Jude Lesson 2: The Need to Contend for the Faith Rev. Christopher J. Respass Antioch Bible Institute Summer 2012

The Need to Contend I.Contend A. What does “contend” mean? To “contend” means to exert intense effort on behalf of something. Jude is urging the churches to intentionally exert intense effort to protect the teachings of the faith

The Need to Contend B. Who is called to “contend” for the faith? 1. Jude makes an “appeal” to the Christians in the churches. 2. The Believers must not take lightly the charge to protect “the Faith.” A “live and let live,” “as long as it doesn’t mess with me” attitude toward defending the faith will be counter-productive.

The Need to Contend 3. Christians may desire a lighter or different burden (“common salvation”) to tackle, but defending the faith is our responsibility. 4. We should not look to the world to contend for the faith on our behalf and with the church’s best interest at heart. a) Social acceptance and political correctness is a hindrance when they require a denial of God and the Faith.

The Need to Contend 5. We can’t look to another Christian to contend for the faith alone. We must actively share in the duty to protect the Faith (see, Ecc. 4:9-12). Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him- a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)

The Need to Contend C. There will be times when it is absolutely necessary to contend for the faith. 1. Jude had other things on his mind, but he was compelled to urge the saints to contend because of the impact false teachers had on the church. 2. Contending for the faith is the consequence of firm conviction. You won’t contend if you don’t really believe! a. Joshua (Josh. 24:13-15) b. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego c. Paul to Peter d. Stephen before the stoning

The Need to Contend D. Contending for the faith is going to cost you something. Q: What are some of the costs and risks that contending may present for you. 1. Internal Conflict (hypocrisy, sense of loss) 2. External Conflict (relationships, perception)

For “the Faith” II.The Faith Jude appeals to his readers urging them to “contend for the faith” (v.3). In order for us to contend for “the Faith,” we must know what “the Faith” is. Q: When you hear (or read) “the Faith,” what comes to mind?

For “the Faith” A. This “Faith” has been passed down through the years by the saints of God (c.f., Acts 2:42, Rom. 6:17). 1. Delivered—first by Jesus and passed down through the generations. 2. Seasoned—not new, but well tested. 3. Peer-reviewed & Orthodox—sound doctrine articulated by the saints (i.e., “outsiders”). (Christians should look to the Scriptures and the Household of Faith for doctrinal understanding of Christianity. No Christian should look to a non-believer to explain the truths of Christianity (1 Cor. 2:9-16).

For “the Faith” B. “The Faith” is to be adhered to by everyone, for it was given once and for all (v.3). 1. The Christians truths are non-negotiable and are set. 2. They are authoritative and instructive for ever Christian regardless of culture or generation.

Essentials of “the Faith” C. The Essentials of the Faith 1. Monotheism—There is only one God, who is a triunity of Father, Son and Spirit. 2. Authority of Scripture: the bible is the inspired, infallible word of God. No other document or writing is seen as truth over the Bible. 3. Deity of Jesus Christ: Jesus is fully God and fully human(“hypostatic union”).

Essentials of “the Faith” 3. Humanity’s Total Depravity: Man is fallen, sinful and in need of salvation. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 4. The Death and Resurrection of Jesus: Jesus bore the penalty for our sins and died a substitutionary death on the cross. He rose bodily from the dead. 5. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone: it is a gift of God and not of works.

The Theological Creeps III.Theological Creeps and their Teachings (“certain people have crept in”(v.4) A. The Creeps 1. The Creeps entered by stealth, hoping not to be noticed and seeming to be harmless. 2. The Creeps were ungodly. 3. The Creeps perverted the grace of God and used it as a license for sexual immorality. 4. The Creeps denied Jesus Christ.

The Theological Creeps B. The Creepy Teachings 1. Antinomianism is believed to be the false doctrine that the Creeps were promoting from within the ministry. Review: What is Antinomianism? This is the false doctrinal position that argues that Christians do not need obey the moral law of the OT.

The Theological Creeps 2. The Creeps also denied Jesus Christ in some way. a) Jude does not indicate just how they were denying Jesus. b) At a minimum, the Creeps denied Jesus by their lifestyle and their teachings.

Questions 1.What are ways that you can “contend” for the faith? 2.Do you fully believe in the Essential Doctrines of “the Faith”? Is this belief reflected in your lifestyle? Decisions? Relationships? 3.Do you know of any “theological creeps”? How are they allowed to exist in the ministry? 4.Are you aware of any “creepy teachings” in the Body of Christ?