Compassion in Action

Compassion in Action – 6 Week Sermon Series (Jude)

Series Big Idea

True faith does not sit still. It moves toward people with truth and mercy.

Week 1 – Contend With Compassion

Jude 1–4 NKJV

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ: 2 Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 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.

Big Idea: Christians must defend truth while demonstrating compassion.

I. Remember Who You Are (v.1)

• Called by God

• Loved by the Father

• Kept by Jesus Christ

Application: Compassion flows from our identity in Christ.

II. Recognize the Threat to Truth

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.

• False teaching infiltrates the church.

• Grace is distorted into license.

• Christ’s authority is denied.

III. Respond by Contending for the Faith

• Biblical conviction

• Spiritual courage

• Christlike compassion

Illustration: A lifeguard doesn’t shout instructions from the shore—he jumps in to rescue.