Abide in Sound Doctrine
Scripture: 3 John 3:3-4Devotional Series: Sound Doctrine
Teaching: Sound Doctrine pt. 3 (SUN_PM 2021-02-21) by Pastor Star R Scott
3 John 1:3 talks about the truth of the Word of God that’s dwelling in them. I’ve shared this many times out of my heart with individuals as a pastor and I watch parents walking in sound doctrine, watching parents the way they handle their children biblically, watching wives in how they relate to their husbands in biblical, divine order. And as a pastor I can say this, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4), praise God! There’s nothing that gratifies my soul more than to see people doing the Word of God, living it out in their daily lives, God being glorified through their obedience. So, John is speaking about how his heart is touched through the obedience of the children of God. But at the same time, as he’s referencing this spirit toward those that are obedient. Remember in 2 John how he responds to those that are disorderly and walking in false doctrine.
In this second epistle, numerous comments are made, but he said, “There are many deceivers…who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (verse 7). And he says, “Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (verse 9). Well, let’s just use another term: they are godless. They are antichrist. They hate Jesus Christ. All that is within them is in opposition to the kingdom of God. That spirit that we talked about of those that are lying in wait to deceive. Now, look what it goes on to say. “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come unto you (in your midst), and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (verse 9-11). Do you believe that? Do you believe this is transferable? It’s just as transferable as the prophets who came in there and spoke peace upon homes and if they were to receive it, it would remain with them; amen? And if they wouldn’t receive it, the apostles were to “shake the dust off their feet” and leave them behind (Matthew 10:14), turn them over into the hands of the Lord. But we see here twice now, as it pertains to doctrine, if people are not walking in it, if their lives are not exhibiting sound doctrine, we shouldn’t be hanging out with them. It will vex your righteous soul. Does anybody believe that? “Day to day” (2 Peter 2:8). What was Lot vexed by? He was seeing and hearing all of these other dogmas and doctrines of those that are naming the name of Jesus but are not his people.
We just talked about this angel of light. “The devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). In the last day, they’re going to stand before Him, and even at that moment, listen to how they refer to Him, “Lord, Lord didn’t we…” And what’s His response? “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). “I never approved of what you were doing.” And how did He, then, react to their false doctrine, even though they were doing miracles in His name and preaching the gospel? He sent them away from Himself, “you workers of iniquity.” There’s always a separation. This sound doctrine is a doctrine of godliness, and it opposes all that is ungodly and all that is antichrist. It’s offensive to the heart of those who truly believe. I don’t think that much of the church has that zeal today for sound doctrine. I think we would rather not offend people.
In this second epistle, numerous comments are made, but he said, “There are many deceivers…who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (verse 7). And he says, “Whosoever trangresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God” (verse 9). Well, let’s just use another term: they are godless. They are antichrist. They hate Jesus Christ. All that is within them is in opposition to the kingdom of God. That spirit that we talked about of those that are lying in wait to deceive. Now, look what it goes on to say. “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come unto you (in your midst), and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds” (verse 9-11). Do you believe that? Do you believe this is transferable? It’s just as transferable as the prophets who came in there and spoke peace upon homes and if they were to receive it, it would remain with them; amen? And if they wouldn’t receive it, the apostles were to “shake the dust off their feet” and leave them behind (Matthew 10:14), turn them over into the hands of the Lord. But we see here twice now, as it pertains to doctrine, if people are not walking in it, if their lives are not exhibiting sound doctrine, we shouldn’t be hanging out with them. It will vex your righteous soul. Does anybody believe that? “Day to day” (2 Peter 2:8). What was Lot vexed by? He was seeing and hearing all of these other dogmas and doctrines of those that are naming the name of Jesus but are not his people.
We just talked about this angel of light. “The devils also believe, and tremble” (James 2:19). In the last day, they’re going to stand before Him, and even at that moment, listen to how they refer to Him, “Lord, Lord didn’t we…” And what’s His response? “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23). “I never approved of what you were doing.” And how did He, then, react to their false doctrine, even though they were doing miracles in His name and preaching the gospel? He sent them away from Himself, “you workers of iniquity.” There’s always a separation. This sound doctrine is a doctrine of godliness, and it opposes all that is ungodly and all that is antichrist. It’s offensive to the heart of those who truly believe. I don’t think that much of the church has that zeal today for sound doctrine. I think we would rather not offend people.