Scripture: John 17:11-21
We live in a time when changes are happening rapidly in our families, communities and country. Fires, floods, earthquakes and eruptions are happening everywhere. Yet in all of these things we magnify God because it reminds us that we must keep working for Jesus until our day is done. We must continue to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. Knowing that we too, as David said want to dwell in the house of the Lord forever. After being filled with the Holy Ghost and being baptized in Jesus name, following the doctrine of Jesus Christ is paramount to our existence and continuation in the kingdom of God. There are a number of scriptures that admonish us to stand upon and give heed to the doctrine of Christ. Doctrine simply put is: "is teaching, instructions or insight. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled. 13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. As we come in our scripture today and to Jesus as he was in the garden praying before his great passion or suffering. Part of his prayer was that he would be strengthened to go through the physical anguish leading to the cross as described in Matthew, Mark and Luke, but he also prayed for his disciples. Not for them only, but he prayed also for "all those that shall believe on me through their words." Jesus' disciples walked with him and he taught them for approximately 3 1/2 years. They ate with him, slept with him and saw his mighty works first hand as an example of what they would later be doing. After Christ Crucifixion or death, burial and resurrection he showed himself alive to them. Not just to say I have risen as I said, but he reminded them or gave them instructions to go and teach, baptize and make disciples. We understand how they began to move after they were filled with the holy ghost. They began to teach, demonstrate and live out the doctrine or the teachings that Christ had taught them. Acts 2:42 speaks of the new converts that they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. This is the same sure word that has been delivered to us even today and is still transforming lives, still washing us, still guiding us, still healing us, molding us into the children of the kingdom of God. Unfortunately the same sins and attitudes that plagued the early church still exist today, sometimes it's just a little more sophisticated; But the Lord's word is still to us. 2 Tim 3:16, 17 - All scripture is given by inspiration of God (or God breathed) and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. There is a song that says, "I'm willing to run on all the way". We get happy when we hear and sing songs but the song in word should speak to us. When I heard the song being sung it spoke to me, It said Lord if I falter while I'm trying, don't be angry just let me stay, and I'll be willing to run on all the way." David said in Ps 51:10-13 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." The wonderful thing about Gods word and the manner which he caused it to be written is that it was not written in a bullet format with a list of the does and don'ts. But rather he cause his word to be written into real life settings with real people to help us understand his word to us. God's doctrine, teaching, or instructions did not just begin in the new testament, remember all scripture is inspired of God, he breathed on man and caused them to record the good the bad and the ugly. The good so we know how God has lead mankind and how the righteous people of God have followed. The bad so that we would know what sin is and to avoid it. Paul said I had not known sin but by the law. I use the term the ugly because it shows us the depths of man's sin and that we have no hope of coming out of that dark state but by God. In the old testament God was with man, he hovered over or rested upon man, but in this dispensation he dwells in all that call upon his name for salvation. I'm so glad as the song said, that Jesus lifted me. Aren't you glad about. The whole purpose of the doctrine of Jesus Christ is to lead us from earth's sorrows to Heavens Joy. David wrote; his word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway. These scriptures speak to the importance of keeping or hiding the word in our hearts: Paul told Titus in 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Titus 1:9 - Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. Hebrews 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For [it is] a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein. Ephesians 4:14 - That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; The teachings of Jesus Christ were lived out in the lives of his disciples. He breathed on them and caused that they should record his instructions for us. Let us look at it as the meat and potatoes of for our salvation. I use the imagery of meat and potatoes just briefly as a way to describe the weightiness of his word and the soundness that it brings to those who eat it. The Apostles, inspired of God wrote letters, visited the churches, and demonstrated what God was calling for in our daily lives. They admonished us to hold fast the faith, to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints, live holy, love one another, to have no respect of person, and be fruitful to every good work. Paul in his exhortation to Timothy in 2 Tim 4:1-5 " 1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. The Lord has given his word to direct us, cleanse us, to teach us, to perfect us, to comfort us. When we look to him we listen for his voice as the sheep to the shepherd we follow him, as the sheep to the shepherd we wait on him, as the sheep to the shepherd we learn to trust him. There are many voices and philosophies in the world but Jesus said another's, will his sheep not follow. He did not say his sheep would not hear other voices/doctrines, but another's voice will they not follow. As sheep we humble ourselves before almighty God. It is not just the physical act of kneeling or laying out before him; but submitting to or being exercised by the word of God. We must acknowledge our wrong, our sin, and faults that we may be healed by his word. People want the easy way of serving God but the Bible warns that broad is the way and wide is the gate, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Paul preached the mystery of reconciliation through Christ Jesus telling the Colossians: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Col 1:28 Christ and his word are the distinction in our lives. His word and obedience to it is what sets us apart. Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith. May we take to heart the good word and doctrine of Jesus Christ. May his word be alive in us! “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim3:17 Amen.
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