Contending for Faith: Embracing Prayer and Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Vigilance in Christ's Service

In the journey of faith, one is called not only to preach but to live out the gospel amidst life's trials and temptations. It is a path that requires constant vigilance and a deep-rooted connection to Christ to avoid the pitfalls that have claimed many in ministry. This vigilance is not about fear but about a conscious effort to remain faithful and true to one's calling, recognizing the ever-present dangers that can lead to a minister's downfall. It is about nurturing a personal relationship with God that fortifies the spirit against the wiles of the enemy and the allure of sin. The community is encouraged to support its leaders, understanding that they too are subject to the same challenges and are in need of prayer and encouragement to stand firm in their service to God and His people. [36:50]

"But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." - 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

Reflection: How can you practice daily discipline to maintain your spiritual vigilance and support those in leadership?

Day 2: The Power of Purposeful Prayer

Prayer is the lifeline of the believer, a powerful means of intercession and a source of strength for the body of Christ. As changes occur within the church leadership, the congregation is called to engage in purposeful prayer for their pastors. This is not a mere ritual but an active engagement with God on behalf of those who shepherd the flock. Praying with direction means seeking God's wisdom, protection, and guidance for these leaders and their families as they transition into new roles. It is through such prayer that the church can unite in support of its leaders, ensuring that they are equipped and upheld by the power of the collective faith. [32:34]

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us." - 1 John 5:14 ESV

Reflection: What specific prayers can you offer today for the leaders of your church as they navigate their new roles?

Day 3: Discerning Truth in Deception

Deception is a pervasive force that can infiltrate even the most sacred spaces, including the church. Believers are called to be discerning, to recognize the battle between truth and lies that rages around them. This discernment is not passive; it requires active engagement and a commitment to contend for the faith through a life that reflects godliness. It is about being so grounded in the truth of God's word that lies cannot take root. The community is encouraged to grow in Christlikeness, not by condemning others but by living out the transformative power of the gospel in their own lives, thereby becoming beacons of truth in a world of deception. [42:44]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you actively test and strengthen your faith to become a more discerning follower of Christ?

Day 4: Upholding God's Moral Boundaries

The warnings of Jude are stark reminders of the consequences of disregarding God's moral boundaries. Today, the church faces challenges from cultural forces that seek to normalize sexual immorality, including the pervasive influence of the porn industry. Believers are called to recognize and resist these influences, understanding that their actions have far-reaching implications. It is not enough to simply avoid these pitfalls; the church must also respond with compassion to those who are ensnared by sexual sin, offering the grace, mercy, and kindness that Christ extends to all. This approach is about restoration and healing, about reaching out to the vulnerable with the hope of the gospel. [53:55]

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." - Hebrews 13:4 ESV

Reflection: How can you actively uphold and honor God's design for sexuality in your own life and extend compassion to those struggling with sexual sin?

Day 5: Ambassadors of Reconciliation

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the beacon of hope for a broken world, and believers are called to be its ambassadors. This role involves living lives that are a testament to the transformative power of Christ's love and grace. It is about inviting others into the redemptive story of Jesus, regardless of their past, and encouraging them to live a life worthy of Him. As ambassadors, the community is tasked with carrying the ministry of reconciliation into the world, demonstrating through their actions and words the power of the gospel to heal and restore. This is the ultimate calling—to be representatives of God's love and agents of change in a world in desperate need of the truth. [01:15:53]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." - 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Reflection: As an ambassador of reconciliation, what is one step you can take today to share the love and grace of Christ with someone in your community?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by expressing my gratitude for being a pastor and the privilege of preaching the word of God. I shared my journey of being called to preach at a young age and my subsequent theological education at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. There, I was deeply impacted by the teachings of various scholars and the weightiness of the gospel. However, I also witnessed the downfall of some prominent ministers, which served as a sobering reminder of the challenges and temptations in ministry.

I then transitioned to discussing the importance of prayer in our worship and Christian life, highlighting the need to pray with purpose and direction. I shared exciting news about pastoral transitions within our church, with Pastor Elliot becoming the global care pastor and Pastor Michael Troutman moving to the role of missional life pastor. I emphasized the importance of praying for these men and their families during this time of change.

The core of my sermon focused on the book of Jude and the warnings it contains for believers. I stressed the need to be vigilant against those who deceive the people of God, as deception can come from both outside and inside the church. I explained that there is no neutral ground in the spiritual realm; we are either claimed by God or by the devil. I urged the congregation to contend for the faith, not by shaking a fist at unbelievers, but by exercising godliness and becoming more like Jesus.

I delved into the examples Jude uses to illustrate his warnings: fallen angels, wicked cities, and the distortion of God's divine plan and moral boundaries. I highlighted the contemporary relevance of these warnings, particularly in the context of sexual immorality and the porn industry, which has even infiltrated the church. I called for a compassionate response to those ensnared in sexual sin, emphasizing that we must reach out with the same grace, mercy, and kindness that Christ has shown us.

I concluded by reminding the congregation that we are all sinners in need of Jesus, the only one righteous. I invited everyone to come to Jesus, regardless of their past, and to live a life worthy of Him by abiding in the Spirit. I emphasized the power of the gospel and our role as ambassadors of God, carrying the ministry of reconciliation into the world.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jude urge believers to do in Jude 1:3-4, and why does he find it necessary? [40:25]
According to John 3:19, why do people prefer darkness over light?
What role does 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 say believers have in the world?
In the sermon, what examples did the pastor give to illustrate the warnings in Jude? [49:07]

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important for believers to "contend for the faith" as mentioned in Jude 1:3-4? How does this apply to modern-day challenges within the church? [41:02]
How does the preference for darkness over light in John 3:19 relate to the deception mentioned in the sermon? [42:44]
What does it mean to be an ambassador for Christ according to 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, and how does this role impact our daily lives? [01:15:53]
How can the examples of fallen angels, wicked cities, and the distortion of God's plan in Jude serve as warnings for contemporary believers? [49:07]

Application Questions

The pastor emphasized the importance of prayer in supporting church leaders during transitions. How can you incorporate intentional prayer for your church leaders into your daily routine? [32:34]
Reflect on a time when you faced deception either within or outside the church. How did you handle it, and what steps can you take to be more discerning in the future? [42:44]
The sermon highlighted the issue of sexual immorality and its impact on the church. What practical steps can you take to maintain purity and support others who may be struggling in this area? [53:55]
Considering the call to be ambassadors of reconciliation, identify one person in your life who needs to hear the message of Christ's love and grace. How can you reach out to them this week? [01:15:53]
The pastor mentioned the downfall of prominent ministers as a sobering reminder of the challenges in ministry. How can you support your pastors and church leaders to help them stay grounded in Christ? [36:50]
The sermon called for a compassionate response to those ensnared in sexual sin. How can you show grace, mercy, and kindness to someone struggling with sin, reflecting Christ's love? [56:56]
Reflect on your own life and identify any areas where you might be "in neutral" spiritually. What specific actions can you take this week to actively contend for your faith and grow in godliness? [46:07]

Sermon Clips

1. "I have been malcontent. I have shown favoritism. I have been selfish in so many ways. If you say my morality has got me on that judgment day, I can tell you that you are lost today. Because no one is good enough for that. Here's the gospel. This is so good, church. When he quotes Enoch, in the scripture he actually puts another word. He adds the Greek word kurios. He says the Lord will come." [01:06:55]( | | )

2. "The huge, billion-dollar porn industry to where we've seen research that says 82% of the church is actually tangled in that. This is where we put our rocks down. 82% of the church. 82. I was in Nepal. And between Nepal and India. India is one of the most trafficked areas for sexual trafficking. Meaning young girls. That their parents will actually sell them into that for a buck." [54:56]( | | )

3. "There is no one righteous, no, not one. We serve the righteous one. We serve Jesus. So we come to him today. And if you're out there and you're playing a game, it's a real game with real warnings. Come to Jesus. Come to Jesus. We have folks that will pray with you on both sides. Pray with you and walk with you through this life. My only hope today is Jesus." [01:09:51]( | | )

4. "Jude is pointing out all these things that happen. Which leads us to the third thing that we're going to see in verses 8 through 11. As we look at this passage. we look and we understand. We understand that maybe we have jumped over. We're out of touch with God's divine reality. And the reality of God's moral boundaries have been pushed." [57:37]( | | )

5. "The gospel is not like any of these other things that you'll see. The gospel is not like those shepherds who feed themselves. They're not waterless clouds. It's not something that says that it has something and then the integrity doesn't allow that to uphold what it says. It's not a fruitless tree that doesn't bear fruit its own time. It's not a wandering star that is supposed to give light but doesn't have a fixed point." [01:03:17]( | | )

6. "There's no neutral ground in the universe. Every square inch, every split second is claimed by God as the sovereign one who keeps us, verses 1 and 2, counterclaimed by the devil. There's the rule. There's the war, right? We're in the middle of this. So literally, there are people who deceive the church in one way or another." [46:46]( | | )

7. "It's really easy to throw rocks at a world and then live in a glass house, isn't it? So easy. Jude, we see this. We often convince that everything is okay when it's not. And there are some things here that help us not to believe the lie that maybe everything is okay. Jude is going to point us to this." [41:56]( | | )

8. "God has moral boundaries. There is a created order. All things. And there are created beings that are created for a good work from a good God. Angels, they're simply messengers. They are created to do a certain thing. To deliver the message of God. They are not human. You do not turn into an angel when you die." [52:06]( | | )

9. "We seldom rise to the occasion. We always fall back to the way that we're trained. Here's what I've seen the church and how they react to that. We blast everybody. Just blast them. Blast the wicked world. Like prophets. And then we hole up in our sanctuaries to where the holiest of the holies are. But what happens when that gets in the church?" [56:12]( | | )

10. "We're not unreasoning animals. We can hear the Bible. We can hear it and then respond accordingly. Woe to them for they walked in the way of Cain. The gospel is not the way of Cain. What was the way of Cain? He gave something to God. God didn't accept it. He got mad and he killed himself. He killed his own brother." [01:01:12]( | | )

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