Essential Doctrine
Doctrine Matters
1Tim4:16 While doctrine IS systematic, meaning we look to what all of scripture says about a particular doctrine in order to define it, Doctrine is more than systematic, it’s a storyline.
End Times
1 John 2:28-3:3 A person can get through anything with hope. What is it that a Christian should put their hope in? It is the second coming of Christ! Whether we are struggling with suffering, or are being tempted to compromise our faith in this world, it is the doctrine of the second coming of Christ that will rekindle our passion to persevere. The return of our King…
New Life
John 3:1-16 The Christian life is not about becoming a “NICE” person but about becoming a “NEW” person. It is not a morally restrained will (Self-improvement/Self-help/How-to) but a supernaturally transformed heart. The Christian life is not a call to morality and religion but a call to repent and believe in Christ Jesus (Mark1:15). It is about being Born-Again.
Incarnation of Jesus Christ
Philippians 2:1-11 Relationships are only as healthy as the individuals that make up those relationships. Therefore, individual wholeness is the key to healthy relationships. Relationships do not put us in conflict with others as much as they put us in conflict with our own sinful nature (Pride). The extent to which two people in a relationship can bring up and resolve…
Resurrection of Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:1-19, 30-32 At the heart of the Gospel (basic message of the Christian faith) is the resurrection. Without the resurrection there is no Christianity. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical FACT (Head Sound/Rational) but can and should be a daily reality of FAITH (Heart Satisfying/Relational) powerfully transforming every part of our…
Trinity
Matthew 18:16-20 The term Trinity is not found in the Bible, but the concept is clearly there, and the implications of this mystery are stunningly beautiful. “The historical doctrine of the trinity confronts us with perhaps the most difficult thought the human mind has ever been asked to handle. It is not easy; but it is true.” – J.I. Packer
Canon
2 Peter 1:16-21 The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. It is necessary, authoritative, clear, and sufficient for all of faith and life. Therefore, it is important to know which books belong in the Bible by God’s providential preservation and which books do not. The books that belong form the Canon of scripture. If there is no Canon, then there is no…
Original Sin
Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-15 Why is this world so full of sin (evil) and suffering? The answers in our American culture range from circumstances, to conditioning, to our chromosomes as the cause of our sin. The various solutions offered are politics, economy, education, counseling and self-help. What if our circumstances, conditioning and chromosomes aren’t the cause of our…
Why Doctrine Matters
2Tim 3:12-4:5 When pilots fly into storms, they must follow their instruments even when it contradicts their feelings, or they’ll inevitably crash. So, it is with Christians, when we face the storms of life (i.e. smart skeptics or suffering), we must follow our instruments (doctrine) or we won’t survive!