The Letter of Jude

It is becoming increasingly difficult to find the right words to express an opinion. It is not uncommon to find yourself in a conversation with another person using similar words with vastly different meanings. Words like love, justice, tolerance, judging, mercy, and faith have derived from a Christian heritage but they have been redefined with secular meanings. It is as if one wrong word can set off a landmine.

How can you explain, defend, or share your faith or convictions as a Christian without getting shouted down or shunned? “Opponents of Christianity are no longer simply arguing that it is untrue or illogical, but also that it's dangerously oppressive. Many of the ethical commands of Christianity and the concept of divine judgment fly in the face of the prevailing norms of our culture. These kinds of moral issues are the chief apologetic challenge of our age” (Chatraw, 11).

In an effort to be more loving and less offensive Christians are having to water down much of their Biblical faith, morality, and convictions. The result is what Jude 4 describes as people who profess to be Christian but are “ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The letter of Jude is written to encourage and challenge struggling Christians to “contend for the faith.”

This is the beginning of our series on Jude. This is a timely and important letter containing only 25 verses. Read, study, and meditate on these verses as you listen to this message to think about how to grow in contending for the faith.