The Contenders - Part 4

Date: 12.07.08 Speaker: Kristian Martens Passage: Jude 20-25 Title: A RIGHTEOUS RESPONSE TO FOLLY: Inward - Outward - Upward Gospel Response Summary: Jude, the half-brother of Jesus, after 30 years as a missionary, offers a timely warning for any new church...watch out! False gospels & religion, peddled by self-serving shepherds masquerading as Christians, will repeatedly & relentlessly attempt to undermine the truth of the Gospel. Dont let them! Stand firm. Be on guard! Contend for the Gospel given once for all. As Jude closes his letter of warning, his pastoral heart breaks through - leading us towards a Gospel-motivated response to folly & deception. His exhortation is straight-forward: prepare first, then respond with discernment towards others & in worship towards God. Its an inward - outward - upwards Gospel-motivated response, and not a one size fits all formula. Judes big idea is that we contend for the faith and in his closing remarks he graciously outlines how to do so, for the Gospel.