Jude Outline

Tod Kennedy, May 12, 1996

        Jude, the brother of James and the Lord’s half-brother wrote this letter around AD 65-80 to warn about counterfeits and false doctrine. He urges them to recognize the problem and fight for the faith.  He presents the strategy for the doctrinal conflict. This strategy: remember the warning, growth in doctrine, prayer, loyal love for God, eagerly await Jesus Christ, and helping other believers who are influenced by counterfeits and false doctrine. He closes by with a doxology: all honor belongs to God our Savior.

1. The author, the recipients, and the greeting, 1-2.

2. Jude’s intention “that you contend earnestly for the faith.” The faith is the body of revealed truth, Scripture, 3.

3. Why? Because counterfeits have infiltrated the church, 4.

        3.1. They attack grace.

        3.2. They attack Christ and his authority over the world.

4. Three illustrations of counterfeits, 5-7.

        4.1. Exodus generation--unbelieving believers. They do not believe God’s promises, 5.

        4.2. Fallen angels--reject distinctions between groups of creation. They try to break down order, authority, and purpose in God’s creation, 6.

        4.3. Sodom and Gomorrah--immoral unbelievers. They practice sexual perversion, 7.

        4.4. Counterfeiters promote a new morality, anti-authority, and ridicule the angelic conflict, 8.

5. When Michael the archangel met Satan’s challenge he trusted the battle to the Lord and continued his job. Satan was the chief counterfeiter, 9-10.

6. Descriptions of the present counterfeits, 8-11.

        6.1. Like Cain, they want praise for human works and react when there is no praise, 11.

        6.2. Like Balaam, they want money and connive to get it, 11.

        6.3. Like Kore, they want power and reject right authority, 11.

7. Illustrations from creation that describe the counterfeits, 12-13.

        7.1. Like hidden rocks in the sea--hidden and very destructive, self-centered, 12.

        7.2. Like clouds without water--false hope for refreshment and benefit, no service, 12.

        7.3. Like autumn trees--dead, does not produce divine good, 12.

        7.4. Like wild waves leaving foam--stormy, untamed, and leave trouble in their path, 13.

        7.5. Like wandering stars--start with a burst of energy and attention, then leave, 13.

8.  Enoch predicted judgment of counterfeits, 14-15.

9. Jude further describes these present counterfeits, 16.

10. The instruction so that you can “fight for the faith,” 17-23.

        10.1. Remember the apostle’s warning (previous instruction), 17-19.

        10.2. Spiritual buildup through the word of God, 20.

        10.3. Pray while walking by the Holy Spirit, 20.

        10.4. Love God (loyal occupation with God), 21.

        10.5. Anxiously wait for Jesus Christ, 21.

        10.6. Help others being subverted by counterfeits and their false doctrine, 22-23.

11. Honor to the only God our savior, 24-25.

        11.1. God keeps you secure, 24.