Contend For the Faith
Part Two
April 26, 2026
Scripture: Jude 3, 20
The story is told of a bully who demanded his lunch money every day from Billy. Since Billy was smaller than the bully, he would simply give the bully his money. Then Billy decided to act. He started taking karate lessons, but the instructor wanted $10 a lesson. Since that was a lot of money, Billy found that it was cheaper to pay the bully, so he gave up karate. Unfortunately, many Christians have the same attitude about Satan and the temptations of life that come their way. It is easier to pay the bully than to learn how to fight and overcome!
Coach Jude wants us to learn how to fight and so we can overcome. As verse 3 states, Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.
Jude had initially intended to write a letter of encouragement on the topic of salvation that they share. Instead, Jude is compelled to warn the readers to stand firm, to contend for the faith. To contend means to struggle in rivalry, to strenuously defend, to assert, to battle, to fight. A true contender vigorously endeavors to win the competition, not holding anything back. The word, contend, is an ancient word to describe wrestling. We derive our word “agony” from the same word. So as Paul writes in I Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight of the faith. Paul later would say, I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (II Timothy 4:7).
We are to contend for the faith. Faith here refers not to some opinion, but to a body of truth. The word faith has a primarily objective meaning: it refers to a collection of doctrinal truths that are foundational to the Christian message and the life of the Church. It is having faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). He is God with us (Matthew 1:23). He is the Word, and He is God made flesh (John 1:1–18). This faith is expressed through holy living to which all believers are called (Romans 6:1-4; I Peter 1:3-16).
We also noted last week why we are to contend for the faith. We are called to contend for the faith and its purity because, as Jude points out, verse 4, For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.
Often, individuals see God’s grace as a license to satisfy their selfish/worldly desires. Unbelievers, licentious, immoral people, and false teachers have distorted the truth and the grace of God. They did not hold to the truth of the Christian faith. Then in verses 5-16, 18, 19 Coach Jude elaborates. He has a deep concern about believers abandoning the faith.
Sadly, the Church over the past 30 years has lost influence on our culture because the witness of the Church has deteriorated. The Church and the culture have taken on a more humanistic perspective, what I want, rather than honoring and applying what God desires. Sadly, apostasy, evil, lack of love for others runs rampant in our culture today!
I also noted last week, the first principle that Coach Jude states in how to survive and triumph in a time like this. Verse 17 states, But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. If you are going to contend for the faith, then you need to remember and hold fast to God’s word!
Also, verse 3 notes that we are to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. What was entrusted to God’s holy people. It is the words of the Old and New Testament. Jesus affirmed the Old Testament, and he commissioned his disciples/apostles to preach and write the New Testament.
The Apostle stated in II Timothy 1:13, 14 states, What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. (Also note II Peter 1:12-21.)
Coach Jude calls us to remember the words of the Apostles, who wrote the word of God. Hold on to and apply the revelation of God that has been authored by the Apostles. Sadly, so many have misinterpreted, applied Scripture to satisfy self, or have neglected to apply God’s word! We need to remember and hold fast to God’s word!
Then in the first part of verse 20, Coach Jude gives a second principle on how to contend for the faith. Verse 20a, But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith.
The word, build, refers to building spiritual and emotional strength. It is to spiritually develop, progress, grow! You say, "How do you build yourself up?" It comes by growing in understanding and applying God’s word.
In Acts 20:28-30, Paul warns the Ephesian elders about the coming apostasy as people will come in and distort the truth. Then he says as recorded in Acts 20:32 Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The Word of God is that which can build you up!
II Timothy 3:16-17--Paul said to Timothy, 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. The Word of God is able to make you strong and mature.
1 Peter 2:1-3, Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Please note. Coach Jude places the responsibility for spiritual growth of our own lives upon each one of us! I can’t do it for you! You must build yourself up on your most holy faith. You can’t count on the preacher to build your faith. He/she can help by expounding upon the Word of God, but it’s still up to each of you to listen, learn and apply.
Holy faith is the truth which comes from God. It is His holy truth. To survive in a time of apostasy, it is essential that you be built up in your most holy faith, that you be strong in your understanding of Christian truth.
For instance, so many people state they are saved, but do whatever they want, not what God wants. The Apostle John gives a warning about this as he writes in I John 2:3-6 states, We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
All Christians are expected to grow. Now, if you are going to fight the battle, you need to learn and apply God’s word! Now I John 2 notes three stages of spiritual development: babes/little children, young men, and fathers (I John 2:12-14). The Apostle John notes that spiritually little children have their sins forgiven on account of Jesus and they know the Father (I John 2:12, 14). That is about the extent of what they know. I Corinthians 3:1-3 notes that they still act like the world and they need milk, not solid food.
Hebrews 5:12-14 emphasizes the progression of spiritual infancy through leaning and practice. The writer of Hebrews states, In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
The Apostle Paul also notes in Ephesians 4 that infants in Christ need to continue to grow and learn so that we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming (Ephesians 4:14).
Spiritual children might struggle a great deal against the devil because they are still babes in Christ. But we are not to remain children. We are to grow up; we are to mature, and we are to become strong in faith.
I John notes that young men are strong, the Word of God abides in them, and they have overcome the evil one. They have grown and become strong in faith because the Word of God abides in them and they have set their hearts on fire for Christ. They are able to respond to false teaching and manage the temptations of life.
Spiritual fathers then go beyond just knowing the Word, and they begin to know God in an intimate way, because of their exposure to Him through His Word. They are able to teach and reproduce. So much more could be said about these various stages, but one needs to realize none of us ever arrive until one is in glory.
The Apostle Paul put it this way in Philippians 3:10-15. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Then in verse 15, he notes we should take such a view. (Please also note Colossians 2:6-8.)
Over the past two Friday nights, one of my goals in instructing the kids is to note a couple of basic principles of the Christian faith. So just over a week, I wanted them to check their heart/their perspective on life. So, we talked about the parable of the Sower….Note Matthew 13:1-22.
Then this past Friday, the topic was you reap what you sow. This idea is your words, your actions, and your attitude whether good or bad will have consequences that will eventually manifest in your life. What you do today will impact what happens tomorrow. Scripture emphasizes this principle (Job 4:8; Proverbs 1:30, 31; Proverbs 22:8; Hosea 8:7; Hosea 10:12-14; II Corinthians 9:6). One of the key passages of Scripture was Galatians 6:7,8. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, he will also reap. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Kids need to realize and understand this principle and so do each of us.
Now let me also note this if we are going to build ourselves up in the faith. We need to be totally convinced about our belief in the Lord Jesus. As most of you know, I like to play chess. Now, chess involves analyzing a position, thinking if this move or that move is the best. It is asking why is that the best move? One needs to think instead of playing with one’s emotions. Over the years, my goal is to pursue truth. I have studied and learned about the realm of apologetics, why you believe in God, Jesus, God’s word, etc. For instance, I have found the evidence is overwhelming to be convinced Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! For instance, fulfilled prophecy, archaeology, Jesus’ remarkable teaching, the reliability of Scripture, the gospel accounts, other historical writings, the early church, and the present-day fulfillment of Scriptural signs of this world moving to the coming of Christ. The best move is to believe in God and the Lord Jesus Christ! As a result of being a truthseeker, my faith has grown to being totally convinced who Jesus Is! I have also learned from experience that as one wholeheartedly puts his/her faith in the truth, the proper emotion then happens!
So, I encourage you to study, learn God’s word!! Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly (Colossians 3:16) and be a truthseeker! Then you can go forth and take every word captive for Christ (II Corinthians 10:5).
Now the end of verse 20 gives a third principle: And pray in the Holy Spirit. If you are going to contend for the faith, then you need to pray in the Holy Spirit!
What does that mean? Praying in the Holy Spirit is to pray according to the Spirit's will. It is praying consistently with the will of God. So also, praying in Jesus’ name means praying consistent with His will. Jesus said in John 14:13, 14, And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
Praying in the Spirit is lining up my will with God’s will! It is to have the same attitude/perspective as Jesus. Jesus taught in the Lord’s prayer, Thy will be done. When Jesus was praying in the garden, struggling with taking on the sins of the world, he said, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus aligned his will with His Father’s will.
We also need to trust, depend on doing what God desires and aligning our will with His will! Allow the Holy Spirit to take control of your life. As we pray in the Spirit, we rest on His will and His power. We abide in Christ, walk in His Spirit, and do His will.
One aspect of prayer is to communicate our issues, our concerns, our emotions and to fellowship with Him. Now one of the keys to praying in the Spirit is to pray according to God’s word, declaring His promises! For instance, you might want to claim the promise of Isaiah 41:31, But those who wait for the Lord will renew their strength, mount up with wings like eagles, run and not be weary, and walk and not faint. So, you might pray, Almighty God, as I wait upon You, renew my strength. Let me soar on wings like eagles, run without growing weary, and walk without fainting.
I encourage you to claim the promise of II Peter 1:4. He has granted us his precious and very great promises so that through them, you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption in the world because of sinful desire. So, you might pray something like this. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your precious promises that allow me to share in Your divine nature. Help me to live a life that reflects Your purity and goodness, escaping the corruption of this world.
Some of you need to God’s forgiveness and possibly forgive yourself. I encourage you to take to heart the promise of I John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful, forgives us, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. So, you might pray, Lord, Your promise of forgiveness gives me hope. As I confess my sins, cleanse me from unrighteousness and renew my spirit, that I may walk in Your light and truth.
Scripture also indicates praying in the Spirit is praying in faith believing that He is and that He rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
Praying in the Spirit is having a confidence that God causes all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28).
Praying in the Spirit is praying with thanksgiving rather than worry and anxiety (Philippians 4:6).
Praying in the Spirit is entering His presence with praise, adoration, and thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4).
Prayer is not only speaking to the Lord, but it is also listening to Him (Genesis 17:3). Praying in the Spirit is allowing God’s word to speak to us at various times. Remember, God predominately speaks to us through His word. So, for instance, when I am tired, God gives me the thought, When I am weak, He is strong (II Corinthians 12:9, 10). When I struggle with some trial, I am reminded of James 1:2 which notes…? When I personally think of dying, the Spirit reminds me of Philippians 1:21, To live is Christ, to die is gain!
Why is praying in the Spirit so important to contend for the faith? To put it simply: we are in a spiritual war! Prayer is a major key to overcome! This is why Jesus made prayer a priority and taught and encouraged his disciples to pray!
In Ephesians 6:11, Paul says, Put on the whole armor of God. He then describes each piece in verses 14-17. Then Ephesians 6:18 states, praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
The prophet Daniel was a prayer warrior. A glimpse of this warfare also can be seen in Daniel 10. When Daniel prayed, God sent the answer immediately, but it was twenty-one days before the angel conveying the answer got to Daniel. The answer was hindered by the "prince of the kingdom of Persia? (Daniel 10:13).
Prayer is critical!! Luke 18:1 notes either we pray or give up. Then Jesus goes on in Luke 18 and gives the story of the persistent women asking for justice. We also need to be persistent. Spiritual warfare requires consistent prayer, trust God’s power to over fear, oppression, and deception. Please note Jesus at the end of the parable says, Luke 18:8b, However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Remember prayer is an act of faith.
Prayer is a primary weapon in this spiritual battle. As we pray, we can stand firm, resist the devil, and claim God’s authority (James 4:7). So, I encourage you to pray according to God’s will as you face the struggles, the temptations, the anxieties of life and the forces of evil. If you are unsure of His will, then take to heart Romans 8:26, 27 as the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans in accordance with the will of God.
Please take to heart spiritual warfare prayer is both an offensive and defensive tool to empower a believer to stand firm, to resist evil and to experience God’s peace, His joy through the power of His Holy Spirit in every area of life!
Let me close with this story today. National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us. Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now—before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they’re needed. Remember, you reap what you sow.
Let’s pray!
