BEWARE OF FALSE TEACHERS
To further his point, Jude moves from O.T. figures (Cain, Balaam, Korah) to that of nature (reefs, clouds, trees, waves, stars) to describe false teachers. Jude wants his readers to be on the lookout for those who profess Christ but are far from him.
These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted;
Jude 1:12
Jude describes them as...
I. Hidden reefs at your love feast
Traditionally the “love feast” was a meal shared between the believers in the early church. Followed by communion, the love feast was a way believers grew in fellowship, love, and holiness. False teachers are like the hidden reefs that hide beneath the surface and carry the potential to severely damage the ship. To say false teachers are hidden reefs at the love feast is to suggest they secretly join the table of fellowship looking for opportunities to shipwreck the church.
✓ Point Taken: Be careful false teachers are DECEPTIVE
II. Waterless clouds, swept along by winds...
To the farmer, nothing is more promising than a cloud. Clouds represent food for the family, stability...hope. Therefore, nothing is more disappointing than a waterless cloud. Waterless clouds promise much but produce nothing! False teachers are like that...they offer no hope,
they can not water the seeds of the gospel because they don’t carry the message of salvation.
✓ Point Taken: Be careful false teachers are DISAPPOINTING
III. Fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted.
Where there should be fruit, there is nothing. Fruit is its own evidence. The best commentary is what Christ said in Matthew 7:16...you will know them by their fruits. Examine the life of the leader, examine your life, fruit should be present (Galatians 5:22).
✓ Point Taken: Be careful false teachers are SPIRITUALLY DEAD
Jude wants us to contend for the faith. Therefore...
Staying alert so you will not be deceived.
Read God’s word it never disappoints.
Be consistent in prayer we are not spiritual dead.
