Christian Defence (Draft)

Jude 3–4 (ESV)

Jude 3–4 ESV

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.

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.

Introduction:

In Jude 3–4, we read about a pressing call for us to contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. This faith is rooted in Jesus Christ, our ultimate Master and Lord. We must strive to protect this faith from ungodly people who attempt to pervert its grace into sensuality and deny the Lordship of Christ.

The Need For Contending:

We are instructed in these verses to engage in contending for the faith that has been delivered to us through Jesus Christ. This means engaging with those who oppose it or seek to distort its message. It is not enough merely to keep the faith; we must proactively defend it against those who seek to undermine it or change its meaning.

The Cost of Contending:

Contending for the faith may come with a cost. We might meet opposition from those who wish to distort its message or even be persecuted for our beliefs. But we must remember that this is necessary to protect and preserve the truth of the gospel that was once delivered to us through Jesus Christ.

The Need For Contending:

The Holy Spirit moved Jude to write e-pog-o-niz-a-mai = “contend”

Struggle for

fight

earnestly contend for

At first we were going to get an epistle about the common faith

A shift happened where instead we get an appeal to contend

And the need is real and it is urgent

[The lament of Jeremiah 9:3 rings true in this day…]

Jeremiah 9:3 ESV

3 They bend their tongue like a bow; falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know me, declares the Lord.

Defence of the needy

God commands his people to defend the needy

Proverbs 31:8–9 ESV

8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

See also Is 1:17; Is 10:1–2; Is 58:6–7; Is 58:9–10

Examples of those who defended the needy

Psalm 72:4 ESV

4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!

Moses:

Ex 2:17; Ac 7:24

Ru 2:15–16 Boaz

Neglect of the cause of the needy is condemned

Psalm 82:2–4 ESV

2 “How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah 3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. 4 Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

See also Job 5:4; Is 1:23–24; Is 29:20–21; Je 5:26–29; Je 22:15–17

Church leaders are to defend the flock of God

Acts 20:28–31 ESV

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. 31 Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.

See also Jn 21:15–17; 1 Ti 4:6; Tt 1:10–11; Heb 13:17; 1 Pe 5:2

Christians are urged to defend the faith

It is the responsibility of all believers

Jude 3 ESV

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.

See also Php 1:27–28; 2 Th 2:15

It is the responsibility of Christian leaders in particular

2 Timothy 1:13–14 ESV

13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

See also 1 Ti 1:3–10; 1 Ti 6:20–21; Tt 1:12–14

Examples of leaders who defended the faith

Philippians 1:16 ESV

16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.

See also Ac 6:8–10 Stephen; Ac 18:27–28 Apollos

Paul:

Ga 1:6–9; Ga 2:11–14; Php 1:7