Contending for the Timeless Truth of Scripture
Summary
In the Epistle of Jude, verse three, we are exhorted to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints." This call to action is as relevant today as it was in the early church. The essence of Christianity is not a distant, irrelevant doctrine but a practical guide for living in the modern world. The Bible offers solutions to the crises and challenges we face, yet many dismiss it as outdated. This dismissal often stems from a misunderstanding of the Bible's nature and message. The Bible is not merely a collection of historical accounts or moral teachings; it is a unified message about God's plan and purpose for humanity.
The problems we face today are not new. They are the same fundamental issues humanity has always confronted: insecurity, conflict, and the quest for meaning. Despite advancements in knowledge and technology, these core issues remain unresolved. The Bible's message, however, is timeless and unchanging because it originates from God, who is outside of time and change. This message is about God's revelation to humanity, delivered through the nation of Israel, the prophets, and ultimately through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The Bible's teachings are not human inventions but divine revelations. They were delivered to the saints, not discovered by them. This divine origin gives the Bible its authority and relevance. The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is a once-and-for-all act of God, unchangeable and final. It is not subject to the shifts and changes of human thought and culture. The Bible's message is about God's actions in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our faith and the only true solution to humanity's deepest problems.
Key Takeaways:
- The Bible is not an outdated collection of stories but a unified message about God's eternal plan for humanity. It addresses the same fundamental issues that have always plagued mankind, offering timeless solutions. [12:23]
- Despite advancements in knowledge and technology, humanity's core problems remain unchanged. The Bible's teachings, originating from God, provide the ultimate answers to these enduring issues. [16:11]
- The Bible's message is a divine revelation, not a human invention. It was delivered to the saints, emphasizing its authority and relevance across all ages. [27:07]
- The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are unique, once-and-for-all acts of God. These events are central to the Christian faith and offer the only true path to salvation. [46:18]
- The Bible's message is unchangeable and final because it comes from God, who is eternal and unchanging. This makes it perpetually relevant, offering stability and truth in a world of constant change. [41:13]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to Jude 3
[00:28] - Exhortation to Contend for the Faith
[01:02] - Christianity's Practical Relevance
[02:08] - Modern Reactions to Life's Challenges
[03:09] - The Tragedy of Ignoring the Bible
[04:29] - Reasons for Dismissing the Bible
[06:23] - The Bible's Antiquity Argument
[08:41] - Misunderstanding the Bible's Message
[11:49] - The Timelessness of Human Problems
[18:28] - The Nature of the Bible's Message
[27:07] - The Divine Origin of the Bible
[40:34] - The Unchangeable and Final Message
[46:18] - The Unique Acts of Jesus Christ
[50:14] - The Eternal Relevance of the Bible
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Jude 1:3 - "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."
2. Hebrews 1:1-2 - "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds."
3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Jude 1:3 mean by "the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints"? How does this relate to the idea of divine revelation? [27:07]
2. According to the sermon, what are some reasons people dismiss the Bible as outdated? [06:23]
3. How does the sermon describe the Bible's message as being unified and consistent throughout its books? [22:04]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the timelessness of human problems despite advancements in knowledge and technology? [14:26]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "contending for the faith" in Jude 1:3 apply to modern-day challenges faced by Christians? [00:28]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the Bible's teachings are relevant to today's world, despite being written centuries ago? [18:28]
3. How does the sermon explain the divine origin of the Bible's message, and why is this significant for its authority and relevance? [27:07]
4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between God's unchanging nature and the Bible's unchangeable message? [41:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you dismissed a biblical teaching as outdated. What led to that perception, and how might you approach it differently now? [06:23]
2. How can you actively "contend for the faith" in your daily life, especially in situations where your beliefs are challenged? [00:28]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel insecure or conflicted. How can the Bible's teachings provide guidance or solutions to these issues? [14:26]
4. Consider the ways in which you engage with the Bible. Are there any misconceptions you hold about its message that you need to address? [18:28]
5. How can you incorporate the Bible's teachings into your decision-making processes, especially when faced with moral or ethical dilemmas? [20:23]
6. Think of a person in your life who views the Bible as irrelevant. How can you share its timeless message with them in a meaningful way? [03:09]
7. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Bible's unified message and its implications for your faith journey? [22:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Bible's Unified Message for Humanity
The Bible is not an outdated collection of stories but a unified message about God's eternal plan for humanity. It addresses the same fundamental issues that have always plagued mankind, offering timeless solutions. The Bible's relevance is not diminished by the passage of time or the advancement of human knowledge. Instead, it remains a constant source of wisdom and guidance, addressing the core issues of insecurity, conflict, and the quest for meaning that have persisted throughout history. By understanding the Bible as a cohesive narrative of God's interaction with humanity, believers can find answers to the challenges they face today. [12:23]
"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific issue you are currently facing that you can seek guidance for in the Bible today?
Day 2: Timeless Solutions to Enduring Problems
Despite advancements in knowledge and technology, humanity's core problems remain unchanged. The Bible's teachings, originating from God, provide the ultimate answers to these enduring issues. The challenges of insecurity, conflict, and the search for meaning are not new; they have been part of the human experience since the beginning. The Bible offers solutions that are not bound by time or culture because they are rooted in divine wisdom. By turning to the Bible, individuals can find peace and direction in a world that often seems chaotic and uncertain. [16:11]
"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.'" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a modern problem you are dealing with and consider how the Bible's teachings might offer a solution or perspective.
Day 3: Divine Revelation, Not Human Invention
The Bible's message is a divine revelation, not a human invention. It was delivered to the saints, emphasizing its authority and relevance across all ages. This divine origin sets the Bible apart from other texts, as it is not a product of human thought but a communication from God to humanity. The authority of the Bible comes from its divine source, and its teachings are meant to guide believers in all aspects of life. By recognizing the Bible as a revelation from God, individuals can approach it with the reverence and seriousness it deserves. [27:07]
"For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21, ESV)
Reflection: How does viewing the Bible as a divine revelation change the way you approach reading and applying its teachings in your life?
Day 4: The Unique Acts of Jesus Christ
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are unique, once-and-for-all acts of God. These events are central to the Christian faith and offer the only true path to salvation. The significance of Jesus' actions lies in their finality and completeness; they are not just historical events but the fulfillment of God's plan for humanity's redemption. By understanding the centrality of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, believers can find assurance in their faith and hope for eternal life. [46:18]
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on how the unique acts of Jesus Christ impact your understanding of salvation and your relationship with God.
Day 5: The Eternal Relevance of the Bible
The Bible's message is unchangeable and final because it comes from God, who is eternal and unchanging. This makes it perpetually relevant, offering stability and truth in a world of constant change. In a society where values and beliefs often shift, the Bible provides a steadfast foundation for faith and practice. By relying on the unchanging nature of God's word, believers can navigate life's uncertainties with confidence and clarity. [41:13]
"The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:8, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you rely on the Bible's unchanging message to provide stability in your life today?
Quotes
The problems of mankind this evening are exactly and precisely what they've always been. That is perhaps of all the fellow is the greatest. There is nothing new under the sun. Oh, I know it appears in a different form, and we are fooled by that. We are interested in the dress, in the appearance, not in the thing itself. But the thing itself is exactly the same. [00:12:17]
The Bible is something that contains the faith. The faith. What does this mean, says someone? Well, it means this: that running through all the history and all the moral teaching and all that I have mentioned, there is a truth, there is a doctrine, there is a teaching running right through this book from beginning to end. [00:22:04]
The message of this book is something which has been delivered to me, given, handed over. Now, this is, I say, absolutely crucial. Let me put it negatively: this book is not a collection of men's thoughts. This isn't just a collection of men's ideas and men's theories with regard to life. [00:27:37]
The contents of this book, far from being the result of human discovery, are the result of the revelation of God. It is what God has given, what God has revealed, what God has made known. Now, don't you see why I call you to listen to this book? [00:29:36]
The Bible handles this one theme in an extraordinary manner. There are times when you almost feel that it's forgotten it itself, and you seem to be meandering off on some sideline and some tangent which doesn't seem to have the remotest connection with the theme. But if you read carefully, you'll always find that it has. [00:22:51]
The message of this book is about what God has done, not what you and I have got to do, but what God has done for us and about us and concerning our salvation. When the fullness of the times was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law. [00:45:39]
The Bible's message is about God's actions in history, culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the foundation of our faith and the only true solution to humanity's deepest problems. The Bible's message is unchangeable and final because it comes from God, who is eternal and unchanging. [00:41:13]
The Bible is not merely a collection of historical accounts or moral teachings; it is a unified message about God's plan and purpose for humanity. The problems we face today are not new. They are the same fundamental issues humanity has always confronted: insecurity, conflict, and the quest for meaning. [00:12:23]
The Bible's teachings are not human inventions but divine revelations. They were delivered to the saints, not discovered by them. This divine origin gives the Bible its authority and relevance. The message of salvation through Jesus Christ is a once-and-for-all act of God, unchangeable and final. [00:27:07]
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are unique, once-and-for-all acts of God. These events are central to the Christian faith and offer the only true path to salvation. The Bible's message is unchangeable and final because it comes from God, who is eternal and unchanging. [00:46:18]
The Bible's message is a divine revelation, not a human invention. It was delivered to the saints, emphasizing its authority and relevance across all ages. The Bible's teachings, originating from God, provide the ultimate answers to these enduring issues. [00:16:11]
The Bible's message is unchangeable and final because it comes from God, who is eternal and unchanging. This makes it perpetually relevant, offering stability and truth in a world of constant change. The Bible's teachings, originating from God, provide the ultimate answers to these enduring issues. [00:41:13]
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