The Struggle for True Faith

Passage

Jude 1:1-4

Sermon Summary

Jude wants to celebrate "our common salvation" of being called, beloved and kept so that God will multiply our mercy, peace and love. Under the circumstances, however, he finds it necessary to encourage his readers to "contend for the fair once for all delivered to the saints." In the process, he models four principles for how to do it: 1) Check your energy, 2) Strengthen your core, 3) Fight your own faking, and 4) Engage in a godly way.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Does “contending for the faith” tend to make you more energized or more nervous? Why? 
3. Which of the three aspects of Christian identity in v. 1 (called, beloved, kept) is particularly meaningful to you?
4. Which of the three qualities in v. 2 (mercy, peace and love) do you especially long to be multiplied in your life?
5. In what areas of your life do you tend to treat the grace of God as permission to do whatever you want?
6. Describe someone who ”contends” for the faith in a godly way. What characterizes his or her manner?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for  __________ (a core doctrine of Christian faith)
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________ (either being contentious or cowardly)
• Empower me, Holy Spirit, to ___________ (any way the sermon challenged you to grow)

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• 2 Peter and Jude for Everyone, NT Wright
• Jude: Contending for the Faith in Today's Culture, Jackie Perry
• Focus on the Bible Commentary on 2 Pete & Jude, Paul Gardner
• Tyndale Commentary on 2 Peter & Jude, Michael Green
• Bible Speaks Today Commentary on 2 Peter & Jude, Dick Lucas
• Finding the Right Hills to Die On, Gavin Ortlund
• Is a Quiet Life Consistent with the Culture Wars (substack), Alan Noble