1 Doctrine Does Doctrine Matter 2 Jn 9

1 Doctrine Does Doctrine Matter?

2 Jn. 9 • Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 2

Doctrine = Teaching • ESV has “teaching” • ASV has “teaching” 3

2 Jn. 9 4 • Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine (teaching) of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

5 I. Doctrine/Teaching is important • Acts 2: 41 • “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. ”

Acts 2: 42 • And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 6

7 • “They were tutored in doctrine even from the start of their Christian life. ” Alan E. Highers • The teaching of Christ should be emphasized continually from the pulpit and in all Bible classes

Mt. 7: 28 -29 • And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 8

Mt. 5: 1 -2 • And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 9

Mt. 15: 9 • But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 10

II. Doctrine is healthy 11 • Titus 2: 1 • “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine”

2 Tim. 4: 3 12 • 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;

13 • Sound = “to be sound, to be well to be in good health • The Greek word translated “sound” is the same word from which we get “hygiene” in the English language

14 • Hygiene = the science that deals with the promotion and preservation of health • Sound doctrine = healthy doctrine/teaching because it promotes good spiritual health

Titus 1: 13 • This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 15

Titus 2: 2 16 • That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. • Sound in the faith = sound in the gospel; well grounded in the truth

17 • Without the teaching of Christ one cannot be sound in the faith • Why do people reject sound teaching for the false teaching of men?

2 Tim. 4: 3 18 • 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;

19 • “…in spiritual matters some choose the convenient path provided by the doctrines and commandments of men rather than the study and diligence required to know and obey the truth. ” A. Highers

III. Doctrine is preventive 20 • Jude 3 • “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. ”

Jude 4 • For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 21

22 • To creep in “unawares” is to slip in secretly – unnoticed • This is the way false teachers work • When we learn “doctrine” or the teaching of Christ, it helps us to identify false teachers and to avoid their destructive error

Rom. 16: 17 • Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 23

Titus 1: 9 24 • Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

IV. Doctrine is necessary • God’s word connects doctrine to salvation 25

Rom. 6: 17 -18 26 • But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

27 • They obeyed “that form of doctrine” and were “then made free from sin”

1 Tim. 4: 16 28 • 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.

2 Cor. 5: 11 • Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; 29

2 Jn. 9 (ASV) 30 • Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.