Restoring the Authority of Christian Doctrine in the Church

 

Summary

In today's world, the rejection of Christian doctrine is not surprising when it comes from secular society. Historically, the world has always opposed the teachings of Christ and His apostles. However, what is alarming and tragic is that this opposition is now emerging from within the church itself. Many within the church are dismissing the importance of doctrine, suggesting that it is outdated and irrelevant. Instead, they propose a focus on ethical living and the teachings of Christ as a way of life, rather than as a theological framework.

This modern perspective is problematic for several reasons. Firstly, it undermines the authority of the Bible, which has been the foundation of Christian morality and ethics. The church's shift away from apostolic doctrine has contributed to the moral decline we witness today. The loss of biblical authority has left society without a clear standard of right and wrong, leading to moral relativism where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

Moreover, the emphasis on ethical teaching without doctrine is ultimately futile. It offers no real solution to the moral issues we face because it lacks the power to transform lives. The gospel of Christ, with its message of salvation and transformation, is the only true remedy for the moral and spiritual ailments of our time. The ethical teachings of Christ, when divorced from the doctrine of His death and resurrection, become a hollow shell, incapable of effecting real change.

The church must return to the apostolic teaching, which provides both the standard and the motive for ethical living. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it is only through a relationship with God, grounded in the truth of His Word, that we can hope to see a revival of morality and righteousness in our society. The church must stand firm in its commitment to the truth of the gospel, recognizing that it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.

Key Takeaways:

1. The rejection of Christian doctrine by the world is expected, but its rejection within the church is alarming. This internal opposition undermines the authority of the Bible and contributes to moral decline. The church must uphold the truth of the gospel as the foundation of its teaching. [06:46]

2. The modern emphasis on ethical living without doctrine is futile. It lacks the power to transform lives and offers no real solution to moral issues. The gospel of Christ, with its message of salvation, is the only true remedy for our spiritual ailments. [26:48]

3. The loss of biblical authority has led to moral relativism, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes. The church must return to the apostolic teaching, which provides both the standard and the motive for ethical living. [19:53]

4. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it is only through a relationship with God, grounded in His Word, that we can hope to see a revival of morality. The church must stand firm in its commitment to the truth of the gospel. [33:05]

5. The ethical teachings of Christ, when divorced from the doctrine of His death and resurrection, become a hollow shell. The church must recognize that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. [23:33]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [06:17] - Worldly Rejection of Doctrine
- [07:00] - Church's Internal Opposition
- [08:03] - Historical Context of Doctrine
- [09:23] - Modern Attitudes Toward Christianity
- [10:33] - Challenges of Modern Belief
- [12:14] - Religious and Secular Critiques
- [13:13] - Moral Decline and Media
- [15:12] - Creative Community and Morality
- [16:43] - Apostolic Teaching Under Attack
- [18:08] - The Role of Knowledge and Wars
- [19:53] - Loss of Biblical Authority
- [21:06] - Social Gospel vs. Apostolic Doctrine
- [23:33] - Ethical Teaching vs. True Doctrine
- [25:23] - The Final Denial of Christ
- [27:56] - Importance of Doctrine and Authority

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
2. Proverbs 9:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."
3. Romans 1:16 - "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what is the modern attitude towards Christian doctrine within the church, and why is it considered alarming? [07:00]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between ethical teachings and the doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection? [23:33]

3. What does the sermon suggest has been the impact of the church's shift away from apostolic doctrine on society's moral standards? [19:53]

4. In what way does the sermon argue that the fear of the Lord is foundational to wisdom and morality? [33:05]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon interpret the role of apostolic teaching in providing a standard and motive for ethical living? [19:53]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the effectiveness of ethical teachings without the foundation of Christian doctrine? [26:48]

3. How does the sermon view the relationship between the loss of biblical authority and the rise of moral relativism in society? [19:53]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that a return to apostolic teaching could lead to a revival of morality and righteousness? [33:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own views about the importance of Christian doctrine. Have you ever found yourself prioritizing ethical teachings over doctrine? How might this affect your spiritual life? [07:00]

2. Consider the role of the Bible in your daily life. How can you ensure that it remains a central authority in your decision-making and moral standards? [19:53]

3. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the gospel. Can you recall a time when the message of salvation brought about a significant change in your life or someone you know? [26:48]

4. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your life, and how might this influence your pursuit of wisdom and morality? [33:05]

5. In what ways can you actively contribute to upholding the truth of the gospel within your church community, especially in the face of modern challenges? [07:00]

6. Reflect on the idea of moral relativism. How do you navigate conversations with others who may have different moral standards, and how can you gently guide them towards biblical truth? [19:53]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel the need for transformation. How can the teachings of Christ, grounded in the doctrine of His death and resurrection, guide you in this transformation? [23:33]

Devotional

Day 1: Upholding Biblical Authority in the Church
The rejection of Christian doctrine within the church is a concerning trend that undermines the authority of the Bible. Historically, the world has opposed the teachings of Christ, but the internal dismissal of doctrine is particularly alarming. This shift away from apostolic teaching contributes to moral decline, as it leaves believers without a clear standard of right and wrong. The church must reaffirm its commitment to the truth of the gospel, recognizing that it is the foundation of Christian teaching and the power of God for salvation. [06:46]

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you personally uphold the authority of the Bible in your daily life and within your church community?


Day 2: The Power of Doctrine in Transforming Lives
The modern emphasis on ethical living without doctrine is ultimately ineffective. While ethical teachings are important, they lack the power to truly transform lives when separated from the doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection. The gospel of Christ, with its message of salvation, is the only true remedy for the moral and spiritual issues we face. The church must recognize that ethical teachings alone are insufficient and must be grounded in the transformative power of the gospel. [26:48]

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12, ESV)

Reflection: How can you integrate the transformative power of the gospel into your ethical decisions and actions today?


Day 3: Returning to Apostolic Teaching
The loss of biblical authority has led to moral relativism, where individuals do what is right in their own eyes. This moral decline is a result of the church's departure from apostolic teaching, which provides both the standard and the motive for ethical living. By returning to the foundational teachings of the apostles, the church can offer a clear standard of morality and inspire believers to live righteously. [19:53]

"Thus says the Lord: 'Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’" (Jeremiah 6:16, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to align your life more closely with apostolic teaching and resist the pull of moral relativism?


Day 4: The Fear of the Lord as the Foundation of Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it is through a relationship with God, grounded in His Word, that we can hope to see a revival of morality. The church must stand firm in its commitment to the truth of the gospel, recognizing that it is the power of God for salvation. By fostering a deep reverence for God, believers can cultivate wisdom and righteousness in their lives. [33:05]

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Proverbs 1:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord in your daily life, and how might this impact your decisions and actions?


Day 5: The Gospel as the Power of Salvation
The ethical teachings of Christ, when divorced from the doctrine of His death and resurrection, become a hollow shell. The church must recognize that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. By embracing the full message of the gospel, believers can experience true transformation and be empowered to live out Christ's teachings in a meaningful way. [23:33]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embrace the gospel as the power of God for salvation in your life and share this message with others?

Quotes

"doctrine and I've in a sense got no complaint against them at all I wouldn't expect them to like it they wouldn't be where they are if they did like it you don't expect anything from the world except rejection of Christian teaching the world has always done that there's nothing new about this nothing new at all it was the world that rejected the Lord Jesus Christ and his teaching it was the same world that rejected the teaching of these Apostles there's nothing new about that we don't expect the world to do anything different but this is what is new today and this is what is alarming and this is what is tragic that the opposition to Christian doctrine is not confined to the world it's at the very center of the teaching of the church" [00:06:05]

"Christianity has been taught as a theology a body of beliefs about God and His dealings with mankind it concerned the creation the fall of men the awful consequences of the Fall it concerned God's Plan of Salvation whereby he came down to earth as a man was crucified rose again from the dead and ascended into heaven in order to make possible the Forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life who to those who by faith accepted this amazing sacrifice of himself for the sins of the world these are the topics about which the councils of the church disputed and about which they drew up the Creeds" [00:08:09]

"it is harder for the Modern Men to believe in the Christian faith than it was for his forebears scientific and social re ution have produced the assumption that with knowledge and power men can make their own world life has become a do it yourself Affair and the sense of Providence has been weakened whereas men once prayed for rain he now builds reservoirs I must preach on that last sentence sometime not tonight whereas men once prayed for rain he now builds reservoirs" [00:10:50]

"here you see a men who are alarmed at the mar declension in taking place in this country the open arrogant unashamed Vice the selling of it in books the suggestion of it in plays and on the television and so on they hold up their holy hands in horror at all this this is terrible they say and they say these intellectuals who are behind this proposal they mustn't make this claim that they are the nerve center of the creative community in Britain no no the people who are at the nerve center of the creative Community the bishop of wch and tiik and some of these others who are mentioned who are prominent in other Realms and in other spheres" [00:15:57]

"here is a paper alarmed at the moral declension and yet at the same time attacking the apostolic teaching and lording men who are doing their utmost to deny the apostles Doctrine and teaching now this is a very serious thing because it is to me of all attitudes the most hopeless shall I be misunderstood I wonder when I say this I See Much Greater Hope for the people who are producing Penthouse than I do for the bishop of woolich and tiik and others who follow the same school of thought" [00:16:46]

"the Christian Church herself is attacking the only Doctrine and teaching that can deal with the moral situation and yet he doesn't see that it's blind to it alarmed at the moral situation but attacking and denying the only message that can deal with it now let me put that to you let me put it like this what is our answer then in terms of an exposition of this second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles well I'm not going to waste your time with all this nonsense about the Modern Man fancy talking about geology and biology as if it's our modern knowledge that makes people deny the gospel and live a life of sin" [00:17:39]

"the loss of the authority of the Bible and the institution that has been most responsible for the losing of the authority of the Bible has been the Christian Church herself for the last 100 years scholarship as it's called has been attacking the truth of the Bible and they're telling us that the Bible is only an ordinary book like every other book that's what John Wilson of willit says that's what tick says these men have riddled the Bible with their criticism there's no Authority here any longer they simply put up their own suppositions their own theories and their own speculations" [00:19:46]

"there's been a great reaction against the old Evangelical preaching the old Apostolic Doctrine and instead of it men have been preaching what was called before the first world war a social gospel preachers used to say no no that old gospel of individual personal salvation it's no good what we need is a social message so they've been preaching Social Gospel ethical teaching ing they say that's the only way to redeem society and this is the interesting thing the more they've done that and the less they've preached the apostolic Doctrine the more the immorality and the rice and the ethical problem have increased" [00:21:00]

"the ethical teachings of Christ, when divorced from the doctrine of His death and resurrection, become a hollow shell. The church must recognize that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." [00:23:33]

"the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and it is only through a relationship with God, grounded in His Word, that we can hope to see a revival of morality. The church must stand firm in its commitment to the truth of the gospel." [00:33:05]

"there is no standard ultimately apart from the law of God which is universal in its application and of course it was because it had that law that the nation of Israel the Jews stood out in the ancient world they were the most moral and ethical people for that one reason that it wasn't all speculation and relative positions they had the law of God hard as it had been revealed to them it accounts for their uniqueness very well then there is my first reason for rejecting as the very plague itself This Modern suggestion that we don't need the apostles doctrine that we simply need ethical teaching" [00:33:40]

"one that not only does it not give us any standard by which to live it doesn't give us any reason why we should live it either this is equally important I have no standards but now why should I be concerned even about standards why should the ethical problem engage my attention why should I be troubled by the proposal to print this magazine and similar things why should I be disturbed at the tendencies that are so evident before our eyes now here you see there is no reason given there is no motive given to me at all as to why I should TR to be moral and ethical why I should try to live a good life no reason there is no ultimate motive suggested" [00:34:19]

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Transcript
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