Contender 1/8/20
Jude 3,22;24
YOU: How many of you believe that some things need to change in our world today???
What does it mean to change???
1: Change
To make different
Everyone agrees there are things that need to be different
Do any of you believe you have the power to do it???
Application: What are you doing to create change that you want to see???
Have you started doing something?
Did you take the 1st step in beginning the process???
What have you changed about yourself to help you change what you see wrong in the world???
Seeing a problem doesn’t change the problem it just makes you aware that there’s a problem.
Being upset or inspired, encouraged or enraged doesn’t change the problem.
Change happens when you start doing something!!!
WE: We’ve been misled
2: We live in a society that has sanitized God
Being a Christian is about being safe
Christianity is about beautiful churches, and well-manicured pastors, and top-notch programs and ministries
All the bells, whistles, all the stuff
Application: It all feels safe, it all feels risk-free, and that is not what God’s will looks or feels like. We believe that visitation Christianity is enough, show up Sunday, serve, tip God and peace see ya next week…
WE WONDER AND ARE AMAZED AT HOW BAD THE WORLD IS, AND HOW AWFUL THINGS HAVE GOTTEN…
WE say and hear things like, SOMEONE SHOULD DO SOMETHING!!!
GOD: Jude says CONTEND FOR THE FAITH
3: Fight for the faith
That’s not safe, it’s not popular
Fighters, train and prepare
People who fight for faith never instigate the fight, they anticipate it
ARE YOU ARE A CONTENDER OR A PRETENDER???
Contenders compete to achieve something
Compete-strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because of your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whether you realize it or not your competing everyday
There’s a battle/a fight everyday inside of you
How often do you gain or win that fight
The competition is not about recognition or awards its about souls, your soul, your families, your friends. That’s something!!!!
Contenders challenge the status quo
Challenge- a call to take part in,invitation to engage
Jude 21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Contending for the faith requires us to take part and accept the invitation to engage.
Most people only feel challenged
God calls us to be the challenge, be the feeling, be the voice, be the one moving against the flow
You’ve been invited to take part in challenging the same ole same ole by choosing to strive and overcome fear by challenging your comfort zone
Start by challenging yourself to take part in being part of what God is doing by tearing down the strongholds in your life...
Contenders have compassion
Compassion- showing kindness, being thoughtful and decent,
Contenders show people that they care, telling someone has a minimum effect on others, showing them gives them evidence that what you say is real…
Having compassion is more about choosing to be than thinking you are
Compassion goes past your borders and happens when you cross your boundary line of comfort and safety
The first act of compassion for you is accepting the compassion that Christ has offered you
SO WHAT: Change only happens when you trust God with the things that need to change in you first, then God uses you to change your surroundings...
