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The
necessity of doctrinal purity
introduction:
A.W. TOZER
once said, “It would be impossible to overemphasize the
importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian.
Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative to
having the right living. As men do not gather grapes of
thorns nor figs of thistles, so sound character does not
grow out of unsound teaching.”
The popular
idea is that doctrine is not important; one must only be
sincere. Paul refutes that belief in our text and stresses
the absolute necessity of doctrinal purity.
Lesson
text: 1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If
anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud,
knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments
over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil
suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and
destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a
means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
body:
1.
What is sound doctrine? (Verse
3)
·
Wholesome words are
healthy to the soul. May cause us to grow (1 Peter 2: 2).
Speaking of what the Lord has done; he sent his word and
healed them. (Psalm 107: 20) this also brings with it the
concept of pure and uncorrupted: The commandment of the Lord
is pure, enlightening the eyes (Psalm 19: 8)
·
The Word of the Lord
Jesus Christ originated with him and is his doctrine. His
words are truth (John 19: 17), equated with sound and
wholesomeness. Someone cannot have a spiritually healthy
soul by feeding upon religious error. Paul says it is
impossible. One will become weaker and weaker the less truth
he digests. Jesus declared his words were life in John 6:
63. His words produce life and sustain life.
·
Doctrine which accords
with godliness: sound doctrine, the truth, came from the
mind of God. It is designed to produce godliness in those
who follow its teaching. Sound doctrine produces spiritually
healthy people (Titus 2: 11, 12)
2.
Characteristics of one who does
not listen to sound doctrine (verses 3: 4)
·
Paul begins to describe
one who does not consent to sound or wholesome words and
does not agree with the truth of God's word. They believe
and teach something other than the words of Jesus Christ. (2
Peter 2: 1, 2 ) They will not listen to sound reasoning or
submit to it.
·
Is proud- conceded,
puffed up, looking down on those who do consent to sound
doctrine. They call them legalists, unloving.
·
Knows nothing-
connecting biblical ignorance with pride, having only a
superficial knowledge of Christ. (1 Timothy 1-6, 7). They
assert things contrary to God's word, play, and even fool
others into thinking they do understand. This is why Paul
warns of their danger.
·
Obsessed with-we must
consider the context. Not focusing on matters that are
contrary to wholesome, sound teaching. They study things
that do not lead to a godly life and feed on the writings of
denominational men.
3.
The fruit of not heeding sound
doctrine (verses 4, 5)
·
those who believe and
teach false doctrine produce unsound (bad, rotten) fruit.
·
Envy- discontent at
another success or prosperity. Contempt at superior
knowledge of another.
·
Strife-contention-
conflict, false doctrine, and false teachers cause discord
and division. They will often bring up their error to get
people to accept it (Matthew 23:15), Which often causes
quarrels. False teachings (unsound) disrupt the peace and
fellowship of god's people (Acts 15: 23)
·
reviling- speaking
reproachfully of those who won't accept his false doctrine.
·
Evil suspicions- and
evil, wicked imagination.
·
Useless wranglings
Python constant friction- a troublemaker because his false
teaching disrupts the unity of those following the word.
·
These false teachers
possess corrupt minds- depraved, decayed. Unsound doctrine
rots the mind!
·
They are destitute of
the truth—deprived of truth. Truth has perished and has been
cut off from their mouths (Jeremiah 7:28). This is their
mindset and general attitude.
·
Godliness is a means of
gain (2 Peter 2: 3). Their fruit is doubly dangerous. No
wonder Paul says from such withdrawal yourself.
Conclusion:
The
necessity of sound doctrine is the basis for godly conduct.
It produces spiritually healthy people. It prepares people
for eternal life in heaven.
May 31,
2020
Prepared by
Bobby Stafford
The church
of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more
lessons and Sermons, please visit
granbychurchofchrist.org/
granbychurchofchrist.com/
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The
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