Contend for the Faith: Recognizing and Resisting Spiritual Smugglers in the Body of Christ

“Smuggling False Teachings Into The Body” Jude 1-7

INTRODUCTION • “Smuggle” • – to bring into secretly • - In the country • - As well as in the body of Christ • - Innovators

I. THE PENMAN OF THE EPISTLE • (V-1) • “ Jude a servant of Jesus Christ, • And brother of James…” • Jude - Preferred to be called • – Servant of Jesus Christ • - Brother of James • Hebrew – Jacob • Greek - “Ioudas”- Judah

II. THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THE • EPISTLE WAS ADDRESSED (v. 1-2) • “ To those who • - Called • - Sanctified (Loved) • - Kept (Preserved) • - Blessed (Mercy, peace, love) • Mercy- Is God’s compassion • Peace- a gift of quiet confidence • Love- is God’s generosity (granting favors to meet our needs)

THE PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE (v-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” • Compelling Reason OF THE CHANGE IN Writing • - was because of the THREAT of APOSTASY.

WHAT IS APOSTASY? • it is Greek word for: • falling away from the truth ( revolt, defection) • WHAT IS AN APOSTATE? • A person who: • 1. Who RECEIVES the Word for awhile • 2. Accepts the Word intellectually

2 Words for “ Receiving” • 1. Dikomai- receives the Word superficially, intellectually • (not a saved person) • 2. Paradikomai- receives the Word intensely, and allowing the Word • to go deep and nurturing the heart. • (spiritually saved)

IMPORTANT THOUGHT: • An Apostate- is not indifferent to the Word of God • (Negatively) • - is not a backslider • - does not cling to errors • - he/ she is NOT A CULT • (Positively) • -he is involved in the work • -love to serve • -believes with their HEAD but not in HEART • -received LIGHT , but not LIFE • -have Bibles , but never knows God

WHY? • BECAUSE THEY – • -FOR AWHILE • -FOR A TIME (Characteristics) • -FOR THE MOMENT

THE PURPOSE OF THE WRITING: • “TO CONTEND FOR THE FAITH..”- • -TO fight with great strength, • -To defend strenuously • -This is a fight for the Purity of the testimony of the Christians • “ CONTEND” a present infinitive in the • Original language • - Implies the fight goes on and on and on • - Continue to defend and fighting for the FAITH

CONTEND AS: • Apologists- defending the FAITH from OUTSIDE attacks • Polemicists- defending the FAITH from INSIDE attacks • “CONTEND”- root word is “ Agon”- AGONY • Defending the Faith with Agony

WHAT ARE WE CONTENDING FOR? • “ … THE FAITH…” (not Saving Faith) • It is the content of Christianity • It is the Revelation of God (Bible) • The whole Body of Doctrine

IV. PARTICULAR INCIDENT OF THE WRITING • “ Certain men have crept in…” –the description of an apostate: • 1. Penetrating- “crept in unaware” • - this is- infiltration, • - this is intrusion • - this is delusion, deception • - invasion

IV. PARTICULAR INCIDENT OF THE WRITING • 2. Predicted- “ were marked out for condemnation..” • Pre- written condemnation • 3.Portrayed- • Character- “ungodly” • Conduct- “turning the grace to lasciviousness” • Creed- “deny the only God and Jesus Christ

CONCLUSION • The Bible warns us about the presence of • the spiritual SMUGGLERS In the body of • Christ, who are deceiving the saints. There is • close semblance between them and the • true believers.

HOW DO WE CONTEND FOR THE FAITH? • Support the workers who do not compromise (Pray for them) • Giving witness to God’s Word by our practice not just by faith • Living in the truth • Train people who will go out and contend for the faith • Make sure, you are a true believer and not an apostate

Contend for the Faith: Recognizing and Resisting Spiritual Smugglers in the Body of Christ