Is doctrine important? In this message, Pastor Eric Robertson tells us how the Bible helps us know how what to think about God. 

 We are thinkers by nature.

 We are curious by nature. Have you ever looked up at the stars at night and wondered how in the world they got there?

 Proverbs 25: 2  It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them.

 Our beliefs shape our actions, and our doctrine determines our direction.

 Doctrine gives us the proper glasses to view the world and ourselves. Doctrine gives us answers to the questions of our hearts and allows us to live out those truths.

 What is Doctrine?

 Doctrine Informs

 ·       The word doctrine comes from the Latin phrase "doctrina" which means teaching and instruction. Doctrine is the teaching of scriptures that provide a framework for us to grow in our knowledge of God and spiritual maturity.

 ·       You should want to grow in your knowledge of God!

 ·       1 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

 ·       2 Timothy 3:16  tells us that the Bible is God's inspired Word that is good for teaching

 ·       Doctrine isn't the end, it is the means to the end. The end goal is to know Jesus.

 Doctrine Transforms

 ·       The purpose of doctrine is transformation not just information.

 ·       Isaiah 55: 11-13

 ·       Good doctrine bears good fruit. Bad doctrine bears bad fruit. No doctrine bears no fruit.

 Prioritizing Doctrines

 ·       Doctrinal differences have caused a lot of division throughout church history. Usually, the disagreements are about non-essential issues. This is a core belief of VFC: if someone professes Jesus as the Son of God and the only way to salvation, we consider them a member of Christ's family and a brother or sister of ours.

 ·       Love is prioritized over belief. Belong, Believe, Become.

 ·       1 Corinthians 8: 1-3 

 Building Your House

 ·       For me, reading the Bible for doctrine is a lot like building a house. There are 4 essential things that every house needs.

 1.      Foundation: Matthew 7: 24-27 24

 2.      Walls: Our theology must make us distinct from the world. You can't help the world if you believe like the world. We live in a culture that is searching for identity by destroying boundaries. Boundaries define who you are and what is yours. Romans 12: 2

 3.      Roof: A roof protects us from the elements, and good doctrine protects us from harmful beliefs and behaviors. Galatians 1: 6-7

 4.      Door: The door to our theological house is always Jesus. John 14: 6  

 Where do you get the materials? The Bible! The Bible is our home center. The Bible provides the raw material that we need to build our theological house on a solid foundation.

 How to Read the Bible for Doctrine:

 1.      Question

 2.      Scripture

 3.      Community

 4.      Construction

 4.1     (Remodel) Deconstruction to Reconstruction.