Staying Grounded in Sound Doctrine and Truth

Devotional

Day 1: Stand Firm in Sound Doctrine

In a world filled with unsound teachings, it is crucial to remain steadfast in the truth of God's Word. This requires a commitment to studying the Scriptures and not being swayed by teachings that do not promote biblical love towards God and others. The importance of sound doctrine cannot be overstated, as it forms the foundation of our faith and guides our actions and beliefs. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God, we can discern truth from falsehood and ensure that our faith remains unshaken.

The Bible warns us about the dangers of deviating from sound doctrine. In 1 Timothy 1:6-7, Paul speaks about how some have strayed from the truth and engaged in fruitless discussions, leading to a shipwrecked faith. This serves as a reminder that we must be vigilant and discerning, always aligning our beliefs and actions with the teachings of the Scriptures. By doing so, we can promote godliness and love towards God and one another, staying true to the path that leads to eternal life.

1 Timothy 1:6-7 (ESV): "Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions."

Reflection: Think about a recent teaching or doctrine you encountered. How did you verify its alignment with the Scriptures? What steps can you take to ensure you remain grounded in sound doctrine?

Day 2: Discernment Against False Teachers

False teachers often appear confident and persuasive, but their teachings lack true biblical understanding. It is essential to discern and ensure that those we follow have a deep and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. False teachers can lead us astray by promoting teachings that are not biblically sound, and it is our responsibility to be vigilant and discerning in whom we choose to listen to and follow.

Discernment involves not only recognizing false teachings but also understanding the true teachings of the Bible. By studying the Scriptures diligently and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can develop the discernment needed to identify and reject false teachings. It is also important to surround ourselves with godly leaders and mentors who can help guide us in the truth and correct us when we go astray. [36:09]

2 Peter 2:1-2 (ESV): "But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you encountered a teaching that seemed persuasive but later realized it was not biblically sound. How did you come to that realization, and what steps can you take to improve your discernment against false teachings?

Day 3: Avoid Exceeding What is Written

Deviation often occurs when individuals seek teachings beyond what is written in the Bible. The Word of God is sufficient for all knowledge and instruction in righteousness. We must guard against teachings that claim special revelations beyond the Scriptures. The Bible provides us with everything we need for life and godliness, and seeking knowledge beyond what is written can lead us into error and confusion.

The sufficiency of Scripture means that we do not need to look elsewhere for guidance or revelation. God's Word is complete and authoritative, and it is our responsibility to study it diligently and apply its teachings to our lives. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of false teachings and remain grounded in the truth. [41:24]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have sought guidance or knowledge outside of the Scriptures. How can you turn to the Bible for the answers you need, and what steps can you take to ensure you do not exceed what is written?

Day 4: Internal and External Vigilance

Both external influences and our internal desires can lead us astray. We must be vigilant against teachings that appeal to our fleshly desires and ensure that our leaders and teachers are guiding us according to sound doctrine. It is important to recognize that false teachings can come from both outside and within the church, and we must be on guard against both.

Internal vigilance involves examining our own hearts and desires, ensuring that we are not being led astray by our own fleshly inclinations. External vigilance involves being aware of the influences around us and discerning whether they align with the truth of God's Word. By maintaining both internal and external vigilance, we can protect ourselves from false teachings and remain steadfast in the faith. [47:23]

Acts 20:29-30 (ESV): "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you were tempted to follow a teaching or influence that appealed to your fleshly desires. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to maintain both internal and external vigilance against false teachings?

Day 5: The Role of Godly Leaders

Godly leaders are essential in guiding and correcting us according to the truth of the Word. They are responsible for protecting the flock from false teachings and ensuring that we remain on the path of godliness. Godly leaders are not afraid to correct and guide us, even when it is difficult, because they understand the importance of sound doctrine and the dangers of deviation.

The role of godly leaders is to shepherd the flock, providing guidance, correction, and encouragement. They are called to be examples of godliness and to teach the truth of God's Word faithfully. As members of the congregation, it is our responsibility to support and pray for our leaders, recognizing the important role they play in our spiritual growth and protection. [52:13]

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV): "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Reflection: Think about the godly leaders in your life. How can you support and encourage them in their role, and what steps can you take to ensure you are receptive to their guidance and correction according to the truth of God's Word?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today's message centers on the critical importance of not deviating from sound doctrine and teachings of the Word of God. We are living in times where unsound doctrines and false teachings are rampant, and it is essential for believers to stay grounded in the truth. Drawing from 1 Timothy 1:6-7, we explored how deviation from sound teaching leads to fruitless discussions and ultimately a shipwrecked faith. Paul’s plea to Timothy and to us is to remain steadfast in the teachings that promote godliness and love towards God and one another.

We discussed the dangers of false teachers who, despite their confident assertions, lack true understanding of the Word. These individuals often lead others astray by promoting teachings that are not biblically sound. The message emphasized the need for discernment and the importance of ensuring that those we listen to have a deep and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures.

Moreover, we examined the practical steps to avoid deviation, such as standing firm in the faith, not exceeding what is written in the Bible, and being cautious of teachings that appeal to our fleshly desires. The message also highlighted the necessity of internal and external vigilance against false teachings and the importance of having godly leaders who are not afraid to correct and guide us according to the truth of the Word.

In conclusion, the call is to be Berean Christians who diligently examine the Scriptures and hold fast to sound doctrine, ensuring that our faith remains unshaken and our lives reflect the godliness that the Word of God instructs us to pursue.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Stand Firm in Sound Doctrine: In a world filled with unsound teachings, it is crucial to remain steadfast in the truth of God's Word. This requires a commitment to studying the Scriptures and not being swayed by teachings that do not promote biblical love towards God and others. [30:44]
2. Discernment Against False Teachers: False teachers often appear confident and persuasive, but their teachings lack true biblical understanding. It is essential to discern and ensure that those we follow have a deep and accurate knowledge of the Scriptures. [36:09]
3. Avoid Exceeding What is Written: Deviation often occurs when individuals seek teachings beyond what is written in the Bible. The Word of God is sufficient for all knowledge and instruction in righteousness. We must guard against teachings that claim special revelations beyond the Scriptures. [41:24]
4. Internal and External Vigilance: Both external influences and our internal desires can lead us astray. We must be vigilant against teachings that appeal to our fleshly desires and ensure that our leaders and teachers are guiding us according to sound doctrine. [47:23]
5. The Role of Godly Leaders: Godly leaders are essential in guiding and correcting us according to the truth of the Word. They are responsible for protecting the flock from false teachings and ensuring that we remain on the path of godliness. [52:13]
### [52:13]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[29:15] - Introduction: Do Not Deviate
[30:06] - The Importance of Sound Doctrine
[30:44] - Navigating Unsound Doctrine
[31:44] - The Great Falling Away
[32:42] - Love as the Goal of Instruction
[33:41] - Responding to God's Love
[34:26] - Loving One Another in Action
[35:17] - The Danger of Straying from Sound Teaching
[36:09] - Boldness in Error
[37:21] - Calling Out False Teachers
[38:42] - The Meaning of Straying
[39:21] - The Consequences of Deviation
[40:04] - The Root of Issues in Ephesus
[41:24] - The Importance of Doctrine
[42:04] - Doctrine and Division
[42:42] - Unity in the Presence of Conflict
[43:41] - The Role of Doctrine in Promoting Love
[44:37] - Transformative Knowledge
[45:31] - The Inevitable Result of Deviation
[46:20] - Shipwrecked Faith
[47:23] - The Meaning of Straying
[48:18] - The Danger of Internal Wolves
[49:02] - The Most Dangerous Wolves
[49:45] - The Reputation of False Teachers
[51:28] - Calling Out False Teachers
[52:13] - The Responsibility of Elders
[53:40] - Naming False Teachers
[54:34] - The Spread of False Teaching
[55:29] - Personal Accountability
[55:59] - Practical Steps to Avoid Deviation
[56:49] - Standing Firm in the Faith
[57:19] - External and Internal Opposition
[57:58] - Resisting External Opposition
[58:37] - Substance Over Entertainment
[59:38] - The Danger of Seeking Agreeableness
[60:43] - Relatability vs. Sound Doctrine
[61:20] - The Goal of Instruction
[61:52] - Checking Our Own Flesh
[62:35] - Personal Repentance
[63:04] - The Importance of Correction
[65:22] - The Danger of Seeking Validation
[66:19] - The Time of Unsound Doctrine
[66:54] - The Need for Godly Leaders
[67:34] - The Role of Disciple Makers
[68:23] - The Persistence of Myths
[69:05] - The Humiliation of False Doctrine
[69:51] - The Role of the Congregation
[70:17] - The Importance of Correction
[71:08] - The Danger of Refusing Correction
[72:11] - The Example of False Teachers
[72:52] - Not Exceeding What is Written
[73:35] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
[74:10] - The Danger of Exceeding Scripture
[75:09] - True Spirituality
[75:38] - Walking with God
[76:03] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[76:30] - Obedience Over Show
[77:03] - The Sufficiency of Scripture
[77:30] - The Danger of Fruitless Discussions
[78:14] - The Subtlety of Deviation
[78:52] - The Importance of Sound Teaching
[79:38] - The Role of Correction
[80:46] - Encouraging Good Deeds
[81:28] - The Subtlety of Deviation
[82:35] - Ensuring Biblical Knowledge
[83:18] - The Importance of Sound Application
[84:34] - The Danger of Good Communicators
[85:12] - The Qualification for Teaching
[86:01] - The Danger of Good Communicators
[87:18] - Ensuring Proper Application
[88:16] - The Role of Scholarship
[89:21] - The Importance of Discipline
[90:12] - The Role of Berean Christians
[90:56] - The Importance of Contextual Soundness
[91:37] - The Danger of Deviation
[92:32] - The Strong Delusion
[93:22] - The Desire for Godliness
[94:08] - The Challenge of Reconciliation
[94:36] - The Importance of Not Deviating
[95:06] - Call to Commitment
[95:41] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
[96:16] - Invitation to Accept Christ

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul say happens to those who stray from sound doctrine in 1 Timothy 1:6-7?
According to 2 Timothy 4:3-4, why do people turn away from sound doctrine?
How did the Berean Jews respond to Paul's teachings according to Acts 17:11?
What are some characteristics of false teachers mentioned in the sermon? ([36:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why is it important to stand firm in sound doctrine according to the sermon and 1 Timothy 1:6-7? ([30:06])
How can believers develop discernment against false teachers as discussed in the sermon? ([36:47])
What does it mean to "not exceed what is written" in the context of the sermon and 1 Corinthians 4:6? ([41:24])
How does internal and external vigilance help in avoiding deviation from sound doctrine? ([47:23])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you were tempted to follow teachings that were not biblically sound. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience? ([31:44])
What practical steps can you take to ensure you are standing firm in sound doctrine in your daily life? ([56:49])
How can you develop better discernment to identify false teachings and teachers? What resources or practices can help you in this area? ([36:47])
Think of a situation where you might have exceeded what is written in the Bible. How can you correct this and ensure you stay within the boundaries of Scripture? ([41:24])
How can you be vigilant against teachings that appeal to your fleshly desires? What specific actions can you take to guard your heart and mind? ([57:58])
Identify a godly leader or mentor in your life. How can you seek their guidance to stay on the path of sound doctrine? ([52:13])
What steps can you take to be a Berean Christian who diligently examines the Scriptures? How can this practice strengthen your faith and understanding of God's Word? ([30:56])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Please do not deviate. Quite simple. Please do not deviate. And when we talk about deviation, right, when we talk about not deviating, I'm not talking about not just deviating from whatever you got going on, right? I'm talking specifically in the context of when it comes to those things, those things that are sound in the faith, those truths, those teachings of the word of God that are sound, that we would be people who will learn to not deviate from those things." [29:15](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Loving God is an action. Yes, God's loved us before we did anything to him or for him. However, he calls us to respond to that love and obedience to him since I loved you before you loved me, since I went to the cross, though you did not deserve it. That is what I want to be, the compelling nature of your obedience." [32:42](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The goal of our instruction is to press people towards a love for God, greater obedience, right? And love towards one another, a greater care and action towards one another, which is completely complicated. Contrary to who we are, because we don't want to consider others more highly than ourselves, right? But godly teaching teaches us to do that. It presses us towards that mark." [35:17](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The inevitable result of deviating from sound doctrine and instruction is a shipwrecked faith for the individual and the church. The inevitable result of deviating from sound doctrine and instruction is a shipwrecked faith on the individual and the church. Both people get messed up." [45:31](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We want to contextualize the text. We got to take the word of God and we got to put it in context of today's culture. But being relatable is not what I'm after. What I'm after is instructions. That may be hard for you. That may be tough for you. That may cut you. But that's fine. Because the goal of our instruction is to press you. Towards loving God more deeply and loving each other more holistically." [01:01:20](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "It's interesting, because as we keep going through this series, and you keep saying all of the many issues that are going on. In Ephesus, I want you to always remember, all of these issues exist for one reason and one reason only. They strayed from what was sound. Every time we see an issue in Ephesus, I want you to remember, oh, that's only happening because they strayed from what's sound. That's how critical being committed to what is sound is. Right? Most of the problems in the church exist simply because we just stopped doing what was sound." [40:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "And so, Paul says these false teachers became false teachers because they strayed from sound teaching. It's interesting, because as we keep going through this series, and you keep saying all of the many issues that are going on. In Ephesus, I want you to always remember, all of these issues exist for one reason and one reason only. They strayed from what was sound. Every time we see an issue in Ephesus, I want you to remember, that's only happening because they strayed from what is sound. That's how critical being committed to what is sound is. Right? Most of the problems in the church exist simply because we just stopped doing what was sound." [40:04](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "To avoid deviation, we must also check our own flesh. Right. We only run to things that are relatable to our flesh because that's what we want to do. Right. And so we got to make sure that we also know the things that we love. Right. We got to be honest enough with ourselves to know where our unhealthy and ungodly desires are. Because so because when I know what my unhealthy and ungodly desires are, it guards me. Because I know it. I'm able to hear some teaching that make me feel good. But I know. Oh, yeah, that's just my flesh because I know that's what I want to do." [01:02:35](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "To not deviate, we must ensure that who we listen to has biblical knowledge and that their application is contextually sound. This is important. Because what Paul says in verse 7 is they stray, and he says, because they wanted to be teachers of the law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertion. Paul says the issue wasn't that they were teaching. The law. And the next message, which is Father's Day next week, so not next week, but the message after that, we're going to talk about the importance of the law for the godliness of the New Testament believer. So we'll get into all of that as Paul starts to explain that after this. But Paul is not, he had an issue with them teaching the law. Paul's problem is not that they're teaching the law, because he says in 1 Timothy 1.8, we know that the law is good when it's used lawfully. So his problem is not that they were teaching the law. His problem is they were teaching it in a way that wasn't sound." [01:22:35](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We got to remember that the word of God is sufficient for knowledge. And relates to all things. Why? Because 2 Timothy 3 tells us all scriptures inspired by God and beneficial for teaching. For rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness. Why? So that the man or woman of God may be fully capable. Fully capable. Equipped for every good work. The word of God makes you fully capable. The word of God can fully train you. The word of God can fully equip you. You don't need all this other stuff. You don't need to exceed what is written." [01:17:03](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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