Dirty Bible Words Week 3: Doctrine Message Summary: Say “damn” in mixed company and few will blink. Say “doctrine” and most will stare. Doctrine is something archaic, oppressive, and unhealthy for our souls, according to contemporary culture. So why didn’t God feel that way? He didn’t apologize for condemning “false doctrine”, encouraging “sound doctrine,” and urging believers to watch their “life and doctrine” closely. ✦ Doctrine = A set of beliefs ✦ Everyone has a doctrine. ✦ 1 Timothy 4:16a — Watch your life and doctrine closely. ✦ What one believes, affects how one behaves. ✦ Titus 1:9 & 2:1 — He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it…You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. ✦ “Sound” doctrine = God’s inspired, inerrant, unchanging, encouraging Word ✦ Proverbs 30:5a — Every word of God is flawless ✦ 1 Peter 2:3 — For you have been born again…through the living and enduring word of God. ✦ John 17:17 — Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth. ✦ 2 Timothy 3:16 — All Scripture is God-breathed ✦ What’s shaping your doctrine? The sacred or the secular? ✦ 2 Timothy 4:3,4 — For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths ✦ 1 Timothy 4:16 — Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. ✦ Sacred lenses —> sound doctrine —> Spirit’s fruit ✦ 2 Timothy 3:14-16 — But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Planting Jesus Roots GATHER — How do you know if a church is teaching healthy doctrine? Read Acts 17:10-12 for a short story with a powerful answer. GROUP — Agree/Disagree: Without open Bibles, our church’s Life Groups might be filled with damaging doctrine. GROW — Read the three little books Paul wrote to pastors: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus (about 30 minutes of reading). Circle every verse that deals specifically with good doctrine. GIVE — What is your doctrine regarding money? Write down at least five convictions you have about finances as they relate to your faith in God. GO — Ask a friend, “What do you believe about God? Why do you believe that?” See where the conversation takes you. Homework: Luke 16:19-31