Cultivate NJ

Cultivate Church

Cultivate is a church committed to growing communities rooted in Christ that produce fruit for the good of the Garden State and the world.

  1. Sep 27

    Jude: Words of Wisdom, Warning, and Hope

    Jude looks to mobilize the faithful, to enlist each of us to stand up for the true faith we have been given and to reject anyone who would take us in a different direction. He wants to sensitize us to any scalawags who only look out for number one, especially those lurking within the congregation of the righteous.Jude does not reprimand the reprobates just for the fun of it—no matter his colorful language and powerful images. Rather he grasps the opportunity to proclaim that such behavior cannot be tolerated, in ourselves or others. It undermines everything that God has been doing. Standing up for the faith means recognizing and calling out conduct that runs counter to Jesus Christ. Wecannot stand idle while aggressors destroy the fabric of the church. We may not be able to match Jude’s invective, but we can join him in honestly addressing destroyers among us. Once Jude has finished with his warning, the whole tenor of his letter changes. His voice becomes comforting and his words, reassuring. Jude introduces a new theme of encouragement and hope. He makes clear that there are resources to halt the outrages and hazards that interlopers pose. He shares confidence that God’s purposes cannot be overturned by rebels and rogues. Jude helps us look toward the final realization of God’s promises. Jude has painted a Christian canvas, portraying who we are and how we behave. Equally, he developed a negative image, both as a warning of fakes among us and a demonstration of how we reject their practices. Finally, he gives assurance to us Christians—called and loved by God and kept for Jesus. The one who started with us will not let go.

    Jude: Words of Wisdom, Warning, and Hope

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Cultivate is a church committed to growing communities rooted in Christ that produce fruit for the good of the Garden State and the world.