The Need for Sound Doctrine - Part 1
080629 The Need for Sound Doctrine
Tim Franklin
Introduction:
· I want to share with you today the importance of living a life out of sound and strong doctrine.
o We live in a time where there are many doctrines flowing profusely in our culture. Ophra Winphrey is one of the greatest propigators of false doctrine.
o We live in a culture whose greatest value is choice. And that value has been empowered by those who, through the teaching of men, have created many “ways” to God. And it is widely accepted-and widely accepted by Christians.
o Jesus, Mt. 25 warned that at the end of the age there would be many deceivers, and many deceptive doctrines that would attempt to lead men from the truth. 1 Tim 4:1-2Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, NKJV
· Parents and Grandparents have the obligation of imparting strong doctrine to your children and grandchildren.
o Deut 4:9Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, NKJV
o Nu 23:25 Baal of Peor. Where Israel joined themselves with the Moabite women and brought a curse on Israel. Baalam.
o When Israel departed from sound doctrine judgment followed. Historically when nations have departed from sound doctrine and followed the doctrine of demons judgment has come to them.
o The good news is that God wants us to have sound doctrine and the judgment is to bring us back to that place. Consider: Isa 29:24 These also who erred in spirit will come to understanding, And those who complained will learn doctrine." NKJV This passage follows a judgment discourse.
o Again, it is the parents and grandparents who have responsibility to teach sound doctrine. Prov 4:1-2 Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding; For I give you good doctrine: Do not forsake my law. NKJV
· Doctrine is such a scary word, so let me break this down for you. It really is quite simple.
1. What is Sound Doctrine?
a. Defined:
i. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: “1. In a general sense, whatever is taught. Hence, a principle or position in any science; whatever is laid down as true by an instructor or master. The doctrines of the gospel are the principles or truths taught by Christ and his apostles. The doctrines of Plato are the principles which he taught. Hence a doctrine may be true or false; it may be a mere opinion.2. The act of teaching.
ii. Greek-word/thought development. Doctrine, teaching, instruction.
1. dida/skw didasko – to teach
2. dida/skals Didaskalos-teacher
3. dida/skalia Didaskolia-teaching, instruction, doctrine.
4. didaskalía is common in the Pastorals (15 of the 21 NT instances). The relation to God's historical revelation (attested in Scripture and fulfilled in Christ) is plain in 1 Tim 4:13; 2 Tim 3:16 (possibly Titus 2:10). "Sound doctrine" in 1 Tim 1:10 etc. also means the teaching that relates to God's saving acts and thus leads to salvation. "Good doctrine" in 1 Tim 4:6 has the same sense but with a greater stress on content and practical effect. (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)
iii. Sound doctrine is therefore, instruction or teaching that has as its foundation the Word of God. It’s source is God himself: 2 Tim 3:16-17All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. NKJV
1. It makes an incredible difference where your source of inspiration comes from. If it does not come from God then your doctrine/instruction will be either false or opinion.
2. You can either have God’s breath on your understanding or man’s. It smell incredibly different.
3. This is key! This is not negotiable if you call yourself a believer in Christ Jesus.
2. Why Do We Need Sound Doctrine?
a. Is strong doctrine really necessary? What does the Word have to say?
i. 1 Tim 4:13-16Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. NKJV These are Paul’s instructions to Timothy, the young pastor. Who would be the “shaper” of the future church.
1. Give attention-proseche-to turn to, to give attention to, to bring near, to apply one’s self too.
2. Take heed to-epeche-to hold on to, to grasp firmly.
ii. Strong Doctrine keeps us on the right path. Tim 4:3-4For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. NKJV Without strong doctrine men…
1. Follow their own desires.
2. Feed their itching ears
3. Gather around them teachers that build the case for their unholy desires and itchy ears
4. Find it easier to believe a tale, fable, lie that to endure sound instruction or truth.
5. Revelation 2:14,15- Doctrine of Baalam and Nicolatian. Church was being rebuked for tolerating these false doctrines.
iii. Strong doctrine leads us to maturity. Eph 4:14-16that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ — from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. NKJV
b. Who determines sound doctrine?
i. Doctrine and dogma-there is a difference.
1. Doctrine is what one teaches or one believes
2. Dogma-these are the points of doctrine which are essential to Christianity. Apart from believing in them, one cannot be Christian; thus their denial constitutes heresy. Included in these beliefs are such essential doctrines as the deity of Christ (from Dictionary of Christianity in America, edited by Daniel G. Reid, Robert D. Linder, Bruce L. Shelley and Harry S. Stout. © 1990 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA; published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.)
1. from which we get the word dogmatic, is the passion found behind what one believes. The body of Christ gets more confused over non-essential dogma than it does doctrine. Dogmas are what often make us look so foolish among ourselves and among the secular community.
3 Ie. Dogma-when someone says they are a new ager and then get accosted by a believer. Folks that is wrong. Lets first be dogmatic about how we love. Ie. Paul-You worship the unknown God-let me reveal him to you.
4
ii. Apostles, Prophets, teachers. We need Spirit filled, Word infused, people of prayer. Those who have studied and have understanding of their faith.
1. Eph 2:20-22 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. NKJV
2. Part of the responsibility of the apostle and prophet is to bring the church into the revelatory realm. Not for the creation things to be added to the Book but for the unlocking of understanding. It then becomes the teachers responsibility to test these things (along with the other 5fold ministers) in light of God’s word. That was the responsibility of the teachers of the law in Jesus day. They knew the word of God but not the God of the Word.
3 Apologists- intellectual thinkers who build a case for strong doctrine using the word. One who speaks or writes in defense of another.
iii. Pastors of Churches- Paul’s exhortation to Timothy and Titus in the Pastoral Epistles. Remember 15 of the 21 times that doctrine is used it is used in the pastoral epistles.
iv. Parents-Dt. 4, Dt. 6
3. How To Develop Sound Doctrine?
a. You have to continue in the things that have been taught to you. Acts 2:42-43And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. NKJV
i. You have to continue!
1. This means hold fast to what you have been taught.
2. Repetition is a strong tool for developing strong doctrine.
3. You continue long enough until it becomes your Gospel.
1 Rom 1:9 I serve with my spirit in the gospel NKJV
2 Rom 1:15 I am ready to preach the gospel NKJV
3 Rom 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel NKJV
4 Rom 16:25-26 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began NKJV
ii. Things to continue in
1. Instruction/doctrine given by apostles
2. Fellowship-gives opportunity to challenge one another understanding and growth
3. Prayer. If you are going to know the Word of God you have to know the God of the Word.
b. Commit to learning from students of the Word.
i. Proven ministers
ii. Listen to CD/DVD, read books.
iii. Understand what you believe and why you believe it.
c. Commit to being a learner. Acts 17:10-12Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. NKJV Study to show yourself approved. 2 Tim 2:15.
d. Do not confuse the word of God with opinions of men. “Show me, from the Word.”
Conclusion:
· We live in an hour in which it is essential that we know what we believe and why.
· The starting point is a relationship with Jesus Christ.
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