Craig T. Owens

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The second-to-last book of the New Testament is a short letter to the Church in which Jude felt urged by the Holy Spirit to challenge Christians to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Does contend mean Christians are supposed to be combative about sharing their faith? We can learn a lot from the way Jude opens this letter. 

First, let’s look at who wrote this book. 

The names of the brothers of Jesus are listed twice (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55), and Jude is either the youngest or second youngest of these male siblings. He was a part of the family delegation that went to bring Jesus home because they thought He was out of His mind (Mark 3:21, 31). Later on, Jude would also mockingly taunt Jesus (John 7:5). 

(Check out all of the Scriptures in this post by clicking here.)

James is the oldest brother after Jesus. When Paul writes that Jesus appeared to James after the resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7), it’s possible that it means Jesus appeared to all of his brothers, because Paul also mentions that the brothers of Jesus had become evangelists (9:5). It’s not surprising that Jude calls himself a brother of James, but it is quite shocking that he calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ. 

In fact, he calls Jesus:

• our only Sovereign and Lord (v. 4) 
• the One who gives us eternal life (v. 21) 
• the only One who is our entrance into Heaven (vv. 24- 25) 

We need to adopt this servant’s mindset as we interact with others. 

Second, let’s notice who Jude’s audience is. 

Jude writes to people who are called, sanctified, preserved (NKJV). 

• called = invited to the banquet 
• sanctified = hagiazo = holy ones or saints 
• preserved / kept = carefully attended to  

Finally, let’s consider how Jude expects saints to be living each day. 

Jude says in verse 2 that we are to live…

• mercifully = not wanting people to get the punishment they deserve 
• peacefully = having our soul so secure that we fear nothing from God 
• lovingly = agape love like Jesus (John 3:16, 13:1) and like us (13:35, 15:9) 

And all of these things are to be in abundance—ever multiplying! 

After all of this, we are now in a place to consider how to live contending for the faith (v. 3). 

We are servants of Jesus, called to His banquet, set apart and preserved for His glory; we are intimately aware of His mercy, peace, and love, which we want others to know for themselves. 

Before we learn how to contend, let’s ask the Holy Spirit to check our attitude to ensure we indeed have the attitude of a secure servant. 

Follow along with all of the sermons in this series called Earnestly Contend. 

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