JEEPERS. CREEPERS: Jude 3-4

I. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO DEFINE THE FAITH

"The Faith" is a technical term to refer to the true teachings of Christianity

II Cor. 13:5 says “Examine yourselves to see if you are in “The Faith.”

Eph. 4:13 speaks about attaining “the unity of The Faith.”

Phil. 1:25 Paul speaks of their “Progress and joy in The Faith.”

I Timothy 1:12 Paul speaks of Timothy as his “Child in The Faith.”

I Timothy 6:21 Paul speaks of those who have “gone astray from The Faith.”

II Timothy 4:7 Paul speaks of Himself as having “kept “The Faith.”

Jude 3 we are to "contend earnestly for 'the faith'"

Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Seven Core Beliefs Christians Must Hold To:

1. The Divine Inspiration of Scripture

I Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

2. The Deity of Christ

Colossians 1:15 says He is the “Image of the Invisible God.”

Hebrews 1:3 “He is the exact representation of His Nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His Power.”

3. The Virgin Birth

Matthew 1:23 says quoting the Old Testament about the birth of the Messiah “Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a child and they shall call His name Immanuel.”

4. The Substitutionary Death on the Cross

Romans 5:8 While we were still sinners Christ died FOR us.”

5. The Physical Resurrection

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from

6. The Second Coming of Christ

Acts1:11 Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

7. Salvation by Grace Through Faith

Ephesians 2:8. “For By Grace you have been saved Through Faith.”

Two Ways to Deny "The Faith"

1. By Adding to it

2. By subtracting from it

Quote:

Fundamentalism (Legalism) often fails to distinguish between saying no to an inadequate confession of the deity of Christ, and saying no to the wrong kind of movie…

Liberal revisionism, on the other hand, in its attempt to translate the Christian faith to connect with the culture, has often wound up revising the Christian faith instead of translating it.”

II. WE SHOULD BE TOTALLY DEVOTED TO THE FAITH

Truth: You cannot be devoted to a faith that you cannot define.

Jude 3: “Very eager to write to you about our common salvation…”

Two Things the Faith Does for Us

1. It Ignites Us

Acts 28:30-31: “He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

2. It Unites Us

Ephesians 4:11-13: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith.”

Acts 2:42-44: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”

“Becoming a safe place for people to let go of their secrets.

Providing a safe process for people to grow in emotional and spiritual maturity in Christ.

Developing disciples in the truth of God’s word.

Loving one another as a witness to the world.”

Vision Statement:

“We are all about the help, hope, and healing of Jesus.”

III. WE SHOULD BE WILLING TO DEFEND THE FAITH

Philippians 1:7: “It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”

1 Peter 3:15: “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”

Two Reasons Christians Don’t Defend the Faith

1. They can’t define the faith

2. They aren’t devoted to the faith

Truth: You won’t defend a faith that you aren’t devoted to.