Join us every Sunday morning at 9:15 at Tabernacle Baptist Church for our Men’s Small Group!
Before Sunday’s class, please take the time to read and reflect on the scripture provided and be prepared to participate in the discussion of the assigned questions.
Bobby Jamieson, The Whole Truth about God: Biblical Theology, ed. Mark Dever, 9Marks Healthy Church Study Guides (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2012)
This week we’re going to consider how one specific kind of information—sound doctrine—is intended by God to have a dramatic impact on our lives as Christians: namely, growing us in holiness.
MAIN IDEA
Sound doctrine is a central means by which Christians grow in holiness, and holiness is the goal of sound doctrine.
John 17:12–19 (ESV)
12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
To “sanctify” something means to set it apart or devote it to a specific purpose. For a person to be sanctified is for that person to be separated from sin and totally devoted to God’s purposes. The Bible teaches that as Christians we have been sanctified (1 Cor. 6:11). That is, when we became Christians we were purified, given new natures, and set apart for God’s service. It also teaches that we are being sanctified as we grow in overcoming sin and obeying God (1 Thess. 4:1–3).
In 1 Timothy 1:8–11, Paul shows that life and doctrine are inseparable. He writes,
1 Timothy 1:8–11 (ESV)
8 Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9 understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.
In this passage Paul mentions a long list of immoral behaviors that appears to be a condensed summary of the Ten Commandments. What does he say that these immoral actions are contrary to (v. 10)?
A church’s work of evangelism and missions should result from its growing love, but it should also result from its growing holiness. Do you see the connection between the call to holiness and the call to evangelize? What is it?