Introduction: We live in an era which is so tolerant of such a variety of religious viewpoints, that many people would find it difficult to point to anyone and say, "He is a false teacher." (see Chatt. Times, Feb. 5 editorial about an "Atheist President.") In the past few weeks we have been taught by the Bible to recognize false teachers. In today's passage Jude tells us of the detrimental impact they have on the Church.

I. They are spots in your "feasts of charity" (verse 12).

A. The early church met weekly for a fellowship meal, and to partake of the Lord's supper.
B. The word "spots" may be translated either as "blemishes" or as "hidden reefs." Either they make the Lord's Supper ugly in God's eyes, or they make the Lord's Supper dangerous for the Church. Paul warns us of the danger of making light of the Lord's Supper in I Corinthians 11:27-30.

A. Full of promises, but lacking true spiritual depth.
B. Water is a symbol of the Word of God, and also of the Holy Spirit. False teachers promise great Bible teaching but don't deliver. False teachers seem to be full of life, but it is not the life of the Holy Spirit.
C. It is the will of God that we bear spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). The false teachers do not have these fruits, and they make the church to be barren of fruit.

III. Their final end is eternal darkness (verse 13).

A. Some of the fallen angels are already there (Jude 6).
B. The Biblical doctrine of Hell is not taken seriously any more.
(Read Bryan Chappel's statement.)
C. But the preaching of Hell is essential to the life of the Church.
(See the PEF statement.)
D. What does the Bible say about Hell? Many misunderstandings!
Jesus' parable in Luke 16:19-31 gives much information.

a. It doesn't matter if it is a parable. Jesus won't mislead.
b. First, Hell really exists. Jesus says so.
c. Second, it is a place of fiery torment. But take note: it
is not like fire we know. People are not destroyed or
rendered speechless by it. Also, the bodies of those in
Hell are not like the bodies we now have. They are not
consumed by the flames. Their pain is not so great that
they are unable to carry on a conversation. They do
complain of thirst.
d. Third, people in Heaven and Hell can see each other, if they
try, but they are unable to pass from one side to the other.
e. Fourth, even in Hell, people there refuse to repent and ask
forgiveness for their sins. They are sorry they got caught.
They are sorry they are suffering, but they are not humbled
or ready to worship the Lord. The rich man in Hell wanted
to spare his brothers the pains of Hell, but Abraham informed
him that they would not repent even if someone returned
from death to give warning. Note: no one ever repents
aside from a supernatural sovereign act of God. Every knee
will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord,
but not everyone will do that with joy!
f. Fifth, Hell is permanent. Once you find yourself there, that is
where you must stay. Jude tells us that for false teachers in
verse 13. Jesus tells us the same in Matt. 25:31-33, 46.

Conclusion: We must beware of false teachers creeping into the Church. The elders are charged with to duty of protecting the flock from the wolves. The false teachers ruin our celebaration of the Lord's Supper. They ruin our fellowship. They keep us away from the water of Life. They make the church barren and fruitless. Their end is eternal darkness in Hell. May the Lord help us to resist false teachers, and to avoid their fate. Amen.