HORRIBLE HEROES

JUDE 3-4, 8, 10-11

 

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

It is important to have the right heroes in your life. The Bible makes much of men and women of faith (Heb. 11) while cautioning us to avoid their short-comings. Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Christ”. Of course we can follow Christ without qualification. The Bible also gives us the lives of some as “bad examples” or “horrible heroes” if you will. As Jude writes of some creeps he tells us “Woe” is upon them because of three of their horrible heroes. He says these creeps follow in:

 

I. THE WAY OF CAIN [v. 11, Gen. 4]

 

1. Cain’s Way Is Faithless [Heb. 11:4, 6; Eph. 2:8-9, Rm. 10:17]

2. Cain’s Way is Bloodless [Heb. 9:12, 22-28]

3. Cain’s Way is Worthless [Proverbs 14:12, Jn. 14:6] it is worthless because it is Christless

 

II. THE ERROR OF BALAAM [v. 11]

 

1. To Be Motivated by Greed instead of God [2 Peter 2:15, 1 Timothy 6:10]

2. To Cast a Stumbling Block Before Others [Rev. 2:14, Mark 9:42, Is. 56:11]

3. To Desire Earthly Reward rather than Heavenly Rewards [v. 11, Matthew 6:19-20]

 

III. THE GAINSAYING OF KORAH (CORE) [v. 11]

 

1. Rebellion Against God-given Authority [Num. 16]

2. Replacing God-given Authority with Themselves [3 Jn. 9-11]

3. Results in Destruction for Both Leader & Followers [Matthew 21:40-42, Num. 16:32-35]