DNA sermon series #4 DOCTRINE: WHAT WE BELIEVE
DNA Who we are as a church Sermon series #4
ABC June 6, 2021
DOCTRINE: WHAT WE BELIEVE
1 Timothy 4:12-16
INTRODUCTION:
DNA is the code of life that defines who you are—and the church, ABC, has one too. Our DNA describes the CENTER of who we are as a church. Over the course of this series, we will be looking at God’s plan for the church, why ABC exists, what we believe, details of our DNA and how we are going to get there.
REMEMBER: the church began in the heart of God and exists for the glory of God. God began His church to manifest His glory to the whole world.
Doctrine is not a very popular topic to preach on in the modern church. At best, it is relegated to a new convert class and at that it is barely touched on. However, doctrine is critical to our DNA as a church and our identity can be confirmed by it.
What is doctrine? In its basic sense, doctrine is any sort of teaching. The Bible, for example, talks about the teachings of men (Mark 7:7–8), the teachings of demons (1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:24), and the teachings of God (John 6:45; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 John 2:27). Here, we are concerned with divine teaching, the teaching of God. According to one definition, doctrine is teaching from God about God that directs us to the glory of God. This definition provides a helpful anatomy of sound doctrine, identifying doctrine’s source, object, and ultimate end.
This is what doctrine is all about! Here is spiritual meat that believers need if they wish to grow! A life without doctrine is a tree without roots, a building without a foundation. We must simply choose to “buy the truth and sell it not” as Proverbs 23:23 admonishes us. The truths are not just intended to be food for the mind, but a primer on how to live in the world.
LISTEN: We only practice and believe Bible doctrine at ABC!
BODY:
1. THE BOOK WE TRUST Psalm 119:160, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The inspired, preserved, translated perfect and completed Word of God.
2. THE FATHER WE WORSHIP Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19
The Supreme Being; Jehovah; the eternal and infinite spirit, the creator, and the sovereign of the universe. He exists outside of time and space yet transcends into it.
3. THE SON WE FOLLOW Matthew 1:18-20, John 10:30
Jesus, God in the flesh. The perfect sacrifice for sin and Savior of our lives. The greatest example that we should all strive to be like in attitudes and actions.
4. THE SPIRIT WE EMBRACE Luke 24:49, John 14:16
We are the Holy Spirit’s temple—royalty has come to dwell in us. The Holy Spirit convicts of our sin, comforts us in our sorrows, challenges us in our service and conforms us to image of Jesus.
5. THE CREATION WE ENJOY Genesis 1-2
We believe that God purposely and in 6 days created everything and we reject the heresy of evolution.
6. THE SIN WE RATIONALIZE Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3,
Romans 5:12, 19
Sin is deadly and sin separates. Sin is deceptive and ruins our relationship with God and with others. Sin can be forgiven because of the blood Jesus shed for us on the cross.
7. THE GOSPEL WE PROCLAIM 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,
Romans 1:16, John 3:16, 36
The Gospel is the Good News that Jesus died, was buried and rose the third day according to the Scriptures. The Gospel is God’s perfect plan of salvation that is available to all! We further believe that all who are saved are eternally secure and cannot lose their salvation.
8. THE ORDINANCES WE OBSERVE Matthew 28:19-20,
Acts 8:12, 38, Romans 6:4, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 17-20, 26
Jesus established 2 ordinances for His churches to observe: baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper.
9. THE DEVIL WE HATE Isaiah. 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:11-19; Matthew 25:41; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 6:10-17; Revelation 20:10
Satan is a created being of God who fell because of his own sin. He antagonizes and attacks the people of God. Satan is on his way to final judgment, and his end in hell is assured.
10. THE CHURCH WE LOVE Matthew 4:18-22; Matthew 16:18; Matthew 28:19, 20; Mark 1:14-20; John 1:35-51; Ephesians 3:21
Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it! The church is God’s depository for the truth and is His chosen agency to share the Gospel with the world.
11. THE FUTURE WE ANTICIPATE John 14:1-6;
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 19; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 20:11-15; Revelation 21:8
The return of Jesus Christ should motivate us. The return of Christ happens in two phases, the Rapture which is in the air and the second coming which happens here on the Earth and then the eternal age; Heaven for the saved and Hell for the lost.
NEXT STEPS:
• Never allow a day to pass without taking time to pray for ABC
• Never speak with anyone without saying a word of praise about ABC
• Commit to learning what ABC believes.
CONCLUSION:
There is much more for us to look at in this like what we believe about angels, the officers of a church, what we believe about submission to civil authority and spiritual gifts however time would not allow.
As the country singer Aaron Tippen once sang, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything.” What you believe is important because it gives a strong foundation to stand on.
Remember, It is God’s Will for every life for a person to be SAVED, SCRIPTUALLY baptized and to JOIN His Church…where are you along that journey?