Faith Worth Contending For ~ How to Contend Part 4: The Conduct We Keep

In this message from the book of Jude, we continue exploring Jude’s call to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Jude warns believers about false teachers and encourages them to remain grounded in the apostles’ teachings, build themselves up in faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and keep themselves in God’s love. However, contending for the faith begins with personal spiritual growth before extending outward to others. Drawing from Jesus’ teaching about removing the log from our own eye, the sermon emphasizes that we must establish firm footing in our faith before helping others find theirs.

Jude’s instructions in verses 22–23 establish mercy as our guiding principle and rule of engagement when engaging those who doubt, struggle, or fall short. Because we continually depend on God’s mercy ourselves, we must extend that same compassion and forgiveness to others. Ultimately, Christians are called to contend for the faith, not against people, becoming a people known for and marked by mercy.

((Audio Only))

STUDY GUIDE

1. Building a Firm Foundation
According to Jude 17–21, what are believers instructed to do to strengthen themselves in the faith? Why is personal spiritual growth essential before we attempt to help others grow?
2. Contending For, Not Against
The sermon emphasizes that we are called to contend for the faith, not simply fight against people. What is the difference between these two approaches? How can we stand firmly for biblical truth while treating others with compassion and respect?
3. Examining Ourselves First
Read Matthew 7:3–5. What does Jesus teach about addressing others’ struggles or sins? How does this passage connect with the sermon’s point that we must have firm footing in our own faith before helping others?
4. Defining Mercy
The message defines mercy as kind or forgiving treatment of someone we could treat harshly. How have you experienced God’s mercy in your own life? How should receiving His mercy influence the way you treat others?
5. The Responsibility to Forgive
Read Matthew 18:21–35. What does Jesus’ parable of the unforgiving servant teach us about extending mercy to others? Why is it inconsistent to receive God’s forgiveness while refusing to show mercy to those around us?
6. Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment
Read James 2:13. What does the statement “Mercy triumphs over judgment” mean in light of Jude’s teaching? How might this truth change how we respond to someone who has failed, stumbled, or fallen short?
7. Putting the Message into Practice
The sermon repeatedly reminds us: “Mercy toward them in their doubts. Mercy toward them in their wavering. Mercy toward them in their slipping. Mercy toward them when they fall short.” Which of these situations challenges you most? What is one specific way you can show Christlike mercy to someone this week, contending for them for the faith that was once and for all delivered to the saints?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

Jude 3-4
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Jude 1
Jude 17-23
Matthew 7:1-6
1 Peter 1:3
Ephesians 2:4-5
Lamentations 3:22-23
Matthew 5:7
Matthew 6:14-15
Matthew 18:23-35
Matthew 18:21-22
James 2:13