Why It Matters What You Believe

Isaiah 55:10-11  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

The word “doctrine” occurs in 50 verses of the King James Bible and always means, “the _______________ of something taught.”

Dogma is _________________ of truth, as set forth in a creed.

Doctrine is _________________ of truth, as set forth in the Bible.

THREE DEFINITIONS OF DOCTRINE:

1.      DOCTRINE IS LIKE ________________________________

Matthew 16:6, 12  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees … Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

2.      DOCTRINE IS LIKE ________________________________

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

3.      DOCTRINE IS LIKE ________________________________

Deuteronomy 32:2  My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

Habakkuk 2:14  For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

THREE DIFFERENCES DOCTRINE MAKES:

1.    CHARACTER:  _____________________________________

Romans 6:17-18  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

2.    BEHAVIOR:  ______________________________________

1 Timothy 6:3-5  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

3.    DESTINY:  ________________________________________

1 Timothy 4:16  Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

THREE DEMANDS DOCTRINE MAKES:

1.      DOCTRINE DEMANDS ______________________________

Job 11:4  For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes.

Matthew 7:20-21  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

2.      DOCTRINE DEMANDS ______________________________

1 Corinthians 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3.      DOCTRINE DEMANDS ______________________________

Matthew 23:3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

The greatest danger in knowing doctrine is that it may become truth apart from _____________________________.