A Place Of Grace
10-26-2025
  • A new family walks into the church. They are new to town, they have a few kids elementary age and one teenager… WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
    A newly retired couple walks through the doors on a Sunday morning. Excited about this new stage of life... WHAT DO THEY HOPE FOR IN A CHURCH?
    A young single newly graduated from college individual sits down in the seats on a Sunday… WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION AND HOPE THEY SEEK?
    Many look for programs / activities / entertainment
    Music is often in the top three questions… hymns / worship songs / instruments / band?
    What do you have to wear?
    Are the seats comfortable / temperature comfortable?
    Are people friendly and talk to me (most who ask this often show up late and leave right away)
    How long does the pastor preach for & is he funny
    Seldom in the list of questions did “What is the church’s doctrine & beliefs” make it in the top ten questions!!!
    One reason for this is the skewed thinking and approach to choosing a church is the thought that “Doctrine Divides” that such things threaten UNITY… Yet I would argue this morning that it is actually quite the contrary!
    Doctrine unites us
    I will even state that Doctrine is what should be of utmost importance when choosing who to gather with and worship God
    Paul would charge Timothy with these words:
    2 Timothy 1:13–14 “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.”
    2 Timothy 1:13–14 NASB95
    Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
    thoughts
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
    2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95
    All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
    thoughts
    2 Timothy 4:1–4 “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
    2 Timothy 4:1–4 NASB95
    I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
    thoughts

    Doctrine is a CORE CONCEPT:

    I believe and see that Doctrine Creates Unity within a church family…
    Therefore I have included, “Solid Doctrine” as one of the CORE Concepts that we will look at
    I chose a graduation hat for this weeks icon as we look at this subject… I do expect you to THINK this morning
    It should not be a new concept to you when I state:

    Belief Creates Behavior

    As we discuss things this morning I want you to THINK about
    What do YOU BELIEVE???
    How does that belief system IMPACT how YOU BEHAVE and ACT???
    If you state that it really has no impact… then I challenge you to consider WHAT it is you are really BELIEVING!!!
    Estimates suggest there are over 4,200 distinct religions
    The number varies on denominations depending on the source and the criteria used, but Christian denominations are frequently estimated to be around 45,000.  
    Doctrine is a broad subject to say the least, so I want to focus our attention to several areas today:

    This morning in brief I want to look at:

    Doctrine Defined… beginning with a little explanation
    Doctrine Discerned… a look at what scripture says about the CORE need for this Concept to be prominent, taught, and understood in the church
    Doctrinal Dangers… awareness of the CAUTIONS given, and the ADVERSARIES tactics concerning doctrine
    And the practical application of this CONCEPT! … SO WHAT… how this CRUCIAL CONCEPT is vital for Monday -Saturday!

    Resources

    I will reference a few handouts or resources during my message today. You you can download with this link or we have some printed versions in the back if you like.
    In order that we are on the same page in our understanding of what I am saying when I use the word “DOCTRINE” I think it is best to clarify with a definition for us all. It is not as scary as so many make it out to be… YET IT IS FAR MORE IMPORTANT THAN MOST THINK IT IS…

    Doctrine Defined

    At the simplest level Doctrine is a word that means: “TEACHING”
    Webster simply defines it as: “DOCTRINE: something that is taught, a principle or position or a body of positions in a system of belief; DOGMA : it is authoritative, a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church”
    “Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). In Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Merriam-Webster, Inc.”
    Nathan Armstrong articulates it well, stating: “Searching the Scriptures must be the starting point in establishing an accurate definition of the words “doctrine”
    In the Old Testament, the primary words translated as “doctrine,” refer to speaking instruction or knowledge that is received or learned
    In the New Testament, the word most often used for “doctrine”, (διδαχή didachē), refers to the activity or content of teaching.
    Therefore, throughout the Scriptures, doctrine simply involves instruction in God’s ways.”
    “VITAL SIGNS OF A HEALTHY CHURCH, Doctrinal Purity by Nathan Armstrong”
    Here at Grace we have a “Doctrinal Statement”, essentially a statement of what we believe and teach… the areas we make mention of and hold to are:

    GBC DOCTRINAL POINTS:

    Holy Scriptures - Godhead - Person & Work of Christ - Person & Work of Holy Spirit - Total Depravity of Man - Salvation - Security & Assurance of Believers - Two Natures of the Believer - Separation - Standard for Sexuality - Missions - Ministry & Spiritual Gifts - The Church - Dispensationalism - Personality of Satan - Second Advent of Christ - The Eternal State
    NOTICE: in our statement we have scripture that points to why we believe these things
    It is from our doctrine that many of these CORE Concepts have stemmed from
    Now some of this you may be saying to yourself could be divisive, some Godly men and women can differ on some of these things:
    You would be right. That is why I have appreciated the work of the ministry Do Theology for developing this document layout three categories of TEACHINGS or DOCTRINES
    Primary Doctrines - this impacts FELLOWSHIP
    We have brothers and sisters “In Christ” who hold to different teachings in some areas
    Many who claim Christ, seek to earn salvation, take away from the authority of scripture
    Secondary Doctrine - this will impact MINISTRY with others
    There is unity but not Ecumenicalism… just joining with all who claim “Christian”
    We are careful who we align with in ministry in some of these areas
    Conscience Matters - this will impact close friendships Romans 14 speaks to this area of things

    Doctrine Discerned

    There is both a need and mandate to teach God’s Word and know God’s Word…
    The church in Thessalonica felt panic and fear when people were told they missed Jesus coming for His Church…
    They listened to false teaching, rumors, not going to the word
    Paul challenged them in 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
    1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 NASB95
    But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
    In Acts we see Paul commend the Bereans saying Acts 17:11 “Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.”
    Acts 17:11 NASB95
    Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
    There has to be a discernment if what is taught is from man of GOD’S WORD…
    In Mark’s gospel we see people were amazed at Jesus’ teaching: Mark 1:22 “They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”
    Mark 1:22 NASB95
    They were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
    Jesus explains why His teaching had power: John 7:16–17 “So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.”
    John 7:16–17 NASB95
    So Jesus answered them and said, “My teaching is not Mine, but His who sent Me. “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.
    Some say… “see I only hold to Jesus, not those letters from Paul, Peter, James, and John”
    Well that was not what the early church did nor held to... Acts 2:42 “They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
    Acts 2:42 NASB95
    They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
    We are to be nourished on these words of scripture 1 Timothy 4:6 “...you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.”
    1 Timothy 4:6 NASB95
    In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
    Paul shared what was of most importance and many other teachings and doctrines… 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
    1 Corinthians 15:1–4 NASB95
    Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,
    God’s Word holds POWER! in 1 John 4:1 we see John warn the church… “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
    1 John 4:1 NASB95
    Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
    Which brings us to our next point… there are dangerous doctrines out there, making it vital that we know God’s Word…

    Doctrinal Dangers

    It is an effective tool of the enemy to use fear, doubt, and appeal to draw people away from the clear truth of what God has told us in His Word.
    Adam & Eve in the garden… Satan has not changed his technique because it works
    He brought fear that they were missing out
    He cast doubt on what God said
    He pointed to the appeal of the fruit, of one’s desires Genesis 2-3
    Counterfeits… they appeal to our senses, our emotions, our desires
    In Romans 16:17 we read: “Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.”
    Romans 16:17 NASB95
    Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.
    Paul warns Timothy multiple times 2 Timothy 4:3–4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”
    2 Timothy 4:3–4 NASB95
    For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
    1 Timothy 4:1–3 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
    1 Timothy 4:1–3 NASB95
    But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.
    The church in Galatia was chastised that they had left sound doctrine so easily… Galatians 1:6–9 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!”
    Galatians 1:6–9 NASB95
    I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!
    In Hebrews we are given a warning… Hebrews 13:9 “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.”
    Hebrews 13:9 NASB95
    Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited.
    Satan has not let up, he is pursuing counterfeits and appealing to the hearts of mankind at every turn… the warnings are ALL THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE… So what?

    SO WHAT!?

    Here is how I will apply this to my life:
    1 Timothy 4:16 “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” 1 Timothy 6:20–21 “O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.”
    I am committed to teaching the Word of God, regardless of how popular or unpopular it is. My focus will be the scripture and I will continue to direct you to it!

    NOW YOU… WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE??? In a world of so many voices, how will YOU discern what is true doctrine, solid teaching, how to spot counterfeits… ???

    The books that cover bookshelves and flood the market
    The Podcasts that stream to your devices and feed into your heart and mind (Foundations Media)
    Entertainment, movies, even The Chosen… can you discern?
    Popular speakers… (fame DOES NOT equate accurate) beware!!!
    Is what you believe and base how you live grounded in:
    Your Pastor (a person)
    Your Church (location)
    Your Past (emotions)
    Your Traditions (comfort)
    All of these things can change and are like a boat at sea
    OR… are you grounded in the scriptures, taking what they say in a literal way and applying those truths to your life?
    THAT IS DOCTRINE YOU CAN LIVE BY! A BELIEF THAT IMPACTS HOW YOU LIVE MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY!
    Salvation impacts your joy and hope
    Jesus impacts your actions, your strength for today
    God impacts your view of life every day, how big He is makes your other struggles come into perspective
    Scripture… if your view of scripture is AUTHORITATIVE you and I will live our lives in CONTRAST to this world!!!
    What do you BELIEVE?… IT DOES MATTER!

      • 2 Timothy 1:13–14NLT

      • 2 Timothy 3:16–17NLT

      • 2 Timothy 4:1–4NLT

      • 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22NLT

      • Acts 17:11NLT

      • Mark 1:22NLT

      • John 7:16–17NLT

      • Acts 2:42NLT

      • 1 Timothy 4:6NLT

      • 1 Corinthians 15:1–4NLT

      • 1 John 4:1NLT

      • Romans 16:17NLT

      • 1 Timothy 4:1–3NLT

      • Galatians 1:6–9NLT

      • Hebrews 13:9NLT

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