Sound Doctrine

 Temple Baptist Church - 3-1-2023

John 7:16-17

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Many years ago, as I was seeking the Lord’s will concerning my future place of service, Pastor Tim Valentine of Trinity Baptist Church in Concord, NH gave me this verse:

 

John 7:17  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

 

John 7:16-17  Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  (17)  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.  (In verse 16, we find that “the” doctrine spoken of in verse 17 is God’s doctrine.  Not a doctrine made up by man, but one given by God.)

 

1.  Doctrine – instruction – a prolonged (causative form) of instruction and learning.  It is instruction over an elongated period of time that anchors the student in the set of beliefs that are held by the instructor and taught to the student.

 

2.  Therefore, in Theology, the Bible is the embodiment of God’s doctrine and therefore must be taught from the Bible itself.

 

3.  Doctrine does not belong to us.  It is expressed to us.  I hear people say, “Our doctrine” or “my doctrine.”  Doctrine belongs to God alone, not even did Jesus Christ claim doctrine to be His.

 

4.  Thus, today, “every wind of doctrine” spoken of in the New Testament now is the norm.  The winds of doctrine just keep blowing and swirling around.

 

B.  I want to look at the word “doctrine” for a few minutes tonight.  In the verse that I just read, we find that understanding sound doctrine has to do with “If any man will do his will.” 

 

1.  The question should be asked, “Why do so many denominations who have the same bible that I hold in my hand tonight have different doctrinal stands?”  The answer is biblical, doctrinal ignorance which, if they have a Bible, becomes willful ignorance.

 

2.  The problem with having the right bible and unsound doctrine is simple.  Most people and denominations try to make the Bible fit their doctrine instead of making the Bible define their doctrine.

 

C.  Sound doctrine has little to do with advanced education as many of the highly educated are doctrinally incorrect.  The apostles were properly called “unlearned and ignorant men” in Acts 4:13.  These were some of the greatest men in the New Testament church! 

 

D.  I do not put any premium on willful ignorance, but neither do I put any premium on higher education.  The key to sound doctrine is “if any man will do his will.”  Sound doctrine is found by those who seek the will of God in sound doctrine.

 

E.  The word “doctrine” is found 51 times in the bible so I will not take the time tonight to deal with each individually.  The First Mention of “doctrine” is found in Deuteronomy.  The name Deuteronomy comes from two words: meaning “second” and “law.” 

 

Deuteronomy 32:1-4  Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.  (2)  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:  (3)  Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.  (4)  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

 

1.  Sound doctrine requires hearing what the Bible says: “Give ear … and hear”

 

2.  Sound doctrine requires allowing the Bible to speak: “I will speak … My doctrine shall drop as the rain.”

 

3.  Sound doctrine requires believing what God says in the Bible.  Is that not simple?

 

1.  The Availability of Sound Doctrine.  2 Timothy 3:15-17  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  (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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

 

a.  The Basis of Sound Doctrine.  “All scripture”  Sound doctrine is solely based upon your Bible!  Let me rehearse something. 

 

b.  The Blessing of Sound Doctrine.  “perfect, throughly furnished”  The Bible is all you need to live a life for Christ!

 

2.  The Confusion of Sound Doctrine.  1 Corinthians 14:26  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

 

a.  The Apostasy of Sound Doctrine.  2 Timothy 4:3  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;

 

b.  The Authority of Sound Doctrine.  Mark 1:22  And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

 

3.  The Promise of Sound Doctrine - 2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 

 

a.  The Workman of Sound Doctrine.  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed”

 

b.  The Work of Sound Doctrine.  “rightly dividing the word of truth”

 

4.  The Command of Sound Doctrine.  Romans 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.

 

a.  The Separation of Sound Doctrine.  1 Timothy 1:3  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

 

Titus 3:10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

 

b.  The Saturation of Sound Doctrine.  Proverbs 4:1-2  Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.  (2)  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

 

5.  The Continuation of Sound Doctrine.  2 Timothy 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

 

a.  The Period of Sound Doctrine.  1 Timothy 4:13  Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

 

b.  The Pattern of Sound Doctrine.  Titus 2:7  In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,