Scripture Reading: Jude 16-23

The Rebellion of Korah (2)

Review Part 1

Intro.

1. 1 Sam. 15:22-23 – Rebellion is a companion of stubbornness that rejects the “word of the Lord” for “a better way.”

2. Like Korah’s rebellion against God, the selfish ambition of factiousness offers “liberty” but causes spiritual & eternal destruction, 2 Pet. 2:18-19.

3. Num. 16:40: The children of Israel were to remember what happened to Korah & obediently respect the word & will of God, Num. 26:10 (they became a sign that God does not tolerate rebellion).

I. LESSONS FROM THE REBELLION.

A. God Means what He Says: God’s Arrangements Stand & must be Respected – Rom. 11:33-36; 2 Tim. 1:13; Col. 3:17.

1. How to be saved; how to worship; how to organize the local church; work of l. church; how to live moral lives (Tit. 2:11-12)…

2. When Christians oppose Bible authority for all things they stand with Korah! (Matt. 28:18-20)

B. It is a Sin to Complain against God’s Arrangements, (16:41); Phil. 2:14; Col. 2:14-16. (Murmur: To confer secretly, to discontentedly complain.)

1. Murmuring against Bible authority, 1 Cor. 14:37 (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

2. Murmuring against God-approved leadership (Acts 20:28); 1 Tim. 5:19-20. Therefore, 1 Ths. 5:12-13, 14.

3. Murmuring against sound preaching, 2 Tim. 4:2-4 (cf. complaints against preacher may in fact show rebellion against God’s word he preaches, cf. Paul’s opponents, 2 Cor. 10:1, 10-11… - Real reason: Envy & strife, Phil. 1:15-16, 12-14, 17-18.

C. How to Deal with a Factious, Gainsaying Person (Tit. 1:9).

1. Warn, & warn again – Tit. 3:9-11 (discipline).

2. Avoid (reject, refuse), Tit. 3:10.

a. Cannot let factious gainsayer have his way through appeasement, begging, etc.!!

b. He is twisted & is sinning…self-condemned, Tit. 3:11.

3. Mark & avoid, Rom. 16:17. (divisions = dissensions of Gal. 5:20)

4. Call him to account – 16:4-7, 16-19.

a. See the bad fruit for what it is (Matt. 7:16; Jas. 3:17).

b. God’s word had said to do this would be to die (Num. 3:10).

c. God’s word will reveal who is approved by God.

5. Do not complain about God’s remedy (discipline) of the factious one! Num. 16:41

D. God Shows Mercy to Sinners in Christ – Num. 16:21-24, 44-50 (cf. Rom. 10:21).

1. Atonement for sinners, Rom. 5:11.

2. God judges & punishes sinners; offers mercy to repentant.

E. We Must Come Before God in Holiness – 16:36-40, 5 (Lev. 10:1-3).

1. cf. LOM priests (Exo. 19:22); LOM high priest (Exo. 28:35-38).

2. Christians, 1 Pet. 2:5; 1:13-16; Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 7:1.

3. Holy in attitudes, words, dress, conduct, worship…

Conclusion

1. Jude 16-23:

a. Recognize the rebellious, the factious & gainsayers (16).

b. BUT…you remember the apostles’ warnings (17-18).

c. The rebellious follow selfish lusts, cause divisions (mark out their territory) & do not have the Spirit of God (18-19).

d. BUT…you:

-Build up yourselves in the most holy faith (20)

-Pray in the Holy Spirit (20)

-Keep (guard, protect) yourself in the love of God (21)

-Look for (accept, expect the fulfillment of) the mercy of Christ unto eternal life (21)

-Show mercy, help save & hate sin (22-23)

2. The rebellious will be destroyed; the humble will be saved.