Faith Worth Contending For ~ How to Contend Part 2: Keep Yourself in God’s Love

As we hear and respond to God’s word, we continue to see how Jude calls believers to “contend for the faith” today by learning to keep ourselves in God’s love. While Jude identifies building up our faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and waiting for Christ’s mercy as essential commitments, these flow from the central command to remain in God’s love. This means this comes first. Jesus teaches that we show love for Him by obeying His Word and submitting humbly to His authority. Jude also warns against rebellion, self-rule, and rejecting God’s authority, using historical examples to show the consequences of failing to remain faithful. Yet believers can take encouragement from knowing they are already beloved by God and kept in, by, and for Christ.

We do not obey to earn salvation or God’s favor; we obey because we have already received His love. Remembering whose we are empowers us to live faithfully, remain holy, and contend for the faith until Christ returns. Knowing you cannot contend for what you do not live out in your own life. Understanding why Jude therefore advises us to keep ourselves in God’s love so that we can contend.

((Audio Only))

STUDY GUIDE

1 – Read Jude 17–21. What does Jude command believers to do in order to contend for “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints”?

2 – Why does the sermon emphasize the phrase “keep yourselves in the love of God” as central to Jude’s instructions? What makes “keep” different from the other verbs in verses 20–21?

3. What does it mean practically to “keep yourselves in the love of God”? How does Jesus’ teaching in John 14:15–24 help explain this?

4. The sermon says, “You will not contend for what you do not see worthy of standing up for and defending or preserving.” What does this statement mean? How does the way we live demonstrate what we value?

5. Jude gives warnings through examples of those who rejected God’s authority. What can we learn from the examples?

6. How can self-rule, pride, or resistance to God’s authority affect a believer’s ability to remain faithful to Christ?

7. What is the significance of being described as “beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ”? How should knowing that we are already loved and kept by God affect the way we live?

8. The sermon emphasizes that we do not obey God in order to earn salvation or His favor. Why is this distinction important for understanding Christian obedience?

9. What are some practical ways you can become more firmly grounded in God’s Word and more intentionally live under Christ’s authority?

10. Personal Reflection: In what area of your life might God be calling you to “keep yourself in His love” more faithfully? What is one specific step you can take this week?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Jude 3-4
Jude 1
Isaiah 40:8
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Jude 17-23
John 14:15-24
Jude 6
Jude 13
1 John 4:19