The Battle is the Lords – Part 3

Jude.

Scripture Reference

Jude 1:12-25

Introduction

Sermon Title: “The Battle is the Lord’s – Part 3”

Preacher: Dr. Terry LeQuieu

We continue our walk through the short but powerful book of Jude. Jude confronts the reality of apostasy in the church and gives Christians clear, practical instruction for living as disciples in apostate times. In this sermon we focus on Jude 12–25: the paradox and the penalty of the deceiver, the priorities and practice of the disciple, and the peace that comes from our sovereign Savior. Our text shows how deceivers operate, what judgment awaits the impenitent, how believers must respond, and finally the comfort of God’s keeping power for those who are in Christ.

Quote from Preacher

Jude is second last, second to last book of your Bible. Go to the book of Jude. We are going to try to finish our study on the book of Jude tonight. We are going to try to finish it. So this is actually the longest outline of the series. So we will see. I love the faith you have, Jude.

Outline

The Paradox of a Deceiver
1. Dangerous — “spots in your feast of charity”
  Jude describes these men as “spots” in the church — literally like a sunken rock that looks harmless from the surface but will wreck a ship. Deceivers fellowship with the saints, saying the right things, yet inwardly they seek to destroy. Be cautious: outward profession does not always equal inward reality.
2. Deceptive — “clouds without water”
  They promise much but produce nothing. Like waterless clouds, they raise expectations and fail to deliver spiritual nourishment. Beware of eloquent speech without godly fruit.
3. Dead — “trees … twice dead, plucked up by the roots”
  The absence of fruit exposes their spiritual condition. Twice dead indicates spiritual death beyond recovery — their roots are up and there is no hope of genuine fruit. John 15 teaches that true disciples bear fruit; absence of fruit is damning evidence.
4. Disturbed — “raging waves of the sea”
  They are boisterous and unstable, driven by emotion and impulse. Their lives display shame that foams up for all to see — wreckage exposed on the shore.
5. Doomed — “wandering stars … blackness of darkness forever”
  Wandering stars never find rest and are reserved for eternal judgment. The deceiver’s path ends in darkness because of rejection of Christ.
The Penalty of the Deceiver
1. Surety — “Behold, the Lord cometh”
  Jude cites Enoch’s prophecy to warn that God will come in judgment. Behold is a call to attention—this is certain and deserves our focus.
2. Sanctity — “the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints”
  This refers to the Second Advent of Christ, when He returns in glory with the redeemed to execute righteous judgment on the ungodly.
3. Severity — “to execute judgment upon all”
  No one will escape. God will judge deeds and words. Ungodly acts and blasphemous speech will be held against the wicked.
4. Suitability — “convince all that are ungodly … of all their ungodly deeds”
  God’s judgment will be just and fitting, showing the ungodly the full weight of their rebellion: deeds, speech, and defiance of God.
5. Signs of the ungodly — murmurers, walkers after their lusts, boastful, respecters of persons
  Jude gives a practical list of character marks for the ungodly: grumbling, lust-driven living, puffed-up speech, and showing favoritism for gain. These are red flags in churches and lives.
The Priorities of a Disciple
1. Exhortation to remember — “But, beloved, remember”
  Believers must recall apostolic teaching that mockers and false teachers will come. Remembering Scripture anchors faith during mockery and trials.
2. Recognize the enemy — “they are sensual, having not the Spirit”
  Our battle is not merely with people but with the spirit behind their rebellion. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us our fight is principalities and powers. Show compassion for people, but name the demonic influence that blinds them.
3. Retain the right environment — “building up yourselves … praying in the Holy Ghost … keep yourselves in the love of God … looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ”
  Jude gives a positive program for spiritual health:
  - Scriptural building: strengthen personal faith on the Word; faith is built by hearing the Word.
  - Spiritual praying: pray in the Holy Ghost — set prayer that seeks God’s will, not merely your own wants.
  - Simple keeping: live in the love of God; Christian living is plain obedience — do what God commands and avoid what He forbids.
  - Steadfast looking: be expectant for Christ’s mercy and return; this motivates holiness and urgency in evangelism.
4. Render the errand — “of some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire”
  We are called to soulwinning with compassion and caution:
  - Motive: our eagerness flows from looking for Christ’s return and mercy.
  - Meaning: compassion yields action — we care for souls because they matter for eternity.
  - Method: make a difference by being different — genuine Christianity draws searchers.
  - Compulsion: urgency in saving souls — pull them from eternal danger.
  - Caution: “hate even the garments spotted by the flesh” — do not let ministry compromise your holiness; avoid places or practices that defile your testimony.
The Peace of the Disciple
1. Sovereignty of the Savior — “He is able to keep you from falling”
  God’s power secures the believer. The promise is not self-reliant perseverance but God’s preserving grace.
2. Safety of the saint — “to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy”
  Christ will present His people perfect — not because of our merit but because of His imputed righteousness and cleansing blood.
3. Sufficiency of salvation — doxology and assurance
  Jude closes giving glory to God: He alone is wise and worthy of dominion forever. Our peace rests in His eternal power and purpose.

Summary

Jude warns that deceivers will infiltrate the church. They appear harmless but are dangerous, deceptive, lifeless, unstable, and doomed. Judgment is certain — the Lord will return and execute righteous justice. The believer’s response is not fear or passivity but firm priorities: remember apostolic truth, recognize the spiritual enemy, cultivate a godly environment through Scripture, prayer, and holy living, and pursue urgent soulwinning with compassion and caution. The sermon ends on a triumphant note: God is able to keep His people and will present them faultless to Himself. The battle belongs to the Lord; we live from victory, not for victory.

Quote to Ponder

Tonight the battle is the Lord’s. We live in a day of apostasy. But listen, the day of apostasy should not determine our spirituality. Just because we live in a sick society does not mean we have to succumb to everything in our society.

Application for the Week

Practical, actionable steps to live out Jude’s message this week:

Daily Scripture Building
Choose a chapter of the New Testament to read each day (start with John or one of the Gospels). Spend 10–15 minutes noting one truth and one action: a truth to believe and one thing to obey this week.
Pray in the Spirit
Set two focused prayer times each day (morning and evening). In each time, spend 5 minutes praying through specific requests for family, church, and lost friends, asking God’s will above your own.
Keep Simple and Holy
Identify one habit that compromises your testimony (social media use, entertainment choice, language, modesty). This week remove or limit it and replace that time with Bible reading or gospel-sharing opportunities.
Be Intentional in Evangelism
Make a list of three lost people you know. Pray for each daily, begin conversations this week about spiritual things, and share the gospel plainly with at least one person before Sunday. Use the urgency of Jude 1:22–23 as motivation.
Cultivate Compassion with Caution
When ministering to people in compromised situations, pray for wisdom and set clear boundaries to protect your testimony. Be present, listening and kind, but avoid places or behaviors that will entangle you.
Guard Against Deceivers
Evaluate the teaching and character of leaders you follow. Check sermons and resources against Scripture. If a teacher or leader elevates self, promises nothing but rhetoric, or shows double-mindedness, distance yourself and bring concerns to church leadership.
Live From Victory
Each night before sleep, confess a victory in Christ for the day: short, specific thanksgiving for God’s keeping power. Remind yourself: you fight from victory, not for it (1 Cor 15:57).

May God enable you to contend earnestly for the faith, to build up your most holy faith, to show compassion without compromise, and to rest in the keeping power of our Lord. The battle is the Lord’s — so stand firm, pray fervently, and win souls for His glory.