Introduction: Rebellion is reserving the right to make final decision. Isaiah 65:2 says, "I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;"

Jude explains the problem in the early church as a Satanic attack to disrupt doctrine. Certain men, who were set on causing confusion in the church, worked internally to corrupt the truth. Jude writes that true believers should "...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." 1:3

Why? For the protection of that body of truth which would be used to reach the world for Christ, and for the ongoing growth of every true believer. Jude again writes, For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1:4

Jude indicates that each time a mark or blot occurs in truth, disrupting the ongoing message of Christ, or the growth of believers, or an attempt is made to divide the church, while the church is out showing the love of Christ, ...are spots in your feasts of charity." 1:12

Rebellion against the Lord and His work through the church, is what Jude is concerned about. Apparently, the true believers were living for Christ, taught sound doctrine and showed forth love for God and each other. Their lives were an example to others of what Christ can do through His people.

This rebellious attitude within the church was actually rebellion against God for the purpose of ruining the lives of believers, causing the church to be less effective, damaging the testimony of the power of Christ in the city, and wanton disregard the person of Christ.

Jude tells of the Lord’s attitude regarding rebellion (1:5), then lists areas of rebellion in history which God dealt with severely.

The angels which rebelled against the Lord in heaven (verse 6);

Sodom and Gomarrha (Verses 7-8)

The Devil himself while contending with Michael the archangel (verses 9-10)

Cain, Balaam and Cora (verse 11).

Jude shows how each area of rebellion is generally an attitude of rebellion shown by the those who were disrupting the early church. He discribes them as "murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." Verse 16

Israel Rebelled Against The Provision of God - 1:5 Cf. Number 13:23-14:4 When Israel sent out the spies to look over the land, and they returned, the decision was made not to cross over Jordan. Moses, Joshua and Caleb wanted to cross over, but the people did not. They could not seeing God making a provision for them to enter the land.

Illustration: Our heavenly Father...knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply. Our Daily Bread, May 16, 1992.

The Angels Rebelled Against the Authority of God - 1:6 One third of the angels were cast from Heaven by the Lord. They left their own habitation, due to their rebellion and desire to follow their leader, Satan, whose was lifted up with pride.

Illustration: Frank Koch illustrates the importance of obeying the Laws of the Sea: Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing reported, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow." "Is it steady or moving astern?" the captain called out. The lookout replied, "Steady, Captain," which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship. The captain then called to the signalman, "Signal that ship: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the signal, "Advisable for you to change course twenty degrees." The captain said, "Send: "I'm a captain, change course twenty degrees.'" "I'm a seaman second-class," came the reply. "You had better change course twenty degrees." By that time the captain was furious. He spat out, "Send: 'I'm a battleship. Change course twenty degrees.'" Back came the flashing light, "I'm a lighthouse." We changed course. Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm

Sodom and Gomorrha Rebelled Against the Commandments of God - 1:7-8

Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (Gen. 19:24-25) because of the cities’ rebellion against the law of God. Their abominations eventually destroyed the cities and all the inhabitants.

Illustration: According to a 3rd century rabbi, Moses gave 365 prohibitions and 248 positive commands. David reduced them to 11 in Psalm 15. Isaiah made them 6 (Isaiah 33:14, 15). Micah 6:8 binds them into 3 commands. Habbakuk reduces them all to one great statement: The just shall live by faith. Unknown

The Devil Rebelled Against God’s Protection of One of His Children - 1:9-10 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Illustration: The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy's thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long. Our Daily Bread

Illustration: Christmas Eve 1875 and Ira Sankey was traveling on a Delaware steamboat when he was recognized by some of the passengers. His picture had been in the newspaper because he was the song leader for D.L. Moody. They asked him to sing one of his own hymns, but Sankey said no, saying that he preferred to sing William B. Bradbury's hymn, "Savior Like a Shepherd Lead Us." As he sang, one of the stanzas began, "We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way." When he finished, a man stepped from the shadows and asked, "Did you ever serve in the Union Army?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, "in the spring of 1860." "Can you remember if you were doing picket duty on a bright, moonlit night in 1862?" "Yes," Mr. Sankey answered, very much surprised. "So did I, but I was serving in the Confederate army. When I saw you standing at your post, I thought to myself, 'That fellow will never get away alive.' I raised my musket and took aim. I was standing in the shadow, completely concealed, while the full light of the moon was falling upon you. At that instant, just as a moment ago, you raised your eyes to heaven and began to sing...'Let him sing his song to the end,' I said to myself, 'I can shot him afterwards. He's my victim at all events, and my bullet cannot miss him.' But the song you sang then was the song you sang just now. I heard the words perfectly: 'We are Thine; do Thou befriend us. Be the Guardian of our way.' Those words stirred up many memories. I began to think of my childhood and my God-fearing mother. She had many times sung that song to me. When you had finished your song, it was impossible for me to take aim again. I thought, 'The Lord who is able to save that man from certain death must surely be great and mighty.' And my arm of its own accord dropped limp at my side." Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome

Cain Rebelled Against the Worship of God - 1: 11 Cain refused to worship the Lord with a proper offering. His works offering did not honor the Lord, as did Abel’s sacrificial offering did.

Illustration: **For worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of conscience by His holiness; the nourishment of mind with His truth; the purifying of imagination by His beauty; the opening of the heart to His love; the surrender of will to His purpose -- and all of this gathered up in adoration, the most selfless emotion of which our nature is capable and therefore the chief remedy for that self-centeredness which is our original sin and the source of all actual sin. William Temple, Warren W. Wiersbe, The Integrity Crisis

Illustration: **Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was present at the Vienna Music Hall, where his oratorio The Creation was being performed. Weakened by age, the great composer was confined to a wheelchair. As the majestic work moved along, the audience was caught up with tremendous emotion. When the passage "And there was light!" was reached, the chorus and orchestra burst forth in such power that the crowd could no longer restrain its enthusiasm. The vast assembly rose in spontaneous applause. Haydn struggled to stand and motioned for silence. With his hand pointed toward heaven, he said, "No, no, not from me, but from thence comes all!" Having given the glory and praise to the Creator, he fell back into his chair exhausted.

Balaam Rebelled Against Power of God - 1:11 Balaam was going to curse his own people for money. God turned the tables on him, causing him rely on God’s power to direct his prophecy.

Numbers 22

Illustration: Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.

Illustration: **One New Year's Day, in the Tournament of Roses parade, a beautiful float suddenly sputtered and quit. It was out of gas. The whole parade was held up until someone could get a can of gas. The amusing thing was this float represented the Standard Oil Company. With its vast oil resources, its truck was out of gas. Often, Christians neglect their spiritual maintenance, and though they are "clothed with power" (Luke 24:49) find themselves out of gas. Steve Blankenship in God Came Near by Max Lucado

Cora Rebelled Against Servants of God - 1:11

Illustration: **The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganini's lovely violin has today become worm-eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christian's unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness. J.K. Laney, Marching Orders