JUDE GIVES NOT ONE APOLOGY FOR THE STRONGEST WORDS IN THE BIBLE, FOR HE IS DELIVERING GOD'S WORDS

1. Jude's habit of Trilogies - even shows us 3 types of dangers by OT Illustrations- men's names
2. The ancient Rabbinical legends told strange stories about these three- fear in every heart
3. The Apostates in the early church followed three well traveled paths - and if we look closely today- we can see these same three false paths- leading to death and hell

I.- "GONE ΙΝ THE WAY OF CAIN" v. 11a

Legend tells of a child of Eve and Sammael-an evil spirit, others tell of Adam and Lilith

A.- THE STORY OF CAIN, GEN. 4:1- EVE HAD GREAT EXPECTATIONS, BUT INSTEAD HER HEART WAS BROKEN

1. Eve felt she had born The Man Child -, later she bore Abel - keeper of sheep;- Cain tilled the ground
2. Their offerings differed - some judge God; v.3, God spoke to Cain- 4, but Cain was angry- 5.
3. God gave second chance-6-7, but Cain murdered brother- v.8, and God punished him -banishment

B.- CAIN LEFT A RELIGIOUS HERITAGE THAT HAS REACHED INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT, THROUGH TO TODAY!

1. Jude cries Woe to those who follow his way of thinking- the natural man, bloodless religion
2. He chose his own way- not for money, nor leadership- but just for plain self-will! His thing
3. The marks of Cain- self-will, angry with God, refuses Sin Offering, hates, lies, murders,-

C.- CAIN FOLLOWED HIS OWN INCLINATION, HIS OWN FEELINGS AGAINST THE REVELATION OF GOD!

1. God spoke to Cain- v.7-the "Sin Offering" at the door was a little lamb -this is God's word
2. But Cain said- "See what good works my hands have done - I bring you my works" & so to murder
3. Abel said- See the symbol of Christ- I obey -see what guilt I have, it must be atoned!- blood

Cain's self-will sent him wandering, an exile from the presence of God - so will yours-forever

II.- "RAN GREEDILY AFTER ERROR OF BALAAM" V. 11b

Two men in Bible- inspired of God, though not good!- Caiaphas and Balaam - both destroyed self

A.- THE STORY OF BALAAM - NUM 22 24 - THE STORY OF A MAN DOING THROUGH DECEIT WHAT HE DESIRED

1. Balak wanted Israel stopped, so he hired Balaam to curse them - God told Balaam not to do it
2. Balaam knew Israel belonged to God- but he wanted the reward!- kept trying to find a way
3. He could not curse Israel, but he could corrupt Israel, and thus get God to curse them-

B.- BALAAM'S CONVICTIONS WERE RIGHT, BUT HE TOYED WITH TEMPTATION UNTIL HE FOUND A WAY!

1. Instead of sending the messengers away- he said wait! He believed God- but loved this world
2. Some today are willing to change their ministry for $$- and men flatter them into doing it
3. He preached right doctrine & Balak fumed; but he slyly taught sinful infiltration- Rev. 2:14

C.- BALAAM'S COMPROMISE OF ISRAEL COST A TERRIBLE PRICE, FOR ISRAEL, BALAAM, AND BALAK!

1. Using the World's new morality- he enticed Israel to sin, and 24,000 died - 25:9
2. Using human reasoning-sabotage of Israel; but forgot God's higher morality- Israel lives on
3. But Balaam, Balak -died- Num 31:8c - his greed for gold and his smart maneuvering did not save

Some today try to stay close enough to God to be safe-but greedily corrupt others--for $$ 

III.- "PERISH IN THE GAINSAYING OF CORE" 11c

When God tries to lead, Satan will thrust out a Core -Korah- and split God's people to hurt

A.- THE STORY OF KORAH - Num 16 IS THE STORY OF CONFUSED LEADERSHIP, WANTING AUTHORITY

1. Aaron and Miriam rebelled- murmured- Num 12,- but this was a family matter- punished & healed
2. But when Korah brought his two officers- and 250 young leaders- this was mutiny in desert
3. They wanted their rights- v.3, a democracy, to cast out God's leaders, and take over themselves

B.- THE HISTORY OF KORAH IS THE HISTORY OF CONFUSION, ANARCHY, AND DEATH FOR ALL WHO FOLLOW

1. Moses put the test- v. 29, and the ground opened- 31,2, and fire for their followers- 35
2. The next day the people murmured about the capital punishment- v.41, & they also died -49
3. Jude warned about those who perished in gainsaying of Korah- and today we totter on brink

C.- THE QUESTION ABOUT KORAH'S LEADERSHIP IS THAT OF DEMOCRACY OR AUTHORITY.  CHOOSE YOU!

1. God's natural law cannot be voted out, and to do so with God's moral law is always deadly
2. Moses stood between the people and God- v. 45-48 and his courage saved but 14,700 died
3. The gainsaying today in the churches -causes an uncertain trumpet, men perish forever!

Our nation is set for a great judgement because we have followed all three ways to death

FLEE FROM THESE WAYS THAT LEAD TO DEATH, AND COME TO JESUS, THE LAMB OF GOD FOR SINS OF THE WORLD

1. Choose Jesus - offer not your own good works, but for your guilt the blood of Jesus
2. Choose the Christian life & teach it- don't let Satan's tricks deceive you to death democracy is an idol that kills!
3. Choose to follow Christ- humbly, simply His authority;