INTRODUCTION - JUDE STARTED TO WRITE A GOSPEL, BUT INSTEAD WROTE THE ACTS OF THE APOSTATES

• There are some sweet passages in this little book, but also some very sharp viscous words
• Today we see some contending over words- and excusing or ignoring Satan's worst imps
• We need to study Bible, pray in spirit, to be true to God to fight for Victory where we should fight, and to be forgiving brothers where this is needed.

I. NOTE DIFFERENCE IN CONTENDING & CONTENTIOUS

If you wish a good Greek word study- dig up contend, contending, and contentious

A.  JUDE WROTE URGING THAT WE EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED

1. (3) Was a threat to the purity of the Gospel by v.4 men who denied the Lord God-& His grace
2. (9) Jude told how Michael the archangel contended with Satan- short-sharp-& final
3. Satan can get you arguing- you can be right in doctrine & wrong in attitude - Jude wrote fast & ended in Jesus

B.  THE APOSTLES FACED DIFFERENCE OF OPINIONS, AND HAD STRONG WORDS ABOUT IT

1. Acts 11:2 Peter won Cornelius, a Gentile, to Christ- then had to face the Judaizers-Circum-
2. III John 7 praises Gaius for taking nothing from Gentiles -Jews were still clannish 90 AD
3. But Paul took up a collection from the Gentiles - Rom 15:27, & scolded Peter Gal 2:11-hypocricy

C.  PAUL PREACHED THE GOSPEL WITH CONTENTION BUT AGAINST CONTENTIOUSNESS, & YOU ARE SO JUDGED

1. I Thes 2:2 he preached with contention- & rejoiced when Christ was preached- Phil 1:16
2. But in what place a woman should hold- he forbad contentions- I Cor 11:16-so note this!
3. He warned Titus to avoid any who would contend over words & questions- Titus 3:9

When we grow contentious over words and fail to stand against perversion of worst kind --

II.  MUST AVOID CONTENTIOUSNESS & YET CONTEND FOR FAITH

The Greek word- Titus 3:9- is Heris- harassment; but in Jude 3 means to agonize against

A.  THERE ARE CONTENTIONS ABOUT WORDS, PET DOCTRINES, AND WE MUST BE WISE IN OUR STRENGTH

1. The current one is on Predestination-Pitting Sovereignty of God against man's free will-
2. We used to argue over Pre-Trib Rapture; Tongues; Pastoral Authority; Dispensations-hyper, etc.
3. The next-Rethink Inspiration; and the limited or universal atonement- Some important- some not

B.  THERE ARE CONTENTIONS ABOUT METHODS, AND WHO A PERSON COOPERATES WITH, & FOR WHAT FURPOSE

1. If you have a modernist on platform with you-bad, if you with him-OK But names confuse!
2. The Campus Crusade method, or the Jack Hyles method-both pick green fruit -but study each
3. You can be an expert on arguing methods, & make no mistakes- simply by doing nothing!!!

C.  THERE ARE TOO MANY CONTENTIONS TODAY ABOUT PERSONALITIES, NAME CALLING BY ASSOCIATIONS

1. Are you for Rice or Graham; McIntire or Taylor-they believe same-Inspir., Salvation, Basic Doctrine
2. But while you argue with them-One of Pike's kids, or Armstrong, Sheldon Emory, Ken Goff;
3. If you see someone always being contentious-Rom 16:17 avoid him -don't become contentious

 The giants I've mentioned are gentlemen- but some of their followers are bounders, cads

III. WE MUST CONTEND FOR THE FAITH - Jud 3

God counts on us to do his work- & fighting; if we fail-we die! Blessed are peace-makers

A.  SOFT WORDS AND KIND THOUGHTS WILL NOT DEFEAT THE APOSTATES DESCRIBED IN JUDE 8-10

1. The Apostates of v8 are active today- Will you fight the corrupters-not argue, FIGHT
2. The early church was so permissive they were in the church- v.12,13 at Communion service
3. These last day creatures-v. 16-19 were corrupt because they did not have the spirit! 19b

B.  UNLESS WE ARE WILLING TO THROW THE RASCALS OUT, WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY FREEDOM FOR GOSPEL

1. Negros are welcome in our service- but any Black Panthers who reach pulpit will be stopped
2. Jesus Freaks-or God Squad are welcome-but any filthy words will draw fists - our Constitutional right to defend sanctuary of church
3. The sick, feeble minded will be ministered to- the mockers thrown out! Volunteers?

C.  BUT IN OUR BATTLE WE MUST REMEMBER WHY IT IS TO KEEP OURSELVES FREE TO STAND IN THE FAITH

1. Our church is Orthodox - Solid Doctrines of the Word - as old line Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian
2. Our Church is Fundamental-Conservative- old truths never change- Inspiration-Salvation 3a
3. Our Church is Baptistic - Distinctives-Priesthood, NT Church, Immersion, Separation, Communion

We believe that if we stand for Jesus- He will keep us from falling- Jude 24,25

CONCLUSION - WITHOUT BEING CONTENTIOUS, WE WANT TO EARNESTLY CONDEND FOR THE FAITH ONCE DELIVERED!

1. We want to preserve the right for men to hear gospel, and to be Born Again- Use this freedom
2. We want to preserve our freedom to worship God according to the scriptures- be active-
3. We want to keep under the spout of God's Blessings so He can thrill our hearts!