2025/09/03 - Jude 1: False Teachers & Warnings
Jerry Starling
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Online Activity Today
Bible Study…............9:30 a.m...........Live on Facebook.com/central.cofc
Worship…...............10:30 a.m...........Live on Facebook.com/central.cofc
Evening Worship......6:00 p.m...........Live on Facebook.com/central.cofc
Reading: Jude 1 – False Teachers & Warnings
Verse for Today
Beloved, while eagerly preparing to write to you about our shared salvation, I find it necessary to write and appeal to you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. (Jude 1:3)
Daily Devo
Introduction
Jude introduced himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James.” He and James were brothers of Jesus, but both introduced themselves as His servant.
Jude’s one-chapter book is like 2 Peter 2. It is also a book characterized by groups of three.
Jude, in verse three, said he wanted to write about their common salvation, but found it necessary to appeal to them to contend for the faith, “for certain intruders have stolen in among you.” These intruders were destined for ungodly condemnation, pervert the grace of God into licentiousness, and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Judgment on False Teachers
Three examples of God’s judgment: A people saved out of Egypt were destroyed for unbelief. Angels did not keep their position; He keeps them in eternal chains in deepest darkness for the judgment. Sodom and Gomorrah indulged in sexual immorality and unnatural lust & suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
These dreamers “defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the angels.” Yet, when the archangel Michael contended with the devil about the body of Moses, he did not bring slander against him, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” These dreamers' slander all they do not understand and are destroyed like irrational animals.
“Woe to them! They go the way of Cain, abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion.” They are blemishes on your love-feasts, feast with you without fear, feeding themselves. “They are waterless clouds, autumn trees without fruit, wild waves of the sea, and wandering stars for whom deep darkness is reserved” (four, not three this time).
Enoch prophesied about them, saying, “The Lord comes with ten thousand of His holy ones, to execute judgment, convict everyone of all their deeds of ungodliness, and of all the harsh things they have spoken against him.”
Warnings & Exhortations
Remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord: they said, “In the last time there will be scoffers indulging their own ungodly lusts.” These worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, are causing divisions.
Build yourselves up in your faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep yourselves in the love of God. “Look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on some, and save others by snatching them out of the fire.”
Benediction
“To Him who can keep you from falling, make you stand without blemish in the presence of His glory; to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ, be glory, power, and authority before all time, now, and forever.” Amen.
Observation: The prophecy of Enoch is from a book written between the Testaments, one of what is called pseudepigrapha, books claiming authorship by someone living long before the book is written. This quotation almost kept Jude from being in the Bible at all, for he used it as other writers used Old Testament quotations. But Jude is a Jewish book & Jews knew Enoch.
Be watchful. Pray always. Rejoice in the Lord.
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Pray for Yourself
Father, I pray for the coming of the Lord before I die. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, in whose name, I pray, AMEN!
My Prayer for You (and for me)
Father, I offer this prayer for all who read these words. I pray that each of us will meditate on the warnings of Jude and contend faithfully for the faith. This is my prayer, in His precious, holy name, AMEN!
Updates for Central
The Wednesday morning Ladies’ Class resumes at 10:00 am on September 6. All ladies are invited to participate.
Kid’s Club will be on Saturday, September 16 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Kendra Criss is in charge,
Sunday Night for the Master will be on September 17 after Sunday evening service. Light snacks will be served.
Our Eastern European Mission “Million Dollar Sunday” contribution will be on September 24. Our contribution that day will go to EEM for Bibles for the former Soviet bloc nations. Last year, EEM distributed 1,960,000+ Bibles, up 24% from 2021. They hope for more this year.
PRAYER NEEDS
Shane Ledford tested positive for Covid Friday morning, and Tom followed on Saturday. Pray for both Ledford's.
Susan Allen came home Thursday following her procedure. Keep her in your prayers.
indi Criss had her surgical procedure Friday, late in the day, stayed two nights in the hospital, but is expected to be discharged today. Keep her in your prayers.
Jennifer San Juan asked for more prayer for her daughter, Dawn. She is not doing very well, and Jennifer is deeply concerned.
Carl Bolli asks for prayers, as he fell a few weeks ago. He missed his PET scan d/t the storm and is rescheduled for September 8.
Lee Cain asked for prayers for Mike & Kathryn Hartman. She had a head-on collision when a car came across the median directly into her. She is out of the hospital, but still has more surgery to face. Pray for both, as he owns his own business, and taking care of her is his first priority. Meanwhile, the business suffers.
Nancy Gray has been diagnosed as having Covid. Please pray for her as she recovers.
Joan Berry, Joanna Turner’s Mother, needs our prayers.
Carol Grandey, Brenda Schmidt’s sister, is home and ready to enter rehab. Keep her in your prayers.
Jesse Matthews, Sr. Ruth said he is in rehab, but they are hoping for a Nursing Home for him. Their daughter is also still recuperating from a broken ankle. She needs prayers as does the whole family.
Kristi Holder is planning to be at SonQuest. Jerry says she improves daily and will be taking it easy at SonQuest. Keep her in your prayers.
Joy Bland found she has a broken bone in her foot that requires a boot to help it heal. She will have it for about six weeks and had a PET scan. She is considering further treatment.
Gale Harnish is home, but not well. Keep her in your prayers.
Susan Allen’s sister Debi is not well at all. Please remember her in your prayers.
Please let us know when you have events to publicize, are in the hospital, or are sick and need prayers. If you request prayer for someone, let us know when to take them off the prayer list. You can contact me by text or phone at 407-453-5392.