Jude 12-13  Lacks of Loser Leaders/Followers

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4 Certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness/wanton caprice (an excuse for doing whatever they feel like)  and deny* the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

12 These are reefs in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness of the Age.   *2Pt 2:1 deny the Lord who bought them

2Pt 2:12 like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, 13 and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, enfeebling (mind & body) with their own deceptions while they feast with you,

I. Lack Love (no loyal sacrificial other-centeredness; not just toward man, but toward God, due to extreme self-centeredness)

Jn 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  13 greater love...lay down life for (obeying) friends

1Cor 11:20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 

he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

II. Lack Fear of God (no accountability for words/acts, no taking heed/examining self, deny future judgment/recompense; no wisdom)

Rm 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.    Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Pr 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One  is understanding.

Heb 4:13 there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account

III. Lack Self-sacrificial Service (no self/ego denial, thus not Christ followers ; not good stewards of the grace of God; takers not givers)

2Cor 6:3 We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves as servants-ministers of God: in much endurance, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses 5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors...6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by usefulness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love 7 by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness...8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;  9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. 

IV. Lack Fruitfulness personally and in leading others to holiness and Eternal Life  cf Aaron staff

Jn 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I/(my words v7) in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Rm 6:22 what fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life of The Age 

Jn 8 truth sets free 1Pt 1:22 holy by obeying the truth thru HS sincere love of brethren...pure heart (otherwise no Biblical love possible)

V. Lack Life-giving Light  Paul's commission: open eyes, lead to light, free from satan to power of God, forgiveness and holy Acts 26:18

Lk 6:39 Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?  Jn 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.    8:12 I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."  Walk in light yields fellowship with God and Body, otherwise deceived liar 1Jn 1:3,7,8  

Jn 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil.  17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will know/find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the One who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him. NIV

VI. Lack Eternal Light/Life (blackest darkness not= lake of fire) outer darkness=weeping/gnashing for unprofitable servants in Kingdom

Mt 8:12 the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (excluded from banquet)

Mt 22:13 (not dressed) Bind him...take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Mt 25:30 and cast the unprofitable (wicked & lazy) servant into the outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

Jn 3:19 loved darkness vs light 20 anyone practicing evil hates (no fellowship) the light and does not come to the light, lest deeds should be exposed

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What would motivate a self-centered leader/believer to live in the dark for themselves rather than the benefit of others and glory of God?

2. Does someone stumbling in darkness see/sense that they are walking away from the light? Is it easy to recognize dark leaders/believers? 

3. What is the responsibility of those walking in the light toward those who hide from the light? How did Jesus and Paul deal with dark ppl?