THREATS AGAINST THE CHURCHTHREATS AGAINST THE CHURCH““In The Last Days” , Part XI In The Last Days” , Part XI

Jude 16-19 Jude 16-19

THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST APOSTATES: (vs.16) THE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST APOSTATES: (vs.16)

Verbally Discontent: “grumblers” Vocally Self Focused: “complainers” Vindictively Immoral: walking to their own lusts”Vainly Flattering: “mouth great swelling words

Transition: (vs.8-16) is a burning list of strong accusations against Apostates; PREPARE PREPARE BELIEVERS FOR THEIR NECESSARY STRUGGLES.BELIEVERS FOR THEIR NECESSARY STRUGGLES.

Proverbs 2:3 Philippians 1:9 Hebrews 5:14 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

6 Reasons the Church lacks discernment:

(1)The Church has minimized teaching doctrine.(2)Substituting Truth for moral relativism and post- modern subjectivity. Matthew 7:13,14 (3) Contemporary Evangelistic Strategies abandoned: James 4:4(4)Failure to properly interpret and study the Word: 2 Timothy 2:15 (5)The church has abandoned church discipline; not confronting sin, (6)Void of spiritual maturity. Hebrews 5:12-14

THE ARMOR AGAINST APOSTATES: (vs.17-19)

Alert to MockersAlert to Mockers: I john 2:18,19; 2 john 7-11: I john 2:18,19; 2 john 7-11

Alert to Sensual consumptionAlert to Sensual consumption: Jude 4,15,16: Jude 4,15,16

Alert to Divisive tendenciesAlert to Divisive tendencies: :

THE ACCENT ON SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT: (vs.19b)

(The Most Valuable Asset for the Faithful) (The Most Valuable Asset for the Faithful)

Romans 8:9 Romans 8:9 “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ is none of His.”

APPLICATION FOR THE BELIEVER….APPLICATION FOR THE BELIEVER….

1.Speak directly to the moral decay moral decay in society. 2.Believers will face “necessary strugglesnecessary struggles” for the propagation of the Gospel and the Church.3. Ask God for spiritual discernmentspiritual discernment.4. Pray for the leadership of the Holy Spiritleadership of the Holy Spirit.