At some point in our churches, doctrine became a bad word. But did doctrine go away? No! Doctrine was there all along, it just became less important. When doctrine becomes less important, it is inevitably watered down. When we are not intentional about our doctrine, those in our churches are “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes (Eph. 4:14).”
In 2 Timothy 3:13 Paul reminds us that “evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Are these people who have horns growing and pointy teeth? No! They seem to be good people! What does Paul tell us to do here?
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 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 competent, equipped for every good work.
Continue in sound doctrine by getting into the Word Paul says! We must remember this in our churches. Sound doctrine builds and sustains healthy churches. Pragmatism says we water down the doctrine to get numbers. As Voddie Baucham says, “Our flesh wants to be liked and wants big crowds.” Don’t succumb to the desire for crowds.
Paul goes on to say in 2 Timothy 4
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 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. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
People don’t naturally go looking for sound doctrine. Your attendance numbers may suffer, but nevertheless, “sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” How do you do this? Preach the Word!
Doctrine is the foundation of our churches. How strong is your church’s foundation?
