Jude: How to Contend for the Faith Without Losing Your Faith
Jude 17-23
Dr. Chris Montgomery · Nov. 12, 2025
Theme: Stay True to the Gospel (17-23)
1. Remember the Apostle’s Teaching (Jude 17-19) But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.
The Fruit of the Ungodly:
1. They Cause Divisions
2. They are Worldly People (James 3:13-18) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
3. They are Devoid of the Spirit
2. Keep Yourself in the Love of God (Jude 20-21) But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.
Jude is grounding what he is saying in the Trinity and the triad of faith (faith, hope, and love).
Keep Yourselves in the Love of God in Three Ways:
1. Build Yourselves Up in Our Most Holy Faith
2. Praying in the Holy Spirit
3. Wait for the Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
3. Show Mercy to Those who Doubt God’s Love (Jude 22-23) And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
How to Treat Those Affected by False Teachers:
1. Have Mercy on Those Who Doubt
2. Save Others by Snatching Them Out of the Fire
3. Show Mercy with Fear (Galatians 6:1) Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.