LISTEN

This sermon was preached by Andy Wisdom at the Fallowfield site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 20th January 2019.

SERIES

This message was part of the ‘How to Pray’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Fallowfield in early 2018. The full series included the following sermons:

• Our Father (by Emily Williams)
• Hallowed Be Your Name (by Emily Williams)
• Your Kingdom Come (by Andy Wisdom)
• Your Will Be Done (by Naomi Armstrong)
• Give Us Today Our Daily Bread (by Julia Wilson)

BIBLE VERSES

This sermon was based on Philippians 4:4-13.

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provision

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

KEY POINTS

There Is a Faith Once For All Delivered

• Christianity does not change from one generation to the next.
• The canon of Scripture is closed.
• Historically, the church has summarised this faith once for all delivered in the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Ten Commandments.
• In the reformation, the fives ‘solas’ were also emphasised as central to the faith. 

The Faith Needs Contending For

• Jude is writing into a context of false teaching where people are trying to pervert God’s grace for sensuality. This is just as much of a challenge in our day as it was in Jude’s.
• The false teachers were within the church. 
• Verses 5-16 are quite complex, but they elaborate this point. They contain:
  • Three corporate rebellions
  • Three individual rebellions
  • Four specific charges
  • Two strange quotations
  • Six graphic metaphors
  • ONE big idea – Judgment on these false teachers.
• In light of this, we must contend for the faith.
• This isn’t about picking arguments – and the way in which we contend will vary depending on how central the issue is (it has been said that some issues we write in ‘pencil’, some we write in ‘pen’ and some we write in ‘blood’).

We Should All Be Ready to Contend

• It starts in you own life. Keep yourself in the love of God by:
  • Building yourself up in the most holy faith.
  • Praying in the Holy Spirit
  • Waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ the leads to eternal life
• Then we contend outwardly by:
  • Having mercy on those who doubt.
  • Saving others by snatching them out of the fire.
  • Showing mercy with fear.

MORE SERMONS

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