The importance of earnestly contending for the faith is a topic that is dear to our church and to our hearts. Jude 1:3 reads, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

While contending for the faith is our topic, this message could be titled, “Earnestly Contend for the Apostolic Faith” because this verse refers to the faith of the Apostles of Jesus Christ. This is where the name of our church came from, and Jude 1:3 is also our motto. Its words are inscribed on the cornerstone of the headquarters church in Portland along with the words “Founded 1906, Built 1983,” and have appeared on the magazine we have published since our founding.

Like every book of the Bible, the epistle of Jude has some key themes. In verse 3, Jude reminded believers of the need to contend for the faith. In verses 4-19, he warned against false teachers and apostasy. In verses 20-22, he challenged believers to build up themselves in the most holy faith, to be prayerful and compassionate, and to keep themselves in the love of God. Finally, in verses 24-25, Jude assured believers that God was able to keep them from falling despite the threats and spiritual battles they faced.

The fact that our church is still here today is a testament to God’s ability to keep His people from falling. I love the way Jude added to verse 24, “and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” [emphasis added]. We like the sound of that!

Let us consider four questions addressed in this epistle of Jude. What is the faith that we need to earnestly contend for? Why do we need to earnestly contend for this faith? How do we contend for the faith? And finally, what are the rewards for earnestly contending for the faith?

What “the faith” is

What is the faith that we need to contend for? There is a difference between “believing faith” and “the faith” that we read about in Jude.

Believing faith is having assurance and confidence that God can do what He has said He will do. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” That is believing faith.

There are many examples of believing faith in the Bible. We read about Abraham in Genesis chapters 12, 15, and 22. He left his homeland to travel to a place he had never seen because he believed God and obeyed His commandments. Later in his life, Abraham was willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, because he believed that God could raise him from the dead. What wonderful faith!

Mark chapter 5 tells of a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. The Bible says she had suffered many things of many physicians. She had spent all she had seeking help for her affliction, but she was not better in any way; she only grew worse. Then something happened—she heard about Jesus! You and I have heard of Jesus, but it is not enough to just hear about Him. Believing faith will motivate us to act on what we hear. Believing faith causes us to come to Jesus. Believing faith will say, “Jesus is able to do it for me.” This woman came to Jesus and said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” That is believing faith! She touched His garment, and she was immediately made whole.

In the second chapter of Mark, we read of four men who came to Jesus bringing a friend who was sick of the palsy. When the four saw that the crowd around Jesus prevented them from reaching Him, they broke through the roof and let the sick man’s bed down at the feet of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he healed the man both physically and spiritually.

Believing faith is powerful! Through it, you can bring your friends to Jesus. You can bring yourself, your problems, your families. In believing faith, release them at the feet of Jesus. He will do something for them.

 However, what we are focusing on is even more powerful than believing faith. It includes believing faith, but it also encompasses the core teachings, principles, and doctrines of the Word of God. We are to contend for is the faith—the faith of the Apostles. Even when healing or physical deliverance did not come, they were willing to give their lives for the faith.

The faith we are contending for is not a new faith. It is not a new age faith or a contemporary faith. It is not a set of beliefs that aligns with modern philosophies and ideas. Jude said it is the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. Could we be satisfied if what we received was not what was initially delivered to the Apostles and believers of the Early Church?

Thank God, the faith once delivered to the Apostles has been delivered to us, and by the grace of God, we will also deliver it undiluted and unpolluted to the next generation. This is the faith that Sister Florence Crawford preached, the faith that Brother Raymond Crawford preached, the one Brother Loyce Carver and others before us preached. They led us to this point. They kept preaching the faith, and by the grace of God, we will hear the same faith preached here until Jesus returns.

Why we contend

Why do we need to contend for the faith? Jude explained that certain ungodly men had crept in unawares and were undermining the apostolic doctrines. They were telling the believers something different than what the Apostles had taught.

That can happen in our day as well. This faith is under assault—it is under attack from the enemy of our souls. You and I will have to rise up and do something to maintain the faith. We must do much more than casually support it; we must contend for it. We must earnestly and with all our hearts protect and fight for this faith.

 Some may tell our children that adhering to the faith does not matter, that they do not have to seek the Lord so earnestly or pray like those of old prayed. By the grace of God, we reject such teaching. If Jesus tarries, we are going to earnestly contend in the same manner and for that same faith that was once delivered unto the saints.

Many people today desire “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6), such as a “Crossless” Gospel—a social Gospel that is devoid of truth and without power over sin. They are running after a Gospel that has strayed far away from the foundational doctrines that were once delivered unto the saints. They adopt a form of godliness but do not contend for the faith.

The church of God must not become a place where people come to enjoy themselves for two hours on Sundays and then go back home without experiencing the power of God. We must not become a playground for sinners; this is a workroom for sinners! This is a place where God will save souls. It must not become a casual gathering place where the altars of prayer are no longer in use. No, these altars still mean something to us! They are where we meet with God.

If there were ever a time when we needed the power and the presence of God, it is now in our generation. In a world of moral and spiritual breakdown, God wants the church to continue to earnestly contend for the faith. The generation before us contended. There are people in our congregations who have been contending for over seventy years, and they are still doing so. We want to follow their good example.

We want this generation to be defined by revival. May our young people—and our older generation as well—rise up and earnestly contend for the faith of the Apostles! If this generation does not do so, we will leave little for the next generation to stand for. We cannot afford to compromise, because the compromise of today can become the high standard of tomorrow. We must keep on contending by the grace of God.

How we contend

How do we contend for this faith? Jude told us in verse 17, “Beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ.” We contend by remembering, believing, and passing on the teachings of the Apostles. We continue to uphold the core truths and doctrines of God’s Word against all challenges and false teachings. 

This Word of God is so precious. By the grace of God, in this church you will continue to hear the same apostolic teachings that were preached in the beginning. You will hear about salvation, sanctification, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost. You will hear from God’s Word about endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit, consecration, overcoming trials and temptations, the beauty of Christian fellowship, and preparation for Heavenly citizenship. Those are apostolic teachings! Jude said to remember them.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). This Word of God is wonderful! This Word of God is powerful! We will profit spiritually if we remember and practice its precepts.

Jude went on to say in verse 20 that believers should build themselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Ghost. That’s how we contend—we pray! How many times have you been blessed when you have heard a brother or sister pray? How many times has a brother or a sister told you, “I’m praying for you” and that encouraged you? We are building ourselves up in this “most holy faith.”

The rewards of contending

What are the rewards of earnestly contending? Verses 24 and 25 of Jude tell us, “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” What a wonderful reward for contending for the faith! The Lord will present His Church before the presence of His glory. The Bible says it will be a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing. It will be holy!

Contending for the faith is a way of victory. At the end of Paul’s life, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 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” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). When we keep the faith, a crown of righteousness will be given to us as well. That crown is waiting for us!

Will you contend for the faith in the days ahead? If you have not embraced this faith, today is your opportunity. If you are saved, why not contend and be sanctified? If you are sanctified, why not contend and be filled with the Holy Spirit? The Rapture of the Church will soon take place. Until that great day, the Lord will bless us exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think as we purpose to keep contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.

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