Monday Devo
Scripture:
Jude 1
12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.
12 When these people eat with you in your fellowship meals commemorating the Lord’s love, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like shameless shepherds who care only for themselves. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that are doubly dead, for they bear no fruit and have been pulled up by the roots. 13 They are like wild waves of the sea, churning up the foam of their shameful deeds. They are like wandering stars, doomed forever to blackest darkness.
Commentary:
12–13 The False Teachers Exemplify Depravity with Impunity. Jude compares the false teachers to hidden reefs that will suddenly destroy ships that come too near. These opponents of the gospel constitute concealed dangers because they participate in the love feasts (including the Lord’s Supper), thus acting as if they were Christians. They do not shepherd and care for others but only look after themselves. They are like waterless clouds, promising rain that never falls. They promise fruit but are like fruitless trees. They are like wandering stars (probably meaning planets) that give misleading guidance to travelers. casting up the foam of their own shame. The heretics’ sexual permissiveness shows that they are in spiritual darkness. Their eternal condemnation in the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2450–2451.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2450–2451.
Questions:
- In verses 12-13, Jude is shouting the warning signs to help us recognize the threats that are among us. The climate of our culture is PERFECT for sinking our "faith ship" (think Titanic and icebergs). He compares these false teachers of their day to shepherds that only feed themselves. They are disingenuous and wholly self-absorbed! They pretend to be about other people, but everything they do is about self promotion and preservation. Have you known people in the church or leaders like this? What is it about our current culture that makes it perfect for sinking ships?
- Many of us have smuggled me-centric thinking (which is the bedrock of our culture, the schemes of Satan himself, the god of this world) into the church and into our Christian faith. Even in our Bible study and worship, we can be ME-focused. The problem with this is that narcissism is antithetical to Christianity and virtually impossible to see in ourselves (though everyone around us can see it). What are some examples of narcissism and selfishness that you see in some Christians, or even in yourself? How can we tell if we are too self-focused? How can we keep ourselves in check?
Prayer Topics:
- That God would open your eyes to the spiritual dangers around you.
- That He would humble you so you are JESUS-focused and not self-focused.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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