SOUND DOCTRINE
(Eph 4:14 KJV) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
Ephesians 4:14 admonishes us "that we should no longer be children, tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine…"
Colossians 2:7 urges us to be "rooted and built up in Him and established in the
faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
I. SOUND DOCTRINE IS BUILT ON THE WORD OF GOD!
“And that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to
make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:15-16.
II. SOUND DOCTRINE MAGNIFIES THE HOLINESS OF GOD!
The seraphim hovering about the throne of God, cried out, saying:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth if full of His glory.”
Isaiah 6:3.
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and holy in all His works.” Psalm
145:17.
III. SOUND DOCTRINE DECLARES THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN!
Created originally in the image and likeness of God, sin entered the human
race through the transgression of Adam: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered
into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all
have sinned.” Romans 5:12.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know
it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
“Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that
every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis
6:5.
IV. SOUND DOCTRINE TEACHES OF A LITERAL HEAVEN AND HELL!
Concerning heaven:
“In My Father’s house are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. (Read: I Corinthians 2:9)
Concerning hell:
“Then He will also say to those on the left hand: ‘Depart from Me, you
cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” “And
these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal
life.” Matthew 25:41,46.
V. SOUND DOCTRINE PROCLAIMS SALVATION BY GRACE!
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
your-selves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9.
PROPER FOR SOUND DOCTRINE
"But as for you, speak the things which
are proper for sound doctrine." Titus 2:1
There are three great foundational truths that constitute the basis of our
Christian faith.
I. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT MAN
1. Man is a sinner by nature
"Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death
through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned." Romans 5:12.
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me."
Psalm 51:5.2. Man is a sinner by choice
"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6.
3. Man cannot save himself from sin
"For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various
lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
"But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not
by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He
saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
"whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that
having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope
of eternal life." Titus 3:3-7 (NKJV)
II. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT SIN
1. Sin is appealing to all men
"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins in which you once
walked according to the course of this world…among whom also we all once
conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the
flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the
others." Ephesians 2:1-3.
2. Sin alienates man from God
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden
His face from you, so that He will not hear." Isaiah 59:2.
3. Sin produces spiritual death
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23.
III. WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES ABOUT GOD
1. God will eternally condemn the unrepentant sinner
"Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Luke 13:3.
2. God desires the salvation of every man
"The Lord is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but
that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9
3. God completely forgives the repentant sinner
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.
"I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I
will not remember your sins." Isaiah 43:25.
REQUIRES SOUND ELDERS
(Titus 1:5 KJV) For this cause left I
thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and
ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the
husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon
angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover
of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 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.
APPOINT QUALIFIED ELDERS WHO CAN TEACH AND DEFEND SOUND DOCTRINE
I. (:5) NEED FOR ELDERS
A. Sometimes The Way to Get Ahead is to be Left Behind
"For this reason I left you in Crete"
B. Orderliness is Next to Godliness
"that you might set in order what remains"
C. Plurality of Elders is the Norm for the Local Church
"and appoint elders in every city"
D. The Form of Church Government is Not Optional
"as I directed you"
II. (: 6-9A) QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELDERS
A. Gender Requirement -- "if any man"
B. General Requirement -- "be above reproach" (: 6)
"for the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward" (: 7)
C. Family Requirements
1. With respect to His Wife
"the husband of one wife"
2. With respect to His children
a. Positive -- "having children who believe"
b. Negative -- "not accused of dissipation or rebellion"
D. Character Requirements
1. "not self-willed"
2. "not quick-tempered"
3. "not addicted to wine"
4. "not pugnacious"
5. "not fond of sordid gain"
6. "hospitable"
7. "loving what is good"
8. "sensible"
9. "just"
10. "devout"
11. "self-controlled"
E. Doctrinal Requirement
"holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching"
III. (:9B) FUNCTION OF ELDERS (WITH RESPECT TO SOUND DOCTRINE)
(Not a comprehensive list of their functions; just an emphasis on those
functions that relate to remaining faithful to sound doctrine)
A. Teach Sound Doctrine
"that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine"
B. Defend Sound Doctrine
"and to refute those who contradict"
God bless you and yours!
On behalf of this generation,
Your friends in the service of Christ,
Tony
and Marge Abram
Abundant Life Crusades
If we could be
of more help or if you want more information please visit:
www.tonyabram.com or
www.abundantlifecrusades.com
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