Running the Race with Endurance by Looking to Christ

The Gospel, Identity, and New Life in Christ

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Scripture teaches about identity, repentance, sexuality, and union with Christ. This episode carefully distinguishes between temptation, behavior, and identity while emphasizing that the believer's identity is rooted in Christ rather than sinful desires or past struggles. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, Romans 6:1–2, Genesis 1–2, Matthew 19, and Ephesians 5, Dave explains God's design for marriage, the transforming power of the gospel, and the importance of speaking truth with both conviction and compassion. The gospel does not merely forgive sinners—it transforms them. Through union with Christ, believers are given a new identity and called to walk in repentance, faith, and obedience to God's Word. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Quiet Growth, Deep Roots, Lasting Fruit

Spiritual growth is often quieter and slower than many Christians expect. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how God faithfully grows His people through abiding in Christ, steady obedience, repentance, perseverance, and grace-driven transformation. Drawing from Psalm 92, John 15, and Philippians 1:6, Dave encourages believers not to confuse slow growth with no growth at all. God's work may sometimes feel ordinary or unseen, but He is faithfully producing deep roots, lasting fruit, and enduring faithfulness in His people. This episode explores: • Spiritual growth and sanctification • Abiding in Christ • Perseverance in the Christian life • God's faithfulness in the process of growth • Why slow growth is still real growth For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Spiritual Habits That Endure

What spiritual habits actually endure over a lifetime of following Christ? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how lasting Christian growth develops through steady dependence on Christ, faithful exposure to God's Word, prayer, fellowship, repentance, and obedience. Drawing from 1 Timothy 4:7–8, Acts 2:42, and John 15:4–5, this episode encourages believers to pursue consistency over complexity and to abide daily in Christ through the ordinary means of grace. Spiritual maturity is rarely built through dramatic moments or emotional intensity. Rather, God forms His people through faithful habits practiced over time and rooted in Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Living Worthy of the Gospel

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what it means to live a life worthy of the gospel from Philippians 1:27, Ephesians 4:1, and Colossians 1:10. This episode clarifies that "worthy" does not mean earning salvation, but living in a way that reflects the grace of God. Believers are called to grow in Christlike character, endure faithfully through difficulty, and bear fruit that flows from the gospel. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Grace and Obedience: The Right Order of Salvation

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses the relationship between grace and obedience in the Christian life. Many believers struggle to understand how obedience fits into the Christian life. Some fear it undermines grace, while others emphasize obedience in a way that diminishes the gospel. This episode explains from Scripture that obedience is not the basis of salvation, but the fruit of it. Grace saves apart from works, trains believers in holiness, and produces a life of obedience rooted in love for Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/