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Scripture Reading:  2 John 1-6

Does Doctrine Matter? (2)

Intro.
1.  Review Part 1:  Sound doctrine is essential to our relation with God & Christians; Doctrine matters!

  a.  Sound doctrine comes from God…Christ…Apostles…Scriptures.

  b.  Sound doctrine is good (1 Tim. 4:1-16).

  c.  Sound doctrine must be held fast (2 Tim. 1:13).

2.  Must also understand how deadly false doctrine is in order to accept & appreciate why sound doctrine is necessary in our lives.

3.  Reasons why we can & must know sound doctrine.

II. FALSE DOCTRINE IS SIN, cf. Acts 20:28-32; 2 Jno. 7-9.

  A.  It Deprives a Person of Truth, 1 Tim. 6:3-5.

  B.  It Removes a Person from Grace, Gal. 1:6-7.

  C.  It Overthrows People’s Faith, 2 Tim. 2:14-18.

  D.  It Enslaves, Corrupts & Curses, Rom. 6:15-18; Gal. 1:8.

  E.  It Deceives & Sears Consciences, Eph. 4:14; 1 Tim. 4:1-2.

  F.  It Causes Division & Stumbling, Rom. 16:17.

  G. It Destroys Souls & Defames Truth, 2 Pet. 2:1-2.

III. CAN WE KNOW (DISCERN, IDENTIFY & OBEY) SOUND DOCTRINE?

  A.  Yes, because Jesus Said we can Know His Doctrine, Jno. 7:16-17.

    1.  Right heart (will) +hearing = Understanding.

    2.  Must want to learn before we can!  (Isa. 30: 9-10; Matt. 13:14-17)

    3.  Objection:  “How do you know what you are learning is the truth?” (“What is truth?” Jno. 18:38)

      a.  Examine the Scriptures, Acts 17:11.

      b.  Study to be approved, rightly divide the word, 2 Tim. 2:15.

      c.  We must test all things (1 Ths. 5:21; 1 Jno. 4:1).

  B.  Yes, because Jesus Said we can Know the Truth, Jno. 8:31-32.

      -Objection:  “You have to have perfect knowledge.  No one knows everything!”

      a.  Can we know anything?  (Yes)

      b.  Then, we can know truth (Jno. 8:32; Eph. 3:4).

  C.  Yes, because we can Identify the Doctrine of Christ, 2 Jno. 9-10.

      -Test what is taught against the apostles’ doctrine, 1 Jno. 4:1, 6.

  D.  Yes, because of the Christian’s Relation to Truth, 2 John.

    1.  Love is expressed “in truth,” 2 Jno. 1, 6 (Jno. 14:24).

    2.  Truth abides in us & will be with us forever, 2 Jno. 2.

    3.  Grace, mercy & peace with us “in truth,” 2 Jno. 3.

    4.  Can walk in truth; commanded to walk in truth, 2 Jno. 4.

    5.  Truth does not deceive, but brings reward, 2 Jno. 7-8.

    6.  Abide in doctrine of Christ to have fellowship with God, 2 Jno. 9 (1 Jno. 2:3-5).

    7.  We must “bring” doctrine of Christ or we advance evil, 2 Jno. 10.

  E.  Yes, because we are to Teach no Other Doctrine, 1 Tim. 1:3.

    1.  Means there is a true doctrine that can be taught!

    2.  Apostolic doctrine taught & learned, Rom. 16:17; 2 Tim. 2:2.

  F.  Yes, because Sound Doctrine is the Basis of Fellowship, Worship & Life in Christ, Jno. 17:20-21; Acts 2:42; 1 Jno. 1:7; 2 Jno. 9-11.

Conclusion

1.  The word that is preached must be mixed with faith in order to profit us (save us), Heb. 4:1-2, 6.

2.  Sound doctrine doesn’t profit us until we have the faith to obey it!