I preached from Jude on Sunday. Jude writes that he wanted to write about the salvation they shared in common, but he needed change gears and encourage them to contend for the faith. The faith they should contend for is the faith that had been entrusted once for all to the church. It is the unmovable, unshakeable gospel.

Divisive, ungodly "dreamers" had entered the church and advocated for a change of direction. But their changes appear to be based more on behavior (blasphemy, division, and disruption) than on teaching. Of course, teaching would be at the core, but Jude wants his readers to be on guard against this divisive disruption.

How should the church today continue to "contend for the faith"? Certainly, we need to guard our doctrine. But we also need to guard our own motives. Jude says that these dividers "rely on their dreams" (8). Evidently, their own experiences and ideas caused them to become divisive and seek their own way. We do the very same thing today when we allow our opinions to become divisive.

Jude provides a simple solution to ungodliness and division--seek your own spiritual growth and that of others (20-23). Divisive people are devoid of the Spirit (19), but godly people build themselves up in the faith and pray in the Spirit. They mercifully watch out for others and work to build up their faith. They never lose sight of Jesus' impending return, and they keep spiritual growth--theirs and others'--front and center.

That is what it means to contend for the faith.
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In carpentry, the phrase "measure twice, cut once" is used to encourage people to slow down, focus on what's important, and be careful. Our faith is the same: instead of getting caught up in division and other people's power-plays, we need to "measure twice" by focusing on our own spiritual growth and then the spiritual growth of others.
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Paul exhorts us to practice our faith (Philippians 4:4-9), and he provides several examples of how to do so. (3 minute audio)
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The prophet Daniel showed a tremendous commitment to God, even when it was illegal for him to do so. He challenges us to a greater commitment to God in our own lives.
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Are you a part-time or a full-time Christian? The answer is what you eliminate--or don't eliminate--from your life.
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When we're told to "have faith" amidst our worry and anxiety, we're really being told to seek first the kingdom of God. Keeping godly priorities is the only way to assure ourselves victory over fear and worry.
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How do you know if your faith is mature? How do you know if you are growing spiritually? Paul gives us some guidelines in Philippians 3:1-16. Use this sermon outline and sermon slides to help you prepare to hear God's word on Sunday.

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Sermon Outline

Sermon Slides

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Another angle, this time on how temptation opens a door for sin, which grows larger and larger until it becomes a huge problem for us, unless we turn it away.
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Get ready! On Sunday, we'll tackle how to turn away temptation when we're confronted with it by studying how Jesus turned away temptation.  In the meantime, read the study notes and questions on Luke 4:1-13, view the slides, and study the sermon outline to help you prepare for Sunday.

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Sermon Slides

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I'm preaching from Luke 4:1-13 on Sunday. Here are some notes and study questions to get you thinking about Jesus, temptation, and your own spiritual growth.

Did You Know?
  • Luke portrays as the "new Adam," much like Paul does in 1 Cor. 15. He expressed the absolute humanness of Jesus by mentioning how hungry Jesus was, and much like how Adam faced false promises from the serpent in Genesis 3, so Jesus must endure the false promises of the devil. "He has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet he did not sin" (Heb. 4:15).
  • Luke also reports the presence of the Spirit in Jesus. Make no mistake--Jesus didn't endure these temptations because he used "magic powers" to overcome. He became the example par excellence for us by relying on God through the Spirit. He taught us, through his example, the power of the Word of God and the Spirit of God in our lives.
  • Jesus overcame temptations about physical needs, power, and pride by relying on the power of the Spirit and the promises of God.
  • Note that the devil did not go away permanently; he only left until "an opportune time" (4:13).
Study Questions
  • Why did Jesus have to face these temptations?
  • How did he get through them?
  • Why did the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness (4:1)?
  • Why did the devil twice bait Jesus as "the Son of God" (4:3, 9), but not on the second temptation (4:6)?
  • Why did Jesus respond to the temptations with the phrase, "It is written," twice (4:4, 8), but not on the third temptation (4:12)?
  • Why does Luke remind us that the devil only left Jesus "until an opportune time" (4:13)?
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