Sound Doctrine-1

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

The means through which men are brought to saving faith include:

The Holy Spirit

The Word of God

Preachers sent by God.

Faith cannot exist without the external ministry of the Word, for this is the instrument through which God kindles faith in the hearts of believers.

And the preaching of the Word cannot exist unless God sends heralds, for those who run of their own will without God’s command do not advance God’s Word but instead their own fabrications.

Those who spurn these means are robbed of salvation.

James 3:1–2 (LSB)

1Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.

2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well.

James 3:1 (AMP)

1NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].

James isn't just warning against teaching in general, but specifically against people who eagerly take on the role of spiritual authority in order to criticize and correct others, without proper calling or qualifications.

Beware of those who appoint themselves as spiritual authorities, especially when their motivation seems to be finding fault with others rather than genuinely serving God's people.

How many churches and denominations formed because of this?

Don’t be quick to jump into the role of teaching, when you are not qualified to do so.

James 3:1 is a warning against people who appoint themselves to positions of teaching authority rather than being called, qualified, or designated by God or the church community.

Those who are qualified to teach and preach are sent by God and are not self-appointed teachers and preachers. (See Romans 10:15.)

Greater responsibility brings greater judgment. If every idle word will be weighed at the Judgment (Matt. 12:36f.), how much more the utterances of the teacher?

Matthew 12:33–37 (NIV84)

33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

34You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

35The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Account = λόγος logos = to explain why things were said. The explanation will be before God,

“People are going to have to tell God why they said every useless word they did.”

Careless = ἀργός argos = marked by lack of attention, consideration, forethought, or thoroughness.

Words spoken “off the top of one’s head” without any forethought, consideration or thoroughness.

You will be acquitted = δικαιόω dikaioō = to render a favorable verdict; to be found in the right, be free of charges.

You will be condemned = καταδικάζω katadikazō = to be condemned; to be found/pronounced guilty by, on the basis of your words.

If nonteachers will be held accountable for every careless word they have spoken, how much more will be the accountability that falls on the teacher who speaks carelessly?

For believers, the judgment of God will result in either the gain or loss of rewards, not the loss of salvation.

James 3:1 is a warning of a stricter accountability, since a false teacher is held responsible for influencing others. So teachers must weigh their words carefully.

Luke 17:1–2 (NIV84)

1Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.

2It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.

Teachers of the Word must take absolute care that what they say does not lead others astray or cause one to think that they’re saved, when, in actuality, they are not due to a presentation of a watered down, what’s in it for me, bless me gospel.

Colossians 2:8 (AMP)

8See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).

Human tradition refers to teaching that has its origin in human beings. In contrast, the gospel message has its origin in God.

Galatians 1:11 (NIV84)

11I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that man made up.

Takes captive = συλαγωγέω sylagōgeō 1x = to carry away. To lead off as prey, carry off as booty, rob, or kidnap.

2 Timothy 4:1–5 (NIV84)

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

2 Timothy 4:2 (AMP)

2 Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.

We, like Timothy, are to proclaim the Word. Be careful not to obscure God’s Word with empty, powerless, and ineffective words that do not accompany or bring about salvation.

3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.

4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

The idea behind “itching ears” is that of entertainment. Such people want their ears tickled with sensational, stimulating oratory.

So, opportunistic teachers take advantage of them and tell them what they want to hear.

Titus 2:1 (NIV84)

1You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

What is sound doctrine?

Sound = ὑγιαίνω hygiainō = to be correct or accurate, conceived as being free from infirmity or disease; to be correct, to be healthy. (Uncontaminated)

Doctrine = διδασκαλία didaskalia = instruction, teaching; the content of what is taught.

Paul was commanding Titus to communicate the things that will make believers healthy, well, uncorrupt, and true. This would be the only way the church would be healthy.

There will not be right living where there is no right teaching.

Romans 1:16–17 (NIV84)

16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

The gospel, and the gospel alone, is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

My testimony or my life stories will not save a soul. In fact, they may be hindrances to the pure, unadulterated word of God.

God has chosen the instrument of God’s Pure Word, spoken through people, lead by the Holy Spirit, to bring others to saving faith.

Hebrews 4:12–13 (AMP)

12For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

13And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.

The word of God poses a judgment that is more threatening and sharper than any double-edged sword, because it exposes the intentions of the heart and renders one defenseless before God’s scrutinizing gaze.

1 Corinthians 2:12–14 (NIV84)

12We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Only God’s Word and no other book in the world is alive and powerful. God’s Word is the only book that expresses spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Only those who have the Spirit of God have the ability to understand the spiritual truths contained in God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:14–17 (NIV84)

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,

15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NLT)

16All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

17God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Colossians 3:16–17 (AMP)

16Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

17And whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in [dependence upon] His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

Titus 2:2-15 (NIV84)

2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

7In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,

10and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

12It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Sound doctrine is spelled out in this chapter.

For the next few weeks, the Lord willing, we will take a break from the Fasting series and look into what constitutes sound doctrine.

Titus 2:2 (NIV84)

2Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

The older men = πρεσβύτης presbytēs = a man older than an adult, but not yet in the last, less productive stage of old age; perhaps between 50 and 60 years old. Other definitions say > 60 years.

Temperate = νηφάλιος nēphalios = somber, temperate, abstinent in respect to wine, etc.; vigilant, circumspect, self-controlled.

Worthy of respect (dignified) = σεμνός semnos 4x (Phil. 4:8; 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Tit 2:2) = dignified: being worthy of esteem or respect; especially on account of one’s behavior.

Self-controlled = σώφρων sophron = prudent; self-controlled; moderate: wisely keeping self-control over one’s passions and desires.

Sound = Sound = ὑγιαίνω hygiainō = to be correct or accurate, conceived as being free from infirmity or disease; to be correct, to be healthy.

In faith = ὁ πίστις ho pistis = the faith; gospel content: the content of what is (and should be) believed about the good news of Jesus’ way of salvation.

Faith has the definite article, here, not faith as exercised, but The Faith, the body of Christian doctrine.

In love = ὁ ἀγάπη ho agape = the love; that love produced in the heart of the yielded saint by the Holy Spirit.

In endurance = ὁ ὑπομονή ho hypomonē = the endurance; steadfast endurance: the power to withstand hardship or stress; especially the inward fortitude necessary.

The addition of the article, the, stresses the fact that the power to be sound in the faith, in the love, and in the endurance is not a faith, love, and endurance that is defined by our standards or any standard set by man.

It is the faith, love , and endurance as defined by God’s Word.

Not a faith of just believing; but believing the absolute truths as set in the gospel.

Not a love that is determined by one’s own feelings or circumstances; but the love as God loves, unconditionally and without reservation.

Not an endurance that is based on one’s own willpower; but an endurance as given to us by the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2:12–13 (AMP)

12Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

13[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

Paul instructs that older men (men between 50+ years old) should be taught to be temperate (sober-minded and vigilant, especially regarding wine), worthy of respect (dignified in behavior), and self-controlled (prudent in governing passions and desires), while being sound (spiritually healthy and doctrinally correct) in THE faith (the objective body of Christian doctrine), in THE love (the unconditional divine love produced by the Holy Spirit), and in THE endurance (the Spirit-given fortitude to withstand hardship)—all according to God's standards as defined by His Word rather than human definitions.

These instructions to the older men parallel the instruction given for the qualification of elders. It is from this group that elders should be chosen.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 (NIV84)

1Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

2Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,

3not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

4He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.

5(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

6He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

7He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

Titus 1:5–9 (NLT)

5I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you.

6An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious.

7A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.

8Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.

9He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

2 Timothy 2:1–2 (NIV84)

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

In most churches, the women outnumber the men.

Where are the men who desire the deep things of God?

Elders are to teach other men to follow after them and continue the ministry after they depart this world.

We’ll continue the teaching of sound doctrine as outlined in Titus 2 next week, the Lord willing.

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