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SOUND DOCTRINE

September 23, 2001 AM

Sermon Outline

2 Tim 4:1-4

INTRO: The word doctrine is a good bible word. it may simply mean instruction ... that which is taught. At 2 John 1:9 there is reference to the doctrine of Christ. At Titus 2:10 there is a reference to the doctrine of God. And at Acts 2:42 we find a reference to the apostles doctrine. And in the midst of numerous references to doctrine there is the reference to sound doctrine. It is to this last reference which we want to consider for a few minutes.

I. THOUGHTS IMPLIED BY SOUND

A. Healthy - his mind is sound

B. Correct - his logic is sound

C. Reliable/Stable - sound as a dollar

D. Strong - the hull of the ship is sound

E. Flawless/no defects - the timbers are sound

F. Thorough/Complete - he is sound asleep

II. WHAT SOUND DOCTRINE SUGGESTS?

A. Not all doctrine is sound!

1. if there is sound doctrine, there may well be unsound doctrine

2. if it is unsound, it is none of those positive things implied in the word sound

3. 1 Tim 4:1 and doctrines of devils

4. Col 2:22 doctrines of men

4. Heb 13:9 strange doctrines

B. Some doctrine, however is sound

1. the exhortation of scripture is to sound doctrine

2. Titus 2:1 speak ... sound doctrine

3. sound doctrine is spiritually beneficial

4. unsound doctrine is spiritually devastating

5. sound vs. unsound ... our dilemma

III. WHAT MAKES DOCTRINE SOUND?

A. Obvious answer: its source

1. 2 Tim 3:16 by inspiration of God

2. the introduction references tell us something of sound: Christ - God - apostles ... and 1 Cor 2:12,13 (Holy Spirit)

3. what comes from God is truth

4. note 1 Tim 4:3,4 sound doctrine - from the truth ... sound doctrine is truth because its source is God (Isa 45:19)

B. Teaching underpinned by scripture

1. so, Timothy and Titus were urged to speak things which were compatible with sound doctrine

2. when scripture is neglected, ignored, unsound doctrine will inevitably follow closely

3. so, Gal 2:4,5 truth of the gospel would protect from false brethren with their own agenda

4. it is written is of utmost importance - 1 Tim 1:3 teach no other doctrine

III. THE CHALLENGE TO US?

A. First, to teach, preach sound doctrine

1. the earthly life and eternal destiny of many depend on our doing so

2. yes, Eph 4:15 is so important, too

3. but love must not cloud, hide the truth, sound doctrine ... yes, sound doctrine will conflict with error

B. Second, to confirm that we abide in sound doctrine

1. Eph 4:14 unsound doctrines are everywhere

2. Rom 16:17 we must not honor teachers of unsound doctrine

3. the issues here are enormous ... for you and me personally and for the church collectively!

CLOSE: Titus 2:7-10 ... Are we, by our teaching and behavior, adorning the doctrine of God?

Cecil A. Hutson

23 September 2001

God's Plan of Salvation

You must hear the gospel and then understand and recognize that you are lost without Jesus Christ no matter who you are and no matter what your background is. The Bible tells us that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) Before you can be saved, you must understand that you are lost and that the only way to be saved is by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6) "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

You must believe and have faith in God because "without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Hebrews 11:6) But neither belief alone nor faith alone is sufficient to save. (James 2:19; James 2:24; Matthew 7:21)

You must repent of your sins. (Acts 3:19) But repentance alone is not enough. The so-called "Sinner's Prayer" that you hear so much about today from denominational preachers does not appear anywhere in the Bible. Indeed, nowhere in the Bible was anyone ever told to pray the "Sinner's Prayer" to be saved. By contrast, there are numerous examples showing that prayer alone does not save. Saul, for example, prayed following his meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:11), but Saul was still in his sins when Ananias met him three days later (Acts 22:16). Cornelius prayed to God always, and yet there was something else he needed to do to be saved (Acts 10:2, 6, 33, 48). If prayer alone did not save Saul or Cornelius, prayer alone will not save you. You must obey the gospel. (2 Thess. 1:8)

You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10) Note that you do NOT need to make Jesus "Lord of your life." Why? Because Jesus is already Lord of your life whether or not you have obeyed his gospel. Indeed, we obey him, not to make him Lord, but because he already is Lord. (Acts 2:36) Also, no one in the Bible was ever told to just "accept Jesus as your personal savior." We must confess that Jesus is the Son of God, but, as with faith and repentance, confession alone does not save. (Matthew 7:21)

Having believed, repented, and confessed that Jesus is the Son of God, you must be baptized for the remission of your sins. (Acts 2:38) It is at this point (and not before) that your sins are forgiven. (Acts 22:16) It is impossible to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ without teaching the absolute necessity of baptism for salvation. (Acts 8:35-36; Romans 6:3-4; 1 Peter 3:21) Anyone who responds to the question in Acts 2:37 with an answer that contradicts Acts 2:38 is NOT proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Once you are saved, God adds you to his church and writes your name in the Book of Life. (Acts 2:47; Philippians 4:3) To continue in God's grace, you must continue to serve God faithfully until death. Unless they remain faithful, those who are in God's grace will fall from grace, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will have their names blotted out of that book. (Revelation 2:10; Revelation 3:5; Galatians 5:4)