CIRCLES
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LESSON: DOCTRINE
LESSON: DOCTRINE
For as the rain cometh down,
And the snow from heaven,
And returneth not thither,
But watereth the earth,
And maketh it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
It shall not return unto me void,
But it shall accomplish that which I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
DOCTRINE: (dictionary meaning) teachings, instruction; the principles of religion that are taught - (literal meaning) “to teach the substance”
Right attitudes are not more important to God than the truth He has declared; God’s ideal is for us to know truth.
WHAT GOD WANTS US TO KNOW ABOUT DOCTRINE:
1. DOCTRINE MUST BE SOUND
Sound doctrine alone preserves from error, bringing spiritual health and development.
The Word of God is sacred and essential to our salvation, therefore we must understand that “no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy.
2nd Peter 1:20-21
20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
It’s natural to believe that a teacher who calls oneself a Christian would relay a trustworthy message. But what happens when a preacher teaches pieces of the gospel, but ignores or outright refutes the rest? Paul warns that those who relay false doctrine may have “the appearance of godliness, but [deny] its power”
How should we responded to to false Doctrcine?
Paul states, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared” (1 Timothy 4:1-2), which means we must prepare to respond. False doctrine can confuse immature Christians, destroy one’s faith, and ruin the credibility of Christianity. (example of gathering a guy came in and starting teaching false things).
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2. DOCTRINE MUST BE PURE
The church was scattered when the doctrines were changed, producing confusion and badly disturbing the doctrinal foundation. But David is reminding us that, in reality, God is still on His throne! He knows what is occurring, and we are not to lose hope. He is testing us to see our reaction is to the destruction of what we thought was so solid. But truth cannot be destroyed! We must still have faith in it. If we do, we will use it despite what is happening around us.
The only true test for the purity of teaching is the purity of life it produces.
The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD is on his heavenly throne. He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them. 5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.
For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure,
And I am clean in thine eyes.
3. DOCTRINE MUST BE SCRIPTURAL
All things must be tested by the Word of God, which must be interpreted by proper principles.
A. Interpretation
- Hermeneutics, the study of the general principles of biblical interpretation. For both Jews and Christians throughout their histories, the primary purpose of hermeneutics, and of the exegetical methods employed in interpretation, has been to discover the truths and values expressed in the Bible.
But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All 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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
4. DOCTRINE DETERMINES CHARACTER
Faith and character are intimately related. Faith in the power of obedience to the commandments of God will forge strength of character available to you in times of urgent need. Such character is not developed in moments of great challenge or temptation. That is when it is intended to be used. Your exercise of faith in true principles builds character; fortified character expands your capacity to exercise more faith. As a result, your capacity and confidence to conquer the trials of life is enhanced. The more your character is fortified, the more enabled you are to benefit from exercising the power of faith. You will discover how faith and character interact to strengthen one another. Character is woven patiently from threads of applied principle, doctrine, and obedience.
What a person believes affects what he is. Believing affects being, and being affects doing.
If we follow Bible doctrine, it develops the Divine nature in us, dividing us from the world.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
5. DOCTRINE AFFECTS FELLOWSHIP
The Bible teaches that believers should not have fellowship with teachers of false doctrine.
The converts at Pentecost continued first in doctrine and second in fellowship (Acts 2:42).
The measure of common light between believers will determine their measure of fellowship.
Some wrongly sacrifice fellowship for doctrine, but don’t sacrifice doctrine for fellowship!
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
6. DOCTRINE DETERMINES DESTINY
• It is wrong to say that it doesn’t matter what a person believes as long as they are sincere!
• Who and what you believe affects your eternal destiny. It is possible to be sincerely wrong!
• Your destiny hangs on Pilate’s question in Matthew 27:22 ... “What shall I do then with Jesus
which is called Christ?” Outside of obedience is darkness and death; inside is light and life!
7. DOCTRINE MUST BE HANDLED WITH LOVE
• Though all our doctrine is exactly right, if we do not have love we are nothing in God’s sight.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
8. DOCTRINE MUST BE OBEYED
• We never really understand truth until we obey truth! Doctrine is lifeless until is it practiced.
• Bible doctrines have no effect on your life whatsoever unless they are obeyed!
• Jesus warned us in Matthew 23:3 to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees because “they
say and do not.” Preaching without practicing becomes a lifeless form!
• Paul commended the believers at Rome who “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine
which was delivered” to them. Christian living must accompany Christian doctrine.
• Paul could say in 2 Timothy 3:10, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life ...”
because his lifestyle was consistent with the doctrine he preached.
The greatest danger in handling doctrine is that it may become truth apart from experience.
Truth that is not lived is powerless truth. Thank God for doctrine!