24th January 2026

24th January 2026


Pray (ACts) 


Read (Jude 1v5-7) 
Message (Scott Woodburn) 


Jude sought to remind his hearers that Christ has always opposed all kinds of wickedness. False teachers thrive when truth evaporates but Christ is not ignorant of their schemes - He will certainly punish those who promote falsehood and to underline this, Jude gave three examples from the Old Testament.


Firstly, Jude recalled that Christ saved a people out of Egypt but later destroyed those who didn’t believe (v5b). According to Jude, Jesus was instrumental in the exodus out of Egypt but when the people rebelled in the wilderness, it was the same Christ who destroyed those who didn’t believe. Scripture interprets Scripture and so Jude placed Jesus in Egypt as liberator and in the wilderness as judge. 


Secondly, Jude remembered that it was and is Christ who has kept the fallen angels in eternal chains in gloomy darkness until the final day (v6). These angels fell with Satan filled with arrogance and rage. They refused to keep the position that the Lord had assigned them to and a suggestion in Revelation hints that a third of the angels fell in the angelic rebellion (Revelation 12v4). Today Satan and his angels are active in the world but 
we can take comfort from the fact that they are not free to do whatever they want. Christ has placed them in chains and will judge them at the last day.


Finally, Jude spoke about the destroyed cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Christ destroyed these places by fire due to their sexual immorality and unnatural desires (v7). As we recall the story we remember that the men of Sodom wished to rape the angels who had come to urge Lot to flee. The destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah and the surrounding cities was an example of the eternal fire of punishment to come.


False teaching is no small matter and Jude couldn’t be clearer - Christ will judge and punish all manner of sin. It might be the sin of unbelief or the sins of arrogance and pride or the sin of sexual immorality, Christ hates sin, opposes sin and will certainly judge and punish sin. He has in the past and He will certainly do so when He comes.


Brothers and sisters, God’s Word is not immune from attack in this world, indeed it is often hated and despised. Therefore, it is of vital importance that you know what truth is so that you may be well established and grounded in the faith. Bathe regularly in the refreshing stream of truth. Test everything in the penetrating light of God’s Word. Be hesitant to believe those who promise a “new thing.” Demand more of God’s Word in your life not less. What’s at stake in the battle for truth? Nothing less than eternity.


Father God, we pray as Christ once prayed, sanctify us by the truth, your word is truth!For Christ’s sake. Amen.   


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q80 What is required in the tenth commandment? The tenth commandment requireth full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his.