Wonderful to see you tonight. Thank you for Coming out and
thank you for inviting my family to be with you and worship with
you for the next few days. Very grateful, to drive out
here, we like to drive, maybe we don't make as much as some do.
Several people tell us how long of a drive it is.
We always look forward to it. So that's been a nice drive and
a nice time. We look forward to several
nights of good worship with you all and I hope to bring some
Bible studies. Will be helpful if you don't
know who I am. My name is Jonathan.
Jonathan Edwards is my name and that's my wife.
Marissa Gabriel, Evangeline Penelope.
There is not a pop quiz at the end of the night.
And please don't have a reverse Pop Quiz where we have to
remember all of your names so that, you know, that would be
when we would fail as well. But we look forward to meeting
many of you. And spending some time with you,
I've been preaching the gospel since 2010 and we lived abroad
for three years in Southeast Asia.
So for a time, we lived in Cambodia, and then now we're
back. And I work with the church in
Dallas, Texas, Valley Parkway Church of Christ in the little
city of Louisville, in the Greater Dallas area.
So that's where we are. And I hope to bring some studies
tonight that will be helpful for you and really, for even those
who are going to be listening to these.
And can be here later in the weekend, they'll hopefully be
building off of each other. So that that one after the other
you'll just be pumped up by the end of the weekend and that will
feel closer to the word closer to the Lord together.
I want to talk tonight about Doctrine and so I'm going to use
this white board as best. I can.
I noticed from my seat that the red didn't show up as well.
So I'm going to go ahead and put that there and I'll just stick
with the black marker. Let me see if I get the right
one, okay? And we're going to talk about I
think that's a great way to start that way.
It could overview everything that we studied together in the
Bible. Because spoiler, the Bible has a
whole lot of Doctrine. And what I'd like to do tonight
is introduced the idea of the study, as well as the main idea.
And if we can start out with the main idea of where we're going
with this study, then as we go through point-by-point,
hopefully, it will make sense to you.
We're going to do a New Testament, Bible chain.
If you're unfamiliar with that, it's where you just start at
one. One scripture and you look at
what it says about that idea of the subject that you're studying
and then you move to the next gription, you even next
scripture and you could link them together like a chain.
And my encouragement to you is if you take notes or if you like
to write in the margins of your Bible is, you could just write
the little word Doctrine, and then you could write the next
scripture and then you keep doing that and as you flip and
you right Doctrine. And then the next scripture and
you'll have this Bible chain with you.
Everywhere you go. I think that Doctrine is worthy
of our study, probably because of that first question, which
says, what does that idea Doctrine?
How does it make you feel? Now for those who are members of
the church, we may be ambivalent about the word Doctrine, and
maybe it might be a positive idea who Doctrine, okay?
This is the things that were supposed to follow and Obey that
it's just what we know. Right.
But I I know for a fact, there's a lot of people out there, when
they hear the word Doctrine, it is not positive, it's negative.
Not only is it - it's almost almost Blasphemous, right?
Like, it is a bad word because if you're if Doctrine is what
you're talking about that, what are you being indoctrinated?
And if you're ever accused of being indoctrinated, it's not a
compliment, right? Usually, it's an insult saying,
you can't think for yourself you've just been indoctrinated
and as a result of being indoctrinated, Then you're
incapable of having any sort of creative thought of your own.
And I want to challenge that with you tonight, because the
Bible talks a lot about Doctrine and it talks about being
indoctrinated, but it doesn't in a different way than our culture
talks about it. So I want to challenge what our
culture says about this idea. And so here's the main idea that
I want to present to you without Doctrine, and I'm just going to
put up an example. There is no Grace.
Did you know that? Now, you could fill that in with
any of the the positive teachings that all of the
religious community around us prefers to Doctrine without
Doctrine. There is no love without
Doctrine. There is no Resurrection, right?
And you get where I'm going, it's through doctrine that we
become. Well, acquainted with the good
stuff. Why is that?
Because of what Doctrine actually means, there's three
Greek words, and I could tell them to you in my best
Midwestern accent, but you're just going to have to trust me
on what they actually say and they into the English all mean
teaching. The teaching to be taught to
have been taught, right? Or instruction would be another
word, instruction or teaching. And so, we could say the
importance of teaching The importance of instruction, the
importance of Doctrine. Because every time in the New
Testament, that that concept is being used.
With these three words, it's talking about the exact same
thing. And how much softer is it
whenever you say? Oh, I went to church and I was
taught this, it sounds better than I was indoctrinated,
doesn't it? And yet it's the same concept.
So what we're going to do is we're going to put together this
new testament Shane and this is not every single scripture in
the New Testament that uses the word Doctrine.
It's just a summary of them but we'll start out with the word
Doctrine in the Gospels. And next we'll look at the
doctrine in the history book, the book of Acts, and then
finally we'll look at Doctrine in the Epistles, the letters and
then I'll have a final thought on Doctrine at the end.
And so I would like for you to open up your Bible with me.
I got a few Bible. So everybody if you have a few
Bible, you can follow along with me on the same page page 1500.
And if you prefer to take notes, Or have your own Bible that you
brought, or if you've got a phone, I'm going to be reading
out of the new King James version and you can on your
phone app, get the new King James Bible open.
But I'd love for us to all turn there.
And we're going to look at Matthew chapter 7, verse 28.
Now if you're taking notes you could also write down, 22:33.
We won't read that one because they're both saying something
very similar. And in this verse, we're going
to look at the crowd. Has reaction to Doctrine.
So this is Matthew chapter 7. And Matthew chapter 7 verse 28.
Listen to the Bible here, it says, and so it was when Jesus
had ended these sayings that the people were astonished at his
teaching for he taught them as one having Authority and not as
the scribes. What is the, what's the
connection to Doctrine? Oh, it's the same word.
So we could also translate this as saying and so it was when
Jesus had ended these sayings. The people were astonished at
his Doctrine for he indoctrinated them.
Yeah, it's the same. The same thought he
indoctrinated them as having Authority and not as the
scribes. So all of those commands leading
up to this verse the ones where it says, blessed are the
peacemakers be the salt of the earth.
Don't pray out loud and boisterous lie in the streets.
But go into a quiet place all of these teachings, right?
These are the doctrines that Jesus taught and when he was
done indoctrinated, the people, they Amazed because he taught
with authority. Well, there's other places that
this word is used and let's look in Matthew feel will stay in
this book at the very end. Flip over to Matthew chapter 28,
and this is after Jesus is resurrected and he is
instructing or indoctrinating. His Apostles about the Great
Commission that there to go into all the world and Doctrine is
essential to the Great Commission.
On page 1541. If you want to flip over there
and it says, in verse 18, Jesus came and spoke to them saying
all authority has been given to me in heaven and on Earth go
therefore and Make Disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching
them or indoctrinating them. To observe all things that I
have commanded you and lo, I Am With You Always even to the end
of the age. And so here is this Commissioned
to his followers to indoctrinate the world again.
I hope to Rebrand that word. I will use it probably Overkill
tonight the idea of being indoctrinated, because of how
frequently it's been used in negative context.
I want you to leave here using this word in a positive way.
Okay, Mark 12:38 flip over into the next gospel book.
Please Mark chapter 12 verse 38. So page 1565 in the Pew Bible.
And here when Jesus is teaching, or using his Doctrine, his
Doctrine is about rebuking things that are against his
Doctrine. So it wasn't only about positive
affirmative teachings, but if there were things that opposed
his way his Doctrine was that's false, let's really quickly.
Mark, 12 verse 38, then he said to them in his teaching that is
his Doctrine Beware of the scribes.
Who desire to go around in Long, robes, love, greetings in the
marketplaces, the best seat in the synagogues and the best
place that Feast who devour widows houses and for a
pretence, make long prayers. These will receive greater
condemnation. So part of Jesus Doctrine was
explaining to his followers. What was right?
And what was wrong. Let's keep reading two more in
the gospels, please. John chapter 7, verse 14.
If you want to flip over there. We'll skip the Gospel of Luke
for right now and we'll read together in John chapter 7,
verse 14 through 17, please. It's page 1642.
The Bible says now in the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into
the temple and taught and the Jews marveled saying, how does
this man no letters having never studied?
And Jesus answered them and said, my Doctrine is not mine.
But he who sent me and if anyone Wills to do his will he shall
know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or
whether I speak on my own authority.
So here it is actually translate It For the First Time.
Previously, it's just been the word teaching, but now we're
starting to see that even the translators who put this version
together, see that the word Doctrine is the best word for
translating at this time. Jesus said this heavenly
doctrine that comes down from above.
You're going to know, it's Mine based on the accompanying signs
and based on the fact that it is from God and not just my word
and he gives all these evidences for how this Doctrine is in
fact, Heavenly final 1, John chapter 18 final one of the
gospels that is flip over there with me.
Just a few pages, John chapter 18 please.
And here, it's the high priest who's interested in the
doctrine, he wants to know about Jesus Doctrine, John chapter,
18, verse 19 and 20. Please it's page, 1663 the Bible
says, and the high priest, then ask Jesus about his disciples
and his Doctrine, Jesus answer him.
I spoke openly to the world, I always taught or indoctrinated
in synagogues and in the temple where Jews always meet in
secret. I've said, nothing, why do you
ask me? Ask those who have heard me what
I said to them. Indeed, they know what I said.
Jesus never hid his Doctrine. Jesus, never shied away from
indoctrinating. So we as his followers, as we
prepare to leave this section on the gospel and the got on what
the gospel says about Doctrine. We move into the doctrine of
Acts and the Epistles question I have for you and I'll try to ask
it each time. I may forget that I'll try to
ask the each time. What is the doctrine?
What is it now? Hopefully you've already
answered that mentally based on just these five scriptures here.
And if you haven't yet, I'll answer it at the end again.
I'll try maybe one of you can wave me down.
If I forget to, let's go to the book of Acts and, and were asked
this question, what is the doctrine and we'll consider what
these three verses have to say, first go over to Acts 2:42.
So in this point of the Bible Acts 2:42 it's page 1676 in your
Pew Bible, Jesus died. He's buried.
He's resurrected. Now, the apostles are preaching
his Doctrine, right? His their teaching about Jesus
and people are being baptized, and here's this first mass
conversion event were 3,000. People have been baptized, well,
what was the Great Commission besides baptism?
It was teaching them, right? Indoctrinating them.
Okay, well let's look at, let's see what they says.
Here, I'm going to read verse 40, just to give a little bit
more flavor. And with many other words, he
testified and exhorted them saying be saved from this
perverse generation. Then those who gladly received
his word were baptized and that day about three thousand Souls
were added to them. And they continued steadfastly
in the apostles Doctrine, and the fellowship and the breaking
of bread prayer, okay? Notice there's a subtle shift,
it does say, Apostles Doctrine. But if we understand that just
to mean teaching and instruction, then it totally
makes sense that they're going to be teaching or instructing or
indoctrinating. This new group who hadn't been
walking with Jesus for the past three years, they have been
indoctrinated and now they're the ones doing the
indoctrinating with the apostles Doctrine.
Now the next one and we're going to read both of them, sometimes
I had it Where we just read one but we're going to read both
because I'm just greedy, I guess, but we're going to read
and 13:12. So go ahead and turn over there
but while you turn I want to ask.
This question is Doctrine, only for believers.
Acts 13 verse 12 is Doctrine, only for believers.
We may have this mindset that Sinners need the gospel and then
Christians need the doctrine. Right.
Well, let's look at a couple of examples of how Doctrine
converts people. The Bible says, in Acts 13 verse
12, then the proconsul believed. When he saw it in the done being
astonished at the teaching of the Lord, he was astonished at
the doctrine and the doctrine led him to Christ.
Now, there is also a miracle of what's Happening here.
But it's the miracle and the Doctrine are working
hand-in-hand to lead him to the master.
Let's look at Acts chapter 17, flip over just a few more
chapters. Please Acts chapter 17 and will
read verse 19. Now, in this context, Paul is an
Athens and he's gone into this place where there's all these
false idols. And then there's a place where
they've devoted it and there's not really a statue.
It just says to the unknown. God just in case we I missed
someone and Paul when he sees this, he can't help himself and
he starts preaching or indoctrinating.
And listen to what these people say, who aren't Believers yet?
Verse 19, I can't help myself. We're going to read Verse 18,
then certain Epicurean and stoic philosophers accountant.
Him in some said, what does this babbler want to say?
Others said, he seems to be a proclaimer of foreign Gods
because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
Interesting. Verse 19 and they took him and
brought him to the areopagus saying may we know what this new
doctrine is of which you speak. So here are some people who are
interested and they are calling the resurrection and the
teachings of Jesus Doctrine. And so he will take the
opportunity to indoctrinate those who are willing to listen.
Finally, in Acts chapter 20, verse 20.
Paul shows that indoctrinating can happen in a public assembly,
but it can also happen from house to house.
The Bible says, in Acts 20:20 how I kept back, nothing, that
was helpful, but proclaimed it to you and taught you.
That is indoctrinated you publicly.
And from house to house. So it's important then and now
we use the scripture as evidence for why we have public assembly,
but also that Bible, studies happened privately as well.
And so in this public capacity right now, I'm the one that's
instructing or teaching or indoctrinating but then
privately parents with children, husbands and wives friends, who
get together, whatever the group, maybe this indoctrination
happens privately as well. Here we go, we're in the final.
Section. We're talking about Doctrine,
but this time in the Epistles or in the letters, and I want to
invite you to look at Romans chapter 6, and it's going to
talk about how Doctrine is part of this salvation process.
Right? So I'm going to ask the
question. What is the doctrine?
We keep using this word. What is Doctrine?
Hopefully you're getting an answer from all the scriptures.
We've already mentioned so far. I'll answer it at the end but
look at Romans 6:17 but God be thanked that though you were
slaves to sin yet you obeyed from the heart that form of
Doctrine to. Which you were delivered and
having been set free from sin, you became slaves of
righteousness, I could go on, this is really needy, the idea
of being set free of being enslaved to sin but now being
set free, it goes hand in hand with obeying.
What doctrine obeying specific Doctrine now?
Look at 16, verse 17, just flip a few more chapters over.
Romans chapter, 16 17. And here just like Jesus warned.
Need a part of his teaching was declaring that something was
false. So he had Doctrine and if others
weren't on board with his Doctrine and he would call them
false, Paul's going to say the same thing, there is the
doctrine and if people bring something different than its
what sometimes the Bible will call strange Doctrine.
It's different. It's something we shouldn't
pursue. And so he'll say in 16:17 now, I
urge you. Brethren those who caused our
note, those who cause Division. And offences contrary to the
doctrine, which you learned and avoid them, okay?
This is a big deal. Those that aren't willing to
stay in the doctrine are to be avoided.
Now, this isn't a study specifically on this scripture,
but it is worth noting in what we're talking about the doctrine
serious enough. That if people don't want to
stay in that Doctrine, then we're supposed to avoid them
because of what they could potentially bring into the
church. Look at First Corinthians
Chapter 14 verse 26. It's the next book.
First Corinthians. Team verse 26, and as you turn
there, it's a page 1766 in your Pew, Bible.
This is an encouragement for those of you who teach publicly.
So whether you preach or teach and, however, often you may do
it, you have to remember Brethren that your task publicly
is to indoctrinate the church, and hopefully, by this point in
the sermon, that's a positive connotation that you are
indoctrinating. It says, Says in First
Corinthians 14. Verse 26.
How is it, then Brethren? Whenever you come together, each
of you has a Psalm has a teaching has a tongue.
Has a revelation, has an interpretation, let all things
be done for edification. And so Brothers, whether it's a
Wednesday, whether it's a Sunday or whenever whatever, you're
speaking appointment, I simply want to encourage those who
teach that. We take it seriously, because
we've been called to indoctrinate the group.
Okay, here we go. We're in first Timothy chapter
10. We're going to skip a few books
so hop over there with me to the book of 1st Timothy and we're
going to read chapter 1 verse 10 and Chapter 4, verses 1 through
3. So let's start with First
Timothy chapter 1 verse 10, Paul continues to warn against those
who would bring a different Doctrine.
He says For fornicators for sodomites, for kidnappers for
liars, for purgers. And if there is any other thing
that is contrary to sound Doctrine.
According to the Blessed or the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed
God, which was committed to my trust.
There are certain actions that are contrary to sound Doctrine
to sound teaching and they are to be avoided flip to the next
page please. And it's Chapter 4, verses 1.
And it will read one through three four.
Now, the spirit expressly says in the latter times, some will
depart from the faith giving heed to the deceiving spirits
and doctrines of demons speaking lies in hypocrisy having their
own conscience. Seared with a hot iron
forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from
foods, which God created to be received with Thanksgiving by
those who believe and know the truth.
So here's a couple of warnings again in first, Timothy 1 and 4
about strange Doctrine, a teaching that's different from
what Jesus brought and what the apostles brought.
However, we could look in this same chapter, we're going to
read chapter 4, verse 6 and verse 13 where he contrasts that
strange Doctrine to what Timothy and all of us should be
following. That's sound Doctrine.
The Bible says, in verse 6. If you instruct a brethren in
these things, you will be a Minister of, Jesus Christ,
nourished in the words of faith and have good Doctrine, which
you have carefully. Followed look at verse 13 until
I come give attention to reading to exhortation and to Doctrine.
Hmm, so I like the contrast between these two things we are
to avoid and then the instructions of what we're
supposed to follow. Really interesting.
What happens in the next chapter, if you want to flip the
page and First Timothy 6:12, Six.
And I'd like to read verse one. 1st Timothy 6 verse 1, it says,
let as many Bond servants As are under the Yoke Count, Their Own
Masters worthy of all honor so that the name of God and his
Doctrine may not be blasphemed. I've kind of gone faster.
These points, let me just slow down for a second.
You can blaspheme Doctrine. That's what the scriptures are
saying here. Now, it's specifically about
Bond servants under the Yoke of their masters, worthy of all
honor and we could dissect that a little bit more.
But what we're talking about in this study is that there is a
possibility and Paul will actually in the scriptures
mention three different things that can be blasphemed the name
of God, the word of God, and the doctrine of God. so, brothers
and sisters, I want to challenge And encourage you when it comes
to the doctrine. How could we potentially
blaspheme it now to blaspheme would be to be?
So unless sacred or or just egregiously disrespectful of
something? Right?
And so in Matthew chapter 12, you had the Pharisees who saw a
miracle of Jesus and they said it's by the power of Beelzebub
that he casts out demons and it was just so egregiously.
Rude. To what Hector Ali happened.
Jesus talks to them about that. This blasphemy of the Holy
Spirit where to see what was happening and yet denying its
power Would be blasphemy, how could we blaspheme the word by
reading and studying and knowing what the word says?
And yet, rudely casting it aside.
It's powerful. Isn't it to think that we could
actually blaspheme the name of God, the word of God, and the
doctrine of God. Let's go the next book.
Second Timothy, 3:16 second, Timothy 3:16, it's on page, 18,
23 in the Pew Bible. All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine for
reproof correction for instruction in righteousness.
That the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for
every good work so the scriptures are good for
Doctrine. They're good for.
Being and based on the doctrine and the reproof and the
correction instruction. In righteousness, were built up
until we're ready for every good work.
I'm sure my kids are tired of hearing this example, but since
it's fresh to you, all I can use it and they can sit through a
rerun. They all played Little League
ball softball baseball and they had a, you know, experience
where they got to try all the different positions from
Outfield and infield to pitcher to capture and in Little League
ball that catchers gear. It's a one size fit all type of
catchers gear. So you've got the little
breastplate thing in the knee pads and the blade guards,
right? And the helmet.
And it's for all kids big and small, right.
And so for Kids who tended to be a little bit smaller than maybe
some of the big boys whenever they put it on.
It was I mean they were walking out there like a night.
Ready for battle, who is an armored five sizes, too big.
So they Shuffle out and then they get behind the plate.
And it's squat down, and sometimes it would be coach
pitch, sometimes it was kid pitch, right?
But anyway, that baseball is coming.
And you know, the coaches, sometimes we would try to lob it
in there so that they could get a good hit.
But then there's also those coaches that their mindset was
I'm going to get you ready for kid pitch to.
So I'm going to bring the heat and they throw it right down the
middle atoms. And these little kids, whether
they were ours or whether they were others on the team,
sometimes we're more interested in the butterfly.
That was going by than the baseball that was coming down.
But you know what they were equipped.
And there was nothing more joyful to this coaches heart
than the throw a ball right at the catcher and think hits him
right between the eyes. But They had equipment and it
never hurt them and hit them, run this in the gut, it hit him
in the head and hit him in the MIT sometimes when it did that.
We'd all cheer that actually caught one, right?
It was great because they were equipped, we would never send
the kid behind home plate without the equipment.
We would never send a Christian out into the fight, we shouldn't
without being thoroughly equipped for every good work.
How do we equip each other? Well, publicly and privately one
of the ways that we equip is through Doctrine by knowing the
doctrine. What is the doctrine?
I'm not going to answer it quite yet.
We're getting there were getting close.
Second Timothy chapter 4 verse 2 and 3 please.
You can flip to the very next page 1824 in the Pew Bible.
It says. Preach the word be ready in
season and out of season, convince rebuke, exhort with all
long-suffering and teaching or doctrine for a 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, But You Be watchful in
all things endure afflictions do the work of an evangelist
fulfill. Or Ministry.
Does this not sound like our culture today?
Where on one hand word called to endure and to have sound
Doctrine but around us. It feels like there are those
that are just throwing Doctrine away and are going after
whatever they want. There's nothing new Under the
Sun. Two thousand years ago.
They had the same problem that we do today.
Let's look at Titus real quick, Titus 1:9.
Hey, it's the same opening. List of the few Bible and this
is talking to our Shepherd's to Elder's specifically.
And I don't know. That's the great thing about
coming into a places that you can be ignorant about Church's
leadership. And so you can just say things,
right? And then in five days, you say,
all right, I'm out of here. So, whether you have elders, and
I'll know that one pretty quick whether you're working towards
Elders, whether they're not on the radar.
My exhortation to this. Church, is that?
It always be a goal. You always have a goal towards
elders, elders. According to verse 9, Titus 1
verse 9, they hold fast to the faithful word.
As he has been taught, that he may be able by sound Doctrine
both to exhort and convict those who contradict We just installed
Elders year and a half ago at Valley Parkway and and this the
church that I've worked with has been in existence since 2008 and
a church always needs shepherding.
So whether people have been ordained to an office or not
church has always been Shepherd's.
The type of person who has that attitude to guide and mold and
help younger people, and people their own age.
So I hope that there are those who feel talented and qualified.
To Shepherd whether one is ordained is an elder or not, but
I will say in the past year and a half it has been so nice.
For whenever somebody comes to the preacher with a pastoral
problem, right? So a lot of times preachers get
the Pastoral problems and we have to juggle the event, the
Evangelist part of our job and the Pastoral part that we really
shouldn't be doing. It's been really nice for you to
say, we'll talk to the elders, take it to the elders, and let
them because as the scripture says, With sound Doctrine, they
exhort and convict. Those who contradict God's plan
is to have people in place with Doctrine to help others find the
way Titus Chapter 2 verses 17 and 10 is a beautiful set of
scriptures that help us show that Doctrine is something that
should be adorned. Look at it, please Titus 2 verse
1 but as for you speak to things which are proper for sound do
Doctrine verse 7. In all things showing yourself
to be a pattern of Good Works in Doctrine showing Integrity.
Reverence incorruptibility verse 10, not pilfering, but showing
all good Fidelity that they may Adorn.
The doctrine of God, our savior in all things.
You know what, adorning, I think of anyway, decorating now, I am
not a decorator. So I enjoy the decorations.
Yes, but if you were to ask me to decorate, you probably not
enjoy what I put up. However, what does that mean to
Adorn? The doctrine of Christ to where
it's decorated and such a way where one goes?
Wow. Isn't it great to serve God?
Isn't it great to obey God when we Adorn the doctrine, as this
scripture will teach, if you were to read through this
chapter, it teaches us how to Adorn the doctrine Doctrine is
to be adorned and decorated in such a way, Hebrews 6:1.
And to, we've got two more in this Bible chain and then we'll
draw it to a close. Hebrews 6 verse 1.
It's page. In the Pew Bible, therefore
leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ.
Let us go on to Perfection, not laying again, the foundation of
repentance from dead works and Faith toward god of the doctrine
of baptisms, of laying on of hands of the resurrection of the
dead and of Eternal judgment. And this, we will do if God
permits What's this scripture teaching that the basics you
know Resurrection baptism, we're supposed to let go of those and
move on to greater things? Well yes and no.
Yes. In the sense that you're
supposed to grow and part of indoctrinating is that
Christians are to mature, but no in the sense that we would throw
them out. May we never throw out Doctrine.
But the idea here is that you are expected to mature. and
whether you've been in the faith for a year or 10 years or 40
years or 60 years, however long you've been in a Christian you
can't be a baby forever. One of the most strange pictures
that I've ever seen was a 50 year old man with the pacifier
in his mouth, I shudder thinking about it, right.
And maybe you do too. Why do we shut her?
When we think of a 50 year old man with the pacifier in his
mouth because that thing belongs to a baby.
Now you see a baby with a pacifier and you think oh that's
cute, right? Because it's normal It is
abnormal for a 50 year old to have that pacifier and so it
should be with this. That's the message of Hebrews 6.
There are babes in Christ who need playing teaching and you
know, frankly whenever I've been baptized now for 26 years.
So at year, one at your 10:00 at your 20 at your 26, at your 4064
willing, however, long it goes. I hope I was here plain teaching
on baptism play. Teaching, I don't want to just
cast these out. Please don't take that with you.
But the challenge for all of us is we're not called to stay
immature. Were called to grow in the
doctrines of Christ or called to grow.
Finally, second John chapter 1 verses 9 and 10.
Second John, chapter 1. Verses 9 and 10.
Please. This is the last one in the
Bible chain. Paige 1870.
First John chapter 1, excuse me, second John, if I said that the
whole time second John chapter 1 verses 9, whoever transgresses
and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
God. He Who abides in the doctrine of
Christ has both the father and the son.
If anyone comes to you, and does not bring this Doctrine, do not
receive him into your house. Nor greet him for he who Greeks
and shares in his evil deed. Ed's who?
This is tough. That's tough.
But back then, there was an issue going on where false
Doctrine was to a point where this Apostles trying to nip some
of it in the bud. So it can be today we must
remain in the doctrine to have a relationship with Jesus.
So before we get to the final thought on Doctrine, I guess I'd
like to answer the question. What is the doctrine What is the
doctrine? Well, if it's teaching and if
it's instruction, then it's the words that Jesus taught.
All the way through what John the Revelator taught in any
instruction, that's in there for what we do, when we come
together for worship, you know, Doctrine about how we commune,
how we sing, how we pray Doctrine, about the way we live.
The way we dress, the way we speak.
The way, we treat each other, it's all Doctrine.
It's all Doctrine. Now this matters a lot to me
because I've had times and I may speak on this.
I may speak on doubt later in the meeting but I have had times
in my life where I have wanted to walk away from the Church of
Christ. And I don't feel that saying
that not happy about saying that there are times when I felt like
I don't know if I can be around these people or this group,
right? You know, what always brought
me? At least back from the edge
Doctrine. I couldn't get over baptism.
I couldn't get over communion. It was these things in here
where if I'd been treated Wrong by someone and their hypocrisy,
really kind of chipped away at what I thought the church was
supposed to be. But then I open up the
scriptures and I'd look at the doctrine and I'd say yeah.
But it says it right there. And so now suddenly I'm on this
balance of this person's treated me this way.
The doctrine says this, which one's going to have a stronger
sway in my life? so, friends, if anyone, if
you've ever Had a similar experience.
We're sometimes, it's you start to wonder if the church is all,
it's cracked up to be based on relationships.
And I would challenge you to take solace in the doctrine.
Because it's through Doctrine. This steady consistent
life-giving teaching. This is where hope comes from.
Because remember, without Doctrine there is no hope there
is no Grace. There is no mercy because we
learn about those things from the doctrine.
Now, in conclusion, here's my final, plea about how important
Doctrine is John 6:66. 59 Jesus was very popular at this time in
his ministry but he started teaching a harder Doctrine.
And as a result of him saying things like unless you eat my
flesh and drink my blood and you'll have no part of me.
The majority of his followers says, ooh, this is hard.
Who can follow this and they walk away from him.
And so the few that remain, Jesus turns and says, will you
go away as well? Now I'm giving you the Jonathan
Edwards translation. The Peter says, Lord to whom,
shall we go? You have the words of eternal
life. You have the words of eternal
life. He looked at the doctrines that
Jesus had the teachings. And he says there's no one else.
There's no one else. So if everybody else leaves, I'm
sticking with you Jesus, because your Doctrine leads to eternal
life. First John, chapter 2, verses 1
through 6. I'll have to look at this one.
First John chapter 2 and I'm going to read to you verse 3 Now
by this, we know that we know him.
Do you want to know on? This is an easy one.
Do you want to know whether or not you know him?
So this is more than just acknowledging him.
Yes. I believe in Jesus but to know
him by this, we know that we know him if we keep his
Commandments. He who says I know him and does
not keep his Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him
but whoever keeps his word. Truly, the love of God is
perfected him by this. We know that we are in him, he
who says he abides in him, ought himself to walk just as he
walked. So if you want to know Christ,
then you got to know his Doctrine.
Finally, Luke chapter 17 verse 10.
Let's go ahead and turn over there.
I'm just curious if I was going to give you the Jonathan version
or not. So, my assumption about a group
of people that are going to get together on a Wednesday night,
is that you all love the Lord and maybe love his Doctrine as
well. I'm pretty sure that's an
accurate statement, right? We're here because we want to be
here and so I it would be like sometimes teaching things like
this would be the equivalent of teaching on Church attendance,
you know, like you're here why would I teach on Church?
Attendance, if you want to be here.
So that that can be a challenge. You may have friends and loved
ones who aren't here. And you may be the sermon in
their life about Doctrine. So here's what I want to
encourage you with, as we prepare for this last verse, I
think it's easy. Sometimes for those of us in the
Church of Christ, because it's assumed that we love Jesus.
It's assumed that our whole life is just forever changed by his
grace. That we were one way and then we
were broken. And then we've come back and
he's been the one that's meant it is these things are kind of
assumed. And so we have to spend a lot of
time talking about the doctrine because all around us are groups
that spend only are all of their time, only talking about grace,
and mercy and love and no time about the doctrine.
And so, we understand if we don't talk about this other
stuff than Nobody's ever going to hear it.
What I'm concerned about from time to time is if people only
hear Doctrine from us and they never hear how much we love
Jesus, which I know we do. If they never hear how much we
love Jesus, how much we need his grace and I don't care if you
are a first or second or third or fourth or fifth generation
Christian, whatever you want to call yourself, how many
generations you've had in the church, the fact is, you sinned.
You don't deserve to go to heaven.
And Jesus died for you. And Mom and Daddy.
Granny! Grandpa great-grammy.
Who got you started in the church for Generations?
Go these people. You can't ride the coattails
into heaven. It's by grace through faith.
Obedient faith that all of us are saved.
And so as we go to our friends, and our neighbors, and our
family, and we try to indoctrinate them and especially
we tried it with this idea of Doctrine.
We're trying to tell them how good it is to obey.
God may we never forget. That we Obey from a sense of
amazing and overwhelming, all that Jesus would die for us.
And that we're not going to lump all of our Good Deeds onto a
scale. Hoping to get out of, let's say
100 we're going to get 51, good 49 bab so that we have just
enough to then say you better let me in because I did more
good than bad. May it never be.
And so here in this final
scripture is the attitude that I encourage you to have when it
comes to Doctrine and it's a parable about some servants.
And I want you to listen to what Jesus says about these servants
in Luke chapter 17 verse 7. And which of you having a
servant plowing or tending sheep will say to him when he comes in
from the field come at once and sit down to eat.
Now, many of us are far removed from that lifestyle, one time.
When my parents lived in Malawi, I went to visit them and that is
a place where people have servants.
We went to eat at a friend's house and this man was a
merchant. He was from India, and so he was
living in Blantyre and was had a hardware store is very well off.
And So, he wanted to serve us, this lavish dinner, and I have
never been more uncomfortable in my life to sit at my own Spot,
while servants came and put food on my plate.
I just wanted to crawl under my chair and died because that's
not our custom, right? So we have to put ourselves in
this culture where servants were a part of their life.
And so, when Jesus asked that question, how many of you would
tell your servant here, come in here and eat after?
He's already been out working in the field all day.
So, Us, we may not know the answer, but the obvious answer
is no. We would never do that.
You would never invite your servant to eat after they've
been working outside all day verse 8.
But will he not rather say to him?
Prepare something for my supper and gird yourself and serve me
till I have eaten and drunk and afterward you will eat and
drink. Does he thank that servant
because he did the things that were commanded him.
I think not. And here's the moral, here's
the, I guess the application I want you to take what GE he's
about to say, in verse 10, and apply it to our Our study Jesus
says verse 10. So likewise you when you've done
all those things which you are commanded say we are
unprofitable servants. We have done.
What was our duty to do and that's our attitude behind the
doctrine. We don't get to judge others and
look down at them. Look how much doctor and I have.
Look how little doctor, you have, God loves me more.
We're not going to do that. But rather, we're going to be
unprofitable servants, who are doing the will of the Lord.
That's my challenge for you tonight.
Come back tomorrow and all the other Knights and I'll keep
challenging you as best. I can from the scriptures.
We don't want to close without offering a gospel invitation.
So if there is one who has not obeyed the gospel, then we
simply wish to invite you to come and to let it be known that
you would like to become a Christian come hearing and
believing repenting of your sins.
Confessing that Jesus is the son of God and be baptized.
As for the remission of sins. Calling on his name, Brothers,
our sisters. If anyone needs to prayers to
the church, this is a time for you as well.
Please come as we stand and sing a song.
We thank you for listening to our podcast, put on by the
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