Today on Bridging the Gap we'll again look in Jude as we meet dreamers, schemers and self- centered slobs! If you're joining us for the first time, you'll find Jude just before Revelation. We're going to get a little history lesson on self-centered people.

Our country and our world are going through some rough times right now. The war with Iran and economic uncertainty here at home are good examples. And consider this - did you ever think you'd see the day when sexual perversion and blatant sexual sin would become so commonplace, people would just accept it as normal? Well, that's pretty much where thing stand here in 2026. The consequences are severe, and we need look no further than the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Jude was the half-brother of Jesus, and he was a bold proclaimer of the truth. Today we see an excellent example of this in verse seven. Jude reminds us that the disaster that befell Sodom and Gomorrah was due to an epidemic of sexual sin. As we look around us today, we can't help but think a similar fate awaits our country, unless we do something about it.

We're enjoying a new series in the little epistle of Jude, the one chapter book right before Revelation at the end of the New Testament. Today we'll again look at verses five through seven, as Lloyd again points out the dangers of worshiping false gods, and rejecting the salvation from sin offered by the true and living God.

Have you ever thought about how important it is to follow the rules? It really depends on what part of life you're talking about I suppose. if you're playing a game like basketball, for instance, if everyone makes up their own rules, you'd have mayhem. What if we decided to not follow God's rules anymore? It would be a lot worse than mayhem - it would be downright dangerous! We find a good example of this in the epistle of Jude, verses five through seven.

If you recall our last program, pastor Lloyd was using the behavior of the Israelites in the Wilderness as a good example of what to avoid as a Christian. Remember, Jude's main focus is contending for the faith, and if we start acting like we have no faith, as the Israelites did, it's not going to do us any good at all.

As nice as it is to seek out good examples to live by, it's not a bad idea to seek out bad examples to avoid, wouldn't you agree? That's what we'll do over the next several broadcasts. Today pastor Lloyd takes us to Jude verses five through seven for a look at a bad example to avoid - the Israelites in the wilderness.

As Christians, we are called to be contenders, and that's the main theme of Jude's epistle, being "contenders" for the faith. Looking for practical ways to accomplish that goal?

There have been some very charismatic spiritual leaders in our history. Billy Graham led millions to a relationship with Jesus. Men like Greg Laurie and Luis Palau come to mind. But then there are those like L. Ron Hubbard and Jim Jones who have led thousands astray. As we continue to learn how to contend for the faith, one of the things pastor will talk about is just how dangerous false teaching is.

Jude sought to warn believers of the dangers of hanging out with "part time" Christians. It's a warning that we would be well served to heed today. Here's Lloyd Pulley with the conclusion of a study in the epistle of Jude, verses one through three.