 Good morning, everyone. Welcome to today's session on the book of Jirudh. So even before we could start with our session, can I request one of us to pray? Anitha, can you lead us in prayer, please? Yes, ma'am. Lord God have mercy. Thank you for this day, Lord. As we come before you, Lord, I would like to give this class into your hand, Lord. God bless this Lord and help us to understand from your word, Lord. As we are learning the Lord, help us to learn from what you want to teach this Lord. Yes, ma'am. Yes, welcome again as we study the book of Jirudh. The book of Jirudh is also known as the book of false ministry, where Jirudh is addressing on the false teaching and the false teachers who are creeping into the church. So even before we could go into the details, we should know something about the author. So the author of this book is Jude himself. But then during the time of New Testament when Jude was there, there are several other people in the name of Jude or Judas, which was a very common name, just like how we had the name of James. So this name was very common. One of the Judas we see in the book of Mark, the Gospel of Mark chapter 3, where we see Judas is carried the apostle and the betrayer of Jesus. And again, we see in the Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and also in the book of Acts, we see Judas an apostle and who was the son of James, also called as Tadeus. So this Judas, not the Iscariot, we see in John chapter 14, verse 22, where he said, Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us and not to the world? He asked to the Lord. We also see another Judas in the book of Acts chapter 37, which is Judas of Galilee who led an insurrection and also in Acts 9, chapter 11. One second, please. Sorry, sorry about that. There was a noise from outside. Okay, so we were talking about in John chapter 5 verse 37, where we see Judas of Galilee who led an insurrection. And in the same book, in Acts chapter 9, verse 11, we see Judas, the man of Damascus, who provided the home where Saul stayed after his conversion. So as we see several Judas in this book, we also see in the book of Acts chapter 15, verse 22, talks about a Judas who was also named as Barsobus, who traveled with Silas from Jerusalem, delivering the degree from the Council. Finally, the author of this book, Judas, was the natural brother of Jesus. We see that in the book of Matthew and in the book of Mark, talks about Judas, who was the natural brother of Jesus and who was the author of this book. Here we see in the introduction, Judas, chapter 1, verse 1 in the book of Judas. We see that Jude, a born servant of Jesus Christ and the brother of James, to those who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ. And also we see this Judas in the book of Mark, chapter 6. Can I request each of us to turn to some scriptures so that it can be an interactive session? Can I request one of us to turn to Mark, chapter 6, verse 3? Another person, please turn to John, or the same. Mark, chapter 6, verse 3 to 6, one of us can read. And next person can turn to John, chapter 7, verse 3 to 5. Mark, chapter 6, verse 3 onwards. Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house, is a prophet without honor. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Yes, so what we see here is Jude was the son of Mary and Joseph. We also see and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon and are not his sisters here with us. So they're relating to the siblings. And also, can I request one of us to turn to John, chapter 7, verse 3 to 5 and read. John, chapter 7, verse 3 to 5. His brothers therefore said to him, depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see the works that you are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world. For even his brothers did not believe in him. Yes, thank you. Thank you, Sally. So what we see here is, yes, Jude was numbered among Jesus other siblings. They were not immediately convinced that Jesus was the Messiah. And we also see that they traveled with Jesus on various occasions with his brothers. And we also see in John, chapter 19, verse 25 to 27. We see that this Jude was absent at the foot of the cross when Jesus was crucified. We also see in John, chapter 20, verse 19, where it says, Don't cling to me, Jesus said, for I haven't yet ascended to the Father, but go find my brothers and tell them that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, my God and your God. So what is he doing here? You see that he was among the first to receive the message of Christ resurrection. And also, can I request one of us to turn Acts, chapter 1, verse 14. Acts, chapter 1, verse 14. And the other person, Jude, chapter 1, verse 17. So if you have taken Acts, chapter 1, verse 14, can I request you to please read? Acts, chapter 1 and verses 14. They all joined together constantly in prayer along with the woman, Mary, the mother of Jesus and with his brothers. Man, it's what we see. We see that Jude was one among the 120 in the upper room in anticipation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit along with his mother, Mary. And can I request one of us to read verse 17 from the book of Jude? Yes, please. Jude, chapter 1 and verses 17. But dear friends, remember what apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you in the last times, there will be scophers who will follow their own ungodly desires. Verse 17. Jude, verse 17. Beloved members, the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. So what we see here is he was not considered himself among the twelve apostles. So little is known beyond about the man of Jude. So there are no reliable information, even in the tradition about his life or about the manner of his death. But let's see on what occasion or what was the purpose of writing this book of Jude or why was it considered to be included in the New Testament by the Canon. We see that it was mostly written just after the book of 2nd Peter because it reflects the same concern. And we see that Jude writing this letter to give warning against the false ministries that were trying to creep into the church. False doctrines that was adding and being increased. So we see that it is a very similar message to what Peter was writing in this letter to the Jewish believers in the sphere of influence. So we see that the later epistle, it deals subject to the false ministries and the apostasy. And he also tells us that there's a serious struggle for the faith in the early church history. So many believe that this struggle was associated with the persecution that was common during the time to weaken the faith of the believers. The persecution was high because the number of believers were increasing. And we also see Jude identifies his audience in verse 1 saying that to those who are called, they were the audience. To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ. So he's addressing to the Jewish believers of his time. And not only then, we also get to learn a lot of message from this book where in verse 3 and 4 he says that, Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Verse 4 he says, For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. So we see that Jude outlining the purpose of his writing in this verse. When was this book of Jude written? Anyone from the class were you able to go through the notes? Most likely this book was written in the period of 66 to 80 AD. As you know, these dates are just approximate, but most scholars believe that this writing of this book was just after 2nd Peter. And it also feels that Jude may have been familiar with Peter's work and was reiterating some of the main concerns of which Peter was addressing to his Jewish believers. In the same way, Jude is also reiterating to the Jewish believers about these false believers and the false ministry leaders who are trying to rise up during his time. So what was the main message of Jude? We see he's been, though it is just one chapter with 25 verses, we see that it's been very important because he's addressing few concerns about these false teachers or false ministry, which was rising up in his time. And he's also warning them, not only them, he's also warning us through his letter because we see that in season, certain things kept rising. And even now we see that there are many false ministries among us. So we can take this book as a warning even to us. So the first point we see that in verse 3, we see that Jude is reminding us the true faith is a struggle for which we must contend. Can I request one of us to read Jude chapter 3 and 4? Dear friends, although I was very eager to read to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all interested to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was certain about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are Godless men who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord. And also can I request another person, Sid, can you read 5 to 7? Jude chapter 1 verses 5 to 7. Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered his people out of Egypt but later destroyed those who did not believe and the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their own home. This he has kept in the darkness bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversions. They serve as an example of those who suffered the punishment of eternal fire. Thank you. So what we see, Jude reminds the Jewish believers that the true faith is a struggle for which we must contend. We also see in verse 4, he warns us about the need to be on alert for the false ministries. And later part, we also see that Jude marks out few characteristics of false ministers in verse 8 onwards when we read that. And from 5 to 7, we see that Jude foretells the eventual judgment upon the false ministries. And can I request, Zellie, if you can read from verse 8 till 19, as it's a small chapter, I thought we can read through the scriptures to understand better. Verse 8 to 19. Likewise, also these dreamers defiled the place, reject authority and speak evil of dignitaries. Yet Michael, the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, they are not bringing against him a reviling accusation but said, The Lord rebeke you. But these speak evil of whatever they do not know, and whatever they know naturally like good beasts in these things they corrupt themselves. Both to them, for they have gone in the way of kin, have run greedily in the error of balance for profit and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are supposed in your love feasts, while they feasts in you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds, let autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, put up by the roots. Raging waves of the sea, forming up their own shame, wandering stars of whom is reversed, the blackness of darkness forever. Now inock the seventh from Adam prophesied about this man also saying, Behold the Lord comes with ten thousands of his saints to execute judgment on all to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds, which they have committed in an ungodly way and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are gamblers, complainers walking according to their own laws and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you beloved, remember the words which were spoken before you by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 19, let me continue. Verse 17, but you beloved, remember these words which were spoken before you by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. How they told you that there would be mockers in the last times who would walk according to their own ungodly laws. These are sensual persons who cause division, not having the spirit. Thanks, thanks John. So what we see here from verse 8 to 19, we see that Jude is giving an unflattering description of these false ministries, which is very direct, which is very direct, he calls them the dreamer or the filers of the flesh, the rejecters of the authority and who speak evil of your dignitaries and he calls them spots on your face. You are the people who serve themselves and you are like the clouds without water and we also see in verse 12, you are the autumn trees without fruit or twice dead and he also says in verse 13, he talks about the raging waves of the sea, wandering stars, you are like the murmurers and complainers and in further words down we see that you are a flatterer, you are a mocker or walking according to your own lust and he also addresses them as void of the spirit. So these are something that Jude has been very direct in addressing these false teachers and we also see what is the unique feature in this book. First is we see that the clear connection that this book to 2nd Peter's where we read in the book of 2nd Peter, we read that certain concerns are similarities like immediately where we notice the striking similarities is addressing the false teachers and it's very clear that Jude quoted other writers in this book. It is a very common opinion that Jude was familiar with the works of Peter and used his book to bring what Peter foretold into the actual time of Jude's writing. We also see that Peter foretold about the false teachers that they would come and in the book of Jude we see that Jude wanted his right readers to know what they have arrived in now. So we also see the description of the apostolic ministry from verse 11 on apostate ministry that is from the Old Testament. He talks about the way of Cain and we also see he talks about the error of Baalim, the rebellion of Korah and also the rebellion of Korah in the path of presumption and rejecting the authorities. He warns them with the Old Testament events or the situations of what they went through so that people will be warned and aware of what's happening in the present time during Jude's days. And we also see that there is a need to content for the faith. In verse 3 we read that there is the second part of verse 3. We read that I found it necessary to write to you, exhorting you to content earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. So here we see that Jude is contending on the word faith is different than the contending for faith. We are all to walk by faith and therefore must strive to grow in that faith. But there is also a common salvation which can be described in this faith that is there is a body of belief that need to pass through through Christ to the apostles on this into the church age. So we also see the believers today is inseparably linked to the apostolic church and are responsible to preserve this faith which was delivered to us by the apostles. So here we see even in the book of Titus we see that how Paul spoke of the common faith when he was addressing the letter to Titus. And we also see in the book of Galatians Paul urged people to receive no other gospel but the gospel of Jesus Christ. We see that Paul was stressing on the true gospel. He was giving the message of Jesus Christ. Yes, there was a warning but he was also sharing. This is the true gospel which we need to hold on to. And we also see Paul writing in 1 Corinthians and also to the Thessalonians where Paul urged people to mark those who did not correspond to the tradition handed down to them. We also see in the book of Philemon, sorry, Philippians. Can I request one of us to turn to Philippians chapter 1 verse 27? Philippians chapter 1 verse 27, if you have taken, can we read? Philippians chapter 1 and verses 27, whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. Thank you. Thank you, Sid. So what we see here is Paul encouraging the Philippian church to stand fast in one spirit with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. So we see Jude and Paul both urged the believers to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered by the apostles for the disciples to you. We also see the unique details that has been cited in this book that is in verse 9 where we see contention over the body of Moses. So there are a couple of pieces of information that we see that is found in the book of Jude and that is not found in any other book of the New Testament. The source of information comes extra biblical record that is contained in the oral tradition and some of the apocrypal writings of the Old Testament era like the book of Enoch where we see some of the prophecies of Enoch has been addressed in verse 14 and 15. And also, yeah, we see that that has been taken from the book of Enoch of the Old Testament. Though it is not included in our Bible, but then there is a writing so Jude has taken the oral writing of them and I've added it in verse 14. Yeah, so the closing verse, can I request one of first to read from verse 20 to 25. Jude chapter 1 verses 20 to 25. But you, dear friends, build yourself up in the most holy faith and pray in Holy Spirit. Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Christ Jesus to bring you eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the fire and save them to others show mercy mixed with fear, hating even the clothes stained by corrupted flesh. To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority. Through Jesus Christ our Lord before all ages. Amen. Now, thank you evermore. Amen. Amen. Thank you, Sid. Thank you. So we see as we read from verse 20 to 25, we also see a key word that is keep or kept. So the last few verses here we see that the believers responsibility in relation to themselves and to others. So verse 20 to 21 we see that they were asked to keep themselves in the love of God by building themselves up in the Holy Faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. So it is very important for each of us to pray in spirit that we can have the love of God where we can build ourselves and others in the love of God. And in verse 22 to 23 we see that not only them, it also applies to us. We are asked to have mercy. We are asked to have mercy on others and save them out from the fire of hell. So there is a message here. Now why should we have mercy? Why should we have mercy? So what happens if you have mercy? Anyone from the class? Why is it important for us to have mercy? Anyone? Yes, Brother Lubeyka, please go ahead. I think it is important to have mercy because we were also given mercy when we were yet seen as. So it is just to reciprocate it because we were deserved death but God through His grace and mercy, He sent His Son to us so we should do the same to others. Thank you, Pastor. Thank you, Brother Lubeyka. Yes, that was right. As we have received mercy from Jesus, we need to show mercy. Even when we were sin, we were in sin. You know, Jesus had mercy on us and He redeemed us and we have been made righteous through Christ Jesus. So we need to have mercy on others and save them out of the fire. So we also see in Matthew 14-14, what do we see? Can I request one of us to turn to Matthew 14-14 and read? Matthew 14-14, when Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. So what happened? Jesus had compassion on them and healed them from sickness. Compassion, being mercy always leads us into action. Love leads us into action. The love of Christ, the mercy of God, the compassion of God always leads us into an action. So your Jude is encouraging us in verse 22-23 is encouraging us that we need to have this mercy of God, compassion of God, the love of God within us so that we can look at people with that same compassion, love and mercy. So that we can share the good news with others and save them out of the fire of hell. So this compassion, this mercy should be within us so that we can be that person of action. And also in verse 24, verse 24, we see that they have to look to God who is able to keep them from stumbling. It's not that, okay, now we have received Jesus as a Lord and Savior, we are believers, we have been made strong, I will not stumble. No, we are not perfect, we are human, we are still human being. We need the grace of God every day in our life so that we can keep ourselves from stumbling. We need to look to God to get that grace. No matter how skillful we may be, how talented we may be, still there are chances for us to stumble. The scripture says, the Bible says, the man Solomon who had the gift of wisdom from God, what happened, he also stumbled. No matter how gifted, how skillful we are, but in our daily life we need to look to God. We need to look to God by humbling ourselves and looking up to God, asking God, God give us the grace to keep us from everything around us that we may not stumble. Because, you know, there are temptations, the enemy that is outside is waiting like the roaring lion. Why is he waiting like a roaring lion? To kill, steal and destroy the believers. So we, especially we who have received Jesus as and Lord and Saviour who are ministering to others while leading others, especially we need to humble ourselves under the hand of God and look up to Him every day and ask God, we need more of your grace. Without you, we cannot lead, we cannot teach, we cannot minister to another person. We need you, we need more of you, more of your grace. Only by the strength of God, we can be strengthened. And when we receive the strength from the source of God, we can strengthen other believers. We can raise other believers, we see the same thing happen in the apostles life. They looked up to God, they never exalted in them, they never exalted with a gift of God that was given in them. Even though people, even though people in different places where they ministered, saw great and mighty things happen through Apostle Paul, Peter and others. And people when they exalted them has God, they rebuked them. They tore their clothes, they were grieved for looking to a human as God. They gave all glory to God saying that God did this through us. And that's it. We are just human. We are just a human vessel. Let's give all glory to God because He has chose us to be used for His glory. So unlike that, if each and every leader, if we can look up to God, we can use us and help and keep us from stumbling, especially from every temptation that is around us and keep us from stumbling. And we can minister to people and especially in the book of Judea is for warning on the false teachers and false teaching and false doctrine that was crippling into the church. So the leaders must be rooted in the Word of God into the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that our teaching will be rooted in Christ and not in something else. Our belief will be in Christ so that we know the right from wrong. So that's why even Paul, you know, whenever there's false teaching or false doctrine rising around them, we see the apostles sharing the Gospel time and again and again. What happens so that the right teaching will be rooted and grounded in people. So no matter how many false teachers rises up, no matter how fast false teaching can spread like the forest fire, like how Peter also describes, we can be assured that the true teaching that we have retreated again and again will keep the believers from falling into or into any of these kind of teachings. So what we need to do is we need to time and again teach the Gospel, share the Gospel again and again so that the right teaching will be in the heart of the believer. Okay, that's what the scripture says, the truth will set them free. We don't have to condemn any of the false teachers or we don't have to take their points and again and again say that is not right. We have to just proclaim the Gospel again and again and again because the Gospel has the power to change, to transform and give understanding to the believers for them to understand what is right from wrong. So even we as leaders, as ministry leaders, we can also be encouraged from the episode of Jude to share the Gospel of truth to others so that the believers can be aware of the false teachings that is around them. So with that, we conclude the book of Jude. Now we'll open up to the class for them to share, add any points that we have missed out and we can learn more from the book of Jude. We'll open it to the class. Please feel free to unmute your mic and go ahead and share so that we all can learn together. Anyone from the class, Anita, Brother Lubega, Jafina, Zelle, Radhna, please feel free to unmute and share. Yes, Brother Saksus, please go ahead, Inok. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. Good morning. I want to really appreciate you for your teaching. Thank you for lecture, you know, and I want to emphasize that this time is the best time for us in Nigeria. I will first, I listened to you and I was told that I'm following, I'm on transit but I'm following up. If we can be able to have this time in the next section, next semester, it will be better for us so that all of us can be able to gain a lot of knowledge. It's not by listening to the tape, but when you are doing this, this interaction will be there. So thank you so much for keeping it to this time. I'm grateful. Can you hear me? Thank you. Thank you, Inok, for sharing. Sorry, sorry, my mic was muted. I didn't notice that. Thank you, Inok, for sharing. Praise God. Yes, the timing is good. Yes, Brother Lubega, would you like to share on the book of Jude that we all can learn? Anita, Brother Isaac, Zellie, John, Jeffina, anyone? Yes, Brother Lubega, please go ahead. To me, I see two things in the book of Jude, number one, it was a second thought book. When you look at what he says, he says, I was supposed to write for you about this, but I'm forced to write here about this. So it really shows that as believers, we should also have second thoughts on so many things because much as the Holy Spirit is the one who was directing these guys and writing these books, we don't really get tired. There is always even a human perspective in the story. Number two, I see how this guy was humble by not measuring. I'm not too sure. Is it only for me? Brother Lubega's voice is breaking. Is it with others also? We are not able to hear you, Brother Lubega. I was saying, the first thing I was saying is that it's a second thought kind of book whereby he was supposed to write something different. And after that, because he had a problem, he said it. That means as a believer, application-wise, we should always not say that the idea that came to me first is what I'm going to talk about. Number two, I like the humbleness of Jude. Everybody, like if he was in my position, I would write quickly and say that I'm a brother to Jesus Christ. But he's so humble in a way that he doesn't mention that. But of course he whispers in our ears and he says, I'm a brother to James, the brother of Jesus Christ. So I like his humbleness. Thank you, Pastor. Thank you. Thank you, Brother. Yes. Yes. In the very first verse, he says, I'm the born servant of Jesus Christ. And then he addresses like I'm the brother of James. That's nice. Yes. So they see him as a son of God, the Messiah. And even we see the same with James as also. Yes. That's nice. Anyone else would like to add? Brother Isaac, Zellie, John. So tomorrow we will be studying on the last book of New Testament. Okay, and then I would request, I hope everyone would have started to write the summary, the assignment on New Testament so that when I create the post on the Google Classroom, I would request you all to please upload your document on the Google Classroom. It can be in a PPT format or in the Word doc format. Okay, and there will be a due date and time given request everyone to upload your assignments on time, just not for my subject, even for the other subject so that you're not If in case, even though you would have attended your classes, but you have not submitted any of your assignments, then you may have to redo the course again. So just to avoid that request you all to please take some extra time to complete your assignments and upload it. Okay, so with that we end this session. I request one of us to pray and dismiss us. Jeffina, can I request you to pray? Anyone else would like to pray? If your mic is fine. Father, we thank you for this time Lord. We are grateful for the lessons that we learned today. We thank you for the book of Jude that you have given us. We pray our God that you are faithful to keep us till the end of God and we want to thank you for reminding about that. Lord, we pray and submit all of us into your presence and we ask our God that help us to continue to be in front of your presence with the attitude of Thanksgiving. We pray Lord Jesus, you will continue to make us strong in your presence. Thank you for Pasantayana. Thank you for the entire class. We give you praise in Jesus name we pray. Amen. Amen. Thank you so much for joining in today's session. God bless. See you all tomorrow. Have a great day. Bye.