Category: Faith

Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine

Many today dismiss the importance of doctrine – opting instead for:

  • opinions,
  • emotional experiences
  • or the everchanging community expectations.

But let’s be reminded in this lesson of the vital importance of sound doctrine.

1. The source of sound doctrine

2. The effects of sound doctrine

“Sound doctrine” = “healthy teaching”.

  • Anything else is regarded as “a different doctrine” (1Tim. 6:3) or “strange doctrines” (1Tim. 1:3).

Sound doctrine saves lives, nourishes churches and brings glory to God.

  • 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Sound doctrine: Know it, speak it, live it, defend it.

Sound doctrine saves lives!

How can you make sure that you will get to heaven?

How can you make sure that you will get to heaven?

“Life” or “fire” are the only two destinations on the day of judgment:

  • Recall 20:15 .

How can you make sure that your name is “found written in the book of life” (v. 15)?

  • How can you make sure that you will get to heaven?
  • The devil is very happy when people are confused about how to get to heaven!

A sobering example

The answer is really very simple:

  1. Become a Christian!
  2. Remain/Stay a Christian!

Lessons from the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15)

Lessons from the Parable of the Prodigal Son

(Luke 15)

Four Lessons from the Parable of the Prodigal Son

(Luke 15)

  1. Sin leads to the opposite of what it promises
  2. Repentance and confession are essential
  3. God is compassionate and gracious
  4. Don’t be appallingly selfish like the older brother

Luke 15 is one of the most loved chapters in all the Bible!

Its “parable” (i.e., v. 3) in four parts– the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son, and the lost older brother – show many wonderful truths:

  • God’s great love for the lost,
  • His great efforts to restore them to Himself,
  • and His great joy when they are returned.

God allows us all choice, but longs for us all to be with Him. God wants all to be saved.

The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)

The Lord Is My Shepherd

(Psalm 23)

Not all are the Lord’s sheep! This is evident even in the psalm itself

But for those who are the Lord’s sheep, Psalm 23 is a truly wonderful psalm!

Lord of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1)

Lord of Heaven and Earth (Gen 1)

The Lord of Heaven

A blank Canvas Gen 1:2-5; Psa 118:27

God made heaven or space Gen 1:6-8

God made the sun and the moon Gen 1:14-19

The Lord of Earth God Creates plants, Trees Gen 1:9-13

Birds of the Sky and fish of the Sea Gen 1:20-23

God makes all land-dwelling organisms Gen 1:24-25

The Lord of Man Made in God’s Image Gen 1:26-28

Pangs of Conscience Gen 3:7-8; 1Ti 4:2; Eph 4:19

We are accountable to our Creator Mat 22:36-39; Mat 12:33-37

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”

Three Different Receptions of the Holy Spirit in “Acts”
1. Baptism with

the Holy Spirit

 2. Indwelling of

the Holy Spirit

 3. Laying on of

Apostles’ Hands

WHO? Apostles (1:2,5)

Cornelius+ (11:16)

 All Christians

(2:38,39; cf. Rom. 8:9b)

 Some Christians

(8:14-19)
HOW? From heaven (2:2)

Fell (10:44; 11:15)

 Received at baptism

(2:38; cf. 1Cor. 12:13)

 Apostles’ hands

(8:18)
PROOF? Miraculous

(2:4,8; 10:46)

 Promise, not miraculous

(2:38,39; cf. 8:12-16)

 Miraculous

(19:6)
WHY? God accepts them

(2:32,33;

10:47; 11:17,18)

 Seal (Eph. 1:13f.)

Strengthen (Eph. 3:16)

Intercedes (Rom. 8:26)

 Sign to unbelievers

Edification

(1Cor. 14:22,26)
WHEN? Temporary

(Eph. 4:5; 5:26)

 To the end of the age

(Matt. 28:19,20)

 Temporary

(8:18; cf. 1Cor. 13:8f.)

Lessons

 

  1. No “baptism with the HS” today, despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 1 above).
  2. But there is indwelling of the HS today (= sealing, strengthening, interceding, etc.) for those who become Christians (cf. # 2 above) – rejoice!
  • Recall Isa 44:3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants;
  1. No miraculous gifts of the HS today (e.g., tongues, prophecy, healings), despite the claims of the false teachers to the contrary (cf. # 3 above).