Ep 468 | The Importance Of Doctrine - Jonathan Edwards 11/16/22

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.

Matthew 7:28

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.

Matthew 7 · chapter mention Matthew 7:28

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,

Matthew 28 · chapter mention

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.

Mark 12:38

Please Mark chapter 12 verse 38. So page 1565 in the Pew Bible.

Mark 12:38

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

Mark 12:38

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.

John 7:14

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,

John 7:14–17

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

John 18 · chapter mention

gospels that is flip over there with me.

Just a few pages, John chapter 18 please.

John 18 · chapter mention

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.

Acts 2:42

So in this point of the Bible Acts 2:42 it's page 1676 in your

Acts 2:42

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.

Acts 13:12

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

Acts 13:12

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

Acts 17 · chapter mention

chapters. Please Acts chapter 17 and will

Acts 17 · chapter mention

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.

Acts 20:20

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

Acts 20:20

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

Romans 6 · chapter mention

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

Romans 6:17

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

1 Corinthians 14:26

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

1 Timothy 1:10

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.

1 Timothy 6:12

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

Matthew 12 · chapter mention

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.

2 Timothy 4:2

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.

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

Titus 1:9

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

Titus 2:1

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.

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.

Hebrews 6:1

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.

2 John 1:9

Second John, chapter 1. Verses 9 and 10.

2 John 1 · chapter mention

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

1 John 1 · chapter mention

whole time second John chapter 1 verses 9, whoever transgresses

2 John 1:9

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

John 6:66

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

1 John 2:1–6

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

1 John 2 · chapter mention

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.

Luke 17:10

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.

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

Luke 17:7

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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