I. The Recipients of the Letter

Jude writes to believers — described as:

- The Called – Chosen and invited by God

- The Loved – Deeply loved by the Father

- The Kept – Preserved and secured in Christ

This letter is not to outsiders — it is to the church.

II. The Command: Contend for the Faith

“Contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 3)

- Contend = to struggle, fight, defend with urgency

- The faith = the unchanging truth of the Gospel

- Once delivered = not evolving, not adjustable, not culture-driven

Jude’s warning:

Do not give in to culture.

Do not accept godless doctrine.

Do not compromise truth.

III. Modern Problems in the Church

a) Moralistic Therapeutic Deism

“Be good, feel good, God helps when needed.”

Christianity centered on happiness instead of holiness.

b) Prosperity Gospel

Promises blessings without the cross.

Crown without suffering.

c) Hyper-Grace

Grace without repentance.

Avoiding conversations about sin.

d) Progressive Christianity

Rewriting Scripture to fit culture.

Elevating feelings over truth.

e) Consumer Christianity

Spectators instead of servants.

Church as entertainment, not mission.

f) Savior Without Lordship

Wanting Jesus to save, but not to rule.

Selective obedience.

IV. The Enemy’s Strategy

Not always open opposition — but subtle distortion.

Destruction from within.

Mixing truth with error.

The spirit of the antichrist is already at work.

Satan rarely removes truth entirely — he dilutes it.

V. How Do We Contend for the Faith?

1) Know What You Believe — and Why

- Study Scripture.

- Be grounded in doctrine.

2) Live What You Believe

- A life that matches the biblical message.

- Integrity matters.

3) Reject False Teaching — Even When Popular

- Truth is not determined by trends.

- Popularity does not equal purity.

4) Speak Truth with Grace

- Not silence.

- Not hostility.

- Bold and compassionate.

5) Disciple Others

- Not just correcting — but mentoring.

- Build people up in truth.

6) Stay Rooted in Spiritual Disciplines

- Prayer.

- Word.

- Fellowship.

- Worship.

7) Show Mercy Without Compromising Truth

- Compassion without compromise.

- Love without surrendering conviction.

8) Stand Firm — Even When It Costs You

- Social pressure.

- Reputation.

- Comfort.

- Opportunity.

VI. What the Church Really Needs

The church does not need:

- Louder voices

- Better marketing

- Cultural approval

The church needs:

- Deeper roots

- Unshakable conviction

- People grounded in the true faith

Closing Challenge

We are the called.

We are the loved.

We are the kept.

So the question is:

Are we going to contend for the faith?

Or are we waiting for God to send someone else?