We all must build our lives upon the word of God. I am only qualified to pastor and shepherd you as I lead you to build your life upon the word. When I fail to do that I am disqualified as a pastor and shepherd.
But if I am faithful to lead you to the word, but you do not build upon it, then you are disqualified as sheep.
The nature of sheep is to follow their shepherd. (it’s their nature)
It’s the nature of goats to butt. To kick and run their own way.
Nothing more clearly distinguishes the goats from the sheep than the word of God.
It was Jesus words that exposed the pharisee’s hypocrisy
They could have received his word, and became his disciples, but they rejected his words, and became his enemies.
Our response to God’s word will determine whether we are sheep or goats
2 Tim 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for #1doctrine, for #2 reproof, for #3correction, for #4instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
*Doctrine: A belief (or system of beliefs) accepted as authoritative, Creed, Precepts,
not simply acknowledged precepts, but applied.
Jesus said: John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
*Reproof : by conviction to bring to the light, to expose,to find fault with, correct
to call to account, show one his fault.
*Correction: restoration to an upright or right state -make straight (To make right or free from error.
*Instruction: Nurturing, training, educating, chastening, discipline.
2 Tim 4:1-4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
*Endure: To hold oneself erect and firm, (to hold oneself up against).
Severally and locally each, every (man), It means (by implication) repetition, intensity, reversal, etc.
this means that every person has to hold themselves up to the measuring stick of the word of God,. And not just in a wholesale fashion, one shot thing.
It is the process that must be followed concerning every revealed truth, or principle of truth.
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto (-the measure-) of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
*Measure: The rule or standard of Judgement
Jesus is the standard or rule or measure that we are to judge ourselves by.
We are to be continuously comparing or juding ourselves according to the Word.
2 Cor 2:12
Paul tells us about the people that measure themselves by themselves and not by the word of God, He says of these people (they are not wise).
Paul said: Follow me as I follow Christ.
How do we follow Christ today? There is no other way to follow him except obedience to his word.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psalms 119:128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
Psalms 119:4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
What is the importance of Doctrine?
Doctrine is what you believe and ultimately what you live by,
Your doctrine will determine
#1 Your character= who you are. #2 Your actions = what you do. #3 your destiny = where you go.
The problem that we face today is there are so many people even in the church who claim to follow Christ yet they have adopted a personal doctrine that is contrary to the word of God.
This produces lives that are out of line with the word of God.
There is an order that God has ordained (it is his word) When we build our lives according to his divine order = (measure up to the standard of his word)He will come in power and glory and he will ratify that order.
God told moses : See, , that thou make all things according to the pattern =(measure or rule) shewed to thee in the mount.
Exodus 40:33-35 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.
34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
35 And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.
Elijah understood Gods order
1 Kings 18:36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that (-I have done all these things at thy word-).
1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
Do You measure up? If you don’t you can, It’s simply a matter of choice and committment.
