How To Spot A Scoffer

• Teaching Text

  Jude 17-19

  But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

• Message Recap

  This Sunday, Pastor Paul continued our series on the letter of Jude. This letter was written by Jude (the youngest brother of Jesus) to address when false teachers had infiltrated the church and were influencing others to follow a false gospel. This week we read about ‘scoffers’ and how to spot one.

  Pastor Paul defined a scoffer as:
  One who jeers, mocks, and treats others with contempt. Calls out with derision in order to tear down. They build nothing. They talk big, make fun, and are condescending.

  According to Jude, a scoffer can be identified by three primary characteristics, they will be:
  -Divisive
  -Follow mere natural instincts
  -Devoid of the Spirit

  Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. —Psalm 1:1-3

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Read Scripture.
Read: 2 Peter 3:1-5
Compare and contrast this with Jude 17-19.

Have a daily time with God.
Here’s a quick guide about how to develop this habit.

Memorize Scripture.
We’re memorizing Jude 20-21.
Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

DISCUSSION GUIDE

Questions:
1) What did the Holy Spirit highlight for you during this teaching? Why?
Journal your thoughts and/or share this with someone else.

2) Have you been impacted by a scoffer? How did the three characteristics of a scoffer look in this situation?

Prayer:
God, help me to hide your Word in my heart so that I can know and follow your will over my own instincts. Help me to be a peacemaker in a world that is plagued by scoffers.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.