Contending for the Faith

Jude 3 - 4

Jude’s Joy - vs. 3

  - The Gospel

  - His brothers and sisters in Christ

Jude’s Appeal - vs. 3

  - Contend for the faith

      - epagōnizomai (ep-ag-o-nid'-zom-ahee) : to struggle for

     - Training

          - 1 Corinthians 9:25

          - Colossians 1:29

      - Delivering

          - paradidōmi (par-ad-id'-o-mee): to deliver verball

          - Acts 6:14

          - 1 Corinthians 11:2

          - Matthew 28:19-2

     - Defending

           - 1 Peter 3:15-16

           - 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Jude’s Warning - vs. 4

  - False teachers have crept in

 - Guard against their lies

        - God is gracious. So sin anyway!

           - Romans 3:5-8

           - Romans 6:1

           - Romans 6:15

      - Jesus isn’t really Master and Lord. So, do what you want.

           - Romans 1:21-25

God’s Faithfulness - vs. 4

  - God condemns His enemies

     - designated: prographō (prog-raf'-o): 1. to write (about) before or previously (of old  set set forth, or designated before hand). 2. to depict or portray openly (to write before the eyes of all who can read, to depict, portray, paint, before the eyes).

         - Ephesians 3:3

         - Romans 15:4

      - condemnation: krima (kree'-mah) : denotes condemnatory sentence, penal  judgment, Sentence

          - Deuteronomy 18:20

          - Jeremiah 14:14-15

          - Ezekiel 13:9

          - 2 Peter 2:3

Application

  - How valuable is the Gospel to you?

  - How valuable are your brothers and sisters in Christ to you?

  - How are you growing (training, delivering) spiritually?

  - How are you standing up for the Gospel (the faith)?

CONNECTION GROUP RESOURCES

Connection Builder(s)

• Share with the group your favorite hymn or praise and worship song. What makes it your favorite?

• Share with the group what amazes you most or what touches your heart most about the salvation you have been given by God.

Sermon Questions

Read Jude 1-25. Read 2 Peter 1:16 - 2:3.

1. What was Jude’s original intention in writing the letter? What more does this tell you about Jude?

2. What does it mean to “contend earnestly for the faith”? What does it not mean?

3. Why did Jude change topics?

4. Describe the “certain people” who had infiltrated the fellowship?

   How did these people approach the fellowship or the church?

5. How can one turn God’s grace into an excuse to sin? What's dangerous about that way of thinking?

6. What was these "certain peoples" reaction to the truth that Jesus is Master, Lord, and Christ (Messiah)?

7. How does Jude's example and message so far challenge you? Inspire you?