CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS – 1 TIM 6:12; JUDE 3

 

Introduction: 

The believers’ life is described in many ways such as a race – 1 Cor (:24; Heb 12:1; a Contest – Jude 3; a Fight – 1 Tim 16:12; a war – 2 Cor 10:3-5; I Tim 1:18 and 2 Tim 2:4 a wrestling – Eph 6:12 etc.

All these and many other terms summarise the nature of the journey of faith. This is so simply because of the opposing forces from the enemy – devil who uses among other things, a three dimensional approach to ensnare the believer – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life (all that the world comprises of). 1 Jn 2:16.

Contending for the faith involves the immediate rejection of any teaching that uses grace as a license to sin vs 4.  It also requires that we rebuke and reject any teacher who seeks to glorify self, rather than God vs 8-19. On the positive side, contending for the faith involves praying continuously in the Spirit, knowing that this type of praying promises to build up our faith vs 20-21.

What is Christianity and Service to God?

Christianity can be summarized as relationship with God and with men. This was emphasized by Jesus when He came to the world to save sinners. In His message to the disciples in Mathew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before MEN, that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER which is in heaven.”(Capitals mine)

Our service and responsibility are primarily to God – our Father – and secondarily to men among who we live. It is one thing to serve; it is another thing to serve with a good conscience. A case in point is king Amaziah who did that which was right but not with a perfect heart. 2Chro. 25:2.

The State of the Church:

Without doubt, we are living at a very crucial time when it appears the devil has taken over the stage. All over the world, news of crises and criminal activities pervade the whole atmosphere. For those who have the spiritual insight and understanding of time, the whole arsenal of the devil is directed at the church more so, when the coming of the Lord is nearer than before. Nevertheless, the plan and purpose of God cannot but come to pass. The Lord’s words cannot go out without being fulfilled that “…I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. Amen. 

Today, the church is replete with wolves, panthers, hyenas and jackals. Instead of taking care of the sheep many who claim to be shepherds are fast devouring the sheep and the lambs, taking advantage of their utter defenseless nature. This is a situation that rightly fits in to the attitude of pastors in the days of Jeremiah. God had to pronounce a severe judgment upon them thus “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture... Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them; behold I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, … And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord”. Jeremiah 23:2-4.

The tragedy of our time is that both the priests (shepherds) and the prophets who are in the house of the Lord are found to be wicked: they have become adulterers whose course is evil; they commit adultery with impunity, walk in lies and strengthen the hands of evildoers for filthy lucre. This is against the mind of God whom they claim to represent as pictured by Isaiah.  “He shall feed His flock like lambs with his arm and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isaiah 40:11).

Jesus taught His followers about His role in their lives as the Shepherd (John 10:1-16). Many shepherds today behave more like hired workers who can desert the sheep when danger approaches and unwilling to lay down their lives for the sheep.

Where Are His Undershepherds?

Jesus is our Shepherd and the Bishop of our souls. 1 Peter 2:25. All of us are His sheep. Those who have been made to be overseers on God’s heritage are His undershepherds. He has left us an example of feeding His sheep and so expects us in love to feed the sheep and the lambs. (John 21:15-17). 

However, we are left with many questions today. Where are His shepherds who will lead the sheep to green pastures? Where are they who will lovingly carry home the weary and weak sheep? Where are they, who will not milk the sheep but instead provide abundant food for the sheep? Where are those who will gently lead the sheep to the green pastures nurturing them for the Chief Shepherd? And where are the sheep who will “sheepishly” follow genuine and faithful shepherds? 

Unbalanced Teaching and Doctrine:

The life of a Christian should be a product of sound and balanced biblical principles. It is sad that today, unbalanced teachings in Christian doctrines have propelled the church into liberal theology and philosophy of relativism. 

Much of the distortions of the Gospel have been propagated by many of today’s preachers and teachers who are seeking to produce “results”. Many want to fill their churches with members, so, they tailor their messages to be non-offensive. They employ new techniques, ideas or practices which will attract people to their Church or Ministry to further their own ambitions and egos.

It is becoming apparent that the church is wallowing in sin. The Church has been deceived and greatly robbed of balanced gospel through false and deficient teachings. She has received a great deal of false and deficient teaching. She has been misled by many who have perverted and/or misunderstood God’s word and will.

Undoubtedly, where the whole gospel is not preached, the result is heresy – which is placing emphasis on one truth at the expense of others. For instance, some modern-day preachers have so much emphasised prosperity at the detriment of holy living. This produces believers who develop craving to become rich at all costs. What a tragedy! Holistic gospel must accommodate all teachings – 2 Timothy 3:16.

Whereas, prayer and fasting are necessary requirements for spiritual warfare and strength in the Christian journey, emphasis on these without corresponding holy living renders our message not only partial but totally unbalanced. It cannot be over-emphasised that fundamental to holistic gospel is holiness and righteousness.

The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ places emphasis, among others, on the Kingdom, and Kingdom Lifestyle, grace and faith leading to salvation. When people preach only a part of the gospel message as the whole sum and substance, it is an error. It misleads people. It leaves them with a false impression of what God wants and is trying to do.

Examples of those who fought the good fight of faith:

• Stephen – Acts 6

• James – Acts 12

• Paul – 1 Cor 11

• Job – Job 1

• The Hebrew children – Dan 1:7 

• Daniel – Dan 3:4-29

The saints of old – What exactly made them to fight to the end?

• They saw the vision of heaven and its glory.

• They also saw the vision of hell and the eternal punishment.

• The word of God was real to them.

• Their major consideration was Jesus crucified – Heb 12:2-3

• Their focus was the coming glory to be revealed in them – Rm 8:18.

Conclusion:

Fundamental to our serving God is Love. “I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains – but if I have no love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (GNB). It should be noted that no useless part or person exists in the household of God except those who decide to be useless – “While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and not one of them was lost, except the man who was bound to be lost – so that the scripture might come true.” John 17:12 (GNB).

In serving God, there are requirements: Some of these are:

• Willingness – God requires every worker to be a willing worker – not working by compulsion or for eye service – Ephesians 6:6; Colossians 3:22; Judges 5:2, 9; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 2 Corinthians 8:12.

• Availability – The ability of a worker even if he is the best worker becomes useless when it is not matched with availability. Exodus 18 – Jethro’s example. Availability is availing others your ability to achieve success in any activity or assignment.

• Faithfulness – No matter what a worker does. No matter who he is. No matter what commendations men may give to the worker, the basis of God’s commendation and reward is FAITHFULNESS! “You should think of us as Christ’s servants who have been put in charge of God’s secret truths. The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2. “Well done, you good and faithful servant, said his master. You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come in and share with my happiness.” Matthew 25:21.

• Obedience – This is key in meeting God’s standard in service. Partial obedience is disobedience as in the case of Saul – 1 Samuel 29:15, 31.

• Dependability – A worker should be very dependable otherwise he/she puts the church in a serious precarious situation and as such, undermines the success or fruitfulness of God’s assignment.

• Reliability –An unreliable worker is like a shaking tooth. Proverbs 25:19. “Depending on an unreliable person in a crisis is like trying to chew with a loose tooth or walk with a crippled foot” It is expected that every worker should be reliable if God’s work will be carried out to achieve the utmost success. The situation in Nehemiah is very instructive. If any of those building or watching was found unreliable, the walls of Jerusalem could not have been built and the nation of Israel would have been overrun by their enemies.

Therefore, the question comes to every one of us: how many of these requirements are guiding posts in my service rendition to the church? Everyone should realise that the assignment given to us is not by man but by God and should be done as unto Him. There is no one that is indispensable. To say ‘without me nothing can be done’ is no true. If God allows us to be here today to do one thing or the other, it is by His grace. There would possibly be someone who is better than me or you but the opportunity is not given to such. 

If therefore, you have this opportunity to serve Him, bear all these in mind and serve Him more acceptably. It must be borne in mind and that constantly, that the basis of reward for any service rendered to God is FAITHFULNESS – Matthew 25:21; Revelations 2:8-11.

Above all, trust the Lord and stand upon His promises. Do not fear, stand firm and walk uprightly no matter what comes your way. Be filled with the Spirit and live peaceably with all and pursue holiness – Heb 12:14.

Thank you