The first book I preached through, verse-by-verse, was Ephesians. That was 17 years ago at Faith Baptist Church, Newtownabbey, in Northern Ireland. It has shaped my whole preaching ministry ever since. At that time I found a story and then lost it, until this morning when I found it again. It’s not enough for us … Read more
As the day dawned in Jerusalem the temple servants busied themselves in preparation for another day of sacrifices. Some sincerely. Some just going through the motions. They did what they had always done and what they believed they would always do. Across the city, in the palace and courts, before Pilate, Herod, and the Sanhedrin, … Read more
Last night we began a new series asking the question of how we ought to pray for different groups or types of need. We kicked it off by asking how we should pray for the wicked. “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of … Read more
In verses 5 and 6 Jude has encouraged his readers to contend for the faith by remembering the judgment on Israel for deviating doctrinally and on the angels for deviating devotionally. He now offers a final example with Sodom and Gomorrah who deviated practically. Remember the Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah (7) Obviously, if we … Read more
Remember the Judgment on the Angels (6) As Jude continues to demonstrate how to contend for the faith, once delivered to the saints, he encourages his readers to remember those who fell and were judged in the past. He has used the example of Israel deviating doctrinally and now he uses the example of the … Read more
Remember the Judgment on Israel (5) Jude, having established the urgent need to earnestly contend for the faith, uses the remainder of his letter to instruct on how we should contend. In verses 5-7 Jude encourages his readers to consider examples from history and see the end result of deviating from God’s purposes for His … Read more
Though not an entirely exact comparison with our times, the preacher in Ecclesiastes wrestles with what look like themes of social injustice. Like many today, he looks into the causes and potential solutions. Like those who do the same today, he finds no solutions outside of God. I don’t intend this to be a complete … Read more
Part 1 – An Introduction to Jude Part 2 – A Call to Contend (1/3) Part 3 – A Call to Contend (2/3) Jude’s Imperative Every preacher I know would happily preach only the Gospel every time he steps into the pulpit. Indeed, the more mature the preacher the more quickly he will go to … Read more
Part 1 – An Introduction to Jude Part 2 – A Call to Contend (1/3) Jude’s Intention We have seen the human author, we have considered his audience, and we have noted Jude’s aspiration for them. Now, we will take a further step in what is still a part of the introduction to his main … Read more
Read my “Introduction to Jude” Here Jude’s Introduction (1a) The Author Jude introduces himself as the brother of James and the servant, or bondslave, of Christ. There are several Jude’s mentioned in the New Testament, but along with others, I believe this is none other than Jude, the earthly brother of Jesus Christ. Though Jesus’ … Read more