"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."

June 24th through the 27th 18 guys from church went down to Lake Taneycomo in Branson for a men's retreat where our theme was "contend." It was an awesome time of fellowship, study, and catching fish (probably about 100 fish)!

Again, our theme was “contend” and there were several ways that contend was applied during our teaching session. Whether you were there or not these emphases are a good reminder for men!

Contend for our faith,

There are a lot of people who try to manipulate the Christian faith so that they can continue walking in the sinful lifestyles that are natural to them. Sometimes these people come from within the church locally or the church globally. It can be easy to dismiss someone in a national or global position of influence but we need to be ready to continue in our faith with people who seek to subvert the faith locally. This does not mean arguing on Facebook! This means talking one on one and using inspired scripture as the authority.

Contend for God's authority,

In Jude, we see several examples of God's authority being subverted. As men of the Christian faith, we need to be willing to concede our own opinions before God's authority. When it comes time to form an opinion we need to at times contend against ourselves so that God is the supreme authority!

Contend for one another,

Jude verses 22 and 23 " and have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire" is an example of an application for Christian brothers going to war against the desires of sin for each other. "Snatching them out of the fire" has a lot of different applications but at the end of the day, it looks like a brother reaching out for help, or a brother reaching out to help!

Our plan is to continue ministering to the men of FBC Gower. So, be on the lookout for gatherings of men in our church, and in the meantime, men contend for our faith, contend for God's authority, and contend for one another!