We have begun a new series entitled:” The Next Exit.” We are continuing this week with the issue of “apostasy” looking at the book of Jude. There are a number of people in today’s world that are deconstructing their faith…. they are reevaluating all that they put their faith in….and they're reinterpreting their faith in the light of the present culture. Its important for us to view culture through the lens of Scripture and to “contend” or battle against contemporary belief systems.
Jude 3: 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.
I can't help when I hear the word “contend” but to think about the Rocky movies…where the contender rises to the occasion. One who “contends for the faith”, is one who competes to win something. In this case, we are contending with the devil and with false doctrine/ teachers in order to receive the Crown of Life and to get to heaven. Jude gives illustrations of what this false teaching looks like:
Feast Wasted- Jude 12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear.
Clouds - Found Wanting -Jude12b “They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds.”
Fruit Withered -Jude 12c…” late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;” Foam Washed Up- Jude 13…”raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame;”
Fireball Wandering -Jude 13b….” wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness..”
Jude says that the teaching of these imposters is like a star that's gone out of its orbit and is headed in the wrong direction…there's so much teaching today that takes people in so many wrong directions like universalism…new age philosophies- spirit guides, enneagrams.
So, what is the remedy to all this? How can we be a “Contender?”
1.“Be aware” (that there are false teachers out there) Jude 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time….
2. “Build yourselves up!” Jude 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit…
3. “Be Diligent” - Jude 21…” keep yourselves in the love of God”…
4. “Be involved” – (in guarding the truth) Jude 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
There are those who are leaning towards error…they may not be so mature…so be gentle and compassionate. Help them as they contend for the faith!
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “ In this Corner- the Contender! ”
Blessings,
Kevin