Stop Taking Scripture Out of Context: Why Bible Doctrine Matters

Sermon outline

We live by God's unchanging truth, so we must study the whole Bible in its context with the help of the Holy Spirit, and know that Jesus Christ is the only answer to the lost state of man.

1. The importance of Christian doctrine

   In a time when moral values are twisted, we live by God's unchangeable truth, learned from the Bible and not from what other people think about God. Whoever does His word builds on the rock, which is Jesus Christ. The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth, while the world system runs on the spirit of the antichrist, so believe and practise what you believe without trying to win debates.

   Illustration: The wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built on the sand.

   “If we deviate from that, we are going to get into error.”

   • Matthew 7:24-27
   • 1 Timothy 3:15
   • 1 John 4:3

2. What is doctrine? Rightly dividing the word of truth

   We must do our best to present ourselves to God as workers who handle the truth correctly, yet many preachers build a whole message on one verse taken out of context. Ask who wrote a book, to whom and why, because not everything in the Old Testament applies to us: the Gospels are the transition to the new covenant, and the epistles show us how to live. He says years of study helped him to rightly divide the Word.

   Illustration: A botanist who values a botanical garden where every plant is arranged and named; and Joseph's coat of many colours, picturing the Bible as many writers over many years whose words come together as one whole.

   “Don't take a scripture out of context.”

   • 2 Timothy 2:15
   • Acts 20:7-12
   • Genesis 37:3

3. The value of doctrine

   All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that we are thoroughly equipped for every good work. Understanding grows over time, and a local church that teaches the Word helps you complete your course. Doctrine builds good Christian character, protects us against error and confusion, reveals God's glory and eternal plans, and shows us who we are in Christ.

   Illustration: A couple in counselling who objected when he kept giving them scriptures on rebellion; he told them he was not giving his own philosophy but the Word of God.

   “Doctrinal knowledge and understanding will protect us against error and confusion.”

   • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
   • 1 Samuel 15:23

4. The right approach to Bible doctrine

   The Bible is God's inspired word and final authority on every matter; Christ is the cornerstone and His words are the building blocks of our lives, which we can confess, decree and pray. Jesus answered every temptation with scripture. God's revelation is progressive: the law is a shadow of the good things to come, so we must not stay stuck in the Old Testament. The Bible does not contradict itself, but Satan knows the Word and twists it, as he did in Eden.

   Illustration: A person standing in the sun casts a shadow: the Old Testament is the shadow of things to come and the New Testament brings the light. He also recalls Jesus asking the Pharisees whether they would wait until after the Sabbath to rescue an animal that fell into a pit.

   “Jesus did not use philosophy to rebuke Satan when he was tempted.”

   • Ephesians 2:20
   • Matthew 4:1-11
   • Hebrews 10:1
   • Genesis 3:1-5
   • Matthew 13:10-13
   • Matthew 12:1-12

5. How we reach a doctrinal standpoint

   Whoever loves God is known by God, and what God has revealed, He has revealed through the Bible. The Bereans received the message eagerly and searched the scriptures daily to see whether it was true, and that is how our minds are renewed. Do not build doctrine on one passage, and do not rely on intellect alone, because the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth; Jesus, not the pastor, is Lord of the church.

   Illustration: Praying at 1.30 in the morning when God stirred his spirit about how much more he still had to learn about Him.

   “Don't create doctrine on the basis of just one passage of scripture.”

   • 1 Corinthians 8:3
   • Deuteronomy 29:29
   • Acts 17:11
   • Romans 12:2
   • John 16:12-14
   • 1 Peter 5:4
   • Hebrews 7:25

6. The lost state of man

   Sin is rebellion against God, found in our actions, thoughts and words, and in man's nature. We fight doubt, fear and unbelief with the Word as the sword of the Spirit, knowing we are more than conquerors and the head and not the tail. When we repent, God removes our sin as far as the east is from the west, yet many people never forgive themselves.

   “We must learn to ask God for forgiveness, and we must learn to forgive ourselves when we make a mistake.”

   • Ephesians 6:17
   • Romans 8:37
   • Deuteronomy 28:13
   • Psalm 103:12
   • 1 John 1:8

7. Jesus Christ is the only answer

   God is love, and He is holy; sin separates man from God, bringing death, guilt, sorrow and darkness. No good works can save us; the only way back to God is to admit we are sinners, receive Jesus Christ, be washed in His blood and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Before Christ we cry 'wretched man that I am', but in Him we think differently, because besides an educated mind we need an enlightened spirit.

   Illustration: Meeting someone and seeing darkness in their face, compared with the glow on a child of God who is full of the Holy Spirit.

   “We must have an enlightened spirit and the only way to have an enlightened spirit is by the Holy Ghost.”

   • 1 John 4:8
   • Romans 5:5
   • Romans 7:24-25