ANCHORED TO TRUTH #1

JUDE 1:1-3
“THE ISSUE OF DRIFT”
We are going to begin a new bible study series titled “Anchored to Truth” In this; we will pull lessons from the NT book of Jude
that deal with areas where the church had drifted away from fundamental truths of the Gospel. The book of Jude is placed just
before Revelation (Just before the end of All things)… so it acts as a warning: To stay awake and ready for Jesus Return!
So today; we are going to lay a foundation on the overall issue of drift- …and next week we will get into specifics from the book
of Jude.

Jude 1:1-3
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus
Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you
to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

I THE DRIFT IN US
A- Lets start with some HISTORY on the book & the author-
1. Most scholars place the origin of Jude between: 67-80 A.D…
a. This is important to consider because of what was going on HISTORICALLY in the world at that time;
i. The Temple was destroyed by Rome in 70 AD, and the city of Jerusalem was destroyed by Rome.
1. Jesus prophesied this would happen. Matt 24:2 But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you,
there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Jesus spoke this in Jerusalem, at the Temple…
ii. So this political turmoil meant a time of trouble for Jews as a people, and it was also a time of Persecution of Christians at
that time.
1. 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be
troubled, written to persecuted churches.
2. Most scholars agree that this letter was written as a warning & encouragement to believers during this time
a. Warning against Drift: From the Gospel that was taught to the disciples by Jesus…
i. Jude 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people,
who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. We’ll get into more detail;
BUT people who were drifting from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
ii. Hyper grace as an excuse for sin & denying the deity of Jesus. Denying him as the only way & son of God.
b. It was a Warning of Jesus Return; This letter has an end times feel with an urgency to stay ready!
i. Jude 1:17-18 But you, beloved, remember what was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ when they said to you,
“In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.” Here’s a warning Jesus is coming back-
We need to stay on course… Navigate the mockers & resisters of Jesus return.
3. But this letter was also an encouragement to believers:
a. Encouragement of the HOPE we have in Jesus: Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Hope of the rapture/ Hope of Eternal life through Jesus.
b. Encouragement of the HELP we have in Jesus: …Thank God this isn't up to us alone!
i. We have the help of the Holy Spirit: Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying
in the Holy Spirit, Building up your faith in the Holy Ghost. Supernatural power at work in us.
ii. We have help from God: Jude 1:24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before
the presence of his glory with great joy, Gods enablement at work in us
 4. Many scholars agree that Jude was a younger half-brother of Jesus… Jude 1:1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of
James… I know what your thinking... so what?
a. Galatians 1:19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. Paul makes reference to the lords
brother James... Jude makes reference to being a brother of James (scholars point it to being the same)
i. Mark gives us further connection: Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and
Jude and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Many translations place Judas; but after
betrayer Judas not too many wanted the same name... because of this history, some translations write Jude.
b. So: This is helpful to note b/c Jude wasn't always a believer! So, for him to warn against drift- speaks to a Conversion
Experience!
i. John 7:5 For not even his brothers believed in him. At some point Jude believed (probably after the resurrection) and
faithfully defended the FAITH & the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write
appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
B- So, thats some history: but its not just early century believers that were in danger of drifting… These words apply to us still
today.
1. Because: Theres a human tendency to Drift-
a. Drift is defined as: to be carried slowly by a current of air or water… a continuous slow movement from one place to
another…
b. Drift happens slowly over time! Its not LOUD & OBVIOUS… its subtle.
2. So; God in his word is constantly reminding us & warning us of our potential to drift-
a. Genesis 4:7 If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you,
but you should rule over it.” Here God speaks to Cain- deals w/ him on his drift from true worship- he tried offering a sacrifice on
his own terms instead of Gods…
b. Deuteronomy 8:18-19 18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he
may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 And if you forget the LORD your God and go after
other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.
i. Deuteronomy are the final sermons from Moses to COI… and all through the book is a warning of drift.
c. Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; Here the scripture says we are
like sheep… We have a wandering nature… we drift away from God.
i. Psalm 119:176 I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant. This is still people today! We wander/Drift.
3. So being able to recognize this about ourselves will help us to protect against drift.
a. Jeremiah 17:9-10 9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10 I, the LORD,
search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings. The best way
to guard against drift is to go to God!
i. He tests: This is an assessment word: To assess the purity of precious metals- to determine the content or quality-
b. Thats what Jude sets out to do- Bring those who have drifted, or are drifting back to Gods word... back to truth
i. Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of
Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. You knew it, you read it, you believed it, but you drifted
II THE CONSEQUENCES OF DRIFT
A- Important for us to recognize that Drift is DANGEROUS;
1. Ever been on a beach, your playing in the water looked up and couldn't find your family?
a. You look far right or far left and when you spot them, you realize that you drifted… But it was subtle…
i. In Roc. we had Lake Ontario (looks like an ocean)… Kids would play, and constantly drift… We continually had to call them
back-
 b. Back in August 2020; a 4 year girl was off the coast of Greece was with her family, she had an inflatable unicorn & drifted
out to sea… a ferry had to rescue her.
i. In June 2019 an 8 year old boy was also on a unicorn floaty, and wind came through & pulled him out “hundreds of yards in a
matter of seconds”
B- So for us; Spiritually speaking… Drift is a danger to our salvation!
1. Drift impacts our Doctrine: PG: Doctrine is what you believe- What you believe determines how you live.
a. If your doctrine is off/wrong, you will not wind up right!
i. 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ
Jesus. Hold fast the DOCTRINE… It matters what you believe!
ii. Titus 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to
convince the gainsayers. Keeping doctrine matters!
2. Drift impacts our Morality: So many denominations have changed their stances as culture has redefined morality.
a. Many have drifted from biblical teachings… but this isn't new- We read time and again of this area of drift.
i. Numbers 25:1-3 1 Now Israel remained in Acacia Grove, and the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab.
2 They invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. 3 So Israel was joined
to Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD was aroused against Israel. Here we read of a drift that God warned them about!
ii. When their morals changed, their blessing & dominion changed.
b. Morals also reaches beyond just sexual factors-
i. Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter
for sweet and sweet for bitter!
ii. This produces INSTABILITY: Look at our current world- due to drift from “Traditional Values” we have seen a rapid
decline in society!
3. Drift impacts our Eternity: Drift will actually destroy your relationship with God!
a. As I said- Its subtle… So the danger is that we could be so off course (backslidden) and not even realize it!
i. Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write
appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
1. I wanted to write about the faith we share… BUT, there has been such a drift, we need to get realigned!
2. We actually have a differing faith, it doesn't line up with Gods word, or Jesus teaching… Eternity is at risk-
III STAYING ANCHORED
A- So: The focus of our Bible Study is GUARDING against Drift- How do we do that? WE ANCHOR TO TRUTH.
1. Jude 1:3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write
appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
a. So think: How does Jude do this?
2. He Turns to Gods word: Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people
out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. The book of Jude is filled with OT/NT/FUTURE
references to GODS WORD-
a. He doesn't declare his own opinions/preferences/interpretations… He looks directly at Gods written record.
b. He references scripture to reveal Gods nature/promises/standard for the believers life.
3. He Focuses on Jesus: 7 times in 25 verses Jude focuses on Jesus… B/c Being anchored to TRUTH means being anchored to
JESUS
a. John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
b. Hebrews 6:19-20 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind
the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf.
4. He Focuses on Eternity: Jude 1:24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the
presence of His glory with exceeding joy, We need to stay ready & rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
 a. He brings focus on the soul of the individual (Personal) & the soul of the lost (Outward) & the soul of the brethren
(encouraging one another & at times challenging one another)
b. An eternal perspective guards against drift. Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord
Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
B- So in laying a foundation; we are going to look at various areas of drift that Jude challenges and find Biblical truth that will
keep us anchored to truth.
1.