same Christians. Jewish Christians said this way he said if we deliberately keep on sitting after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left done. Did Jesus pay for it all? Yes.
But if you deliberately sin after you've received the knowledge of the truth, if there is no guilt or remorse or repentance, I know that as sinful human beings. We fall prey to the same sin. We might go five years without having that sin, get the best of us. What we're talking about here is the willful, deliberate sin, saying grace and God will forgive me. Therefore, I do it anyway. I have a license to sin. No conscience. In that case, only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
See, they had secretly slipped in; these Christians had not known it, and here's what was happening. And here's what it was leading to. And here's where some people in Jude knew the danger not just for them individually. Zach talked about that last week but for them collectively as a church for Christians, as a whole for the family of God, on a big scale picture. Like if this happens, you haven't seen it coming. Some are falling prey to it. You might be next, it undermines the word of God. I had to write to you because this is true. I know the end game if this happens, the danger, that is real. Which is why Jude said this. I felt compelled. If you go to, to the end of verse 3, I read the first part before I felt compelled to write an urge you To contend for the faith. Once for all entrusted to God's people. Like Jude is one of the last writers of the New Testament books. They probably had some of the gospels that those Christians who were Jewish Christians had knowledge of the Old Testament. They had all the Insight in all the wisdom of all that God. Having done the promises, the predictions, the Fulfillment, and now the reality and arrival of Jesus, and his promises of a return like the inspired word of God, John wrote a few of his letters. We believe at the end of that first century, The Book of Revelation perhaps the last of all of them but those scriptures were known and revealed, and they had it, it was entrusted to them. What? Grace was a gift from God? What? Grace was not a license to sin as Paul said, shall we go on sinning? No. But rather in view of God's mercy, the love the perfect life, the death and resurrection of Jesus in view of God's mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices
And those truths of who Jesus is, Sovereign God, and Lord savior Grace, Giver eternal life salvation. That is yours to writing to Christians who he says, these are your gifts. This is who you are. I don't want you to lose it. You're in a position brighter version can tell you why I'm writing so that you see it. It's not slipping past you on the radar. It doesn't secretly get in and Destroy. You spiritually or destroy others instead contend for the faith.
It has been entrusted to God's people. Of which you are included, fight for the faith. See, here's the truth. That Jude knew he understood and he celebrated; he wanted them to hold onto and celebrate. Faith is God's gift. It is given to you. It is yours. You had nothing to do with it. God did all the work, he blessed you with it, he brought you into a relationship with him.
But defending the faith is our responsibility.
The truth of Salvation found in Jesus Christ by faith alone, grace alone through scripture alone. Through Christ Alone is ours to fight for. And we live in a world that's no different today. There are people who bear the label Christian churches, and organizations that talk of Jesus, that preach and proclaim that there are other ways to heaven.
There are churches today just like there were back then that that basically dilute and water down. 200 proof Grace and Truth into nothing more than antinomian live how you want to live Decide what you believe is, right and wrong. There is no such thing as Sin. And if you do sin, it's okay. God forgives you And we can be printed that we can. Be misled by that. We can be deceived into that. We can Maybe prefer that.
Which is why God would call us each and every one of us. Why God would call our church and the church to defend the faith.
Subjectively speaking faith is your gift. God created it still, didn't your heart? It's a gift from him. He doesn't want you to lose it. But the faith objectively speaking, his word, his truths, the faith that Christianity is built on and based on the truths of the Bible, all that God is all that God has done. Is our responsibility.
Those are kind of tough words, aren't they?
That's a big responsibility.
Which is why I want to go back to the beginning, the book to remind you of the tender words, How is it possible? Why would we do it?
To those who've been called, who are loved and God, the father and kept for Jesus Christ.
Probably tough for you to have to wrestle with your heart at the moment.
What is it that you've convinced yourself? It's okay. A license to sin.
If that's hit you in the heart and you're convicted, Remember this, it as well. But you are loved in Christ, Jesus. By God, the Father who sent his one and only son who paid for those moments. And his grace, trumps that guilt.
His victory on the cross is your victory.
That's the faith that, you know, and that you have learned
And what does God desire? He desires us to act justly and walk humbly with our God to love Mercy because he loves mercy and he's shown you Mercy, you are forgiven. Like to that woman who was caught in adultery when the stones were above her head. What did Jesus say to her? I don't condemn you. But go and sin, no more. If in your heart, is that wrestling with that sin and that it. And if you've been giving yourself a license to sin, hear the words of Jesus, I don't condemn you Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit who is called you to Faith, who was revealed God's grace to you because he wants you to celebrate the fruit that is yours, mercy and peace, and love in abundance. That's why contending for the faith is so important, holding on to the truths of Jesus, not making Grace a license to sin because God wants you and I to enjoy and experience an abundance of peace and love and mercy. Now for eternity.
See, Jude had to.
He loved them too much to not create spiritual awareness. And allow those who had secretly slipped into remain under the radar and spiritually, be detrimental to them individually. But even the church. To the faith. To the truth.
And God would call us the same action.
To be aware to know our sinful heart that so easily is lured into sin and as a Christian might gravitate to the rationalization of God's grace is so big that he'll forgive it.
Send me the Holy Spirit to work on our hearts to never allow that. To be the case. But to love 200, proof, Grace, and Truth. I contend for that Faith, because Our Generation. Can be the next Jude. To hold onto those true so that others might know it. They might celebrate the Salvation. That is ours that was one for us of Jesus Christ. Let's pray about that.
Dear Heavenly Father. We know in our world, sadly and churches around our nation and for thousands of years, people have secretly snuck in. They've undermined the 200 proof truth of your word who you are, the author and creator of all what your word says and how you called us to live.
Lord, sadly, it's been watered down. We know why? Because it's appealing and alluring and people are using it to their own advantage and it's to the detriment of your people Jude knew that two thousand years ago. The same is still true Lord. So I pray for us as a church that what we value? And say we value, we speak into 200 proof. Truth, what your word says, what? What is sin and what is wrong, how do you view it? How do you see it? That when we take Grace, and we water it down and we don't celebrate it for what it is. A pure gift from you. The power from you to live a Godly life at work. Instead we view it as a license to sin, Lord, turn us around, if that's the case. Let us hear the truth. And then let us once again, celebrate Grace. When you've humbled us.
Of that Lord, may we be a place? And may we be that generation. That is just like Jude and just like those Christians he was speaking to that contends for the faith that the truth of your word, the truth about salvation the truths about Grace, the truth about eternity that it in you and you alone is salvation. And that your word is true. For that, you can tell us that's why it's so important that we are Sanctified through your truth. So, Lord, work on our hearts today plus us through the message of Jude that he was compelled to write that he had to And make us have to become our motto to contend for that Faith just as Christians did 2,000 years ago. Lord, we pray for this in our savior, Jesus' name. Amen
