Contend, Remember, Remain: Walking Through Jude

🔹 Introduction (2 minutes)

Jude, the brother of James, writes urgently to believers to defend the faith against false teachers. Though only 25 verses, this epistle is packed with theological depth, historical references, and practical exhortations. Jude reminds us that spiritual vigilance is not optional—it’s essential.

🔹 Point 1: Contend for the Faith (Jude 3–4)

Jude 3–4 NKJV

3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Theme: Guarding the Gospel

📖 Scripture Basis

“...I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

📜 Context

Jude originally intended to write about salvation but shifted to warning against false teachers.

Verse 4 describes ungodly people who distort grace into license and deny Christ.

💡 Insight

Contending for the faith is not combative arrogance—it’s humble vigilance. The gospel is a sacred trust, not a personal possession.

🛠️ Applications

Know the Gospel Clearly

Apply: Study core doctrines regularly (e.g., deity of Christ, grace, repentance). Use a doctrinal checklist in small groups.

Speak Truth Graciously

Apply: When confronting error, lead with Scripture and humility. Practice role-play scenarios in discipleship settings.

🔍 Reflection

What part of the gospel do I feel least equipped to defend?

Have I confused contending with quarreling?

🔹 Point 2: Remember the Warnings (Jude 5–16)

Jude 5–16 NKJV

5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. 6 And the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode, He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day; 7 as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. 8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. 12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. 14 Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, 15 to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” 16 These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

Theme: Recognizing Deception

📖 Scripture Basis

“Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it…” (Jude 5)

📜 Context

Jude references Israel’s unbelief, fallen angels, Sodom, Cain, Balaam, and Korah.

False teachers are described vividly: hidden reefs, waterless clouds, wild waves.

💡 Insight

Spiritual deception often wears religious clothing. Jude’s examples show that rebellion can look like leadership, prophecy, or zeal.

🛠️ Applications

Discern Character Over Charisma

Apply: Evaluate teachers by fruit (Gal. 5:22–23), not flair. Use Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 as filters.

Stay Alert to Patterns of Rebellion

Apply: Journal recurring temptations or attitudes. Share with a mentor for accountability.

🔍 Reflection

Which biblical warning resonates most with my current context?

Am I more drawn to spiritual excitement or spiritual integrity?

🔹 Point 3: Remain in God’s Love (Jude 17–23)

Jude 17–23 NKJV

17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.

Theme: Building Up and Reaching Out

📖 Scripture Basis

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith…” (Jude 20)

📜 Context

Jude shifts from warning to encouragement.

He calls believers to build, pray, keep, wait, and rescue.

💡 Insight

Spiritual survival is communal. We remain in God’s love by building each other up and reaching out to those in danger.

🛠️ Applications

Build Through Prayer and Scripture

Apply: Create a weekly rhythm of praying in the Spirit and reading Scripture with others.

Rescue with Mercy and Fear

Apply: Approach struggling believers with compassion, not compromise. Use Galatians 6:1 as a guide.

🔍 Reflection

How am I actively building others in the faith?

Who in my life needs rescue—and how can I reach them wisely?

🔹 Conclusion (2 minutes)

🧾 Summary

Contend for the faith with clarity and grace.

Remember the warnings to stay spiritually alert.

Remain in God’s love by building and rescuing.

📣 Final Exhortation

Jude ends with a doxology that reminds us: God is able to keep us from stumbling. Our part is vigilance, but His part is victory. Let us contend, remember, and remain—not in fear, but in faith.