CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – DATE: 2ND MARCH, 2025 – TOPIC: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
There is an urgent need to stick to and maintain the values of our faith in this era of modernization.
DATE: 2ND MARCH, 2025
HYIN S. S. & S. 616 4Take my life and let it be”
TOPIC: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH
TEXT: Jude vs.I-23
INTRODUCTION:
Although written many centuries ago, the
admonition to earnestly
contend for the faith is of great relevance and importance today. In contemporary times, Christian values are being trampled upon, subdued and relegated. It is sad to observe that even in some situations the very custodians of these values are the perpetrators of this act of destroying our most valued faith.
A song writer once wrote “Give me that old time religion. It was good for Paul and Silas, and is good enough for me” This ought to be the cry of every believer’s heart today. The believer who knows what he is doing must resist the attempts to “modernize” the gospel. He must contend for the original faith and resist this modem corruption of our faith by those who profess godliness but deny the power (of salvation, healing, holiness,
sanctification etc.) thereof.
We must all remnember that the way to eternal life is still narrow and the way to hell
(destruction) is broad. The
believer should keep to the
narrow way with all the
restrictions.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The aims of this lesson are:
- to understand what it means to contend for the faith:
- highlight some of the characteristics of the faith that was once delivered to the saints;
- appreciate why we need to earnestly contend for the faith today:
and - see how we can maintain the original faith of the gospel today and benefits derived.
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO
EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR
THE FAITH?
As defined in the Oxford
Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, to contend is to say or insist that something is true. Therefore, concerning the faith, to contend implies to earnestly strive as in a
battle/fight/competition/debate etc. for the values of our faith. This involves taking a stand against the
false heresies/doctrines being
peddled by some persons in
todays church.
The faith we are writing about was once delivered unto the
saints” (Jude v. 3). The salvation message is common to all. It applies to the Jews and Gentiles, that is, to all races and tribes of the
world. The standards of the faith are for all to practice.
These standards were instituted and taught by the LORD JESUS Himself. We have become inheritors of this faith and we must contend for its sustenance and purity. Every dilution must be
resisted. The believer must stand for truth wherever he finds himself.
QUESTION 2.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FAITH THAT WAS ONCE DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS”?
The faith that was once delivered to the saints is identified by many
characteristics.
A. MESSAGE OF SALVATION:
Salvation from sin and the
consequences of it is only possible in Christ. He is the only one who by the record of scripture and the record of history died (paid the price) for the sins of mankind. He
became the sacrifice for our sins.
The Bible says “neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. (Acts 4:12). This truth concerning man’s salvation
must be preached and attempts by anyone, no matter how highly placed in religious circles to subdue this truth must be resisted.
A true believer must contend for the message of salvation.
B. HOLINESS/GODLY LIVING: The faith we are encouraged to contend for is characterized by holy/Godly
living. Titus 2:11-14 declares “for the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world:
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great GOD and our SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all
iniquity, and purify unto Himself peculiar people, zealous of good works”. The standard of holiness/Godly living cannot be compromised. Although some so called “Christian modernists” in the church have compromised
biblical standards in their lifestyle and utterances, the message of Scripture is still clear, and that is the grace of God has appeared to us, teaching us to deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live for the LORD JESUS.
C. THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is another characteristic of our faith. Our walk with God is made easier when we are baptized/filled with the Holy Ghost. The gifts of the Holy Spirit can only be manifested through individuals who are baptized with the Holy Spirit. This truth must be taught, sustained and if need be contended for.
D. GOSPEL WITH POWER: There are many today who pro fess Godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Tim.3:5). One of the characteristics of the faith we are asked to contend for is that it is a
gospel that has God’s power
accompanying it. The Christian gospel goes with power; power to save, heal, deliver etc.
Some persons today “downplay” certain aspect of the gospel power. A true believer should be ready to contend for the truth that the gospel remains the power of Godunto salvation (Rom. 1:16) and that our gospel is not in Excellency of Scripture is still clear, and that is
the grace of God has appeared to
us, teaching us to deny
ungodliness and worldly lusts and
to live for the LORD JESUS.
C. THE BAPTISM OF THE Holy
SPIRIT: The baptism of the Holy Spirit is another characteristic of our faith. Our walk with God is made easier when we are baptized/filled with the Holy Ghost. The gifts of the Holy Spirit can only be manifested through individuals who are baptized with the Holy Spirit. This truth must be taught, sustained and if need be contended for.
D. GOSPEL WITH POWER: There are many today who profess Godliness but deny the power thereof (2 Tim.3:5). One of the characteristics of the faith we are asked to contend for is that it is a
gospel that has God’s power
accompanying it. The Christian gospel goes with power; power to save, heal, deliver etc.
Some persons today “downplay” certain aspects
of the gospel power. A true
believer should be ready to
contend for the truth that the
gospel remains the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16) and that our gospel is not in Excellency of speech…”(1 Cor.2:1)
E. PURITY OF DOCTRINE: Purity of doctrine was a major characteristic of the “faith that was once delivered to the saints”. The faith was received pure and undiluted. It was also practiced in purity with
the mindset of every believer to resist heresies and false doctrines.
Warning abounds in scripture of the need for us to beware of false prophets and their
doctrines/teachings. Needless saying that there are a lot of heresies/false practices being peddled in today’s church. The believer must contend for the faith that has been delivered to him.
Purity of doctrine must not only be maintained but must also be sustained.
F. PERSECUTION: Persecution is a characteristic of the Christian faith; while no one deliberately prays to be persecuted, it may however come in the course of the
believer’s practice of his faith. The Bible says that “yea, and all that will live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2Tim.3:12). It is a known fact that part of the apparent ease/lack of
persecution in today’s church is traceable to the fact that many believers are not contending for the faith that was delivered to the saints.
e.g. The return of the LORD: This was another major characteristic of our original faith. Believers of old lived daily in expectation of the Lord’s return. We of this
generation ought to be at a higher level of expectancy. The coming of the Lord indeed is near. The Bible
declares *. our salvation is nearer than when we believed”.
(Rom. 13:11)
QUESTION 3. WHY D0 WE NEED TO EARNESTLY CONTEND FOR THE FAITH?
The issue is not just
contending but earnestly
(seriously, firmly, dedicatedly)
contending for the faith. There are two major reasons given in the book of Jude why we must earnestly contend for the faith.
A. The presence of evil
inclined/intentioned men in the church:
Jude lamented the entering of some (evil) men into
the church. They did not just come in but they introduced a lot of) errors into the church. They turned “the grace of God into lasciviousness… denying the only LORD GOD and our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (Jude vs. 3-4).
These people were greedy,
covetous, hypocrites, liars and
false teachers. They were
described as .Murmurers,
complainers, working after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage”
(Jude v. 16). Their presence in the church corrupted the beliefs of the people. There are people with similar traits in today’s church.
The believer must resist these
people by earnestly contending for the faith. Their errors/false teachings must not be allowed to thrive in the body ofChrist.
B. T he certain ty of
judgment: Judgment certainly
awaits evil doers. The originators as well as acceptors and perpetrators of evil will be judged.
Just as Cain, Balaam, Jezebel, the Nicolaitans etc. were judged for their evils and false teachings, so will every false teachers and perpetrators of evil today be judged. The genuine believer must do everything within his power to
deliver people from these evil
men. This is why we must contend earnestly for the faith. We must stand for the truth, preach he truth and practice the truth.
QUESTION 4. HOWCAN WE
MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL
FAITH TODAY? (Jude Vs. 20-
23)
We must keep building ourselves up in the faith. This we do through a constant study of the word and
prayers. We should not only study God’s word but we must also be doers of the word (James 1:22-25).
We must have a constant prayer habit. In addition, we should not compromise what we know as truth. A believer must not trade his
convictions on the altar of
convenience. We should not allow ourselves to be carried away by “popular opinions”.
opinions”. Let us remember that the way to eternal life is still narrow and the way that
leads to destruction is very broad.(Matt.7:13-14).
Also, to maintain our original faith, we must be ready to reprove the unfruitful works of darkness(Eph.5: 11). We must not be partakers of evil but rather we should expose them. We should also be ready to teach people thebtruth. We should be ready to teach people what will make them
godlier, more committed, more dedicated and not what will make them less godly and less committed. Paul declared that “ye are witnesses how holily and justly… we behaved ourselyes among you”(1 Thess.2:10-12)
Finally, in order to maintain our original faith, we must witness to others about
Christ. People need to hear and believe the gospel so that they can be delivered from this “untoward generation”. (Acts 2:40).
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF
MAINTAINING AND
EARNESTLY CONTENDING
FOR THE ORIGINAL FAITH?
The benefits are many. Truth will prevail. The truth of the gospel will be enthroned in the hearts of believers. False
teachers/teachings will be
exposed. Believers will learn to stay away from such evil teachers.
The believer will enjoy peace of heart as he faithfully and steadily lives for the LORD. Believers will enjoy an atmosphere of godliness as they fellowship with each other.
Finally and ultimately, the believer who keeps to the original faith that was once delivered to the saints will be welcomed into presence of God when life on earth is over.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
There is much pollution (poison) being taught and practiced in Christendom. Some believers have become victims of false teachers and their teachings. There is an urgent need for believers to
contend for that faith which was once delivered to the saints. This requires resisting the evil men (teachers) who have found their way subtly into the Christian fold.
Their falsehood must be exposed.
The dedicated believer must
continually seek to know God in prayers and study of His word. He must be ready to reveal God’s truth to others through effective Christian witness.
MEMORY VERSE: Jude 1:3b
“…Ye should earnestly
contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE: MON: Characteristics of faith- Acts 1:8; 4:12
TUE: Characteristics of faith- Tit. 2: 11- 1 4
WED: Way to eternal life is
narrow- Matt. 7:13-14
THU: Build yourself in the faith
James1:22- 25
FRI: Reprove unfruitful works-
Eph.5:10 – 20
SAT: Victory at last- Rev. 22:10-16
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