Gleanings From Grace

TEXT: Jude 1:1-3
INTRODUCTION: May I suggest that the words “earnestly” and “contend” were given in our Text to show us that a strong effort is required to continue in the faith.
• We all must exercise discipline as disciples.
• We must acknowledge that there are numerous enemies to our faith. They may be categorized as
• (1) the world, (2) the flesh, and (3) the devil.
• Most battles that we face do not even involve the world and the devil; our flesh alone gets us into enough trouble. May we consider the value and the way of earnestly contending for the faith…
I. HAVING COURAGE IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH…
A. IT TAKES COURAGE TO PRESENT TRUTH.
(Psalm 27:14) Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
1. The Lessons from History Declares This… It is estimated that more than 50 million Christians died for their faith during the dark ages.
Illustrating this: A Roman emperor said to a Greek architect: “Build me a coliseum and when it is done, I will crown you and I will make your name famous throughout the entire world.” The Christians were brought out and fed to the hungry lions to help celebrate the newly built coliseum. As the announcement was made that their lives were being sacrificed to that purpose, the architect sprang to his feet and shouted: “I also am a Christian.” They then seized him and executed him.

On July the 1rst, 1555, John Bradford was burned to death as a Christian martyr. He was chaplain to King Edward the Sixth, of England, and was one of the most popular preachers of his day. While he was being driven out to Newgate to be burned, he was given permission to speak. He shouted: “Christ, Christ, none but Christ!”
Notice the courageous last words of some of the brave martyrs:
1. Henry Vos: “If I had twin heads, they should all be off for Christ” before he had his head cut off as a Christian martyr.
2. Costilla Rupea: “Though you throw my body down off this steep hill, yet will my soul mount upwards again”
3. John Buisson: “I shall have a double jail delivery: out of my sinful flesh and out of the loathsome dungeon I have long lain in”.
4. Taylor: “Now lack I but two steps, and I am ever at my father’s house”
2. The Lessons from the Here and the Now Declares This…
B. IT TAKES COURAGE TO PRESERVE TRUTH.
(II Timothy 2:1-3
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

II TIM 3:10-14
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them
II Timothy 4:6-8)
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
C. IT TAKES COURAGE TO PRACTICE TRUTH.
(II Timothy 3:14-17) 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

I. HAVING COURAGE IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH…
II. HAVING CONVICTIONS IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
A. THE ONLY CONVICTIONS WORTH HAVING ARE BIBLE BASED… (Col. 2:6-8) As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
“established in the faith as ye have been taught”
Established means “stiff, solid, steadfast, strong, sure, solidified” The one who is “established” or has convictions is not going to change.
Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, (Ephesians 4:4) “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive”
The only defense against the “damnable heresy” of false doctrine is a solid grounding in the Word of God!” Someone said, “Preferences are what you will fight for, convictions are what you will die for”.
The word spoil from Col. 2:6-8 does not mean to ruin or rot, but rather, “to carry away” as the spoils in battle. False teachers want to spoil you or carry you away.
B. THE ONLY CONVICTS WORTH HAVING ARE BIBLE BLESSED… (II Timothy 4:8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
I. HAVING COURAGE IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH…
II. HAVING CONVICTIONS IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
III. HAVING COMPASSION IS NECESSARY WHILE CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
A. KEEP THE MERCIES OF CHRIST CENTRAL TO YOUR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. (V. 21) Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
B. KEEP THE MEMORY OF THE CROSS CENTRAL TO YOUR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH. Phil. 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death:”
• know Him Intellectually
• Know Him Intimately
• Know Him Intently
• Know Him Infinitely
C. KEEP THE MAJESTY OF THE CHRIST CENTRAL TO YOUR CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH… (V. 25) To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
CONCLUSION: May we strive to keep the faith by earnestly contending for the faith.