Contending For the Faith

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

Jude 3

INTRODUCTION: This lesson will deal with what Jude described as a “needful exhortation.” It is important for Christians to understand their obligations. Notice the group being addressed were the “sanctified” and “preserved” in Christ. How were they preserved in Christ? By the preaching of the Gospel, that was their common faith. One person is not saved one way and another person saved in a different fashion. Their obligation was to “Contend earnestly for THE FAITH which was ONCE DELIVERED unto the saints.” We want to concentrate on five facets of this exhortation. They are:

A. What is “The Faith” to which Jude refers?

B. By whom and how was it delivered?

C. The meaning of “Once Delivered”.

D. The meaning of “Earnestly Contending”.

E. Why is it necessary to “Contend” for it?

I. WHAT IS “THE FAITH” TO WHICH JUDE REFERS?

1. Notice Jude’s use of the definite article “The”.

2. Jude is not alone in the use of “The Faith”.

A. Acts 6:7 (Notice “The Faith” is used with “The Word of God”.)

B. Acts 13:7, 8 (Notice to turn from “The Faith” is to turn from “The Word of God”.)

C. Acts 14:21, 22 (“The Gospel” is used with “The Faith.”)

D. Rom. 1:5 (“The Faith” is something one can “Obey.”)

E. Gal. 1:23 (“The Faith” is what Paul preached.)

3. These passages make it clear that “The Faith” is synonymous with “The Word of God” and “The Gospel” preached by Paul and other apostles.

4. Phil. 1:27 supports this view also.

5. The Bible declares there is “One Faith.” Eph. 4:5 and “One Gospel” Gal. 1:6-9.

6. Hence, Jude says “The Faith” in speaking of the gospel.

II. JUDE SAYS THE FAITH “WAS DELIVERED”.

1. Three passages of scripture reveal the system of “Delivery”.

A. John 14:25, 26. This passage tells us two things:

1.) While present with his disciples, Jesus taught them.

2.) In his absence, the Holy Spirit would bring these things to their remembrance. (John 16:13 says the same thing).

B. Acts 1:4, 5. (Just before ascension, Jesus reminds apostles of this

promise and tells them to wait in Jerusalem).

C. Acts 2:1-4 (The promise is fulfilled and apostles speak word of God

by Holy Spirit’s influence).

2. Thus, “The Faith” was “Delivered” on Pentecost through inspired apostles.

3. According to 1 Cor. 2:12, 13 and 1 Pet. 1:12, they continued to deliver the gospel, '“The Faith”, in this manner.

4. The record of this preaching has been preserved for you and me in the Bible by this same delivery system. 2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

III. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FAITH BEING “ONCE”

DELIVERED?

    1. Other versions state “Once for all”.

    2. This important part of Jude’s “Needful Exhortation” is often forgotten in our day.

    3. Delivered “Once” means “The Faith” was delivered in its

FULLNESS, COMPLETENESS, ONCE for all time and for all people. See 2

Pet. 1:3.

    4. This delivery system does not provide for any revelations today.

A. Joseph Smith’s claims are false.

B. Ellen G. White’s claim for Sabbath keeping is wrong.

C. Mary Baker Eddy’s claims are not valid.

D. Religious conferences, synods of whatever religious groups are powerless to add one word to the faith preached by apostles.

    5. The faith of Jesus Christ is a never changing, unalterable system

of religion. See Gal. 1:6-9 and 2 Tim. 2:2.

IV. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “CONTEND EARNESTLY” FOR THE FAITH?

    1. It means we are to defend it. Paul did. Phil. 1:17.

    2. Paul would not allow false doctrine to go unchallenged for one hour. Gal. 2:4, 5. He even defended the “Singular” form of “seed” Gal. 3:16.

    3. It’s proper to “argue” religion when done in love. Eph. 4:15.

    4. Some have lost “the stomach” for defending the truth of God.

    5. “The Faith” has many enemies. Defend it!.

V. THE REASON FOR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH.

    1. Jude says, “Certain men crept in... denying the ... Lord Jesus Christ.” v. 4.

    2. Note: Failure to defend “The Faith” is a denial of the Lord.

    3. The warnings Jude gives tell us something of what these men taught.

A. After people were SAVED from Egypt, they were destroyed. v. 5.

B. Angels which did not keep their proper domain were reserved in chains. v. 6.

C. Were these men teaching “Once saved, always saved?” (Some today teach it). See, not only verses 5 and 6, but 1 Cor. 10:12.

4. Jude warns against the sins of

A. Presumption. (Cain) v. 11,

B. Greed. (Balaam) v 11. (See Num. 22:5-7).

CONCLUSION: What Jude called a “Needful Exhortation” to the Christians of

his day, is still needed in our day. Contend earnestly for the faith. The church is “The Pillar and Ground” of the truth. 1 Tim. 3:15.

Sermons Index