PASTOR

KIM ALEXANDER
SPIRIT LAKE BAPTIST CHURCH


Introduction: When I was a young man attending elementary
school I didnt care to much for learning. As a matter of fact, I
usually went in the front door of the school, and walked out the
back door. I made an appearance. My Freshman year of high
school tells the story quite well On my report card it was all Fs
failed in every class. However, when I came to faith in Jesus
Christ my life was transformed. I went from not caring about my
education, to having a hunger for learning. My grades shot up in
my sophomore year in high school. I had one teacher say to me,
Buster, even people who do not believe in God, realize that
something has happened in your life. Not only did my grades
improve in school, but God gave me a hunger to know His word.
I found myself sitting in my car reading the Bible and the
Christian literature that my church gave me. God gave me a
desire to learn. Now I am on a lifelong journey to learn all I can.
Every day ought to be a day of learning for each one of us.

Herein is my goal for you today. I want you to love to learn, and
the thing that I want you to love to learn is Gods Word.
Specifically, I want you to desire it, to eat it up, to long for it, you

cant get enough of it, and you have developed a taste for it that
you need daily.

We are in a new series entitled: Believers Boot Camp: Basic
Training. This morning we are going to take a look at:
DIRECTION: The Bible on Doctrine. I want all of us to get a real
hunger for Bible Doctrine.

What is doctrine? Good question. Lets begin by

I. Defining Doctrine

It is very important that at the outset that we have a working
definition for the word, doctrine. This will allow all of us to
understand the DIRECTION this message is taking us.

The definition of doctrine is really quite simple. The word
simply means: Teachings.

Although we have a very simple definition; doctrine is not
simple. Teachings determine how we think, and how we live. Our
teaching determines what we believe, and what we believe
determines how we behave.

Therefore, doctrine (Teaching) is an important topic for
discussion. I cant tell you the number of times as a pastor I have
heard people say something like, I dont care about doctrine, I
just want to find a church that teaches the Bible. Those words
are spoken out of ignorance. They dont understand that

doctrine is Bible teaching! You do want to find a church that

focuses on Bible doctrine.

Where do most of us get out teaching from today?

Parents
Educators
News outlets
Social media
Friends
Church

Are all the places where we get our teachings always correct?
The answer is a resounding, NO! Things our parents teach us are
not always right. Educators dont always teach us what is true.
News outlets are biased they have a slant. Social media at most
has multiple personalities. And friends often share only hearsay
with us. And churches are also all over the board when it comes
to teaching (instruction) today.

Where do we find sound doctrine today? What about the
Bible? This brings us to our second point:

II. Discovering Doctrine

There is a whole lot of doctrine (teachings) found within the
pages of the Bible. Have you ever considered what the Bible has
been called by humanity for thousands of years? The Bible has
been called:

 The Holy Bible

Sacred Scripture
Gods Word

What do those titles tell us? They tell us that the Bible has been
looked upon as a book that is trustworthy, dependable, and
reliable. The TEACHINGS found in the Bible are solid, and you and
I can build our entire life on what is written in this book. And
many have!

Doctrine is NOT what man says, it is what Gods says to us in
His Word. This is where we receive our teachings, our
instructions.

Someone creative has even taken the word, BIBLE and came
up with the follow acronym:

Basic
Instructions (Teachings)
Before
Leaving
Earth

Here is a sampling of what the Bible has to say regarding the
word, doctrine. Youll want to follow along in your open Bible,
and youll want to mark these key Scripture passages. We are

going to discover that the word doctrine is very prevalent in

Scripture.

Come and walk with me. Allow me to take you on a guided tour
on the word doctrine. Engage yourself in the learning process
today.

Mark 1:27 - Then they were all amazed, so that they
questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What
new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even
the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.

The crowds that came out to hear Jesus were astonished at His
teachings (His doctrine). What they were hearing from Jesus was
something REFRESHING!

Matthew 16:12 Then they understood that He did not tell
them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine
of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Jesus warned His disciples about the TEACHINGS of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees. Not all doctrine is equal! There is
a whole lot of doctrine (teaching) that needs to be avoided
today.

John 7:16 Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is
not Mine, but His who sent Me.

 People were amazed that Jesus could teach, having never

studied. Jesus hadnt gone to school, and yet His teaching
challenged people who heard Him. Jesus teaching wasnt His
own He spoke the words that His Father (God) gave Him. This
is the teaching that you and I still need today!

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did we not strictly command you not
to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem
with your doctrine, and intend to bring this mans blood on
us.

In this verse we have the disciples who continued with the
TEACHING that they had received from Jesus. They taught others
what they themselves were taught. Here they are being told by
city officials that they were to keep quiet about Jesus. That they
were to stop TEACHING! Simply they were being asked, Keep
your doctrine to yourselves.

Eph. 4:14 That we should no longer be children, tossed to
and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by
the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful
plotting.

Paul warns against being tossed to and fro by everything that
comes down the pike. It is vital that we know what we believe
(TEACHING) and that we live it out in our daily lives.

This verse is a warning against deceitful doctrine. Men who
intentionally seek to try and get you to believe lies.


And also consider these warnings as well:

I Tim. 1:3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia
remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they
teach no other doctrine.

I Tim. 1:10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers,
for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is
contrary to sound doctrine.

II Tim. 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness.

Here I believe is a key point- Scripture is profitable for doctrine
(Teaching).

II Tim. 4:3 For the time will come when they will not
endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires,
because they have itching ears, they will heap up for
themselves teachers.

I believe we may be living in this time today. We have people
that turn from Scriptural doctrine, and follow the doctrine
(teachings) of men (teachers that they have raised up). That
thought is in contract to teachers that God has raised up.

Gods teachers teach Gods word!


II John 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the
doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the
doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

Here we have a warning that we must never deter away from
the doctrine of Christ the teachings of Jesus Christ. And take a
look at verse 10,

II John 10 If anyone come to you and does not bring this
doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him;

The teachings (doctrine) found in the Bible are important. You
and I need to become good students of Gods Word. Take time
daily to read Scripture.

Lets take a look at our third point:

III. Desiring Doctrine

In my office I have a number of study book that just focus in on
Bible doctrine; what the Bible teaches on key subjects. Most of
the books cover the same essential Bible doctrines. Such as:

Theism Doctrine of God
Bibliology Doctrine of the Bible
Theology Doctrine of Gods nature, decrees, and works
Angelology Doctrine of Angels
Anthropology Doctrine of Man

 Soteriology Doctrine of Salvation

Ecclesiology Doctrine of the Church
Eschatology Doctrine of End Times

The books I own have the following titles:

Lectures in Systematic Theology Henry Clarence Thiessen
Basic Theology Charles Ryrie
Christian Theology Emery Bancroft
Bible Doctrine Mark G. Cambron
Systematic Theology Lewis Sperry Chafer

Now I share this with you because I want you to KNOW that
doctrine in the church, and in the life of the Christian is also
essential. We must know what we believe, and why we believe
it.

In 2005, I graduated with a Masters degree in Theological
Studies. My degree is on the teachings found within the pages of
the Bible. I have to admit to you that the more I think I know
about the Bible the more I find out what I dont know. This
doesnt discourage me; it challenges me to spend more time in
the Scripture. Gods Word is inexhaustible.

Are you aware that doctrine is always under attack, and people
are setting aside key doctrine today as if it has no importance,
even though we have already discovered that doctrine
(TEACHING) is everywhere throughout the Bible. Everyone
should become a Master in Theological Studies.

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The Five Fundamentals of the Faith

There are five essential Bible doctrines that every believe must
hold on to, and must defend. Lets walk through them together
as well.

1. The Doctrine of the Inspiration and infallibility of the Bible
II Timothy 3:16

In II Timothy 3:16 we read,

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.

Underline the two words, All Scripture. It is important that we
come to the conclusion that the Bible is the word of God. The
word, inspiration in the Greek literally mean: God breathed.
All Scripture from Genesis through Revelation is the very breath
of God. And not only is it the breath of God, but all Scripture is
without error in the original text.

Every believer must make the decision that there are no
mistakes in the Bible. Every part of the Bible, and every word of
the Bible is the very breath of God. It is Gods message to
mankind.

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The Apostle Peter tells us,

knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any
private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of
man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy
Spirit. (II Peter 1:20-21).

2. The Doctrine of the Deity of Jesus Christ John 1:1,18

Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh. Consider these verses
taken from John 1. We read in verse 1,

In the beginning was the Word, and the word was with God,
and the Word was God.

Drop your eyes down to verse 18, here we read,

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we
beheld His glory, the glory as the only begotten of the Father, full
of grace and truth.

The Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ

Along with the deity of Jesus Christ it is also vital that we
understand that Jesus was supernaturally conceived. This
doctrine is known as the virgin birth. His mother, Mary was a
virgin, and the Holy Spirit of God came upon her, and
impregnated her, and she gave birth to the sinless Son of God.
This doctrine is found both in the Old Testament (Isa. 7:14), and

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here in the New Testament (Matt. 1:20, Luke 1:27-31). To deny

the virgin birth is paramount to denying the sinlessness of Jesus
Christ, and His deity.

3. The Doctrine of the Substitutionary Atonement

This means that Jesus Christ died in my place. Jesus took my sins
upon Himself when He died on the cross. The Bible tells us,

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him. (II Cor. 5:21).

Here is one of those verses where you and I can say, How
sweet it is it doesnt get any better than this. Jesus Christ died
in my place, and He took my sin upon Himself, and in return, I
was given His righteousness. I obtained a right standing before
the Father.

In the book of Galatians, we read,

Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having
become a curse for us (for it is written, Cursed is everyone who
hangs on a tree). (Gal. 3:13)

And in the book of Hebrews we read,

so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those
who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart
from sin, for salvation. (Heb. 9:28)

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 Additional Scripture that teaches the doctrine of the

Substitutionary atonement: I Peter 2:24; 3:18).

4. The Doctrine of the Physical Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was literal, and it was physical.
Jesus actually came forth from the tomb in a real physical body.
The Father raised His Son from the grave.

Many liberal and even atheist mock the physical resurrection
of Jesus Christ. They have come up with a whole host of
alternatives here are three:

Swoon theory Jesus was never really dead. He passed out,
and when his body was placed in the tomb the coolness
revived Him. All I can say about this theory is, really?

Hallucination theory Jesus did rise physically from the
grave as the Bible teaches. His disciples all hallucinated that
they saw Him. To this theory I say, really?

Stolen body theory Jesus never rose from the dead. His
body was stolen by His disciples. To this theory I also say,
really?

The greatest passage in all of the Bible that speaks of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ is I Corinthians 15. As believers we
should know this chapter well. Bible teachers believe that I

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Corinthians 15:3-4 became one of the earliest creeds (doctrine

of the early church) in around A.D. 32-38. We read,

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that
Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He
was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the
Scripture.

You can try all you want to deny the physical resurrection of
Jesus Christ, but you cannot silence the hundreds of eye-witness
who saw Jesus Christ alive. Nor can you rewrite history and erase
the thousands of believers who died martyrs death because of
their faith in the physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The doctrine of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the key
doctrine of the entire Christian faith.

5. The Doctrine of the literal Second Coming of Jesus Christ

I once asked a Jewish man in a hotel in Jerusalem if he were a
Christian? He looked at me and said, Allow me to answer you
like this. Suppose that Jesus were sitting here having dinner with
us, and I asked Him, Is this your first visit to Jerusalem or youre
second? And he answered, My second. I would be in trouble.

Jesus did come the first time (History books confirm this), and
the Bible teaches us that He will come a second time. Consider
these Bible verses:

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 Acts 1:11 - who also said, Men of Galilee, who do you

stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was
taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner
as you saw Him go into heaven.

This verse is a promise that Jesus will return the same way He
went up He went up literally, and he will return literally. His
feet will one day touch the Mount of Olives again. As a matter of
fact, we read in the Old Testament this prophetic promise,

Zech. 14:4 - And on that day His feet will stand on the
Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east, and the
Mount of Olives shall split in two, from east to west, making
a very large valley; half of the mountain shall move towards
the north and half shall move towards the south.

Yes, the feet of Jesus that once lifted up from the Mount of
Olives will one day rest again on the Mount of Olives. Jesus is
coming again!

We do not know when He will come again. That date is secure
with the Father alone. Dont you ever listen to anyone who tells
you that they know the date and time of Jesus second coming.
No man knows! However, we are assured by Gods Word that
Jesus will one day return for the second time.

In the final book of the New Testament we read these words,

Revelation 19:11-16

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Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He

who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in
righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a
flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name
written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a
robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,
followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp
sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself
will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress
of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His
robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD
OF LORDS

Conclusion: In closing I want to make three very simple, but very
clear statements:

1. Doctrine simply means, Teachings.

2. Doctrine is scattered throughout the Bible.

3. Doctrine is essential there are five fundamental doctrines
that we must adhere to, and defend as believers.

What I believe (doctrine) determines how I live. Therefore,
develop your belief system based on biblical doctrine the
teachings found in the Bible.

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