Doctrine: The Foundation of Authentic Christian Experience
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound theme of "Doctrine in the Dock," reflecting on the critical role doctrine plays in shaping our Christian experience. We began by acknowledging the common misconception that doctrine divides while experience unites. This notion, however, is deeply flawed. Doctrine is not merely a set of abstract propositions; it is the very framework that shapes our understanding of God and our relationship with Him. Without a solid doctrinal foundation, our experiences can become untethered and subjective, leading us away from the truth of the Gospel.
We delved into the historical context, tracing the roots of this misconception back to the Enlightenment and the philosophical shifts led by figures like Emmanuel Kant and Friedrich Schleiermacher. These shifts emphasized human experience over divine revelation, leading to a diminished view of doctrine. This has had a lasting impact, even infiltrating evangelical circles, where experience is often prioritized over sound teaching.
From a biblical perspective, we examined how doctrine is integral to our spiritual growth and stability. The Scriptures, from the Ten Commandments to the teachings of Jesus and Paul, consistently demonstrate that understanding God's truth is essential for living a life that glorifies Him. Doctrine informs our worship, our prayers, and our daily walk with Christ. It is through the knowledge of God's sovereignty, His eternal nature, and His fatherly compassion that we find comfort and strength in times of trial.
In conclusion, we are reminded that our faith is not a blind leap into the unknown but a reasoned trust in the revealed truth of God. As we embrace sound doctrine, we are equipped to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and hope, knowing that our experiences are grounded in the unchanging truth of God's Word.
Key Takeaways:
1. Doctrine as the Foundation of Experience: Doctrine is not a divisive force but the foundation upon which our Christian experience is built. It provides the framework for understanding God's nature and His work in our lives, ensuring that our experiences are rooted in truth rather than subjective feelings. [11:22]
2. Historical Shifts and Their Impact: The Enlightenment and thinkers like Kant and Schleiermacher shifted the focus from divine revelation to human experience, leading to a diminished view of doctrine. This historical context helps us understand the current challenges in maintaining doctrinal integrity within the church. [19:55]
3. Biblical Examples of Doctrine Shaping Experience: From Moses to Paul, the Bible illustrates how doctrine informs and transforms our experience. The Ten Commandments, the Psalms, and the teachings of Jesus all demonstrate that knowing God and His truth is essential for living a life that honors Him. [35:24]
4. The Role of Doctrine in Worship and Prayer: Our worship and prayer life are enriched when grounded in sound doctrine. Understanding the nature of God and His work in our lives leads to authentic worship and meaningful prayer, moving beyond self-centered expressions to a focus on God's glory. [32:43]
5. Encouragement for Pastors and Believers: Pastors are encouraged to teach doctrine alongside expository preaching, equipping believers with the knowledge needed to grow in faith. Believers are urged to seek out sound teaching and embrace the richness of Christian doctrine, which transforms their experience and deepens their relationship with God. [51:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:33] - Introduction and Personal Reflections
- [02:00] - The Promise of Restored Friendships
- [02:38] - Romans and the Heart of Doctrine
- [04:07] - Prayer for Guidance
- [06:04] - Early Ministry Challenges
- [08:40] - The Journey to Understanding Doctrine
- [10:00] - Doctrine vs. Experience
- [13:56] - Historical Context: Enlightenment and Kant
- [16:51] - Schleiermacher's Influence
- [19:55] - The Shift to Experience-Based Religion
- [24:02] - The Biblical View of Doctrine
- [35:24] - Biblical Examples: Moses, David, Jesus, Paul
- [46:57] - The Importance of Doctrine in Teaching
- [51:08] - Application for Pastors and Believers
- [56:38] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Doctrine in the Dock
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:17 - "But thanks be to God that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of doctrine to which you were committed."
2. Romans 12:1-2 - "I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Observation Questions:
1. What does Romans 6:17 suggest about the relationship between doctrine and obedience? How does this verse describe the transformation from being "slaves of sin" to being "obedient from the heart"? [02:38]
2. In Romans 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do with their bodies, and how is this related to spiritual worship? [03:30]
3. How does the sermon describe the historical shift in the perception of doctrine from the Enlightenment to modern times? [14:57]
4. What examples from the Bible were given in the sermon to illustrate how doctrine shapes experience? [35:24]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "obedient from the heart" to doctrine challenge the idea that doctrine is merely intellectual or divisive? [02:38]
2. In what ways does the renewal of the mind, as mentioned in Romans 12:2, contribute to discerning God's will? How might this process be hindered without a solid doctrinal foundation? [03:30]
3. How did the philosophical ideas of Kant and Schleiermacher contribute to the modern view that experience is more important than doctrine? What are the implications of this shift for the church today? [19:55]
4. How does the sermon suggest that understanding God's sovereignty and eternal nature can provide comfort and strength during trials? [40:33]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own experiences in church. Have you ever felt that doctrine was divisive or irrelevant? How might this sermon challenge that perception? [10:00]
2. Consider the role of doctrine in your personal worship and prayer life. How can a deeper understanding of God's nature enhance your worship and prayers? [32:43]
3. The sermon encourages pastors to teach doctrine alongside expository preaching. How can you support your church leaders in this endeavor? What practical steps can you take to encourage sound teaching in your community? [51:08]
4. Think about a time when your understanding of a particular doctrine transformed your experience or perspective. How did this change impact your relationship with God? [11:22]
5. The sermon highlights the importance of knowing Christ through doctrine rather than just through actions. How can you prioritize learning about Christ in your daily life? What resources or practices might help you in this pursuit? [48:43]
6. How can you ensure that your spiritual experiences are grounded in biblical truth rather than subjective feelings? What steps can you take to evaluate your experiences in light of Scripture? [11:22]
7. Identify one area of your life where you feel spiritually stagnant or confused. How might a deeper understanding of doctrine help you find clarity and growth in this area? [08:01]
Devotional
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Quotes
I wondered if the great cost of becoming a Christian believer would be the loss of friends, and if there is a promise of the Lord Jesus that has certainly been fulfilled in my life, it is the promise that you give up nothing for Him, but He restores it a hundredfold in this life, even if there are persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. [00:01:54]
It helped me to understand that if Christian people are to be led into the riches of the gospel, then confusion may be their first experience. They need to be deconstructed from the things they have believed sometimes to go through a period of confusion about what they believe before they’re anchored in what the Scripture teaches them to believe. [00:08:12]
And of course the reason for that is simply this: it’s our doctrine that shapes our experience. It's impossible to read the pages of the Scriptures without coming to understand that it's the doctrine of the Scriptures that shapes the experience of believers whose life story we are founding in the Scriptures, and that ranges from the doctrine of the sovereignty of God, to the doctrine of the providence of God, to the creative work of God, to the redeeming work of God, to the indwelling of Jesus Christ and the believers indwelling in Christ, to the life of sanctification, to the prospect that we will be enabled to persevere, to our anticipation of glory from beginning to end. [00:11:23]
And Schleiermacher comes along as many of you know, and he says “No, no,” he says, “you've completely misunderstood the reality of the situation. True religion, true Christianity does not lie first and foremost in a series of doctrinal propositions, but in a deep sense of dependence upon God that we have. And sometimes that sense of dependence on God seeks to become independent of God, and that's what we call sin. [00:20:00]
And it’s so fascinating he even includes in it the use of the Sabbath day, doesn’t he? Why? Because God is that great legalist in the sky? No. Because He wants His people to live within the rhythm of working and resting that will make them stand out from every other community round about them. Doctrine transforms experience. [00:37:40]
And you see his doctrine of God has become distorted. What's the solution? What's the remedy? What’s the divine pharmaceutical? Well, he tells us in verse 12, “But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion. What’s the solution? It’s the knowledge of the absolute sovereignty of God. [00:40:26]
And here I am and I'm tempted to be hypocritical because I know I'm not meeting mark or alternatively I’m tempted to be very anxious and nervous because I don't know what's going to happen to my life. “Ah,” says Jesus, “I need teach you the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God.” If I teach you the doctrine of the Fatherhood of God then you'll know you don't need to pretend. [00:45:48]
You don’t know Christ by all the things you’re able to do. You know Christ when the fullness of His grace is exhibited before you in the proclamation of the gospel, and you find yourself embraced by and embracing Him. And then I said “And I am by nature a very shy and reserved person.” I said “If you’ve given me two hours, and I've said nothing about what you are to do, you need to wait for the next two hours, because you are going to find Jesus Christ telling you many things that you do not want to do.” [00:48:43]
What is that if it's not, Christian, glorious, mind-stretching, heartwarming, affection transforming, life-changing Christian doctrine teaching about Christ. And if all you’re interested in is finding Waldo, then go and buy the book and find Waldo. But if your life is longing for a real transformation, then you need to understand and have your mind filled with Christ. [00:50:23]
Systematic, expository preaching is not what the Reformers did. What the Reformers did was systematic expository preaching plus catechizing. And however we do it there are many different ways of doing it. We don't need to go to the Shorter Catechism. There are many ways of doing it. If we are pastors and leaders, we need to have at least two approaches to teaching the gospel, because when we do that, the Velcro strips that are provided by bringing out the doctrine of Scripture provides people with places where they can more and more absorb the doctrine of Scripture. [00:51:25]
And I’m going to open that door, and the moment we step through that door, you are going to discover that there riches of Christian doctrine taught in Scripture way beyond what anyone has ever suggested to you.” I guess you can hear Professor Murray somewhere on the web. You need to find a place. It may be a book, it may be a person. Please God it will be your own minister who will take you by the hand and lead you through the paneled door and there you will discover in Christian doctrine an entire world that will bring most glorious, glorious blessing to you. [00:55:27]
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the riches of the gospel again, and for the way in which and every hand in Your Word that teaches us Christ, makes us more like Christ, leads us to glorify Christ. So we thank you for your goodness in Jesus’ name, amen. [00:56:22]
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