Jude

Jude – Contend for the Church

Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

Jude 3-4

Contend = epagōnizesthai “to struggle intensely for,” or “to fight with great effort on behalf of.”

3 reasons why the church is worth contending for:

1. BECAUSE JESUS IS CONTENDING FOR THE CHURCH

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Matthew 16:18

• Church- “Ekklesia” meaning “called out” or “assembly”
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Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:25-27

 

2. BECAUSE THE CHURCH IS THE WITNESS FOR THE LOST

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”

Matthew 5:14-15

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 22-23

3. BECAUSE CHURCH IS A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP

Symbiotic- “a relationship in which two different things depend on and benefit from each other.”

• The church strengthens you and you strengthen the church.

HOW CAN I CONTEND FOR THE CHURCH?

1. By Speaking Life
2. By Making it a Priority
3. By Stepping In

You can attend or contend.