Sunday Sermon Starter 5-20-13

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Once the Devil was walking along with one of his cohorts.  They saw a man ahead of them pick up something shiny.  “What did he find?” asked the cohort.  “A piece of the truth,” the Devil replied.  “Doesn’t it bother you that he found a piece of the truth?” asked the cohort.  “No,” said the Devil, “I will see to it that he makes a religion out of it”

This is how many non-religious people view religion – a group of people organized around a piece of truth segmented from the whole.  They pick a fringe issue or a hobby horse to ride, find others who are in agreement, and organize themselves together on the basis of that doctrine, legitimate or not.

While I’d like to deny it this concept is so common in some circles that people become prejudiced against all religious bodies by that name so much that it places a huge hurdle to overcome in their attempts to grow.  Too often sound doctrine only includes those things that certain individuals believe to be sound.  Anything outside of their personal list of personal interests is irrelevant in their perception of sound doctrine, sound brethren, and those who are in a right relationship with God and therefore worthy of fellowship.

In the process often the only doctrine these people are interested in is the doctrine cited from the pulpit but nothing that is lived out everyday in their lives.  They may write their articles, mail out their periodicals, and call the names of people with whom they disagree on a minor point that really is often of no consequence to begin with and hail “sound doctrine!”  However, many of them are plagued by homes functioning outside of Divine authority, doing nothing to evangelize in their local communities, and are satisfied being a “sound congregation” they slowly die because they do nothing to share that “sound doctrine” with the world around them.

Today’s sermon starter continues a series through the book of Titus as Paul discusses some requirements of redemption and one of those requirements is most definitely sound doctrine.

Title: The Requirements of Redemption: Redemption Requires Sound Doctrine

Text:  Titus 2:1-10

Main Point:  As Paul continues his correspondence to Titus he transitions from discussing the need of sound leadership to the need of teaching and practicing sound doctrine.  It is important, though, to realize the manner by which Paul discusses sound doctrine in contrast to the manner in which it is typically depicted by Christians today in view of its importance to redemption.

Discussion Points:
  •  Sound Doctrine is Rooted in Truth – Sound doctrine is sound because of its origin.  Something can either be original with God or it can be original with man.  And the origin of the message makes all the difference as to our reception or denial of it (Galatians 1:6-9).  Its clear that the standard for sound doctrine is whether it came from God because God’s word is truth (John 17:17).  The words “sound doctrine” literally refer to healthy instruction, that is pertaining to spiritual health.  In John 6 many of Jesus’ disciples turned back from following Him and He asked His apostles if they, too, would go away.  But Peter responded “Lord, to whom shall we go?  Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).  Redemption demands this attitude – “God said it therefore I accept it, period!”  That is humility, that is submission, and that is one characteristic required for redemption.
  • Sound Doctrine is Reflected in a Lifestyle – What is the purpose of preaching sound doctrine?  Some believe it is to be known as sound Christians.  Some believe it is to have a certain reputation that exalts you to a particular tier of Christianity.  Some believe it is to be better prepared to utterly berate any others deemed as unsound.  These attitudes reflect a desire to “be sound for sound’s sake.”  It is arbitrary – without any deeper meaning than self-perception.  But Paul told Titus that he was to emphasize sound doctrine among the brethren so that that doctrine would develop into a particular lifestyle among them.  Sound doctrine was to teach the old men to besober, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, and in patience.  Sound doctrine was to teach the older women to be holy, not false accusers, not given to much wine, and to be teachers of good things.  In particular sound doctrine was to be emphasized to the young women to teach them to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, and obedient to their own husbands.  Likewise that sound doctrine was to teach the young men to besober-minded.  Sound doctrine is much more than a simple state of mind.  It is a state of life generally depicted in our lives according to the principle of Titus 2:7-8.  It is who we become and who we attempt to be every day to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and reflect His personality in our lives.
  • Sound Doctrine is Reasoned in Righteousness – What is the key to developing a commitment to sound doctrine – conviction (Titus 2:10).  Conviction does not harbor hesitation; it jumps in headlong.  Think about the people at Pentecost who were convicted and desired immediate action (Acts 2:37).  Conviction implies a realization of the urgency of redemption.  Paul stated that today is the day of salvation and now is the accepted time (2 Corinthians 6:2).  When a person truly comes to realize that today our souls could be required of us (Luke 12:20) then hesitation is no longer an option.  Our conviction of sound doctrine demands immediate action, no further delay.
Are you committed to righteousness?  Have you submitted to the terms of sound doctrine as a requirement of redemption?  Our acceptance of sound doctrine will place us in a proper relationship with God and keep us there.  Redemption requires sound doctrine.

-Andy Brewer

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