April 21, 2019
Pastor David Welch
“A Holy Fight”
Introduction
I don’t know about you, but my parents frowned upon fighting. Turn the other cheek. Walk away.
This morning I am here to encourage fighting. Not because I like fighting but because the Bible instructs us to fight. In case you hadn’t noticed, it is actually the theme for your anniversary. Before you have someone throw me out, let me explain. The theme for your anniversary celebration is CONTEND.
I want to take a moment to explore the concept and then spend the bulk of our time together addressing its Biblical application.
I. What does it mean to contend?
If you were to do a search for the word “contend” in your English Bible, you would find it only in one verse in the New Testament where Jude urged his readers to contend for the faith once for all entrusted to the saints.
All the Old Testament verses that use the word refer to some sort of battle.
Researching the Greek term translated “contend” in the Jude passage, unearths some significant insight into what is meant.
It comes from the root “agon” which sounds a lot like our English word agony or agonize.
In its noun form, it refers to a conflict, a fight, a race, a contest, a struggle.
Paul used it to describe his suffering for the cause of the gospel.
Luke described Jesus at Gethsemane in “agony” as He prayed.
Hebrews calls us to lay aside every sin and encumbrance in order to run the “race” set before us.
The verb form means to struggle, compete, contend, fight, labor, strive physically, emotionally, spiritually and even verbally debate an issue.
Jesus urged Jews to “strive” to enter the through the narrow door.
Paul referred to an athlete training diligently to “compete” in the games.
Paul “agonized” to reach his goal to present every man complete in Christ.
Paul described Epaphras “agonizing” in prayer for the Philippians.
Paul urged Timothy to “agonize” in training for godly living.
Jude used an intensified form urging us to contend for the faith.
Paul used both the noun and the verb together bearing testimony at the end of his life that he had “fought” the good “fight.” He also urged Timothy to “fight” the good “fight” of faithfulness.
These are just the places where this specific Greek term is used. The basic concept of struggle appears all through the Bible using other words like diligence, endurance, hard work, fervency, faithfulness and steadfastness, pursuit, seeking, zeal. This hardly describes the attitude of modern Christianity. In our world of affluence, many of us don’t know what it means to work hard for anything anymore let alone our faith and godliness.
II. For what should I contend?
Now that we have a general idea of what it means to contend, I want to spend the rest of our time exploring some areas the Bible calls to contend or strive or labor. There are numerous categories to explore. I will focus on just four.
A. Contend for the truth of the resurrection and the faith.
Today we celebrate a central tenant of our faith. I am sure it was a central component of Jude’s call to contend for the faith. Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. Jude 1:3 The disciples all died contending for the truth of the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul declared it essential to the gospel.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. 1 Cor 15:3-8
Peter boldly proclaimed the resurrection from the day of Pentecost on.
Stephen claimed to see the resurrected Christ standing at the right hand of God.
Paul declared that he was standing trial because of his belief in and proclamation of the resurrection.
Paul boldly asserted that without the resurrection we have no hope.
And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 1 Corinthians 15:14-19
Many an honest seeker of truth ended up embracing Christianity after honestly researching the evidence of the resurrection. Josh McDowell, Lee Strobel, CS Lewis.
Many present a much more thorough defense and contend more aptly than I. All the evidence is there.
Jesus is alive as declared by eyewitnesses. There is no grave to visit or monument to pay homage.
The only logical conclusion based on the laws of historical evidence and research is that He, in fact, rose just as was prophesied in the Scriptures, predicted by Jesus and witnessed by His followers.
• The evidence of dedicated followers is compelling.
The disciples, who hid before the resurrection afraid for their lives, fearlessly crisscrossed the country boldly proclaiming the resurrected Christ after the resurrection. These eyewitnesses to the living Lord all (except John) died) as martyrs for their belief in the resurrection.
Few hold on to lies when facing death.
• The evidence of worldwide impact is overwhelming.
Much of what is good in our world has come about because of Jesus. Our world is radically different because of Jesus Christ.
? The way we view and value human life under the influence
? The way we treat one another under the influence
? Education under the influence
? The founding of America under the influence
? Civil liberties under the influence
? Science under the influence
? Economics under the Influence
? Our views of sex and the family under the influence
? Health and medicine under the influence
? Morality under the Influence
? Arts and Music under the influence
There is much more evidence for the resurrection than the favorite Easter hymn asserts. “You ask how I know He lives – He lives within my heart.” We are not only to contend for the truth of the resurrection but for every truth recorded in the Bible.
Today, the foundations of the Bible are continually attacked. Praise God for men and women raised up to mount powerful defenses.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; 1 Peter 3:15
What is the reason for our hope?
To them, God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27
Paul declared that all Scripture specifically came from God and is profitable to teach us divine truth, reprove and correct harmful behavior and instruct us how to live godly so that we might be fully equipped to serve God. (2 Tim 3:15)
Peter instructed his readers to long for the word.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 1 Peter 2:2
Jesus prayed about the importance of His word. He prayed that they would experience the sanctification that comes from it.
Does the word contend describe your continual pursuit of the truth?
B. Contend for purity, godliness, holiness
Paul counseled young pastor Timothy…
If you put these truths before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 1 Tim 4:6-10
Most people don’t really like training or exercise. There are no shortcuts to growth either physically or spiritually. Much of the Bible addresses how we are to live according to God’s ways. There are numerous calls to “walk worthy of our calling” by living godly.
Jesus came to purify us.
waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:13-14
Jesus prayed for the purity of His followers.
Unfortunately, the lifestyles of those who claim to embrace Jesus in our modern culture can barely be distinguished from those who embrace the world. God sent us as a light to the world, but we obscure it by the way we live. Jesus said shine your light so that they may see our good works and glorify Him. Jesus also sent us as salt, but we are no longer salty due to dilution.
How hard do we fight to live like Jesus?
Hebrews addresses our fight, our race to godliness.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Hebrews 12:1-4
Now that’s contending for godliness.
Later the writer commands us to strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (vs 14).
Peter sets a seemingly impossible standard.
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace being brought to you in the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 1 Peter 1:13-19
Paul urged the Colossians to keep their thinking straight.
Since you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep setting your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4
The consequence of focused thinking is holy living.
Consider your members dead to immorality. Put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, lies. Put on love, compassion, forgiveness…
What is the motivation for contending for holiness?
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be, has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 1 John 3:1-3
What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1
Keep looking to Jesus.
Keep a firm connection – abide in Him.
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 John 2:28-29
What kind of time and energy are we expending to transformed living? He shed His own blood. What are we sacrificing to grow in Jesus?
C. Contend for Unity in the church
A significant portion of Jesus’ final prayer for us had to do with the unity of His followers.
"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; John 17:20-22
Jesus prayed that the same unity eternally experienced in the Trinity would be experienced in the church for now and eternity. We spend a lot of money, time and energy on slick evangelism methods. Jesus made it simple. Live holy. Love passionately.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
We are the music to the lyrics of the gospel.
Sometimes the music of our life distracts and detracts from the message of the Gospel.
The command to love one another fills the New Testament.
It didn’t take long before relational issues strained family unity.
The disciples haggled about who was the greatest.
The early church dealt with prejudice and neglect.
Paul cautioned the Galatians to be careful lest they bite and devour one another.
The bulk of the letters of the New Testament addressed relational issues.
Every church suffers disunity. Paul equated a worthy walk with relational health.
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
There is an essential unity.
T
here 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. Ephesians 4:4-6
Paul calls us to diligently preserve a practical unity.
John boldly asserts that failure to love God’s kids is a failure to love Him.
Paul told the Roman believers to be at peace with all men if possible.
Peter called for harmonious living.
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9
It is impossible to avoid offending people or being offended. Scripture specifically instructs us on how to handle those offenses.
How serious are we about preserving the unity of the Spirit?
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
D. Contend for effective ministry in the lives of others
The final fight I want to explore comes from the example of Paul.
We proclaim Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:28-29
Paul agonized and labored to encourage others in their growth. Ministry is messy. Ministry can be a difficult struggle. The New Testament issues instruction all through regarding our responsibility to one another as fellow members of Christ’s body. Love one another, encourage one another, exhort and admonish one another, serve one another, forgive one another, forbear one another, accept one another, build one another, honor one another, pray for one another.
God specifically gifts each member of the body to serve the other members.
We are one body. Unity.
We all have different responsibilities and gifting. Diversity.
Our gifting is essential to the health and growth of the other members. Mutuality.
Any lapse of malfunction in one member affects the others.
How are you investing in the lives of others?
Are you waiting for someone to serve you?
How does the body grow? When everyone does their part.
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16
CONCLUSION
Jesus will soon return. Will He find faith? Will he find faithfulness?
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for the new heaven and earth, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 2 Peter 3:14
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18
Jesus made it unquestionably clear how He feels about mediocrity to the church who gathered in the city of Laodicea.
“‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:15-20
The essence of their mediocrity was a failure to recognize their utter need for Jesus and His resources.
They evaluated their lives by an entirely different criterion.
I’m ok because I have material wealth.
I’m ok because I have achieved intellectual ability.
I’m ok because I clothe myself with certain activities.
Jesus called them spiritually poor, blind and naked.
He called them to draw their life from Him.
He called them to contend to repent, be zealous, fight, contend.
Paul told the Romans…
Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Romans 12:11
In love, Jesus reached out to them. They had locked Him out of the life of the church. He knocked and called for them to let Him back into their fellowship. If they would respond, He promised to restore a glorious fellowship. Have we driven Jesus out of our lives and churches because we have become self-sufficient and comfortable?
Repent. Change your thinking.
Labor, contend, agonize, train.
Run the race set before you.
Paul confidently asserted…
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. 2 Tim 4:6-8
Can we say the same thing?
God calls all of us to fight the good fight as Paul did.
Will our lives produce a reward?
If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 1 Cor 3:12-15
Contend for the faith.
Contend for purity.
Contend for unity.
Contend for effective ministry.
My beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:58
