#outoftouch

Having three children the ages of 21, 18 and 12, more and more I am realizing that I’m completely “out of touch” with all things current. Have you recently tried to have a conversation with a “new adult” about anything? They are literally connected to everything electronic, moving at a multi-tasking pace and if you even try to engage in an ‘ole school face-to-face conversation you need to be ready to do so between screen swipes and rapid moving texting.  So as you try to navigate those waters add to the mix one that is 18. Again literally connected to everything, but this time add all of the imagery and/or distraction of social media and “eye candy” that keeps one glued to a device. Glued more so than a 21 year old. And just when I thought I understood teens, here I go again with a pre-teen. A pre-teen that is connected on a different type of screen. The screen of choice for a pre-teen is all platform video games being played in the cloud.  It’s not the yellow pie wedge moving piece eating up dots and jagged bottom ghost, nope it is a virtual game in the cloud.  I’m completely out of touch with today’s generation. My children don’t tell me “Dad, you are out of touch” they just respond by rolling their eyes or saying “Dad you don’t understand.” I guess my response should be well then i guess I am #outoftouch, LOL!

Jude is addressing this type of observation in his short letter. His audience is a group of believers that share a common salvation but yet Jude warns them to be alert, be awake and to contend for the faith. He sounds the alarm and he notifies the church of the ones that are arriving in a stealth like manner. Jude is basically telling the church that these individuals are really out of touch with the purpose and mission of the church.  In verses 8-13 we see Jude layout character traits of these very individuals. Jude labeled false teachers as blasphemers consumed by their desire for profit. He stressed that their presence among believers was a grave danger. These false teachers relied on their own wisdom, instead of relying on the revealed truth of God. The authority they rejected was no less than God’s authority. In comparison, Jude referenced the archangel Michael who did not even rely on his own wisdom in disputing the devil, but still appealed to the judgment of God. Those who belong to God should always appeal to His judgment over the wisdom of man. 

Jude also compared the heretics to Cain (Gen. 4:4-5, 8-9), Balaam (Numbers 22:1-24, 31:16), and Korah (Numbers 16:1-35). These men deceived others and were known for hatred, greed, and rebellion. Finally, Jude used several metaphors to describe these false teachers: dangerous reefs, selfish shepherds, waterless clouds, fruitless trees, wild waves, and wandering stars. Each of these metaphors described something that does not meet its intended purpose or only leads to destruction. These false teachers went against the will of God and sought to cause destruction in the church. They were out of touch.

I look forward to our time of worship this coming Sunday in person and online! 

Serving Him,
Pastor Jeff