June 1st, 2025
by Local Christian Church
by Local Christian Church
Stand Your Ground: Why Jude Still Matters Today
Have you ever been caught off guard in a conversation about your faith?
You thought you knew what you believed… until someone asked why. And suddenly, you froze. Maybe it was a co-worker who said, “All religions are basically the same,” or a social media post that twisted a Bible verse just enough to make you second-guess what you’ve always held true.
That moment is a reminder: faith can’t be inherited or assumed. It has to be rooted. Grounded. Stronger than emotion. Stronger than an assumption. Stronger than cultural drift.
You thought you knew what you believed… until someone asked why. And suddenly, you froze. Maybe it was a co-worker who said, “All religions are basically the same,” or a social media post that twisted a Bible verse just enough to make you second-guess what you’ve always held true.
That moment is a reminder: faith can’t be inherited or assumed. It has to be rooted. Grounded. Stronger than emotion. Stronger than an assumption. Stronger than cultural drift.
A Forgotten Book With a Timely Message
Enter the book of Jude. It's only 25 verses long—but it packs a punch. It’s not a cozy devotional or a Pinterest verse. You won’t find, “Contend for the faith!” etched on a coffee mug at Hobby Lobby. (Although… maybe we should start that trend.)
Jude doesn’t write to make us feel good. He writes to wake us up.
The church he addressed wasn’t under attack from the outside—it was being undermined from within. False teachers had slipped in, softening truth and twisting grace. And that sounds… eerily familiar.
Today, we live in a culture that says:
“Live your truth” instead of “Follow the truth.”
“Spiritual, not religious”—as if picking beliefs is like building your own burrito.
We love hearing about healing and wholeness—but rarely about sin, repentance, or the cross.
That’s why Jude's message is so relevant right now. He’s not just calling us to believe something—he’s calling us to stand for something.
Jude doesn’t write to make us feel good. He writes to wake us up.
The church he addressed wasn’t under attack from the outside—it was being undermined from within. False teachers had slipped in, softening truth and twisting grace. And that sounds… eerily familiar.
Today, we live in a culture that says:
“Live your truth” instead of “Follow the truth.”
“Spiritual, not religious”—as if picking beliefs is like building your own burrito.
We love hearing about healing and wholeness—but rarely about sin, repentance, or the cross.
That’s why Jude's message is so relevant right now. He’s not just calling us to believe something—he’s calling us to stand for something.
Identity Before Action
Before Jude tells us what to do, he reminds us who we are.
“To those who are called, loved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ…” (Jude 1:1)
You’re not forgotten. You’re not barely tolerated. You’re called by God. You’re deeply loved. You’re guarded—kept—by Jesus Himself. That’s your foundation.
And when you’re anchored in that kind of identity, you don’t need to drift. You don’t need to bend or blend into every cultural trend. You can stand firm—not out of fear or pride—but because you know who you are and whose you are.
Contend for the Faith
Jude then makes a sharp pivot:
“I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith…” (Jude 1:3)
The word “contend” in Greek is epagōnizomai—where we get the word “agonize.” It’s not passive. It’s not polite. It’s not just nodding quietly in a small group when someone misquotes Scripture. It’s spiritual grit. Like an athlete in the final stretch. Like a soldier refusing to surrender.
To contend means we don’t let the gospel get diluted on our watch.
And yet, that’s exactly what’s happening all around us. We’ve got:
Prosperity Jesus
“If you have enough faith, God owes you success, wealth, and maybe a Tesla.”
Self-Help Jesus
“Jesus is your life coach, here to help you become the best version of you.”
Hyper-Grace Jesus
“God is love, so don’t worry about sin. You don’t need to change.”
These distortions sound spiritual. But they’re hollow. And worse—they’re dangerous. Because they deny Jesus as our Sovereign and Lord—not by name, but by redefinition.
“To those who are called, loved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ…” (Jude 1:1)
You’re not forgotten. You’re not barely tolerated. You’re called by God. You’re deeply loved. You’re guarded—kept—by Jesus Himself. That’s your foundation.
And when you’re anchored in that kind of identity, you don’t need to drift. You don’t need to bend or blend into every cultural trend. You can stand firm—not out of fear or pride—but because you know who you are and whose you are.
Contend for the Faith
Jude then makes a sharp pivot:
“I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith…” (Jude 1:3)
The word “contend” in Greek is epagōnizomai—where we get the word “agonize.” It’s not passive. It’s not polite. It’s not just nodding quietly in a small group when someone misquotes Scripture. It’s spiritual grit. Like an athlete in the final stretch. Like a soldier refusing to surrender.
To contend means we don’t let the gospel get diluted on our watch.
And yet, that’s exactly what’s happening all around us. We’ve got:
Prosperity Jesus
“If you have enough faith, God owes you success, wealth, and maybe a Tesla.”
Self-Help Jesus
“Jesus is your life coach, here to help you become the best version of you.”
Hyper-Grace Jesus
“God is love, so don’t worry about sin. You don’t need to change.”
These distortions sound spiritual. But they’re hollow. And worse—they’re dangerous. Because they deny Jesus as our Sovereign and Lord—not by name, but by redefinition.
What’s at Stake?
This is more than a theological debate. It’s generational. It’s communal. It’s gospel-critical.
If we don’t stand for truth:
We’ll watch the gospel get rewritten in real time.
Our kids will inherit confusion, not conviction.
And our communities will miss out on the only message that actually saves.
So What Do We Do?
We don’t rage. We don’t run. We stand.
We build muscle memory in Scripture.
We disciple intentionally—not just emotionally.
We raise our kids on gospel truth—not just good morals.
And we stay anchored—not in fear, but in grace and truth.
Because the gospel doesn’t need editing.
It needs anchoring.
If we don’t stand for truth:
We’ll watch the gospel get rewritten in real time.
Our kids will inherit confusion, not conviction.
And our communities will miss out on the only message that actually saves.
So What Do We Do?
We don’t rage. We don’t run. We stand.
We build muscle memory in Scripture.
We disciple intentionally—not just emotionally.
We raise our kids on gospel truth—not just good morals.
And we stay anchored—not in fear, but in grace and truth.
Because the gospel doesn’t need editing.
It needs anchoring.
Final thought
“If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” – Alexander Hamilton
Jude reminds us: It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish.
So let’s be a church—and a people—who don’t just know the truth… but live it, speak it, and defend it.
So let’s be a church—and a people—who don’t just know the truth… but live it, speak it, and defend it.
Posted in Sunday Morning Message Recap
Posted in Cultural Christianity, Gospel Truth, Stand Firm, Grace and Truth, iblical Worldview
Posted in Cultural Christianity, Gospel Truth, Stand Firm, Grace and Truth, iblical Worldview
Local Christian Church
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
2024
July
August
September
October
November
Categories
Tags
#Acts2Church
#Bible Study
#Biblical Teachings
#BiblicalLove
#BiblicalWisdom
#BuildingOnJesus
#ChasedByGrace
#Christian Living
#ChristianBlog
#ChristianLiving
#ChurchCommunity
#ChurchIdentity
#ChurchMission
#Churchgrowth
#DoubtAndFaith
#Easter
#Evangelism
#FaithAndMentalHealth
#FaithAndQuestions
#FaithInAction
#FaithInTheMess
#FaithInTransitions
#FaithJourney
#FaithfulnessOfGod
#Faith
#FinalMessage
#FindingPeace
#FreshStarts
#GodWontLetGo
#GodsPlan
#GoodSamaritan
#GospelTransformation
#GraceInPursuit
#GreatCommission
#HonestFaith
#HopeAndHealing
#Hope
#JesusMeetsUsHere
#JesusSaves
#Jesusknows
#LifeChanges
#LifeChange
#LoveLikeJesus
#LoveYourNeighbor
#MentalHealth
#NewBeginnings
#NewYearNewYou
#OvercomingAnxiety
#OvercomingHeartbreak
#Parables of Jesus
#PassingOnFaith
#Preparedness
#Prepare
#RelentlessLove
#ScriptureForAnxiety
#Spiritual Growth
#SpiritualGrowth
#ThirstingfortTruth
#ThomasTheDisciple
#TrustInGod
#TrustingGod
#WonderSeries
#anticipation
#burnout
#depression
#despair
#fear
#forashland
#honesty
#loneliness
#readiness
#youarenotalone
1st World Problems
A Different World
Advent
Armor of God
Awe
Bible
Biblical Encouragement
Biblical Faith
Biblical Giving
Biblical Hope for the Future
Biblical Marriage
Born again
Calling
Christ-Centered Christmas
Christian Encouragement
Christian Journey
Christian Stewardship
Christian faith
Christian living
Christmas Message
Christmas
Church Life
Church growth
Church
Compassion in Action
Cultural Christianity
Easter Sunday
Emotional Faith
Encouragement
Enthusiasm in God
EverydayFaithfulness
Faith Over Fear
Faith and Failure
Faith and Trust
Faith and politics
Faith in Action
Faith in Chaos
Faith
Family
Fatherhood
Finance
Finding Joy
Forgiveness and grace
From our Lead Minister
Generosity with Talent
Generosity
Gideon
Giving
God Moments
God is working
God's promises
Godliness
Gods Strength
God
God’s Provision
Gospel Truth
Grace and Redemption
Grace and Truth
Gratitude
Holiness
Holy Spirit
Holy Tears
HolyHabits
Hope in Hard Times
Humble Beginnings
Humble Faith
Jesus Christ
Jesus Wept
Jesus and government
Jesus
Jesus’ Birth
Joy in Hard Times
Keep Warm
Kingdom citizenship
Legacy
Life Style
Living Out Grace
Living by Faith
Living with passion
Local
Love God
Love People
Love in the Chaos
Love your neighbor.
Love
Making Room for God
May the 4th be with you
Messiah
Mindset Shift
Mission
Moses
Move people to love like Him
Obedient Faith
Overcoming Anxiety
Overcoming Fear
Overcoming Negativity
Personal Time with God.
Power In Weakness
Proof
Public Celebration
Reignite
Rest
Resurrection
Risky Faith
Roles
Sarah
Serving God’s Kingdom
Serving Others
Serving in Church
Setbacks to Setups
Sharing Your Faith
Shifting Perspective
SlowFaith
Spiritual Awakening
Spiritual Strength
Spiritual resilience
SpiritualPerseverance
Spiritual
Spirtual Growth
Splendor of the King
Stand Firm
Stay Safe
Stewardship
Struggle
Submission
Submitting to authority
Summer Time
Thirst After Truth
Thriving in Relationships
Time Management
Transformation
Transforming the culture
Trust In God
Trusting God in Uncertainty
Trusting God
Trusting God’s Plan
Trust
Ultimate gift
Unexpected Blessings
Walking by Faith
Warfare
Womanhood
WonderInTheWaiting
active trust
aith and Trust
aithfulNotFamous
anticipation
authentic worship
busyness
bystander
childlike
church
community impact
holiday season
hope
iblical Worldview
joy
mentor
multiplication
peace
sabbath
spiritual growth
waiting
wonder
No Comments