Sound Doctrine

We're back in business after a week and a half off. My apologies go out to all my readers (uhh, I think you're the only one Nate!!!) for not having my weekly posts, but we're back. So, let's talk about doctrine.

In Titus 2:1, Paul is writing to his partner and son in the ministry "Titus" who was attempting to straighten out situations that were arising in the church about Elders and Teachers. Paul encourages him in in 2:1 by stating "You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine."

Unfortunately, too few of us know what "doctrine" is because it's not being taught by the Pastors in the church. Please, hear me out before I continue, this is not a bash against Pastors in our church telling them that they stink and need to find a new line of work, it is an encouragement to them to begin to hold fast to the teachings of Scripture. It's not too late!

Paul use of the word "sound" comes from the greek word in which we get our word "hygene." Paul is making referene to teaching "healthy" doctrine. The case for this in the church in the 21st Century should be overwhelming as we are seeing more and more fall into the "apostate" teachings (false teachings) and leaving the church on a daily basis. So, how does a Pastor begin to teach "healthy docrtine?" Simple.

TEACH THE WORD!!!!! Our people do not need "Self Help Formulas" on how to be better believers, they need to know who wrote the books of the bible, why they wrote them, what the writer had to say, and how in the world it points to CHRIST! You see, when we begin to teach through the books of the Bible, doctrine comes to the forefront. You can not preach out of Ephesians 1-2 without the doctrine of "election" coming to the table. You can not preach through the Genesis 1-3 without the doctrine of "Soteriology" coming to the table. (That is "Salvation". Yes, Genesis 1-3 is the BLUEPRINT for God's purpose and redemption of mankind.) Instead, when we teach forumals and models, we tend to bring about "our" thoughts and formulas rather than God's.

Listen folks, to quote the great Dr. Jerry Vines: "What's the difference between the liberal who says he does not believe in the Word of God and does not teach it and the Conservative who says he does believe in the Word of God and does not teach it. The practical application is the same! PREACH THE WORD."

Folks, if your Pastor is not preaching the Word, it's simple...your church is dying. Pastors are called to bring the word just like the postman is called to deliver the mail. The postman does not edit the mail to make it fit accordingly to the recepient, he just delivers it. Preachers, DELIVER THE WORD OF GOD!

So, when our teaching Pastors begin to teach, our world will begin to be transformed one life at a time. Write a letter to your Paster, tell him you WANT THE WORD. Thank him for all he does, and encourage him to dig deep. He'll appreciate that.