Contend for the Faith

This series is different than the others I have previously done. Instead of full-length lessons, I will be going through the book of Jude in a shorter/devotional length format. I still desire to teach through Jude in a series of full length messages, but I thought this would be a nice start for those who are unfamiliar with the book and its message.


Lesson Outline – DOWNLOAD HERE

Jude:

Author: Jude (Judah – Hebrew; Judas – Greek), brother of James (and also of Jesus). Did not consider himself an apostle (1:17).

Recipients: Those called and beloved by God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Most likely a predominately Jewish congregation in the midst of dealing with false teachers.

Date: Most likely 68–70 A.D. (written after 2 Peter, but before the destruction of Jerusalem). Possibly after 80 A.D. since the destruction would have no bearing on Jude’s message.

Puprose: As 2 Peter warned of the coming of false teachers, Jude dealt with their arrival. Jude gives a reminder to contend for the faith against false teachers that have crept into the Church.

Jude 1:1-2 (NASB95)

1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,

To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.


Jude 1:24-25

24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

In the introduction, I speak about the style of this series, its topic, and theme. Once completed, the print out will be available on a Google Drive page HERE.


It is my hope and prayer that you will be encouraged by this series as I have been in its preparation.

Bond-servant (G1401) – doulos

Does not call Himself Jesus’ brother or an apostle (an easy way to give himself authority).

Rather, Jude just obeys his calling.

Jude prayed for three things for the recipients:

  1. Mercy (G1656) – Showing compassion to those in need.

  2. Peace (G 1515) – A state of tranquility and rest.

  3. Love (G 26) – The unconditional love of God (agape).

It is fitting that Jude prayed for these things in light of the challenges that the fellowship was facing (false teachers).

Jude already had desired to write concerning the common salvation. But he said it was necessary for him to write an appeal for these believers to contend for the faith.


Contend Earnestly (G1864) – To stand firmly against; to fight so as to win.


This was necessary because the false teachers previously mentioned (1 Pet. 2:1-3) were now here.


These teachers were not openly opposing Jesus, instead they snuck in unnoticed so as to mislead others to join with them.

Jude points out that the sin of the false teachers is no different than the previous sins of those who have been judged.


1. Egypt (1:5): Exodus 12:51; 14:21-31

2. Angels (1:6): 2 Peter 2:4

3. Sodom and Gomorrah (1:7): Genesis 19:1-29


The false teachers creeping into the Church are guilty of the same sin as those in the past.


Will God not deal with this unrighteousness in the same way?

Michael the archangel responded to the reviling (Jude. 1:8). What was disputed is widely debated (some say it involves the Assumption of Moses); however, the main point is not the context of debate, but that Michael’s rebuke was from God, not himself.


Similarly, God will rebuke the false teachers for their ignorance to the things they claim to know. Instead of following God, these false teachers would face destruction for the things which were natural to them.


WOE for they have gone the way of. . .

1. Cain – Jealousy – Gen. 4:5, 8

2. Balaam – Greed – Num. 22:1-25:9; 31:16

3. Korah – Rebellion – Num. 16


These false teachers are ignorant. They sneak into the church so that they can selfishly satisfy themselves (1:12-13).

Jude quoted from 1 Enoch 1:9. While it is not a canonical book, it was respected by both Jews and early Christians.


Jude recognized that even though 1 Enoch references all the ungodly, God would come in the same way to execute judgment on the false teachers that had entered the church.


Jude also mentions that these individuals are revealed through their self-serving words. They do not seek to serve God, but they are governed by their lusts and use flattery to achieve their purposes.


These are the ones that use destructive words to discourage the body of Christ. They distract from the contentment that should accompany godliness (1 Timothy 6:3-10).

Unlike those who use words to achieve their purposes, believers must remember the words of the apostles (Today’s context: The Bible).


The sin in the garden (Genesis 3) happened because God’s Word was not remembered by Adam and Eve. In the same way, believers must recall what God’s Word says when someone claims that something is truth.


Temptation to give into these ungodly lusts is not a struggle of strength; instead, it is a truth struggle to see if the believer trusts what God’s Word says.

As these false teachers are dedicated to tearing down, so believers should be dedicated to building up the Church and its members (both in strength and number).


They were not only called to fight in defense of their faith, but also to work in building it up.


This is done with anxious anticipation for Christ’s return.


These believers are also called to share this hope with those who doubt and with those in desperate need of snatching out of the fire! Sharing this hope should be accomplished through a love and gratefulness for the work God has completed and will complete through His Son Jesus Christ.

Jude ends this epistle with a theological statement.


Theology = God talk


To the only One Who offers security, hope, and can make us stand blameless, be all praise, for all time, AMEN!!!