Contending for the Faith
Notes
Transcript
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to Jude… (2nd to last book)
!! Open in Prayer !!
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II. Introduction
II. Introduction
The extent we love something can be proven by:
how much we’re willing to fight or contend on its behalf...
MANY THINGS—WE HAVE OPINIONS—BUT WON’T REALLY FIGHT for THEM.…
COFFEE BETTER THAN TEA
G.M. BETTER THAN FORD
PERFECT WINTERTIME HOUSE TEMP —72,, BRITTANY — 68
ANDROID OVER APPLE
PINNEAPPLE is FINE on PIZZA
MIGHT HAVE STRONG OPINIONS on THESE THINGS… BUT I’M NOT GOING to REALLY FIGHT OVER IT…
Focus: OTHER THINGS… WE’RE WILLING to FIGHT for
FAMILY
FREEDOM
FAITH
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Transition ➡ TODAY WE’RE GOING to SEE a CALL to CONTEND for the FAITH
LOOK W/ ME @ VS 1-4
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III. Passage Reading
III. Passage Reading
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
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.
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Church this is God’s Word for us this morning.
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IV. Book Background
IV. Book Background
**DON’T KNOW a TON of BACKGROUND**
Author: JUDE (JUDAS) — BROTHER of JAMES (LEADER in JERUSALEM//LETTER-AUTHOR)
HALF-BROTHER of JESUS CHRIST.
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Date: FIRST CENTURY—PROBABLY 60’s — **CONNECTION W/ 2 PETER…**
Audience: PROBABLY JEWISH CHRISTIANS LIVING AMONGST GENTILES
Takeaway: MUCH is FUZZY—BUT the REASON HE WRITES is MADE CLEAR TODAY
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Transition ➡ LOOK W/ ME FIRST @ LETTER OPENING…
VS 1-2
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V. Passage Exposition
V. Passage Exposition
Thought 1: Introduction & Greeting (v1-2)
Thought 1: Introduction & Greeting (v1-2)
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Introduction:
Introduction:
SERVANT/SLAVE of JESUS CHRIST
BROTHER of JAMES
Exhort: NOT CLAIMING “BROTHER” STATUS W/ CHRIST—BUT SLAVE/SERVANT
LOWLY POSITION—BUT an HONOR WHEN SERVING the KING of KINGS!
Background: APPARENTLY JESUS’ BROTHERS CAME to FAITH,, AFTER the RESURRECTION
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The Audience:
The Audience:
JUDE WRITES to THOSE “CALLED”
Meaning: GOD’S EFFECTUAL SUMMONS to FAITH
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Two Qualities: BELOVED & KEPT
Two Qualities: BELOVED & KEPT
THOSE CALLED = LOVED BY GOD.
THROUGH JESUS CHRIST — WE ARE LOVED BY GOD.
Exhort: the MARVEL of GOD’S LOVE—BECAUSE HE IS LOVE!!
THOSE CALLED = KEPT FOR JESUS CHRIST.
PRESERVED in FAITH UNTIL the END
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Exhortation: on Eternal Security
Exhortation: on Eternal Security
KEPT = PASSIVE REALITY.
KEPT BY GOD—FOR JESUS CHRIST.
My security doesn’t rest in my hands...but God’s.
SALVATION ISN’T GOD’S to GRANT & OURS to KEEP… HOW THEN COULD WE HAVE ASSURANCE??
WE AREN’T SAVED BY GRACE & KEPT BY WORKS...
SAVED BY GRACE
KEPT BY GRACE
GLORIFIED BY GRACE.
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Glorious Gospel:
Glorious Gospel:
CALLED by GOD—SUMMONED BY HIM
—BECAUSE WE ARE LOVED BY GOD.
&& WE ARE KEPT BY GOD— FOR FINAL DAY
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(v2) JUDE OPENS W/ PRAYER of BLESSING — MERCY, PEACE & LOVE — MULTIPLIED to THEM
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Transition ➡ NOW—HE’S GOING to DIVE RIGHT INTO PURPOSE of LETTER…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS 3
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Thought 2: The Purpose of the Letter (v3)
Thought 2: The Purpose of the Letter (v3)
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.
**DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT JUDE’S AUDIENCE—BUT THEY WERE BELIEVERS**
Original Intention:
Original Intention:
IN CHRISTIAN LOVE—AIMING to WRITE “COMMON SALVATION” —
Problem: INSTEAD FORCED to SHIFT GEARS…
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Jude’s Purpose:
Jude’s Purpose:
APPEALING/EXHORTING/IMPLORING… BELIEVERS to CONTEND for the FAITH
Word Study: “to CONTEND”.... to exert intense effort on behalf of someth., contend.[1] To “struggle for” (Louw-Nida)
The Faith: GOSPEL MESSAGE of JESUS CHRIST & HIM CRUCIFIED…
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The Faith: “Once & For All Delivered”
The Faith: “Once & For All Delivered”
Background: GREEK, PHRASE = ONE LARGE ADJECTIVE
➡ ➡ the “ONCE & FOR ALL DELIVERED to the SAINTS” FAITH
Key Note: “DELIVERED” — PAST TENSE… NOT “BEING DELIVERED”
➡ FROM CHRIST ➡ to HIS APOSTLES ➡ to the CHURCH
FAITH = UNCHANGING!
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
GOD USED to SPEAK VIA PROPHETS—NOW HAS SPOKEN FINALLY THROUGH HIS SON.
Jesus Christ is the FINAL MESSAGE from the FATHER.
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Illustration: BAD UPDATES
Illustration: BAD UPDATES
Exhort: ANY “NEW & IMPROVED FAITH” MUST BE REJECTED
(T) WE’VE PROBABLY ALL DEALT W/ UPDATES/UPGRADES THAT WERE NOT UPGRADES...RIGHT?
Examples: Cars & Computers
Examples: Cars & Computers
* CARS ADD NEW FEATURES THAT BREAK/CAUSE RECALLS…
* COMPUTER UPDATES that RUIN THINGS!
LOGOS BIBLE SOFTWARE… GETS BOGGED DOWN.
GRAMMARLY… COULDN’T FIND the PAUSE FUNCTION.
SOME THINGS JUST NEED LEFT ALONE—THEY’RE GOOD!
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Takeaway: YOU CAN’T IMPROVE the MESSAGE of JESUS CHRIST & HIM CRUCIFIED…
IT’S the BEST MESSAGE EVER TOLD!!
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Gospel Invitation
Gospel Invitation
Gospel Message: CHRIST JESUS CAME to SAVE SINNERS.
to RECONCILE US to OUR CREATOR… DESPITE OUR GUILT
& to DO SO BY a GIFT of GRACE…
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Remember: GOSPEL MEANS “GOOD NEWS” BY DEFINITION!!
NO BETTER NEWS THAN MY DEBT HAS BEEN PAID!
JESUS CHRIST LEFT the GLORY of HEAVEN BEHIND… to COME RANSOM MY LIFE
… SO THAT THROUGH a GIFT of GRACE...
… RECEIVED THROUGH FAITH—I MIGHT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
Invitation: HERE WITH QUESTIONS//WITHOUT FAITH—I’D LOVE to SPEAK to YOU AFTER the SERVICE
For the Believer: IF THEY TRIED to IMPROVE on the MESSAGE WITHIN DECADES—
— SURELY WE MUST FIGHT for IT 2,000 YEARS LATER
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Transition ➡ JUDE CALLS BELIEVERS to FIGHT
WE’LL SEE WHY…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 4
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Thought 3: The Reason for the Letter (v4)
Thought 3: The Reason for the Letter (v4)
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.
The Issue: CONTEND… FOR///BECAUSE… CERTAIN PEOPLE CREPT INTO the CHURCH(ES)…
Three Qualities:
DESIGNATED for CONDEMNATION
UNGODLY & PERVERTED the GRACE of GOD
DENIED JESUS CHRIST—MASTER & LORD.
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Unpacking the Qualities:
Unpacking the Qualities:
1. Designated for Condemnation:
1. Designated for Condemnation:
FOLLOWED the COURSE of GODLESS PEOPLE—DESIGNATED for ETERNAL DAMNATION
Long Ago, Designated:
JUDE APPEALS to O.T.,,
JEWISH TRADITION,,
& TEACHING of APOSTLES THROUGHOUT LETTER
JUDGMENT ISN’T SOLELY an O.T. or N.T. CONCEPT
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2. Ungodly—Perverting the Grace of God.
2. Ungodly—Perverting the Grace of God.
UNGODLY = ATHEISTIC LIFESTYLE
Word Study: “PERVERTED” “to cause a change of state, with emphasis upon the difference in the resulting state”
Background: PAUL USES SAME GK WORD— “TRANSFERRED” from DOMAIN of DARKNESS to KINGDOM of GOD’S BELOVED SON!
Takeaway: CHANGING GRACE INTO SOMETHING IT IS NOT!!
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The Problem: Turning Grace to a License to Sin!
Meaning: Complete Self-abandonment
SEXUAL BEHAVIOR
DRUNKENNESS
GLUTTONY
POLAR OPPOSITE of “SELF-CONTROL” — A FRUIT of the SPIRIT!
NEVER TELLING THEMSELVES “NO”
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Exhortation: GRACE is NOT LICENSE for SIN
**GOD’S GRACE is SUFFICIENT for ALL of OUR SINS**
WE CANNOT USE THAT as JUSTIFICATION to LIVE LAWLESSLY!
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
**JUDGMENT DELAYED is NOT JUDGMENT DENIED…**
“CERTAIN PEOPLE” — WOLVES in SHEEP’S CLOTHING… SNUCK INTO CHURCH… DESIGNATED for CONDEMNATION…
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3. Denied Jesus Christ as Master & Lord
3. Denied Jesus Christ as Master & Lord
Christian Faith: JESUS CHRIST = LORD of CREATION & LORD of MY LIFE…
CHRISTIAN HAS SURRENDERED LIFE to KING JESUS
Word Study: “MASTER” has the sense of one who has legal control and authority over someone.
Background: PARALLEL PASSAGE in 2 PETER— “MASTER WHO BOUGHT THEM...”
IF YOU’VE BEEN BOUGHT W/ BLOOD—YOU BELONG to CHRIST!!
My Life is not my own.
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Issue in Church: NOT DOCTRINAL,, BUT PRACTICAL.
PROFESSED JESUS as LORD
BUT DIDN’T LIVE LIKE IT.
Exhortation: IF YOU’RE a CHRISTIAN…
➡ CHRIST is YOUR LORD
➡ ➡ IF HE is YOUR LORD—
➡ ➡ ➡ FAITH SHOULD IMPACT EVERY SPHERE of YOUR LIFE.
YET PEOPLE TRY to LIVE COMPARTMENTALIZED LIVES…
There is nothing off-limits to Jesus Christ if He is the Lord of your life.
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Illustration: “NO TRESPASSING SIGN”
Illustration: “NO TRESPASSING SIGN”
I’M SURE WE’VE ALL SEEN “PRIVATE PROPERTY”// “NO TRESPASSING” SIGNS…
(Q) Do you know who the sign doesn’t apply to? The Owner.
IF CHRIST HAS BOUGHT YOUR LIFE—HE’S ENTITLED to ALL OF IT.
ENTERTAINMENT
WORK
HANDLING of MONEY
TREATING of YOUR SPOUSE
RAISING of YOUR CHILDREN
HOW YOU DRIVE
HOW YOU TAKE CARE of YOUR BODY.
Jesus didn’t die for just parts of you...why would you only give Him parts of you in return??
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The Call of Discipleship:
The Call of Discipleship:
JESUS WARNED PEOPLE to “COUNT the COST”
WARNED: the ONE WHO LOVES FATHER/MOTHER MORE THAN ME—NOT WORTHY of ME.
SALVATION is FREE… BUT IT’LL COST YOU SOMETHING.
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Clarifying Life-Change:
Clarifying Life-Change:
**SOME DENOUNCE THIS — “ADDING WORKS to the GOSPEL of GRACE”**
! Recap Galatians !
We are saved by grace alone,, through faith alone,, in Christ alone.
Exhort: IF JESUS CHRIST HAS TRULY COME INTO YOUR LIFE—HE WILL CHANGE YOU.
NOT ATTEMPTING to BE ACCEPTED…
… BUT in LIGHT of AN INWARD CHANGE.
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Terms of Salvation:
Terms of Salvation:
Salvation—Saved from sin & eternal damnation in hell.
Justification—declared “not guilty” in heavenly courtroom.
Regeneration—to be made spiritually alive— “born-again”
N.T. TEACHES THERE is an INWARD CHANGE
9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God.
BORN-AGAIN— FAMILY of GOD—BEARING FAMILY RESEMBLANCE.
NOT SINLESS PERFECTION—BUT a DEFINITE CHANGE of DIRECTION.
The invitation: “Come as you are” DOESN’T MEAN “Stay as you were...”
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Transition ➡ ALL in ALL…
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VI. Application
VI. Application
Passage Idea: Believers must fight for their unchanging faith.
TO FIGHT for the FAITH YOU HAVE to FIRST POSSESS a LIVING FAITH… A FAITH THAT CHANGES YOU
YOU CAN’T FIGHT for SOMETHING YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN…
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BUT if YOU HAVE BELIEVED—WE MUST STAND FIRM on the ESSENTIALS of the CHRISTIAN FAITH…
… THINGS BELIEVERS HAVE HELD to FOR MILLENNIA.
WE BELIEVE the:
SAME MESSAGE
ABOUT the SAME SAVIOR
WHO DIED for SINS of SAME WORLD
&& WE,, LIKE the EARLY CHURCH,, AWAIT HIS COMING…
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
WORLD SAYS: MANY WAYS to GOD—CHRISTIAN SAYS — ONE WAY—JESUS CHRIST.
WORLD SAYS: MANY FORMS of TRUTH—CHRISTIAN SAYS—JESUS is THE TRUTH.
I’D RATHER STAND W/ JESUS & BE ALONE—THAN STAND W/ the CROWD & BE CONDEMNED
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WILL YOU STAND & CONTEND for the FAITH?
WILL YOU STAND & BELIEVE GOD’S MESSAGE of SALVATION is FIXED & NOT UPGRADEABLE
or WILL WE CAVE to the SOCIAL PRESSURES of GODLESS PEOPLE?
!! Let’s Pray !!
