The Importance of Doctrine in the Preacher Epistles: Part Six

Introduction:

1. The word Doctrine is used 16 times in 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus!

A. Paul describes doctrine in 10 ways!

1. “The Doctrine” is used 3 times in the NKJV.

2. “Sound Doctrine” is used 4 times in the NKJV.

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.

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Body:

1. “And Doctrine or teaching” is used 2 times in the NKJV.

1 Timothy 5:17 NKJV

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.

2 Tim 5.17

A. What is Paul teaching Timothy about “doctrine” in that will help him and the congregation at Ephesus learn how to conduct themselves in the Church?

1. The elder must labor in the doctrine.

A. Strong’s Concordance defines kopiao (labor)—to feel fatigue; by implication to work hard: labour, toil, be wearied.

B. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament defines kopiao (labor)—In secular Greek it means a “beating”, “weariness as though one had been beaten”. The “exertion” or “trouble” which causes the state of weariness. In prose it is the proper word for physical tiredness induced by work, exertion or heat.

1. What does this mean for us?

A. Specifically, this verse is talking about the elder who has put so much into being an elder, he is completely exhausted.

B. At the end of the day, he feels like he has been beaten.

C. We have all been exhausted after a long day or week at work and want nothing more than to just fall into a nice, comfortable chair and relax.

2. How is the elder to labor, who is worthy of double honor?

A. The ESV of gives a better understanding of how the elder labors.

1 Timothy 5:17 ESV

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.

1 Timothy 4.17

1. To labor in word is preaching.

2. To labor in doctrine is teaching.

C. The Christian is to labor for God in word (preaching) and doctrine (teaching) as well.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1. The great commission is labor!

Matt 28.

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16:15–16 NKJV

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

2. Studying to accomplish the great commission is labor.

Acts 17:11 NKJV

11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

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.

3. Have you ever been worn out by laboring for God?

Luke 10:2 NKJV

2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

A. Paul told the Corinthians that each one would receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 3:8–9 NKJV

8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:8 NKJV

8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

B. This is true in the real world as well.

1. A person receives what he/she is willing to work for.

Romans 2:6 NKJV

6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:

Rom. 2:

A. What will God render to each person?

Romans 2:7 NKJV

7 eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;

Rom 2.7

Romans 2:8–9 NKJV

8 but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, 9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

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2 Timothy

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV 1900

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

B. What is Paul teaching Timothy about “doctrine” in 2 Timothy 4:2 that will help him and the congregation at Ephesus learn how to conduct themselves in the Church?

1. Convincing, rebuking, and exhorting comes from doctrine or teaching.

A. When people do not adhere to and teach sound doctrine they turn there ears away from the truth, and turn aside to fables.

2 Timothy 4:3–4 NKJV

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; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

1. Notice this is caused because of there own desires.

2 Timothy

2 Timothy 4:3 NKJV

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;

A. James explains this!

James 1:14–16 NKJV

14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

B. This is why it is so important for Christians to preach the word and are ready to convince, rebuke and exhort from proper doctrine.

Conclusion:

1. It is important that we understand...

A. When proper elders are found they deserve double honor.

1. Especially when they labor in word and doctrine.

B. We need to adhere to proper teachings or doctrine instead of our own desires.

1. Our own desires will cause us to turn away from God.