DOCTRINE IS IMPORTANT
1 Timothy 1:3-5
INTRODUCTION:
A. We live in troublesome times: not just as a nation but as the church
1. People are asking all kinds of questions:
a. Is Jesus the only way to heaven?
b. Are tongues still operable?
c. Are heaven and Hell real places?
d. Is the Church worship meeting necessary?
e. Do I have to tithe?
f. Baptism necessary to salvation? Or Does it matter how one is baptized?
g. Is Jesus coming again?
2. The problem is not the question, but rather the answer which is often given: It doesn’t really matter, just love God and everything else is negotiable.
3. It is as if they think teaching or doctrine is not important.
4. Well, it is.
B. A few years ago, I was at a graduation party for one of our seniors and met up with a former pastor from our association who I had not seen for a while.
1. I asked him where he was, and was surprise to hear where he had gone.
2. I asked him why the change and he said that he had gotten tired of all the issues surrounding doctrine, when it really did not matter any way.
3. And where he was now did not really care about your doctrine, only about loving one another.
4. It surprised me when he pitted one against the other because as we will see, today they are mutually agreeable.
5. Doctrine, the teaching on particular subjects, IS important!
C. One of the reasons Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus was to deal with doctrinal problems – it was also one of the ministerial reasons for his writing this letter to Timothy.
1. Listen to our passage for this morning: 1 Tim. 1:3-5 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, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
2. Our goal for this morning is not to delve into some actual doctrinal issues – we will do that over the course of the next few weeks – but rather to show you and hopefully convince you that what you believe (the doctrines you hold to) are important
3. Whether you can admit it or not, doctrine (what you believe about a subject) permeates every aspect of your life and that includes, most certainly, your spiritual life as well.
4. This morning In an attempt to meet this goal I want to do two things
a. First, I hope to show The Importance of Doctrine
b. Second, we will look at The Charge Concerning Doctrine
5. May God grant us a desire to learn of his teachings and abide by His doctrine.
PRAY
We will begin by trying to establish
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTRINE
A. Let’s first define the term “doctrine”
1. It has fallen on hard times lately and seems to have become a nasty word.
2. But it is not a bad word at all – the word is translated from the Greek word didaskalia (did-as-kal-ee-ah) and it simply means “teaching” (Of the 21 times this word is used in the N.T. 14 of them are found in 1 & 2 timothy & Titus
3. So when we talk about biblical doctrines was are talking about biblical teachings
4. We (meaning men) have broken down the doctrines (teachings) of the Bible into a number of different areas such as
a. The teachings about God – Theology
b. The teachings about Christ – Christology
c. The teachings about man – Anthropology
d. The teachings about salvation - Soteriology
e. The teachings regarding the church - Ecclesiology
f. The teachings about the future – Eschatology
5. And these teaching are important
a. What you believe about God impacts your whole world view
1) If we believe God is all knowing, all seeing and all powerful then we look at the circumstances of life differently than if we believe He is limited in some way
2) If we believe in a God who is intimately involved in our lives we act differently than if we believe He simply put things in motion and stepped back.
b. What we believe about Christ is important: was he just a man, just God or both?
1) How you answer this question not only impacts your understanding about Christ, but also how you view salvation (the doctrine of Soteriology).
2) And these have eternal implications
c. What you believe about man (anthropology) effects how you think about salvation (Soteriology) and your relationship to God (Theology)
6. I think you get the point – doctrine is important.
B. With this in mind lets see what Jesus, the apostles and the Bible has to say concerning doctrine.
1. First we will look at Jesus’ words – in the KJV we have two instances when the word doctrine is used in the context of Jesus’ speaking
a. The first is found in Matt 15:9 (also found in Mark 7:7) But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
- Rather then teaching for doctrines the commandments of God
b. And secondly the word is used twice in John 7:16-17 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
- Here Jesus was saying his teachings were not his personally but rather God’s and those who will serve God living according to His word will know if the teachings are of God.
2. Then there are the words of he Apostles: just a couple should suffice
a. In the book of Romans Paul writes
1) Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
2) Rom 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.
- Both these references are to the gospel – the message of salvation.
b. Paul also encourages us 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 Eph 4:14
c. And there is John: If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 2 John 1:10
3. Finally, Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
C. So without getting into any biblical doctrine (biblical teachings) in particular we can understand that doctrine is important – in many cases it has eternal implications!
With this knowledge you can better understand the words of Paul to Timothy in our passage for this morning.
II. THE CHARGE CONCERNING DOCTRINE, 1 Tim. 1:3-5 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, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: We will begin with the
A. Reason For The Charge
1. The reason is found in the last half of verse 3-4: … that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies which minister questions, rather then godly edifying, which is in faith: so do.
2. Paul had spent more than three years with this group of people and invested a lot of effort into seeing them get the right teaching or doctrine.
3. Even so, what he had told the church many years ago had come true
- Listen to his words found in Acts 20:29-30 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
4. Folks had risen up from within the church and started to preach and teach false doctrines: using genealogies and stories to first possibly confuse and then turn the listeners to their point of view.
5. This was causing division rather then godly edification – in other words it was taking away form the central reason of the church – proclamation of salvation and the manifestation of Christ’s kingdom!
6. Hence Paul gave young timothy a charge: the Greek word translated “charge” in the KJV can also be translated “command”
- Paul was not suggesting Timothy speak to these people, neither was he asking Timothy to give them an option – it was a command backed by apostolic authority.
7. Paul, as apposed to many in our day, put a premium on doctrine: folks, what we believe empowers what we do!
B. We are then given the Foundation of the Charge: Love - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:…. 1 Tim 1:5
1. Note the wording “the end of the commandment is love”
- Correcting doctrine and bring an end to frivolous questions and meaningless genealogies was not an attempt to hurt, but a expression of love
2. The problem is often not the correcting but of the motivation for correction
3. Correction that is of love comes about from a three fold source:
a. A Pure Heart – one that is clean from sin and in obedience to God b. A Good Conscience – a position in which neither God nor self condemns oneself – free of guilt, doubt and shame
c. Faith Unfeigned – this is true faith, one without any pretense.
4. Of course all these begin or have their foundation in our salvation in Christ!
5. We are not to stand for doctrine as a matter of pride or hold it over someone’s head as a hammer, but rather to teach with loving desire to help the blind see, the sick recover health and the lost to be found.
6. Doctrine is important.
CONCLUSION:
A. I hope you can see that doctrine is important – it influences how we think and what we do.
- Improper doctrine leads to wrong thinking and doing, which can lead us down the road to a multitude of problems.
B. This lesson on doctrine will be important as we continue our study of 1 & 2 Timothy as next week we will look at the law; what it is and how it should be used.
C. What do you believe – what is your doctrine – it is important!
