The Importance of Doctrine in the preacher epistles: Part Three

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

2 Timothy

3. “And Doctrine or Teaching” is used 2 times in the NKJV.

4. “His Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

5. “For Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

6. “No other Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

7. “To Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

8. “In Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

9. “Good Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

10. “My Doctrine” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

B. Paul refers to Doctrine in one more way!

11. “Doctrine of demons” is used 1 time in the NKJV.

2. Remember the purpose of Paul’s writing to Timothy!

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NKJV

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Body:

1. “Sound Doctrine” is used 4 time.

The fact that the phrase “sound doctrine” appears 4 times should tell us it is important.

Twice to Timothy and Twice to Titus!

A. What is “Sound Doctrine”?

1. Sound doctrine is rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

B. How is “Sound Doctrine” obtained?

1. “Sound Doctrine” is obtained by being skilled in the Word of righteousness!

Hebrews 5:12–13 NKJV

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.

2. “Being skilled in the Word of righteousness is using the Word of righteousness so that your senses are exercised to discern both good and evil!

Hebrews 5:14 NKJV

14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

C. The 2 times “Sound Doctrine” appears in Titus is our focus today!

1. What is Paul teaching Titus in and Titus 2:1-10 about “Sound Doctrine” that will help him and the members know how to conduct themselves in the church?

Titus 1:5–9 NKJV

5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you—6 if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

Titus 2:1–10 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you. 9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

A. In order to have “Sound Doctrine” you must set in order the things that are lacking.

Paul told Titus the reason he left him in Crete was to set in order the things that are lacking.

There were obviously things that were lacking in the Church of that area from God’s Word and Titus was to set it in order.

B. How was Titus to set in order the things that were lacking?

1. He was to speak the things that were proper for “Sound Doctrine”.

Titus 2:1 NKJV

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

Titus 1

A. What is proper for “Sound Doctrine”?

1. The whole counsel of God.

Acts 20.26-

Acts 20:26–27 NKJV

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

2. All Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16 NKJV

16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

A. Why is all Scripture needed?

Because it is profitable for:

Doctrine

Reproof

Correction

Instruction in righteousness

B. What does “All Scripture” do for the member of the Lord’s Church when used properly?

For Doctrine

For Reproof

For Correction

For Instruction in Rightwousness

1. When used properly “All Scripture” makes the man of God complete, throughly equipped for every good work.

Or Sets in order the things that are lacking (Titus:15).

By making one complete or thoroughly equipped for every good work ().

2. He was to be an example to the believers or a pattern to the believers.

Titus 2:6–8 NKJV

6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

A. Paul also said something like this to Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy

B. Both of these young evangelist were to show themselves to be a pattern of good works so that they could set in order the things that were lacking.

1. Paul gave both Titus and Timothy a pattern of good works to follow so they could set in order the things that are lacking.

Pattern of good works from

sober-minded

Show integrity in Doctrine

Reverent

Incorruptible

Sound in Speech

Pattern of good works from

Be an example in word

Be an example in conduct

Be an example in love

Be an example in spirit

Be an example in faith

Be an example in purity

2. What was the purpose of Titus and Timothy being a pattern of good works?

A. That when an opponent tried to say something evil they did not have anything to say!

B. Really

Really quickly I want to tell you about Daniel from and how he got thrown into the lion’s den.

Daniel 6:4–17 NKJV

4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.