Sermon Central
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Special Intelligence Report Series
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 31, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the 1st study in the study "War On Terror".
SPECIAL INTELLIGENCE REPORT
In a time where terrorists and terrorists groups are being hunted down all over this world, we have an appreciation for our Special Intelligence groups. It is through their reports that many terrorists’ attacks can be avoided.
Although our Nation is focused on the “War On Terror”; Christians need to be focused on a “Spiritual War On Terror”. Almost 2000 years ago, one of Jesus Christ’s half-brothers wrote a report to Christians concerning the enemy. Jude’s Special Intelligence report gives us insight into the enemies’ strategy and examples from past spiritual terrorist.
The Recipients Of The Letter
Who was or is the recipients of this letter? To answer this question, underline these three words from verse 1 in the NIV text: “Called”, “loved”, and “kept”. These three words answer our question.
This letter is written to those people who have been:
1. Called. (This is speaking of conviction by the Holy Spirit.)
2. Loved by God the Father.
3. Kept by Jesus Christ.
Who is this letter written to? All Christians!
The Debriefing
Jude wanted to write to these Christians about their salvation and how wonderful it is to be a child of God. Instead, he was writing a letter to these Christians about standing up for the faith.
The enemy had “slipped in” among them and they had no idea. They had forgotten or lost focus of the fact that they were in a spiritual war.
Jude was pleading with them to fight for the faith which was entrusted to them by God. Christians have been entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel through their words and actions. Since Christ has left this earth and is in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father, the way people see the love of Christ is through Christians.
The Descriptions Of Satan’s Secret Agents
Jude now describes the enemies’ spies. We know they are secret agents because Jude says, “They have secretly slipped in among you.” Here is the description of Satan’s Secret Agents:
1. They are godless.
2. They change the grace of God into a license for immorality.
3. They deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
What does all of this mean? Just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn’t mean they are. Satan has planted some evil people amongst believers to destroy us and discourage us. Don’t forget Christians that we win!
Series: War On Terror [#1]
Sunday Evening Bible Study November 2, 2003
Bel Aire Baptist Church
