The Big Read – Jude

Powerpoint Pictures: Lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader; Scones fighting from Harry Hill TV Burp; Hulk Hogan v The Ultimate Warrior from Wrestlemania VI; Historical Re-enactment scene; Two brothers play-fighting

Look at these pictures of some things fighting, and try and guess what they all have in common.  [Luke Skywalker vs Darth Vader; Scone with cream on top of jam vs Scone with jam on top of cream; Hulk Hogan vs The Ultimate Warrior; A historical re-enactment; Couple of brothers play fighting].

Can you tell me what each of these fights has in common?  They are not real fights.  They are just for pretend.

The letter of Jude is all about a fight – a fight that every Christian is to take part in and a fight that is real.

“I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” (Jude 3)

The big thing Jude says in his letter is, “You’ve got to fight!”

To fight for the faith – to keep the good news of the gospel being proclaimed and being believed – because there are people who are trying to change it and lead people away from it.

How do we do that?

Not by literally punching someone who teaches wrong things about Jesus, but by reminding ourselves of the good news, by believing that it is true, by praying that God will help us to keep believing it, and by trusting that God will keep us believing it – that He will keep us from falling!

Fight!  Fight!  Fight!