Contending for Truth: Faith, Conviction, and Integrity

Tonight’s discussion centered on the call to be “honest and holy adherents” to the truth of God’s Word. We reflected on the importance of knowing not just what we believe, but why we believe it, and allowing our convictions to be shaped by the Scriptures rather than by tradition, experience, or the shifting winds of culture. The faith once delivered to the saints is a precious trust, and each generation is responsible to contend for it, to articulate it, and to live it out with integrity and courage.

We considered the legacy of those who have gone before us—grandparents, teachers, preachers, and countless unnamed believers—who stood for biblical truth, sometimes at great personal cost. Their example challenges us to examine whether our own convictions are truly rooted in the Word of God or merely inherited from our upbringing. The distinction between being a Baptist (or any Christian) by tradition versus by conviction was emphasized, with the reminder that only a faith grounded in personal conviction will stand the test of time and trial.

A significant portion of our time was spent addressing the dangers of modern “deliverance ministries” that claim Christians can be possessed by demons and require ongoing deliverance. This teaching was shown to undermine the sufficiency and power of the gospel, which declares that Christ has already delivered us from the power of darkness and that every believer is indwelt and anointed by the Holy Spirit. The gospel is enough; Christ is enough. We must beware of any teaching that adds to or subtracts from the finished work of Jesus.

We also discussed the difference between message, methods, and means. While our message (the gospel and sound doctrine) and our methods (preaching, teaching, prayer, worship, evangelism) must remain faithful to Scripture, the means by which we carry out ministry—such as technology—may change with time. However, we must never let pragmatism override biblical fidelity.

Ultimately, the call is to be mastered by the Bible, to let our lives be marked by consistency, conviction, and compassion. We are to speak the truth in love, to fight the good fight of faith with both courage and tenderness, and to resist the temptation to measure success by numbers or outward results. May we be found among those “honest and holy adherents” who, by God’s grace, hold fast to the truth and pass it on to the next generation.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Conviction Over Tradition: True faith is not inherited by association or tradition but is forged by personal conviction rooted in the Word of God. Only convictions shaped by Scripture will endure when tested, and it is our responsibility to seek, know, and stand upon biblical truth, not merely what we have always heard or done. [38:54]
• 2. The Sufficiency of the Gospel: The gospel of Jesus Christ is radically powerful and sufficient. At salvation, Christ delivers us from the power of darkness, and the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. Any teaching that suggests we need more than Christ’s finished work—such as repeated “deliverance” from demons—undermines the gospel and leads believers away from the assurance and freedom found in Christ. [76:13]
• 3. Individual Soul Liberty and Responsibility: Each person is accountable to God and must be free to follow their conscience as shaped by Scripture. We cannot and must not attempt to coerce others’ beliefs or worship, but we are responsible to contend for the faith and to articulate clearly what the Bible teaches, urging others to do the same. [43:27]
• 4. Biblical Methods, Changing Means: While the means of ministry (like technology) may change, our message and methods must remain anchored in Scripture. We must resist the temptation of pragmatism—the idea that the ends justify the means—and instead ensure that both what we preach and how we minister are biblically faithful. [87:19]
• 5. Honest and Holy Adherence: The call is to be honest and holy adherents—people who are unwavering in their commitment to truth, yet marked by humility, compassion, and love. This means standing for what is right even when it is unpopular, being willing to suffer for biblical convictions, and letting our compassion run as deep as our standards run high. [47:31]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [07:45] - Reflections on VBS and Church Family
• [11:28] - Book Recommendations for Spiritual Growth
• [18:42] - The Power of Godly Influence
• [24:42] - Separation: From the World and To the Lord
• [27:47] - Paul Confronts Peter: Contending for the Gospel
• [32:07] - Individual Soul Liberty and Baptist Convictions
• [33:21] - Earnestly Contending for the Faith
• [37:34] - What It Means to Be a Baptist by Conviction
• [40:50] - Spurgeon on Honest and Holy Adherence
• [43:27] - The History and Cost of Biblical Convictions
• [49:15] - Passing the Faith to the Next Generation
• [54:30] - The Danger of Indifference to Doctrine
• [63:03] - The Power of Christ Over Death
• [67:04] - Exposing Deliverance Ministries
• [76:13] - The Sufficiency of Salvation and the Spirit
• [80:35] - The True Anointing of Every Believer
• [86:20] - Standing Against Pragmatism
• [93:56] - Final Encouragements and Closing Thoughts

Bible Reading

Jude 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.

Colossians 1:13 (ESV) — > He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (ESV) — > Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,
> “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
> and I will be their God,
> and they shall be my people.
> Therefore go out from their midst,
> and be separate from them, says the Lord,
> and touch no unclean thing;
> then I will welcome you,
> and I will be a father to you,
> and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
> says the Lord Almighty.”

Observation Questions

1. In Jude 3, what does it mean to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”?
2. According to Colossians 1:13, what has Christ done for believers at salvation?
3. In 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, what reasons does Paul give for believers to be separate from the world?
4. The sermon mentioned the difference between being a Christian by tradition and by conviction. What examples were given of people who stood for biblical truth at great cost? ([43:27])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why is it important for each generation to “contend for the faith” rather than simply inherit beliefs from previous generations? ([38:54])
2. The sermon warns about “deliverance ministries” that teach Christians can be possessed by demons. How does this teaching undermine the sufficiency of the gospel, according to the message? ([01:16:13])
3. What is the difference between message, methods, and means in ministry, and why does it matter? ([01:27:19])
4. The idea of “individual soul liberty” was emphasized. What does it mean, and how should it affect the way we interact with others who disagree with us? ([43:27])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to examine whether our convictions are truly rooted in God’s Word or just inherited from our upbringing. Can you think of a belief you hold that you’ve never really examined in light of Scripture? What would it look like to test it by the Bible this week? ([38:54])
2. Have you ever felt pressure to go along with a tradition or belief just because “that’s how it’s always been done”? How did you respond, and what would it look like to respond as an “honest and holy adherent”? ([47:31])
3. The message warned against teachings that add to or subtract from the finished work of Christ. Are there any “extra” requirements or experiences you’ve seen promoted in Christian circles that might distract from the sufficiency of the gospel? How can you guard your heart against these? ([01:16:13])
4. The sermon talked about the temptation to measure success by numbers or outward results. In your own life, how do you tend to measure spiritual “success”? What would it look like to focus more on faithfulness and integrity? ([01:36:30])
5. “Individual soul liberty” means we are each accountable to God and must not coerce others’ beliefs. Is there someone in your life you’ve tried to pressure into your way of thinking? How can you better model both conviction and compassion? ([43:27])
6. The difference between message, methods, and means was discussed. Are there any “means” (like technology or new programs) you’ve seen in church that made you uncomfortable? How can you discern whether a new means is helpful or a distraction from biblical faithfulness? ([01:27:19])
7. The call is to be “honest and holy adherents”—people marked by both courage and compassion. What is one area where you need more courage to stand for truth, and one area where you need more compassion? ([47:31])