CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER
#746.1 CLOUDS WITHOUT WATER
Scripture Jude 11-16, NIV Orig. 7/25/1979
Rewr. 9/20/1988
Passage: 5 Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord[a] at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. 7 In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.
8 In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. 9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”[b] 10 Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
11 Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. 12 These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.
Purpose: Continuing a series from Jude, here encouraging my people to be honest with themselves as to where they are in faith, and to work at a stronger commitment to Christ.
Keywords: Bible Study New Testament Characters, Jude Commitment Faith Revival
Timeline/Series: Jude
Introduction
The last couple of Mission Allocation meetings the same concern has been voiced. Some of our state mission work is suffering because of governmental regulation. These churches/missions are having to spend money they do not have in providing services for the handicapped, although they do not anticipate any such participation. The services need to be provided, even if it does work a hardship.
By the same token, it early was noted that such service would be offered without question by commercial ventures. As more and more states moved into the gambling business, they determined to provide such services. New Jersey started the pattern by providing machines that were in braille for the blind, and others that were nearer the floor for those who were in wheelchairs.
In fact, Jesus reminded us that this is the way it would be in a world where money takes precedence over everything else.
Luke 16:8, “. . .the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.”
But that wisdom was a worldly, secular wisdom that served only a temporal purpose. The so-called “children of light” to whom Jude has written, are to open their eyes and their hearts, to the need to recognize what is not in their best interest, or the gospel’s, and to live accordingly.
I. First, We Need to Consider Jude’s Three-Fold Description of the Unprincipled Church Member. V11, “They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion.”
The first problem is that they are without faith. Remembering who Cain was. Hebrews 11:4 tells us that “By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice” than he. Two people performing the same deeds, giving the same offering, studying the same lesson, yet one is accepted, the other- - - - Whether of Cain and Abel, Of Jude’s fellowship of concern, Of any 20th Century church.
We need to keep going back to Hebrews 11. A later verse will also be found. V6, “But without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Thank God for what the verse does not say, as much as what it says. Not “effectively serve Him”; But “earnestly seek Him.” Christians are not always required to do the right thing, but we are expected to have a Christ-honoring attitude. So, remember, faith does not result from righteousness, it issues in righteousness.
The second problem is a materialist mindset. Any time Balaam is discussed then spiritual blindness is at the key. An angel of death barred his way. He could not see past his material success. The jack-ass kept him from danger. Jeremiah 8:7, “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtledove and the crane, and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of the Lord.”
Brethren, we must not ever become dependent upon those who are spiritually blind. We need to resort to God’s leadership. We need men and women who move to His beat.
Thirdly, there was misplaced ambition. It wasn’t just the equality issue. How many men and women have risen above their roots, and have concluded that their achievement merits more?
II. We Must Also Heed a Prophet’s Warning about Instability. V12f, “These men are blemishes , . . . clouds without rain, . . . trees without fruit, . . . waves of the sea, foaming their shame; . . . stars, for whom the blackest darkness has been reserved forever.”
They are unstable in doctrine. Reference is to the Lord’s Supper. Partaking of the supper without the slightest regard for its deepest meaning. It ought to be the most regularly attended, most touched with prayer and commitment, of any gathering. Like it because it’s brief. Find it mindlessly boring. See yourself in hell apart from the substitutionary work of Jesus.
They are unstable in their direction. Jude refers to “clouds” that offer no relief to parched earth. We all know there are different clouds. Many are worried about changing weather conditions. Are we moving to an era of drought? Even so, are we living in a time when people dry up in spirit? I heard recently that three to four million acres have burned. The National Forest fire was said to continue to burn until snow. What a terrible thing it would be if people were looking for hope but knew no one who could share.
Recall the words of Amos 8:11, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.”
They are unstable in their devotion. It is an interesting corollary of the fruitless tree. The Bible speaks of “fruit” of repentance. John [the Baptist] (Matthew 3:8) announced Jesus with that call to repentance, “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” What is the source of true religion? Benign religious activity. Borrowing faith from parents. Bootlegging on our culture. Repentance is the only safe source of such activity.
Sholem Asch, in his piece called The Apostle, tells of one Simon, the preacher, preaching John’s “fruits meet for repentance.” In the call to decision, a wealthy man brings his riches. Simon sends him away. A strong, poor man brings his strength. Again Simon disallows. A third comes bringing only his sin. He hears Simon say, “You have given more than the others for you have given what is yours to give.”1
But we are told also of the fruits of righteousness. Philippians 1:11, “Filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” We involve ourselves in many good social activities. But the things done in the name of Jesus are the things that impact our culture.
There is also the “fruit” of reconciliation. John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit.” Jude calls this “fruitless” tree twice dead. Bearing no fruit, it is uprooted.
Time doesn’t permit attention to “wild waves.” Beach litter, erosion. Matthew 16:18, “Upon this rock I will build.” Or, “wandering stars.” Shooting stars may draw attention. But they quickly pass from consideration. The stars of worth, are the ones in their places to guide ships as the track the trackless ocean.
Conclusion
Filed with this sermon:
“Reputation, it is said, is about who you are when people are watching; character is about who you are when you are alone in the room.
“There is a similar duality in modern faith, a tension between faith externalized for public consumption and that which wrestles despair in the midnight hour.
“Each has its place. But only one will see you through till the morning comes.”2
*** The remainder of this sermon has been lost.***
1Asch, S. (1943). The Apostle. G.P. Putnam’s Sons.
2Pitts, Jr., L. (2012, February 9). Public faith versus private faith stirs debate. The Times, p7a. https://www.shreveporttimes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/628995.The_Apostle