We’ve been studying the book of Jude, the next to the last book in the Bible. We’re at the place where we’re ready to put our thoughts into an outline.
I began with the title we’ve already identified: Prepared and Kept for the Presentation. Under this title I identified three points: 1. Jude’s purpose in writing the book. 2. The recipients’ problems in living the Christian life. 3. God’s provision for Christians, enabling them to live as God would have them live.
Each of these points then need to be amplified. For example, under the first point, Jude’s purpose in writing the book, we could list the following. He initially wanted to expound on the salvation they shared in Christ. When he became aware of the infiltration of apostate false teachers he changed his mind and urged them to contend for the faith. Under this point he gave them both a defensive and offensive strategy.
Defensively they needed to know their enemy. More space was given to this than to his offensive strategy. He illustrated from history characteristics about the enemy and the danger of following their teaching and example.
His offensive strategy included reminding them that God was with them and for them, so he encouraged them to concentrate on building themselves up in their faith. They needed to make sure they had a healthy, strong relationship with God. Then they needed to do what they could to help bring others along with them in their life’s journey to heaven.
