SOUND DOCTRINE

SOUND DOCTRINE
OPENING SCRIPTURE
"By telling these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus. You will be made strong by the words of the faith and the good teaching (doctrine) which you have been following. But do not follow foolish stories that disagree with God’s truth, but train yourself to serve God"
I Timothy 4:6-7

The serpent in the Garden of Eden gave misinformation to Eve, and since that time the world has been flooded with misinformation. Misinformation about everything under the sun. Much of the information is based on lies, on half-truths, and sometimes on 99% truth mixed with 1% lies. The latter piece of misinformation being the most dangerous one.

Daniel 12:4
"Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase"

Here we are seeing a prophecy of Daniel about today’s age if we equate the word knowledge with information. We have computers, i-pods, blackberries, interactive watches, HD television, digital radio, and technology changes every day, and access to information increases, and increases, and increases.

On the other hand, another prophet Hosea stated
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"

Paul, who was very wise, was able to make sense of these two Bible truths. In 2 Timothy 3:7 he states : "...always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth".

Now, who is doing this ? Who is responsible for this state of mind to "never be able to acknowledge the truth" ? Many Scriptures are pointing towards one source, the main source of information :

Revelation 12:9
"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the devil and satan, who deceives the whole world"
1 John 5:19
"...The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one"
2 Corinthians 4:4
"... The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who are perishing"

So, it is clear from these Scriptures who the author of deception is, or the author of misinformation, and, what is worse, the author of false doctrines.

When Jesus spoke to his disciples and to us about the various signs of the End of the age, he stated in Mark 13:22 & 23:
"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told everything ahead of time"

Furthermore, in Matthew 7:15, Jesus tells us
"Be careful of false prophets. They come to you looking gentle like sheep, but they are really dangerous like wolves"

So, are you on guard. Would you be able to recognize these false prophets ?

Let’s look at the word "doctrine" a little closer. According to one dictionary (The Canadian Dictionary for Children) the word doctrine means : "Something that is believed by a group of people. The beliefs of a religion and the ideals of a political party are doctrines".

The Bible, however, tells us a different story. In Deuteronomy, this whole issue is clarified – see Deuteronomy 32:1-2, God tells us :
"Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. 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"

The word "doctrine" here refers directly to "the words of my mouth, and, my speech" meaning "God’s mouth and God’s speech". Jesus explains Deuteronomy in the Book of John 7:16-18:
"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him"

So, how do we further define sound or good doctrine ? In the books of Timothy, we see many references to the word "doctrine", or "sound doctrine" or "good doctrine". And I am just let the Scriptures do the talking from here (all quoting from the KJV) :
"For whoremongers, for them that define themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine"
I Tim 1:10
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears"
II Tim 4:3
"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine"
I Tim 4:13
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine"I Tim 1:3
In the New Century Version, this last verse reads as follows :
"I asked you to stay longer in Ephesus when I went into Macedonia so you could command some people there to stop teaching false things"
In verse 4 we read :
"Tell them not to spend their time on stories that are not true...."
Verse 6 & 7 :
"Some people have missed these things and turned to useless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand either what they are talking about or what they are sure about."

So, there we are – back at the topic of "false teacher", "false prophet".

Peter explains to us what will happen to those false teachers and I am quoting from the New Century Version again – 2 Peter 2:1-3 :
"There used to be false prophets among God’s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong – teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves. Many will follow their evil ways and say evil things about the way of truth. Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling you lies. Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming, and their ruin is certain."

So how do we sift through all that is being thrown at us ? How do we know what is the truth 100%. Well, the answer is simple, as stated in Deuteronomy God refers to "doctrine" as "the words of His mouth and His speech". There is the answer – ONLY THAT IS SOUND DOCTRINE.

It is interesting that just before Peter starts to explain what will happen to false teachers, in 2 Peter 1:20, he is clear by stating :
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation"
And in the next verse, he explains :
"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost"

So where does this leave us ?

The first thing we need to do is always to "test the spirit". That is done in a variety of ways :

- check their confession of Jesus
- observe their relationship with the world
- what is their attitude towards God’s commandments
- do they love the brothers and sisters
- is there evidence of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
- is God’s Word given priority in teaching

The second thing we need to do is always check the given word with the actual written Word of God and, through prayer, with the Living Word of God inside of you. If you can, stay away from modern day scholars on the internet. Instead go straight to the Word of God.

And finally, the third thing we need to do is found in the Scriptures in I Tim 6:1-5,11
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. 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.
(v 11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

The most important of these three points is that the actual Word of God – not commentaries, not private interpretations, not scholarly web site explanations – is the ultimate, sound and good doctrine.

May God bless you as you study His doctrine.

Given by Pastor John Fryters at Under The Juniper Tree Chapel on Sunday, January 18th, 2009

NEW BEGINNINGS

SOME OF US CELEBRATED THE COMING IN OF THE NEW YEAR A FEW DAYS AGO. SOME OTHERS JUST WENT FROM THE OLD INTO THE NEW BECAUSE WE DO NOT EVEN DARE TO REMEMBER ANY NEW YEAR.

YOU SEE, WHEN YOU ARE 60+, THOUGH WE LONG TO BE WITH JESUS, YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE REMINDED THAT YOU ARE IN THE TWILIGHT OF YOUR LIFE.

SOME OF US MAKE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS. SOME OTHERS MAKE A POINT THAT THEY DO NOT MAKE NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT WORK ANY WAY.

BUT NO MATTER WHAT, THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT NEW BEGINNINGS.

YOU KNOW THAT THE WORD OF GOD HAS A LOT TO SAY ABOUT NEW BEGINNINGS.
I WANT YOU TO TURN TO THE BOOK OF GALATIANS.

GAL 4 : 9-10
BUT NOW YOU KNOW THE TRUE GOD. REALLY, IT IS GOD WHO KNOWS YOU. SO WHY DO YOU TURN BACK TO THOSE WEAK AND USELESS RULES YOU FOLLOWED BEFORE ? DO YOU WANT TO BE SLAVES TO THOSE THINGS AGAIN ? YOU STILL FOLLOW TEACHINGS ABOUT SPECIAL DAYS, MONTHS, SEASONS, AND YEARS.

THE LORD, THROUGH THE APOSTLE PAUL, APPEARS TO SAY THAT THE OBSERVANCE OF SPECIAL DAYS OR TIMES IS IN FACT A WASTE OF OUR TIME.

THEN GO TO ROMANS 14:5-8
SOME THINK THAT ONE DAY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANOTHER, AND OTHERS THINK THAT EVERY DAY IS THE SAME. LET ALL BE SURE IN THEIR OWN MIND. THOSE WHO THINK ONE DAY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN OTHER DAYS ARE DOING THAT FOR THE LORD. AND THOSE WHO EAT ALL KINDS OF FOOD ARE DOING THAT FOR THE LORD, AND THEY GIVE THANKS TO GOD. WE DO NOT LIVE OR DIE FOR OURSELVES. IF WE LIVE, WE ARE LIVING FOR THE LORD, AND IF WE DIE, WE ARE DYING FOR THE LORD. SO LIVING OR DYING, WE BELONG TO THE LORD.

THE APOSTLE AGAIN REMINDS US THAT THERE IS NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT CERTAIN DAYS, OR FOR THAT MATTER, ANY DAY. IN ADDITION, HE TELLS US THAT WHATEVER WE DO, LIVING OR DYING, WE ARE DOING IT FOR THE LORD.

NOW, THAT IS THE NEW TESTAMENT. BUT DID JESUS DO AWAY WITH OLD TESTAMENT TRUTH ? NO, OF COURSE NOT, JESUS CAME TO FULFILL THE LAW, NOT TO DO AWAY WITH IT. AND ALSO, WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE WHOLE "COUNSEL OF GOD" IN BALANCE.

SO, IN GENESIS, WE SEE THAT THERE WAS A BEGINNING. IN GENESIS 1:1, WE READ "IN THE BEGINNING, GOD CREATED...."

IN EXODUS 12:2, WE READ "THIS MONTH WILL BE THE BEGINNING OF MONTHS, THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR FOR YOU".

YOU KNOW, ACCORDING TO THE JEWISH CALENDAR, MONTHS WERE COUNTED. FIRST INSTANCE, THE TERM "THE FIRST MONTH" IS MENTIONED THE MOST IN THE OT SCRIPTURES (I.E. ABOUT 30 TIMES). "THE SEVENTH MONTH" (GOD’S FAVORITE NUMBER) IS IN SECOND PLACE.

THEN, IN GENERAL TERMS, IN THE PREACHER BOOK, ECCLESIASTES, IN CHAPTER 3 VERSE 1 WE READ :
"THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING ON EARTH HAS ITS SPECIAL SEASON".

SO, EVERYTHING HAS A BEGINNING AND AN END.

TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK NOT ONLY ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW YEAR 2009, BUT SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE BEGINNING OF THIS NEW CHURCH PLANT, UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE CHAPEL, WHICH, IN EARNEST, BEGAN ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2008.

AS ALREADY STATED, WE NEED TO SEE EVERYTHING IN LIGHT OF THE SCRIPTURES, IN LIGHT OF THE WORD OF GOD, THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD (BOTH THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT). WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH, AND FOR THAT MATTER, OUR CHURCH.

IN 2 PETER 3:1-2, WE READ
"MY FRIENDS, THIS IS THE SECOND LETTER I HAVE WRITTEN YOU TO HELP YOU HONEST MINDS REMEMBER. I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT THE WORDS THE HOLY PROPHETS SPOKE IN THE PAST, AND REMEMBER THE COMMAND OUR LORD AND SAVIOR GAVE US THROUGH YOUR APOSTLES."

PETER REINFORCES THE IDEA THAT THE "WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD" IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER WHAT WE CONSIDER.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ARE A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE EXAMPLE THE LORD GAVE OF SUCH A CHURCH. STARTING WITH THE DAY OF PENTECOST, WE SEE THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH. GOD GAVE HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO THOSE GATHERED IN THE UPPER ROOM, MIRACULOUS SIGNS FOLLOWED AND THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH WAS BORN.

SO, ANY NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THAT SAME PHASE.
IN ROMANS 8:8-9, WE READ "BUT YOU ARE NOT RULED BY YOUR SINFUL SELVES. YOU ARE RULED BY THE SPIRIT, IF THAT SPIRIT OF GOD REALLY LIVES IN YOU. BUT THE PERSON WHO DOES NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST DOES NOT BELONG TO CHRIST."

AS YOU AND I MAKE UP THE CHURCH, THIS CHURCH - IF WE, COLLECTIVELY, DO NOT HAVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, WE DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. IN FACT, WE WOULD NOT BE A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.

WHILE INITIALLY, THERE WAS A VERY RAPID, INITIAL GROWTH OF THE CHURCH, THE WORD OF GOD IS CLEAR THAT, IN FACT, THE CHURCH REMAINED AS A SMALL, OFTEN-PERSECUTED ORGANISM.

"IF THE WORLD HATES YOU, REMEMBER THAT IT HATED ME FIRST. IF YOU BELONGED TO THE WORLD, IT WOULD LOVE YOU AS IT LOVES IT OWN. BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, SO YOU DON’T BELONG TO IT. THAT IS WHY THE WORLD HATES YOU." (JOHN 15:18-19)

"ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE. THE GATE IS WIDE AND THE ROAD IS WIDE THAT LEADS TO HELL, AND MANY PEOPLE ENTER THROUGH THAT GATE. BUT THE GATE IS SMALL AND THE ROAD IS NARROW THAT LEADS TO TRUE LIFE. ONLY A FEW PEOPLE FIND THAT ROAD." (MATTHEW 7:13-14)

"DON’T FEAR, LITTLE FLOCK, BECAUSE YOUR FATHER WANTS TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM." (LUKE 12:32)

YOU SEE, JESUS PREDICTED (PROPHESIED) THAT HIS FLOCK WOULD REMAIN RELATIVELY SMALL. LATER ON IN THOSE SAME SCRIPTURES, HE FORETELLS US ABOUT FALSE PROPHETS, ARISING FROM THE CHURCH, DIVIDING IT AND DILUTING ITS MESSAGE.

SO, THIS IS WHAT THE LORD IS SAYING TO THE SMALL GROUP GATHERED IN THIS NEW CHURCH, UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE CHAPEL :

"LITTLE FLOCK, DO NOT BE DISMAYED. LITTLE FLOCK, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED. LITTLE FLOCK, HAVE FAITH, I INTENDED IT TO BE SMALL AND NOT TO GROW IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS, AT LEAST NOT INITIALLY. LITTLE FLOCK, YOU ARE DOING OKAY. LITTLE FLOCK, ALREADY NOW YOU ARE TOUCHING MORE LIVES THAN MANY OTHER, LARGER CHURCHES IN YOUR MIDST. I HAVE A PLAN FOR THEM TOO, BUT BE NOT CONCERNED WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING. BE ONLY CONCERNED WITH WHAT YOU ARE DOING."

LOOKING AT THIS PROPHETIC WORD THE LORD GAVE ME YESTERDAY MORNING, I NEED TO QUICKLY SHOW YOU THAT IT IS RIGHT IN LINE WITH WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING.

YES, SO FAR WE ARE A SMALL FLOCK – ABOUT 10 IN SIZE. BUT WHAT REALLY COUNTS IS NOT SIZE, BUT IMPACT.

WHICH CHURCH, THROUGH ITS RESOURCES, MINISTERS DIRECTLY, ON A DAILY BASIS, TO 16 IV DRUG USERS AND OTHERS WITH SEVERE ADDICTIONS, WHO USED TO WORK THE STREET, WHO HAVE CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS, WHO HAD THEIR CHILDREN APPREHENDED ?

WHICH TINY CHURCH, OR FOR THAT MATTER LARGER CHURCH, HAS ITS OWN BIBLE TRAINING CENTRE WITH :

2 FULL-TIME STUDENTS IN PRINCE ALBERT (MAYBE EVEN MORE STARTING MONDAY)
3 ACTIVE PART-TIME DISTANCE STUDENTS
CLOSE TO 10 PART-TIME STUDENTS AT SASKATCHEWAN PENITENTIARY (WHICH SMALL OR EVEN LARGER CHURCH REGULARLY MINISTERS IN THE MORE THAN 10 JAILS IN THIS CITY ?)
8 TO 10 CASUAL STUDENTS IN OUR REGINA CAMPUS
AND ABOUT 100 REGULAR STUDENTS AT OUR THREE CAMPUSES IN PERU?

WHICH TINY CHURCH PROVIDES DIRECT AND ACTUAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO A MISSIONS CHURCH IN TABLADA DE LURIN, A CHURCH WITH ABOUT 100 PRECIOUS PEOPLE (SEE E-MAIL ATTACHMENT TO OUR FINANCIAL STATEMENT) ?

WHICH TINY CHURCH HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN BUILDING A BRAND NEW CHURCH BUILDING IN A SQUATTER COMMUNITY IN PERU CALLED PUENTE BOLIVAR. A CHURCH THAT NOW ATTRACTS 22 ADULTS AND ABOUT 10 TEENAGERS ?

WHICH TINY CHURCH, THROUGH ITS AFFILIATED MINISTRY OF JUBILATION PROGRAM, PROVIDED BRANDNEW HOUSING TO 4 SINGLE MOMS AND 9 CHILDREN IN 2008 ? WHICH TINY CHURCH IS PLANNING TO CONTINUE WITH THIS HOUSING PROGRAM AND HOPES TO BUILD ABOUT 30 HOUSES THIS YEAR ?

WHICH TINY CHURCH IS ACTIVELY PLANNING TO BUILD A TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR CLOSE TO 100 STUDENTS IN SOUTHERN SUDAN ?

WHICH TINY CHURCH ACTIVELY SUPPORTS A BRAND NEW CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION WHICH IS GOING TO MINISTER TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF PRINCE ALBERT. I CAN TELL YOU THAT MANY OF THE LARGER CHURCHES HAVE NOT EVEN GIVEN ONE DOLLAR TO THIS OUTREACH EFFORT! LET’S ESTIMATE THAT JUST OUR PORTION OF SUPPORT ALLOWS THIS NEW RADIO STATION TO TOUCH ABOUT 500 HEARTS.

WHICH TINY CHURCH HAS ACTUALLY A POSITIVE BANK BALANCE ? DEBT DOES NOT RESTRICT US IN WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO DO. (SEE THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT WHICH WAS HANDED OUT THIS MORNING.)

OUR SIZE SIMPLY DOES NOT DICTATE WHAT WE CAN DO. WHAT DICTATES WHAT WE CAN DO IS THE SPIRIT OF OUR ALLMIGHTY GOD. AND WITH HIM, EVERYTHING IS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE. PLEASE BE REMINDED THROUGH LUKE 1:37 "GOD CAN DO ANYTHING!"

IF YOU COUNT UP THE ABOVE FIGURES, WE DIRECTLY MINISTER TO ABOUT 870 PRECIOUS SOULS.

PLEASE BE ENCOURAGED IN THIS NEW BEGINNING!!!

PASTOR JOHN
(DELIVERED AT UNDER THE JUNIPER TREE CHAPEL ON January 4th, 2009)