Jude, Part 4, "Enoch and Michael and Zealots: Oh my!"

Sermon Note:

Very few New Testament authors pack so much theology and biblical history into a few verses like Jude! Jude's letter is a form of cautionary tale for those who do not heed his warnings, but the implication is you can only understand his warnings if you understand his history. Jude does not take the time to explain much of the history since he assumes his readers' knowledge of such events. Jude stresses the need to remember these tragic events of judgment so the church would remember the lessons from such events. And the lessons become clearer and clearer as Jude builds a strong and convincing case against the Zealots. In this sermon, we will outline the character of rebellion and hopefully correct some textual misunderstandings on the identity of the Archangel Michael as well as focus on whether Jude is dependent on apocryphal works to make his case.

Outline: I. House-Keeping Notes

II. The Character of Rebellion (Jude 8-10)

a. Dreamers and Blasphemers (vs. 8)

b. Mockery and Rebuke (vss.9-10)

i. On Apocryphal Books

ii. On the Identity of Angels

iii. On the Body of Moses (Zech. 3:2)

III. The Prevailing Church