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Introduction
The word doctrine means “something that is taught.”
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word is leqah, meaning what is received.
The concept is shown in Deuteronomy 32:2 which states:
In the New Testament, the Greek word didaskalia means both the act and the content of teaching.
Another form, didachē, means either the act or the content of teaching.
Matthew 7:28
It is important to note that the idea of teaching is a theme throughout the Bible.
In some form, teach, teaching or taught is listed over 300 times.
It is important to understand what is taught and why it is taught.
This understanding gives us great insight into what it means to have sound doctrine.
To understand this more, I want to invite you this morning to look at the example of Jesus.
Stories of Our Savior
Jesus was the Master Teacher.
He taught in parables that were about real life situations.
Jesus used the parables to paint a picture of His truth and always there was a lesson to learn.
Each lesson clarified the mission and purpose of Jesus.
They all seem to point to what Jesus the person was about and what He wanted those He taught to learn.
Such is the case of the simple parable Jesus told at the end of His sermon on the mount.
Shifting Sands
Several years ago there was a movie called “Nights in Rodanthe.”
It was a romantic movie about a man meeting a lady on a remote beach.
This interesting thing about this movie for me was that it was filmed in Rodanthe, which is on the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Recently, Rodanthe has been in the headlines, not because of a romantic movie, but because of the houses that were right on the ocean that have ended up in the ocean.
Perhaps you have seen these pictures.
Someone at some point said, “Hey let’s build a house as close to the ocean as possible.”
They paid an enormous amount of money for this ocean front house and as you can see, the result of some coastal flooding this week caused this to be a very bad decision.
This is all because something was built on sand.
A faulty foundation will be a problem.
In the case of these beach houses, the sand underneath was washed away and therefore the houses were washed away.
A modern day version of
As you can imagine, horrific damage is done a result.
Why would anyone make a decision to build on something that would not be solid and lasting?
We are often prone to do the easiest thing.
We have a tendency to look for the simple shortcuts.
Simple Shortcuts
Why do people take those shortcuts?
I think the biggest factor is that people want to save time.
How fast can we get what we want?
Good things come to those that wait right?
By the way, that is phrase is not in the Bible but something close is:
That however, is opposite of a simple shortcut.
People also want to get treasures that make them find satisfaction.
Jesus said,
Our hearts get in the wrong place and we substitute the treasures of earth for the treasures that are lasting in heaven.
We want immediate satisfaction.
The Rolling Stones knew that in 1965 when they came out with the hit, I can’t get know satisfaction.
It is one of the world's most popular songs, and was No. 31 on Rolling Stone magazine's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list in 2021.
I believe I could come up with a list of 500 songs much better couldn’t you?
The point is that we seek satisfaction in things that God says let’s think about another way.
We build that foundation on sand which leaves us in a mess when the waves come crashing in on us.
We tend to have seasons of thoughtlessness.
Have you ever done something that you wished you had not?
Maybe you have been like me and did something really regretful.
As you are beating yourself up, you ask, “What was a thinking?”
The truth of the matter is, you were not!
Shifting sands and simple shortcuts leave us like beach houses built too close to the ocean.
Jesus in is incredible wisdom told us this parable that we might have some solid solutions.
Solid Solutions
Just like in building a house that is structurally sound, we have to build our lives on solid ground.
You have heard this verse more than once over the years from me, but I reiterate that this is absolutely the surest truth you can stand on:
Jesus did not say, “I am a way.”
He did not say, “I am a truth.”
He did not say, “I am a life.”
The emphasis clearly points to the fact the Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.
Anytime you hear a so-called minister say that Jesus is a way, a truth, a life, you re on shifting sand.
Over a matter of time, the waves, the wind, the things of this life that beat on us, will eventually where down the way, truth and life if it is not build on Jesus.
When we have our feet placed on the solid ground, we are given a new song and a hymn of praise.
In other words, we will have something to sing about!
We will be able to sing because we have been given sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine will help us succeed in every area of our lives.
The word for sound is hugiaino and it refers to “Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error and of one who keeps the graces and is strong.”
How do you know what is of sound doctrine?
Is it free from the mixture of error?
Is it from one that is promoting grace?
Is is self-seeking or is it based on love?
Does it contradict scripture?
Jesus said in Matthew 7:26 that if you do not put into practice His words, you are building your spiritual house on the they trying to build on shifting sand.
So often the person hears what Jesus is saying, he or she enjoys the process of hearing it all but fails to put it into practice.
That person comes to church but fails to have the necessary relationship.
Then they come crumbling down.
Their doctrine is not sound and their lives “fall with a great crash.”
It is imperative that you start on solid ground.
It is a must that you succeed with sound doctrine.
As you grow, you will strengthen your structure.
How does one strengthen their structure?
You build on the truth of Christ and you grow in your relationship with Him.
The more you study the Word of God, the stronger you become.
You put into practice the teachings of Jesus.
What are some of these teachings?
Jesus taught about His relationship with His Father and the Holy Spirit.
That is the doctrine of the Trinity or Triune God.
He taught about Scripture.
He taught about salvation.
He taught about the church.
Each of these areas are sound doctrines that will help strengthen your structure.
If Jesus taught about these things, we need to have an understanding about them as well and put them into practice!
This world is a mess.
It is clear that there has been some building on shifting sands.
I truly believe that we are experiencing so much pain and suffering right now because we have accepted every way but the way that Jesus declared.
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