Jude: Contending without Contentiousness
Preached on 6.20.10 by Dustin Neeley
Sermon Notes
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Jude 3-4
What Is God Calling Us to Do Here?
“Beloved” Shows the depth of Jude’s heart toward these people.
“our common salvation” The fact that have both turned to Jesus in faith and repentance. necessary”
“contend” Strong word. A soldier fighting for his cause. (More next week.)
“for the faith once for all delivered to the saints” True Christianity. Nothing is to be added to the Faith or the Scriptures.
Why Is This So Important?
1. Because souls are at stake.
a. Eternally: False teaching can lead people to hell.
b. Practically: False teaching does great damage in people’s lives.
2. Because our culture and context require it.
a. We live in an “anything but Christianity” goes culture where tolerance is more important than Truth. To a degree, contending is the currency of proclamation.
How Do We Do This?
1. It begins with knowing the faith.
a. You can’t defend what you don’t possess.
i. Am I in the faith? Have I turned from sin and trusted in Christ?
b. We all need at least a basic understanding of the Christian Faith.
i. What should we believe about the “big rocks” or “closed handed issues?”
ii. Christian Beliefs by Elliott Grudem is a great place to start.
iii. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Plenty of resources in this church.
2. Our identity needs to be firmly rooted in the Gospel.
a. Am I operating out of my Gospel identity? If so, we can handle personal attacks if they come. If not, we are going to be more concerned about defending our egos than the Faith.
b. Am I more concerned with being right or the righteousness that is mine in Christ?
c. Listen to Gospel preaching. Memorize Gospel Scriptures. Sing Gospel songs. Preach the Gospel to yourself. Read Gospel books. Gospel community.
3. We need wisdom to assess the situation for what is really going on.
a. Is this person really a false teacher or a wolf or is this person just confused and needs a little help?
i. Think “Man with a knife.” (Is he a serial killer or a sick person off of his medication? You disarm the man either way, but this changes the equation.)
ii. Our response needs to fit the situation.
Where is Jesus in All of This?
1. He is our Example.
a. Full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). Serves as a good balance for us in general.
b. Cleared the temple in righteous anger (Matt. 21), radical grace (John 8).
2. He is our Empowerment.
a. Through His Holy Spirit, He empowers us to fulfill this and all His commands.
3. He is our Payment.
a. For when we fail to contend or when we contend too harshly.
4. He is our Goal.
a. We contend for His Story for His glory and we want others to know it.