Contending for the Gospel: Guarding Truth in Faith
Summary
In a world where so much is considered precious and worth preserving—like the Mona Lisa, protected behind bulletproof glass—how much more should we value and guard the truth of the gospel? The gospel is the most precious gift we have, the key to eternal life, and yet, in our culture, it is often compromised or reinterpreted to fit the shifting values of society. Many churches have softened or abandoned biblical positions on sin, sexuality, and salvation, allowing culture to shape the church rather than the other way around. This is not a new problem; even in the earliest days of the church, believers were called to contend for the faith, to fight for the truth that was once for all delivered to the saints.
To stand firm, it is essential to know who we are. Our identity is not found in our work, our roles, or our performance, but in being called, loved, and kept by God. We are chosen by Him, loved beyond measure—even while we were still sinners—and kept secure in His hand. This identity is the foundation that enables us to stand strong when false teachings and cultural pressures arise.
Jude’s call is clear: contend for the faith. This means recognizing that there will always be those who creep into the church, distorting grace—either by turning it into a license for sin or by making salvation about works rather than faith. The enemy is not people, but the spiritual forces that seek to twist the truth and lead believers astray. Our response is not to fight for power or to win arguments, but to preserve the truth of the gospel so that others may know the life-changing grace of Jesus.
To do this, we must know the truth deeply—immersing ourselves in God’s Word daily—and live it out so that our lives match our confession. The battle is spiritual, fought through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. Each of us must examine our lives: Are we living what we say we believe? Do we truly know the truth, or have we let lies creep in? The invitation is open to know Jesus, to confess our need for Him, and to walk in the truth that sets us free.
Key Takeaways
- Guarding the Gospel’s Purity Is Our Sacred Duty
Just as we go to great lengths to preserve priceless art, we must be even more vigilant in protecting the truth of the gospel. The temptation to adapt or soften biblical truth to fit cultural trends is strong, but the gospel’s power and beauty lie in its unchanging message. If we allow the gospel to be distorted, we risk losing the very hope and salvation it offers. [37:17]
- Our Identity in Christ Is the Foundation for Faithfulness
Knowing that we are called, loved, and kept by God gives us a secure foundation that cannot be shaken by the shifting sands of culture or personal performance. This identity is not earned or achieved, but received by grace, and it is what empowers us to stand firm and contend for the faith. When we rest in who we are in Christ, we are less susceptible to the lies and pressures of the world. [45:22]
- False Teaching Often Enters Subtly and Must Be Recognized
The greatest threats to the church often come not from outside, but from within—through subtle distortions of grace and truth. Whether it’s turning grace into a license for sin or making salvation about works, these lies creep in quietly and can pervert the gospel. We must be discerning, always measuring teaching and practice against the clear standard of God’s Word. [53:13]
- Contending for the Faith Requires Both Knowledge and Obedience
It is not enough to simply know the truth; we must also live it. Our lives and our confession must align, so that the gospel is not only proclaimed but also demonstrated. This requires daily engagement with Scripture and a willingness to let it shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. [58:41]
- The Real Battle Is Spiritual, and Prayer Is Our Greatest Weapon
Our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces that seek to distort and destroy the truth. We contend for the faith not by fighting people, but by praying in the Spirit, relying on God’s power, and seeking to win others to the truth of the gospel. In all things, our aim is not to defeat others, but to see lives transformed by the grace of Jesus. [01:00:19]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[11:06] - Worship Team Introduction
[37:17] - The Mona Lisa and Preserving What’s Precious
[39:29] - How Culture Influences the Church
[41:08] - The Importance of a Firm Foundation
[42:05] - Contending for the Faith: Introduction to Jude
[43:38] - Knowing Who You Are in Christ
[45:22] - Called, Loved, and Kept
[47:30] - The Depth of God’s Love
[50:01] - Our True Identity
[52:27] - Recognizing False Teachers
[53:13] - The Dangers of Distorted Grace
[54:34] - Living a New Life in Christ
[58:02] - Knowing and Living the Truth
[59:19] - The Spiritual Battle and Our True Enemy
[01:01:20] - Examining Our Lives and Invitation to Respond
[01:02:48] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Contending for the Faith
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### Bible Reading
Jude 1:1-4 (ESV)
> Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,
> To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:
> May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
> Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
> For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.
John 10:27-29 (ESV)
> My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
> I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
> My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.
Romans 5:8 (ESV)
> But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
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### Observation Questions
1. In Jude 1:1, what three words does Jude use to describe the identity of believers, and why are these important? ([45:22])
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways that false teaching can subtly enter the church? ([53:13])
3. What does Jesus promise about those who belong to Him in John 10:27-29?
4. How does Paul describe God’s love for us in Romans 5:8, and what does that say about our worth to Him?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jude feel it is necessary to urge believers to “contend for the faith” instead of just writing a devotional letter? What does this reveal about the challenges the early church faced? ([43:38])
2. The sermon mentions that our identity is not found in our work, roles, or performance, but in being called, loved, and kept by God. How might forgetting this identity make someone more vulnerable to false teaching or cultural pressure? ([50:26])
3. The pastor said that the greatest threats to the church often come from within, through subtle distortions of grace and truth. What are some modern examples of this, and why are they so dangerous? ([53:13])
4. According to the sermon, what is the real enemy when it comes to false teaching, and how should believers respond? ([01:00:19])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared the way we protect the Mona Lisa to how we should guard the gospel. Are there areas in your life where you have been tempted to “soften” or adapt biblical truth to fit in with culture? What would it look like to guard the gospel more intentionally in those areas? ([37:17])
2. The pastor emphasized knowing who you are in Christ—called, loved, and kept. When you face doubts or pressure to compromise, which of these truths is hardest for you to remember? How can you remind yourself of your true identity this week? ([45:22])
3. The sermon warned that false teaching often enters subtly, sometimes through people we trust. Have you ever encountered teaching or advice that sounded good but didn’t line up with Scripture? How did you recognize it, and what did you do? ([53:13])
4. The message said, “It is not enough to simply know the truth; we must also live it.” In what area of your life do you feel your actions and your confession don’t fully match? What is one step you can take this week to bring them into alignment? ([58:41])
5. The pastor said the real battle is spiritual, not against people, and that prayer is our greatest weapon. Is there a situation or relationship where you’ve been fighting in your own strength instead of praying? How can you shift your approach to rely more on prayer and the Holy Spirit? ([01:00:19])
6. The sermon challenged everyone to examine their lives: “Are we living what we say we believe? Do we truly know the truth, or have we let lies creep in?” What is one practical way you can regularly check your beliefs and actions against God’s Word? ([01:01:20])
7. If you have fallen out of the habit of reading Scripture or praying, what is one small, specific change you can make this week to re-engage with God’s Word and prayer? ([01:01:52])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for courage to stand firm in the truth, for discernment to recognize false teaching, and for hearts that are rooted in their identity as called, loved, and kept by God.
Devotional
Day 1: Know Who You Are—Called, Loved, and Kept by God
Your identity is not found in your achievements, your work, or even your roles in life, but in the unshakable truth that you are called, deeply loved, and securely kept by God. Before you ever chose Him, He chose you, calling you into His family and lavishing His love upon you, making you His child. This love is not based on your performance or worthiness, but on His grace and mercy, and nothing in this world can snatch you out of His hand. When you truly grasp this, it becomes the foundation for your faith and the motivation to share this grace with others. [50:26]
Jude 1:1-2 (ESV)
"Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you most struggle to believe that you are truly loved and kept by God, and how might embracing this truth change the way you see yourself today?
Day 2: Contend for the Faith—Standing Firm in Truth
The faith we have received is precious and unchanging, and we are called to contend for it—to stand firm and defend the truth of the gospel against distortion and compromise. This means not allowing culture or popular opinion to redefine what God has revealed, but instead holding fast to the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Contending for the faith is not about fighting for power or influence, but about ensuring that the life-changing message of Jesus remains clear and available for all who need it. [42:05]
Jude 1:3 (ESV)
"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."
Reflection: Where do you see the truth of the gospel being challenged in your own circles, and what is one practical way you can lovingly stand for the faith this week?
Day 3: Guard Against Distortion—Recognize and Resist False Teaching
False teaching often creeps in subtly, distorting the grace of God into license for sin or turning salvation into something to be earned. We must be vigilant, recognizing that these distortions can come from within the church and often sound appealing, but ultimately deny the Lordship of Jesus and the true nature of grace. Our lives are to reflect holiness, not because we are earning God’s favor, but because we have been transformed by His love and truth. [54:34]
Jude 1:4 (ESV)
"For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."
Reflection: Is there a teaching or belief you’ve encountered that sounds good but doesn’t align with Scripture? How can you test it against God’s Word today?
Day 4: Know and Live the Truth—Let Your Life Match Your Confession
It is not enough to simply know the truth intellectually; we are called to live it out, letting our actions and attitudes reflect what we profess to believe. The world is watching, and our lives should be worthy of the gospel, marked by integrity, love, and obedience to Christ. When our confession and conduct align, we become credible witnesses to the transforming power of Jesus, preserving the truth for future generations. [58:41]
Philippians 1:27 (ESV)
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel."
Reflection: If someone observed your life this week, what would they conclude about what you truly believe? What is one area where your actions need to better reflect your faith?
Day 5: Fight the Real Enemy—Pray and Rely on the Spirit
Our struggle is not against people, but against spiritual forces that seek to distort the truth and lead hearts astray. The battle for the faith is fought not with anger or argument, but through prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s strength and wisdom to stand firm and to win others with love and truth. Remember, our goal is not to defeat people, but to see them come to know the life-changing power of the gospel. [01:00:19]
Ephesians 6:12, 18 (ESV)
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places... praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication."
Reflection: Who is someone you’ve viewed as an “opponent” in matters of faith? How can you pray for them and for your own heart today, asking the Spirit to help you see them as God does?
Quotes
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