Contending for the Word Q&A

Many people view repentance negatively, associating it with shame, guilt, or condemnation. Yet Scripture presents repentance as good news. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains the biblical meaning of repentance, its relationship to faith, and how it leads to forgiveness, restoration, and transformation through Jesus Christ. Learn why repentance is not a message of despair, but a gracious invitat...

A biblical response to same-sex relationships begins with the Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines God's design for marriage and sexuality from Genesis through the New Testament. He explains how Scripture consistently presents marriage as the covenant union of one man and one woman, addresses key biblical texts on sexuality, and highlights the hope of...

In this Weekend Reflection, Dave Jenkins explains why a believer's identity is found in Christ alone. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:17, he explores what it means to be a new creation, the security of belonging to Christ, and how the gospel provides lasting stability in a culture marked by confusion and constant self-definition. Christians are not defined by their past, their failures, or their feel...

Many people today assume that true compassion requires affirming a person's beliefs, identity, or choices. Yet Scripture presents a different picture. Jesus demonstrated both compassion and truth, showing kindness to sinners while calling them to repentance and faith. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains the biblical meaning of compassion, why compassion and affirm...

What happens to our identity when we follow Jesus Christ? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how the gospel transforms the believer's identity. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Luke 9:23, this episode explores what it means to become a new creation in Christ, why believers are no longer defined by sin, and how Christian discipleship involves repentance and ong...

What does the Bible teach about the relationship between love and holiness? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines the modern claim that love requires affirmation and contrasts it with the biblical teaching that love rejoices with the truth. Scripture never separates love from holiness because both flow from the character of God Himself. Christians are called to spea...

Every Christian experiences temptation, but temptation itself is not the same as sin. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Scripture teaches about temptation, desire, and the Christian life. Drawing from Hebrews 4, James 1, Matthew 26, and Galatians 5, Dave shows how believers can understand temptation biblically, resist sin through God's means of grace, and f...

Jesus calls His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains Luke 9:23-24 and shows why self-denial is an essential part of Christian discipleship. This episode clarifies what self-denial is and what it is not. Rather than rejecting God's good gifts, self-denial means refusing to place our desires abo...

One of the most common messages in modern culture is this: follow your desires, look within, and define yourself according to your feelings. But Scripture presents a very different foundation for identity. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines what the Bible teaches about identity and explains why our identity is ultimately found in Christ alone. Looking at 2 Corint...

In this weekend reflection from Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why God's design for humanity, marriage, sexuality, and relationships is good. Looking at Genesis 1:31, this episode reminds believers that God's commands are not barriers to joy but guides that lead to life and flourishing. Even in a fallen world distorted by sin, the gospel offers hope through Jesus Christ, who re...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why sin always presents itself as freedom while ultimately producing bondage. Drawing from Genesis 3 and John 8, Dave shows how temptation challenges God's authority, why sin never delivers what it promises, and how true freedom is found only in Jesus Christ. Learn why obedience to God leads to life, why sin leads to slavery, an...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Scripture teaches about the Christian body, holiness, and belonging to God. Drawing from Genesis 1 and 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Dave shows that believers were created by God, redeemed by Christ, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Because Christians belong to the Lord, the body is not for self-rule or self-expression alone, but f...

Marriage is not a human invention or merely a cultural institution. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Scripture presents marriage as God's design, established in creation, affirmed by Christ, and ultimately pointing to the gospel itself. Drawing from Genesis 2:24, Matthew 19:4–6, and Ephesians 5:31–32, Dave explores why biblical marriage matters for understa...

Why does creation matter for identity? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Genesis 1–2 provides the biblical foundation for understanding identity, humanity, sexuality, and our relationship with God. Discover why Scripture teaches that identity is received from our Creator rather than invented by culture, and how the gospel anchors believers in their identity...

What does the Bible actually teach about sexuality? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines sexuality through the storyline of Scripture—creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Dave explains God's design for sexuality, the effects of sin, and the transforming hope found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://serva...

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, Gen...

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 gr...

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 pursu...

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 bea...

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 salvat...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins answers the question: How should Christians think biblically about work and rest? Scripture teaches that work is part of God's good design and that rest is a gift rooted in trust in Him. When rightly understood, both work and rest serve God's purposes in the Christian life. This episode explores how believers can avoid both burnout and i...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses what it means to live faithfully in everyday relationships as a follower of Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 4:1–3, Colossians 3:12–14, and John 13:34–35, this episode explains how humility, patience, forgiveness, and love reflect the transforming power of the gospel. Christians are called not only to believe the truth, but to li...

In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains how Scripture shapes the daily decisions of the Christian life. Drawing from Psalm 119:105, Romans 12:1–2, and James 1:22–25, this episode shows how God's Word illuminates our path, renews our minds, and calls us to obedience. Scripture was not given merely to inform belief but to direct daily living. Listeners will be encouraged to move beyond hearing the Wo...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains that the Christian life is not defined by dramatic spiritual moments but by steady, faithful obedience over time. Drawing from Micah 6:8, Colossians 2:6–7, and Psalm 37:23–24, this message calls believers to walk humbly with God, rooted in Christ and sustained by His grace even when they stumble. Faithfulness may seem ordinary,...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians persevere faithfully over the long course of life. The Christian life is not a sprint, but a lifelong race that requires endurance, faith, and trust in Christ. Drawing from Hebrews 12:1–3, Galatians 6:9, and 2 Timothy 4:7–8, this episode explains that Christian perseverance is not sustained by human strength alone...