Tag Archives: discipleship

“But dear friends…”

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Don Merritt

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 … Continue reading →

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Tell Us How You Really Feel!

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Don Merritt

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: Extra-Biblical Sources in Jude

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Don Merritt

Jude does an interesting thing in his letter, he uses a non-Biblical source as though it were from Scripture, and he does so not once, but twice in a 25 verse letter.  Why does he do that?  Should that place … Continue reading →

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Bonus Post: Jude and Peter

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Don Merritt

Why are Jude 4-16 and 2 Peter 2:1-18 so similar? There are many parallel passages in Scripture, but these two are more than just parallel, they are almost the same, close enough anyway that this deserves a look.  Over the … Continue reading →

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Woe!

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Don Merritt

Woe to them! They have taken the way of Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam’s error; they have been destroyed in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 11 Jude has been giving his readers a strong warning about false teachers in … Continue reading →

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Powerful Stuff

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Don Merritt

These verses are quite something; Jude has an interesting way with words! In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. Jude 8 … Continue reading →

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Away We Go!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Don Merritt

Jude gives us a typical greeting in the first 2 verses, telling us who is writing and extending his good wishes in love to his recipients.  Then he quickly moves to his purpose for writing: Dear friends, although I was … Continue reading →

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An Introduction to Jude

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Don Merritt

Jude is a strange little letter, nestled between 3 John and Revelation. It is seldom quoted, and sermons and studies of it are rarer still. It could be that it is neglected because of its size, only 25 verses, or … Continue reading →

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Final Thoughts on James

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Don Merritt

Old Testament Israel lived under the Law of Moses, very much a transactional system of law, violations, punishment and atonement. The great priority of that system was found in avoiding violations to curry God’s favor. Sacrifices were carried out continually … Continue reading →

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Summing Up

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Don Merritt

There are some misconceptions surrounding this book, and maybe that is why many modern-day teachers avoid it. Can Jesus be found in James? Well, let’s see… didn’t I write a “Bonus Post” on its connection with the Sermon on the Mount? Remember … Continue reading →

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