Quote from Forum Archives on June 2, 2002, 4:28 pm

Posted by: jnthrower <jnthrower@...>

CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH

THE BOOK OF JUDE

JUDE'S COMMAND--"EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH"

WHAT IS "THE FAITH?" (JUDE 3 CONTINUED)

 

I. "THE FAITH" REFERS TO THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST.

A. "THE FAITH" IS SAID TO BE "BY HIM" (CHRIST). (Acts 3:16)

Faith = persuasion, that is, moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:

B. "THE FAITH" IS SAID TO BE "IN CHRIST." (Acts 24:24-25; Phil 3:9)

II. "THE FAITH" REFERS TO THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. (Acts 6:7)

Acts 6:7--And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

A. "THE FAITH" IS WHAT PAUL PREACHED. (Gal 1:23)

B. "THE FAITH" IS HOW WE ARE SAVED. (Gal 2:16; 3:22-26))

C. "THE FAITH" IS WHERE WE RECEIVED OUR NEW LIFE. (Gal 2:20)

D. "THE FAITH" IS DESCRIBED AS BEING "OF THE GOSPEL."(Phil 1:27)

III. "THE FAITH" REFERS TO THE WORD OF GOD. (Acts 13:6-8)

A. "THE FAITH" IS SOMETHING BELIEVERS ARE TO "CONTINUE IN."

(Acts 14:21-22; Colossians 1:23)

1. JESUS SAID WE WERE TO CONTINUE IN THE WORD.

John 8:31--Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

2. PAUL SAID BELIEVERS WERE TO CONTINUE IN THE GRACE OF GOD.

Acts 13:43--Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.

B. "THE FAITH" IS LINKED WITH THE APOSTLES DOCTRINE.

(Acts 16:4-5; 1 Timothy 4:16; 2 Timothy 3:14)

1 Timothy 4:16--Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 3:14--But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;"

C. ABRAHAM IS SAID TO HAVE HAD "THE FAITH."

(Romans 4:3, 11, 16)

IV. WHAT ARE THE FUNDAMENTALS OF "THE FAITH?"

By "fundamentals" we mean that which forms a foundation or basis; the basics; the essentials.

Psalm 11:3--If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

A. THE VERBAL INSPIRATION OF THE SCRIPTURES.

(2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:19-21)

2 Timothy 3:16-- All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

B. THE VILENESS OF MANKIND.

(Ecclesiastes 7:20; Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:10-12, 23)

Ecclesiastes 7:20--For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Isaiah 64:6--But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

C. THE VIRGIN BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR.

(Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38)

Isaiah 7:14--Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

D. THE VIRTUOUS LIFE OF THE SAVIOUR.

(Matthew 27:4, 19, 23, 24; Luke 23:41, 47; John 8:46, 18:38; 19:4, 6;

2 Cor 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26-27; 1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 2:1; 3:5)

E. THE VITAL DEITY OF THE SAVIOUR.

(Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 1:23; John 1:1; 5:17-18; 8:58-59; 10:30-33)

F. THE VICARIOUS SUFFERING OF THE SAVIOUR.

(Isaiah 53:5-8, 11-12; Matthew 20:28; Romans 3:24-26; 5:6-10, 15-21;

1 Cor 15:3; 2 Cor 5:21; Eph 5:2; Hebrews 9:12-15; 10:10, 14; 1 Pet 3:18)

G. THE VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION OF THE SAVIOUR.

(Matthew 28:1-7, 18; Luke 24:44-48; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

H. THE VISIBLE (AND IMMINENT) RETURN OF THE SAVIOUR

(Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18)

INTRODUCTION

Last week we saw that "THE FAITH" consists of 1) THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST which of necessity includes 2) THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST of which both of these are the theme of 3) THE WORD OF GOD which teaches us the 4) FUNDAMENTALS OF "THE FAITH" that we must "earnestly contend for" because Christianity is vitally linked to each of these fundamentals. Remember a "fundamental" is a foundational principle. If any of the fundamentals are flawed, you don't have Christianity.

V. COMMANDS CONCERNING "THE FAITH."

A. EXAMINE YOURSELVES, WHETHER YE BE IN "THE FAITH."

(2 CORINTHIANS 13:5)

B. CONTINUE IN "THE FAITH." (ACTS 14:22; COLOSSIANS 1:23)

Acts 14:22-- Paul and Barnabas were "Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith. . ."

Colossians 1:23-- "continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard..."

C. STAND FAST IN "THE FAITH." (1 CORINTHIANS 16:13)

1 Corinthians 16:13-- "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."

D. STRIVE TOGETHER FOR "THE FAITH." (PHIL 1:27)

Philippians 1:27-- "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"

E. BE STABLISHED IN "THE FAITH" ABOUNDING THEREIN WITH THANKSGIVING. (COLOSSIANS 2:6-7)

Colossians 2:6-7-- "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving."

F. HOLD THE MYSTERY OF "THE FAITH" IN A PURE CONSCIENCE.

1 Timothy 3:9-- "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."

G. KEEP (OR GUARD) "THE FAITH." (2 TIMOTHY 4:7)

2 Timothy 4:7--I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:"

H. RESIST SATAN IN "THE FAITH." (1 PETER 5:8-9)

1 Peter 5:8-9--Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

I. EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR "THE FAITH." (JUDE 3)

Jude 3--Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (To struggle for)

Biblical examples of--Nehemiah 13:11, 17, 25 also see Acts 11:1ff

Proverbs 13:10-Only by pride cometh contention: (a quarrel)

Proverbs 17:14--The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (a contest--personal or legal)

Proverbs 18:16--A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

Proverbs 22:10--Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease. (a contest or quarrel)

Proverbs 26:21--As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.

1 Corinthians 1:10-11--Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. (contentions arise out of preferences regarding personality)

( a quarrel or wrangling--to dispute or quarrel angrily and noisily)

1 Corinthians 11:16--But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (Fond of strife)

Titus 3:9--But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

(useless and empty --without profit)

Acts 15:37-39--(dispute in anger)

2 Timothy 4:11--Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

So we are to contend (struggle for) the faith without being contentious.

VI. SINS CONCERNING "THE FAITH."

As guardians of "the faith" the church must be aware of the strategies of the enemies of "the faith." It is crucial then for the church to understand what God has revealed about these enemies.

A. DEPARTING FROM "THE FAITH." (1 TIMOTHY 4:1)

depart--to remove, that is, (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:—depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

False teachers "depart from the faith."

Note: they are within the church, within the field of religion. This passage is not dealing with the philosophies and false teachings taught by the unbelievers out in the world. It is talking about false teachers within the church itself. The Spirit of God is warning us: some preachers and some teachers will turn away from the faith and become false teachers. They will turn away from the Lord Jesus Christ, away from the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

1 Timothy 4:1-3--Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith. . .

1) Giving Heed To Seducing Spirits And Doctrines Of Devils.

False teachers give attention to seducing spirits and teachings of devils. There are all kinds of evil spirits throughout the world, spirits that are set on seducing and deceiving people.

They are set on leading people to follow them and their ideas and teachings.

They do all they can to turn people away from the doctrine and faith of Christ. And note: the method they use is not a frontal attack, not a clear or loud declaration against the truth. They mix some truth with error. Their method is to seduce, deceive, delude, persuade

charm, lure, entice, attract, appear as light and truth.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor. 11:13-15).

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

2) Speaking Lies In Hypocrisy.

Very simply, they teach something different from what the Scripture says, and they know it. They know they are not teaching what Scripture says. In fact, some false teachers take pride in their stand against what they call "a literal interpretation" of Scripture.

Some even mock and poke fun at those who believe and hold to the truth of Scripture.

"Speaking lies" means speaking and teaching what is contrary to Scripture. This is exactly what Scripture is declaring. In the eyes of Scripture, a lie is a teaching that is contrary to the teaching of Scripture.

"In hypocrisy" means the teacher knows that he is teaching contrary to Scripture. He claims to be a minister or teacher of God, Christ, and the Word (Scripture), and yet he teaches something contrary to what Scripture says. A hypocrite is a person who claims to be one thing but he is something else.

The point is this the false teacher is a person who speaks lies in hypocrisy. He denies, refutes, or ignores what Scripture says and he knows it; yet he claims to be a minister or teacher of Christ and the gospel. This is the person who is an instrument or tool of some seducing and deceptive spirit, who teaches the doctrines of evil spirits.

"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col. 2:8).

3) Having Their Conscience Seared With A Hot Iron.

To brand, cauterize or harden. Insensitive, beyond feeling.

It does not bother most false teachers to teach contrary to the truth of Scripture.

They can ignore and deny the Scripture and present their own ideas and it does not bother them at all.

They are totally insensitive to the preachings and convictions of God's Spirit.

They have no conscience and no remorse about twisting the Scriptures and the truth about Christ.

They are completely past feeling any kind of movement from God's Spirit.

 

4) Forbidding To Marry.

"Don't worry about getting married, its just a piece of paper."

"Marriage is a man's way of exercising control over a woman."

"If you don't ever get married, then you won't get divorced."

Minimizing marriage shows a lack of commitment in a relationship.

5) Commanding To Abstain From Meats.

"Save the turtles, save the whale, don't eat chicken, beef, or pork."

"Don't eat any meat--some animal has to give his life"

2 Timothy 2:19--Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

B. DENYING "THE FAITH." (1 TIMOTHY 5:8)

1 Timothy 5:8--But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

deny--to contradict, that is, disavow, reject,:—deny, refuse.

C. ERRING FROM "THE FAITH." (1 TIMOTHY 6:10, 21)

1 Timothy 6:10--For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

err--to lead astray (figuratively); passively to stray (from truth):—err, seduce.

The love of money causes people to wander away from the faith. It causes people to go after the lusts of this world.

1 Timothy 6:20-21--O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

err--to miss the mark, that is, (figuratively) deviate from truth:—err, swerve.

D. OVERTHROWING "THE FAITH" OF OTHERS. (2 TIMOTHY 2:18)

2 Timothy 2:16-18--But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.

overthrow-- to overturn (figuratively):—overthrow, subvert.

E. BEING A REPROBATE CONCERNING "THE FAITH." (2 TIM 3:8)

2 Timothy 3:8--Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

reprobate--unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally):—castaway, rejected, reprobate.

F. HAVING RESPECT OF PERSONS IN "THE FAITH." (JAMES 2:1)

James 2:1--My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

respect of persons--partiality or favoritism.