Gtcotr/ws032719
The
practical interpretation of the New Testament word ‘doctrine’
is best understood to be an established set of
teachings which guide, guard, and govern the Church. The established
doctrine of the Church is important to keep the Church on target, teaching the
unchanging Word of God, while remaining outside of and above the influence of a
changing world. Time has a way of changing people, but
time does not change the truth.
The
Bible is the standard of truth, and sound doctrines based on the Word of God are
necessary to live a life that pleases God and endures all seasons and survives
every situation. Instead of the Bible being out of tune
with the changing world, the changing world is out of tune with the Bible.
Truth is a servant given to us by God. The purpose of truth is to reveal the
highest path and practice of life. There is no better way than the way of
truth. Truth, even in its rebuke, is kind and caring. Sound doctrines are
teachings aimed at revealing and preserving the truth. They are like lights
shining on the best paths of life. “Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105
God
is wise and His love is never-failing. This does not mean that He agrees with
our reasons for straying outside of truth of His Word. God could have left us
to ourselves and judged us anyway. However, He was gracious to us and gave us
His Word. Then God called, qualified, and commissioned ministers to instruct and
encourage us to follow sound doctrine. These doctrines
are written in and preserved in the Holy Bible.
Sound
Bible Doctrines
1.
Guide us, our families, and the Church
2.
Guard us, our families, and the Church
3.
Govern us, our families, and the Church
When
Paul left Titus on the Island of Crete in about the year 63/64 AD, Paul told him
to establish, order, and appoint qualified leadership for the Churches in every
city. A few months later Paul wrote his letter to Titus by the inspiration of
the Holy Spirit, and encouraged Titus to continue doing what Paul had left him
to do by teaching the people to follow sound doctrine. This evening I will
provide a well-studied commentary on each verse as we read through the 2nd
chapter of Titus.
Titus 2 NKJV
1 ¶ But as for you, speak the
things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be
sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise,
that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things —
4 that they admonish the
young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet,
chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God
may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise exhort the young
men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing
yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing
integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound speech that cannot be
condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to
say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants
to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things,
not answering back,
10 not pilfering, but showing
all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all
things.
11 ¶ For the grace of God
that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly
in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed
hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
14 who gave Himself for us,
that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His
own special people, zealous for good works.
15 ¶ Speak these things,
exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Sound
Bible Doctrines
1.
Guide us, our families, and the Church
2.
Guard us, our families, and the Church
3.
Govern us, our families, and the Church
