The Battle is the Lord’s – Part 2

Jude 1:3

Scripture Reference

Jude 1:3 – “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and to exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

Introduction

This sermon is the second message in the series entitled “The Battle is the Lord’s.” Dr. Terry LeQuieu continues his exposition of Jude, focusing on the portrait, dangers, description, and destructive work of the deceiver who creeps into Christ’s church. Jude’s brief epistle is small in size but rich in warnings and doctrines. The central call is unmistakable: believers must “earnestly contend for the faith.” This message helps everyday Christians — especially young adults — recognize false teaching, guard their hearts and families, and stand firm in biblical truth. We will examine practical steps to defend the faith, understand the typology Jude uses, and apply the text to our lives.

“Right in front of Revelation. Jude. We started a study on Sunday night and we did not of course, get through part number one. So we’re just going to stretch it out. That’s not a problem at all. But started studying on the book of Jude and the title of this study or this series is going to be about three or four messages out of it is going to be entitled the Battle is the Lord’s. The Battle is the Lord’s. Listen, understand this tonight. The battle that we’re fighting is not a battle with flesh and blood. The Bible says we wrestle not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. The Bible says in Ephesians, chapter six, verse number twelve, we understand that our battle is not a flesh and blood battle.”

Outline

Position of the Disciple
1. In Christ and set apart — Jude reminds believers their identity: sanctified, servants, and called. This is the foundation for any defense of the faith. If you do not first know who you are in Christ, you will be unsteady when deception comes.
2. Implication — Our standing is positional (saved in Christ) and practical (sanctified for holy living). This means growth in personal devotion and doctrinal literacy are not optional.
Portrait of a Deceiver
1. They crept in unawares (Jude 4) — Deceivers are often subtle, hidden in plain sight, and use Christian language to disguise false doctrine. Learn the language of the Bible so you can detect when words are being twisted.
2. Ungodly character — These men often have a past or present pattern of ungodliness. They hide motives and character defects and present themselves as brethren.
3. Takeaway — Watch for inconsistency between profession and practice; watch for those who minimize the authority of Scripture.
Dangers from a Deceiver
1. Deception becomes destructive — Jude warns that deceptive teachers turn grace into lasciviousness (license to sin). The doctrine of grace can be perverted to excuse ongoing sinful behavior.
2. Examples in Scripture — Jude appeals to Israel in the wilderness (profession without faith), angels who sinned (position without obedience), and Sodom and Gomorrah (possession and pleasure without repentance).
3. Practical note — A church that tolerates doctrinal drift will soon see moral collapse; spiritual disease multiplies when ignored, like mold spreading behind a wall.
Description of the Deceiver
1. Condition: No reverence — They lack true fear of God; they go through Christian motions but have no godly heart.
2. Conduct: No restraint — They live riotous, self-indulgent lives, claiming grace as a license.
3. Creed: No ruler — They deny the Lord Jesus Christ and relativize truth. When people set up personal truth above God’s Word, they deny Christ’s lordship.
Destruction by the Deceiver
1. In spite of profession — The Israelites professed and were delivered but perished in the wilderness due to unbelief (Jude 5). A profession without faith can end in judgment.
2. In spite of position — Angels who abandoned their estate face reserved judgment (Jude 6). Titles and positions do not protect from final judgment if rebellion persists.
3. In spite of possessions — Sodom, Gomorrah, and neighboring cities show that wealth and culture do not prevent God’s wrath where gross immorality runs unchecked (Jude 7).
Direction of the Deceiver
1. They corrupt by fantasies and filth — “Filthy dreamers” invent immoral ideas and promote them widely. Technology amplifies false teaching and impure fantasies (Jude 8).
2. They despise authority — Deceivers hate dominion and speak evil of dignities; they attack godly leaders and sow division.
3. Example of restraint: Michael — Even Michael the archangel refused to rail against Satan and said, “The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 9). Believers must trust God’s judgment and avoid slanderous railing accusations.
Desires of the Deceiver
1. They covet gain and glory — Jude compares them to Cain (perverting the offering), Balaam (for filthy lucre), and Korah (rebellion against authority) — all examples of greed, pride, and rebellion (Jude 11).
2. Consequences — Those motives lead to division, scandal, and ultimately God’s judgment.
Defense for the Believer — Five Simple Steps
1. Submit to the faith — Yield your life and mind to the authority of Scripture; accept the historic gospel and Christ’s lordship.
2. Study the faith — Learn Bible basics: salvation, sanctification, the authority of Scripture, gospel clarity, and the deity of Christ. The more you know, the less you will be deceived.
3. Show the faith — Live consistently. Let holiness and discipleship authenticate doctrine. Walk in newness of life (Romans 6), not in license to sin.
4. Stand for the faith — Be ready to contend, lovingly but firmly, against error when gently corrected and sound instruction fails (Jude’s call to “earnestly contend”).
5. Share the faith — Evangelize and disciple others in truth. A healthy church is a teaching church that multiplies sound discipleship.

Summary

Jude warns that the battle believers face is spiritual and that false teachers creep into congregations deceptively. Their character, conduct, and creed are destructive: they pervert grace, despise authority, and deceive many. Jude points to scriptural examples — Israel, fallen angels, Sodom — to show their doom. The antidote is not passivity but preparedness: know who you are in Christ, be rooted in Scripture, live holy lives, and stand ready to defend the faith for the glory of God. Remember, the battle is the Lord’s: He will bring final judgment, but He also equips His people to contend now with truth, restraint, and love.

“They are deceptive and they are dangerous, but also they are very destructive. Many times these men will come in, they will draw a following after themselves. And as soon as the preacher says something that is against what they personally believe, they draw a crowd of them and they cause a major church split and they take half the folks with them as well.”

Quote to Ponder

Consider this warning: deceptive teachers often use charisma and partial truth to advance error. They may draw crowds, but crowds do not equal credibility. Ask: Is doctrine biblical? Is life holy? Is Christ exalted? These are the tests Jude encourages you to use.

Application for the Week

Practical steps you can take this week to heed Jude’s warning and to grow as a mature Christian:

Daily Bible time — Spend 10–20 minutes each morning in Scripture this week. Start with Jude and read the whole epistle slowly. Ask the Holy Spirit to show any area where you are vulnerable to error.
Memorize Jude 1:3 — “Earnestly contend for the faith…” Make it a prayer and a motto. Say it aloud every morning this week.
Evaluate influences — Audit what you watch, listen to, and follow online. Unfollow accounts that promote relativism, immorality, or doctrinal compromise. Replace them with faithful, Bible-preaching sources.
Practice discernment, not gossip — If you hear accusations or rumors, pray and ask church leadership before repeating them. Follow Jude’s example: confront error with Scripture and meekness, not railing accusations.
Be part of discipleship — Join or start a small group focused on doctrinal basics (salvation, the person of Christ, the authority of Scripture, sanctification). Teach one another and hold each other accountable.
Pray for leaders and the church — Each day this week pray for your pastor, elders, and Sunday school teachers. Ask God to give them wisdom to spot deceivers and courage to protect the flock.
Share the gospel relationally — Look for one person this week with whom you can share the gospel or invite to a discipleship Bible study. Defend the faith by advancing it: tell others the truth about Christ.

May we be a people who love the truth so much that we defend it, live it, and pass it on. The battle is the Lord’s, but He calls us to be prepared soldiers, ready to contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints.