This broadcast features the music of Steve Camp (Used with permission).

The issue of doctrinal importance is one that many churches are wrestling with at the moment, particularly in less conservative circles. Many see doctrine as a divisive subject and not to be discussed with any hint of authority. However the issue of doctrinal divisiveness rests with the hearer rather than the teaching of Scripture. False doctrine divides, truth unites. True biblical doctrine will only divide when one party refuses to submit themselves to the authority of the Word of God.

Others don’t want doctrine to get in the way of practicing deeds. This is absurd. Nothing is more practical than sound doctrine as there is no basis for godly behaviour without the truths of God’s Word. This is attested by many of the New Testament epistles. Romans provides a classic example. Paul gives us pure theology for the first eleven chapters and then turns to deeds in chapter twelve as the consequences of sound doctrine. The indicative statements precede the imperative commands. Creeds do not hinder deeds, rather creeds lead to deeds.

A. W. Tozer presents the importance of doctrine this way, “IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE to overemphasize the importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian. Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative if we would have right living.” Tozer is right. The way we think determines the way we live. James M. Boice adds, “Doctrine alone does not produce spiritual maturity, but there is no maturity without it.”

It’s interesting to note that in every field of human endeavour and human thought, accuracy is considered a virtue. Ignorance is not a virtue and God warns many times against it (Rom 1:13; 11:25, 1 Cor 1:8 etc). When it comes to false doctrine, a solid foundation of sound doctrine gives us the ability to fend off error. Without that solid foundation, we lack the ability to fight error.

Practice without the foundation of biblical doctrine leads to mysticism. Biblical doctrine is of ultimate importance, because the more we know, the more our faith grows and the better we can love and worship our God.

The one true God, the God revealed in the Holy Scriptures gives to everyone life and breath and all things. He is holy, and His holiness consists of His perfect love of righteousness and perfect abhorrence of evil. He is infinitely pure, the standard of purity itself. When God made man, He made him upright, yet through Adam, the first man and our representative, sin entered into the world through his disobedience.

Death was the result of that sin and subsequently death spread to all men, because all sinned. As a consequence, we sin because we are sinners. God’s justice demands that sin must be punished in the way He has decreed it to be punished. God has declared that the soul that sins shall die.

All sin is a strike at God’s sovereignty (eg. lying, stealing, blasphemy, coveting, hatred, lust etc.). Sin is lawlessness and all wrongdoing is sin. Because we are sinners, Scripture rightly presents us as slaves to sin, enemies of God, powerless in our sinful state, controlled by our sinful nature, bound to disobedience, dead in sin and subjects of God’s wrath. We are utterly hopeless, utterly helpless and unable to do anything to save ourselves. We have as much chance of saving ourselves as climbing to the moon on a rope of sand! Hence we are on death row, awaiting God’s judgment and the eternal punishment that comes with rebelling against an eternal God. A punishment that will have its fulfillment in hell. God manifests his love for us in that while we were still sinners, while we were objects of His wrath, Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God, died for us. His perfect righteousness in fulfilling the law and perfect sacrifice is freely offered to all those that He loves with an electing love. God placed His seal on the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice by raising Him from the dead on the third day. Because of His holiness, God hates sin! God commands all people everywhere to repent, to turn away from their sin, because he has appointed a day to come on which He will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ. There is salvation in no one else but Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. His command is that fallen humanity would repent of sin and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour in order to gain peace with God forever!

If one can affirm to the truths of the Bible: If one acknowledges that they are lost and dying under the slavery of sin and have no hope of saving themself, then that is evidence of God enlightening them to the truth. He grants repentance, He grants belief in the truth, He grants faith in Jesus Christ and He promises to grant mercy freely to all who acknowledge that they have no hope without His mercy. His mercy is a free gift, available to all that desire it, because of the work Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross in paying for our sin. His love is greater than man’s enmity toward him; his grace is greater than man’s sin; his peace is greater than man’s fears. One must plead to God for mercy. His salvation is freely offered, because of Christ, to self-confessed sinners.

“The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul”

Scripture is completely sufficient in transforming a person’s life. The word perfect is a common word meaning whole, complete, perfect or sufficient. The Scriptures lack nothing, being in themselves a comprehensive teaching from God. They contain all that is necessary for the spiritual life of the people of God. They restore the soul.

“The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”

Scripture is God’s testimony about Himself. The word ’sure’ means immovable, unwavering, reliable and worthy to be trusted. As MacArthur says, “It is God giving testimony to who He is and what He requires”. Being sure, Scripture provides the necessary authority to bank our life and our eternal destiny on with complete certainty.

“The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart”

All God’s precepts are right, just as He is right. They are judicial by His authority and binding. The Scriptures, being right, guide us into true understanding and as this passage shows, they give cause for sustained joy. Deliverance from anxiety and sorrow can be found in the Scripture, as it is Scripture that rejoices the heart.

“The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”

Scripture is pure. It is clear. Rather than being ambiguous, in general, the average man can understand it. How does Scripture enlighten our eyes? God graces the elect with special revelation and this revelation is found in Christ and the Scriptures, enlightening us to our sinful condition and the way of salvation.

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever”

Scripture is clean and this word indicates purity, holiness, and the complete separation from sin. The Scriptures are without corruption or error. Unlike everything else in the world, our Scriptures can be trusted. They are trustworthy all the time. Fashions change, people change, philosophies change but the Fear of the Lord, the holy Scriptures endure forever.

“The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether”

Our Scriptures are true. They are always true. This means that they are forever dependable and forever relevant. We can trust them as our sole source of authority, as they proceed from a God of truth.

In this, the 21st century, many seek more revelation from God. This is absurd. The Word of God is sufficient. As we have seen, it is true and absolutely comprehensive.

What points should we be trying to build into our preaching? The following checklist, though hardly exhaustive, will assist in preparing your Open Air, Street Preaching message. A little study and it will greatly benefit the listeners…and the preacher!

1. God glorifying, not man
   • Does the message focus on the preacher or on the God of the preacher?
   • Does it portray God alone in His majesty?
2. Defines the nature of God
   • God is good, holy, righteous, loving, just, sovereign, unchanging, creator, faithful, gracious etc.
   • God’s utter holiness contrasts sins utter depravity.
   • God’s sovereignty is slighted by man’s self will etc.
3. Presents a Biblical view of man
   • Slaves to sin Romans 7:14
   • Dead in sin Ephesians 2:1-2
   • Subjects of God’s wrath Romans 1:18
   • Enemies of God Romans 5:10
   • Controlled by the sinful nature Romans 7:5
   • Bound to disobedience Romans 11:32
   • Powerless to save ourselves Romans 5:6
   • In this depraved condition, the only option for man is to plead to God for mercy and grace.
4. Presents sin as primarily an offence against God
   “Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight” Psalm 51
5. Presents a Biblical view of Christ
   He is Deity. Always was, always will be! He is the Eternal Son of God, who took on human flesh John 1 etc.
6. Reveals the One and only Mediator between God and man
   Does your message:
   • Reveal Christ as the only way of being saved as opposed to human achievement?
   • Educate what Christ saves from and what Christ saves to?
   • Reveal what Christ achieved: That He fulfilled all righteousness on our behalf, suffered death on a cross on our behalf and then rose from the dead on the third day.
     “We preach Christ crucified” 1 Cor 1:23
7. Replete with Scripture
   • Is the message God’s Word or the preacher’s word?
   • Does the authority of the message come from Scripture or opinion?
     “…You have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” 2 Tim 3:15b-16
8. Christ offered as Savior/Lord
   Salvation restores us to the proper place under God.
9. Repentance and saving faith are preached and explained
   Repentance is a turning from ourselves, faith is a turning to Christ.
10. A response to the gospel message is declared
    “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent…” Acts 17:30

Paul ends 1 Tim. 3:15 by saying that the church is “the pillar and ground of the truth.” This verse contains the duty of the church, and it is interesting that there is no mention of having to be seeker-sensitive, innovative or philosophical in belief or ministry. Rather this statement as Calvin puts it, “relates to the ministry of the word.”¹

The Apostle continues in verse 16 by saying, and by confession, great is the mystery of godliness. Note how Paul begins, and by confession. The word confession appears only here in the NT. The basic meaning of this term is “that which is agreed upon.” In other words, what Paul is about to say is “agreed upon by all believers.” This is non-negotiable truth, it is absolute. The church is to uphold this glorious confession.

The truth that is agreed upon by all believers is called the mystery of godliness. When you view this text as a whole it is clear that this is a reference to Jesus Christ. God’s truth was revealed in a historical Person. Verse 16 is clearly talking about various characteristics and influences of the Lord Jesus Christ. But let’s first consider the phrase mystery of godliness closely.

The term mystery refers to something “which was hidden” but is now revealed. Then he adds the phrase of godliness. The term “godliness” appears 10 times in the Pastoral Epistles.² It is an inner quality that drives our outward behaviour. So then, this is a term for the Christian faith and it emphasizes conduct. One commentator said that godliness “stands for the whole of Christian existence, viewed from the perspective of a life which is lived in response to the knowledge of God.”³

The following six lines of this verse contain the specific description of this mystery. So at the centre of the truth in which the church is the “pillar and ground” of is Jesus Christ. This thought characterizes the following six lines.

The remaining portion of this verse contains what appears to be a fragment of an early church hymn. This hymn contains six lines with rhythmic excellence (each line begins with a verb in the third person singular aorist). This is a hymn of majesty extolling the mystery of godliness, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ. These six lines can be divided into 3 stanzas: (1) The Divine Appearance, (2) The Divine Accomplishment, and (3) The Divine Admission. Each stanza contains 2 lines that work as contrasts.

1. The Divine Appearance (line 1 & 2)

God is invisible. The entire Person of God cannot be seen by man, consider the following texts, “No one has ever seen God…” John 1:18; “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (emphasis mine) 1 Timothy 1:17. However, the NT portrays Jesus Christ as the second Person of the Trinity, having two natures, namely divine and human. This makes Him a unique manifestation of the Person of God.

Incarnation
Who was revealed in the flesh. This is a reference to the incarnation of Jesus Christ. The incarnation refers to the event in which Jesus took upon Himself a human nature. The best description of this is can be seen in John 1:14 “and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us….”

Now consider the word revealed. This term means “to make visible” which implies that Christ was already in existence. He was hidden, but now has been revealed. The Lord Jesus Christ became visible by taking upon Himself a physical body. His humanity is evident from Scripture, consider the following examples: (1) He was Born, Isaiah 7:14; Matt. 1:23; Luke 2:7. (2) He Experienced Growth, “The Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him” Luke 2:40; “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” Luke 2:52. (3) He Experienced Limitations, Weariness (John 4:6), Thirst (John 19:28), and Hunger (Matt. 4:2). (4) He Experienced Human Emotions, Marvelled (Matt. 8:10), and Tears (John 11:35). Though Christ was revealed in the flesh, it is equally clear from Scripture that He was without sin. This leads us to the second aspect of the Divine Appearance.

Deity
The second line of this hymn says He was justified in the spirit. Now there has been multiple opinions concerning the meaning of this line. Basically there are two main views. (1) “Spirit” in this verse refers to the Holy Spirit. This view says that the Holy Spirit proved or vindicated the claims of Jesus to be the Son of God. (2) “Spirit” here refers to Jesus’ human spirit. His claims were proved or vindicated by His own spiritual nature. Now both views are theologically correct, however I believe that this verse is talking about the second view just mentioned. I think the greatest evidence for this is the hymns parallelism.

This truth is seen in the sinlessness of the Lord Jesus Christ. First of all, it is clear from Scripture that Jesus is God, “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1. And secondly, He displays the attributes of God.⁴ The Lord Jesus Christ is God, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form” Col. 2:9.

The Lord Jesus Christ was righteous in the spirit. In John’s first epistle he says the following, “…we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (emphasis mine) 1 John 2:1b. Hebrews 7:26 describes Him as, “…holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.” In the incarnation, nothing was taken away from His Divine nature. In addition to His Divine nature, He took upon Himself human nature. This was necessary for Him to be a perfect substitute, to die in our place in-order to receive the wrath of God and atone for the sins of God’s elect. Only Jesus Christ could do this. That is an incredible thought, hence why this is part of the Mystery of Godliness. This is the first aspect of what Christians believe and teach!

2. The Divine Accomplishment (line 3 & 4)

In addition to our Lord’s Divine Appearance, there was also Divine Accomplishment. This is evident through His work on the cross and the effects that followed. Consider the next two lines of this hymn.

Ascension
The third lines says, was seen by angels. This is a picture of approval. Angels were present throughout the life of Christ, however the event that is in view here is the resurrection.

Preaching
The fourth line of this hymn says, was preached among the nations. This message seen by angles (those of Jesus Christ, climaxed at His resurrection, was not only closest to God), but was preached among the nations (those farthest away from God). This aligns with the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” Matthew 28:19-20.

The Divine Accomplishment must continue to be a part of the churches belief and teaching.

3. The Divine Admission (Line 5& 6)

Belief
The fifth line says, was believed on in the world. As a result of the faithful preaching of God’s word, many did and will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. “…For You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation” Revelation 5:9. By God’s grace and sovereignty, many depraved sinners, believed in Christ.

Glorification
The final line of this hymn says, was taken up in glory. This event is recorded in Acts 1:9-11. After Jesus ascended into glory, Hebrews 10:12 records these amazing words, “But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at glory of the right hand of God.” The Lord Jesus Christ had the right to enter the heaven because He is the perfect Son of God, the Mystery of Godliness.

Summary

This is the truth that the church, without hesitation and with full force both believes and teaches. It is the churches duty to be the “pillar and ground” of this divine certainty. May our minds be consumed by the person of Jesus Christ and in turn drive us to proclaim His excellencies in both doctrine and evangelism.

1. Calvin, John. Calvin’s Commentaries Volume XXI, Baker Books, 199 page 90.
2. 1 Tim. 2:2, 3:16, 4:7, 8, 6:3, 5, 6, 11; 2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1
3. Marshall, I. Howard. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles. International Critical Commentary, eds. J. A. Emerton, C. E. B. Cranfield, and G. N. Stanton. Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1999. Page 523
4. E.g. Omnipotence (Matt. 8:26-27), Omnipresence (Matt. 28:20), Omniscience (Mark 2:8)

I - You shall have no other gods before Me.

When the Sovereign God of the universe commands that, “You shall have no other gods before Me”, He is declaring that we know and acknowledge Him alone to be the only true God and that we worship Him and glorify Him. That we put our trust solely in Him as opposed to money, sex, fame, possessions, self esteem, friends etc.

We must worship and glorify God and God alone as He alone is the only true God.

II - You shall not make for yourself an idol.

When the All-Powerful God of the universe commands that, “You shall not make for yourself an idol”, He declares that we do not falsely represent Him either inwardly in our minds, or outwardly by the work of our hands. Any view of God that is opposed to how He reveals Himself in Scripture is idolatry.

We must never view God in a way that is different to the way He reveals Himself in the Bible.

III - You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

When the Holy God of the universe commands that, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain”, He is declaring that His Name is not to be profaned or abused in any way. His Name and all that His Name represents is to be upheld reverently in what proceeds out of our mouths and what proceeds out of our minds.

We must never misuse of abuse the Name or the Character of God.

IV - Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

When the Eternal God of the universe commands that we, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy”, He reminds us that He has allowed us 6 days a week to conduct our own affairs and has reserved the 7 day a week is set aside to hear the Bible taught, fellowship with true believers, partake in communion and humble ourselves in prayer.

We must set aside one day each week for the specific purpose of knowing and glorifying God.

V - Honor your father and your mother.

When the Righteous God of the universe commands, “Honor your father and your mother”, He is declaring that we love, honor and obey our father and our mother. This command extends to all that are in authority over us, for it pleases God to have them govern us. We are to display reverence toward them in thought, word and deed.

We must love, honor and obey our parents because it is God who has placed us under their authority.

VI - You shall not murder.

When the Loving God of the universe commands that, “You shall not murder”, He teaches that He not only detests murder, but the causes of murder also: envy, hatred, anger, and bitterness, desire for revenge.

All these would be murder if they were allowed to follow their natural course.

VII - You shall not commit adultery.

When the All-Knowing God of the universe commands that, “You shall not commit adultery”, He is forbidding all impure and all immoral actions, gestures, words, thoughts, desires and whatever can stir up that impurity in others. He views lust as adultery played out in our hearts before Him.

God views all impure and immoral desires, gestures, thoughts, words and deeds as perversion.

VIII - You shall not steal.

When the Just God of the universe commands that, “You shall not steal”, He is forbidding all unjust and sinful ways of taking from or withholding from anyone what is rightfully belongs to them.

We must never take from someone or keep from someone what is rightfully belongs to them.

IX - You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.

When the Gracious God of the universe commands that, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour”, He commands that we stand up for the truth and speak the truth. He commands the preserving and promoting of truth.

We must never deceive others with lies, white lies, half truths but rather we must speak and promote the truth.

X - You shall not covet.

When the Creator God of the universe commands that, “You shall not covet”, He teaches contentment in our own circumstances as opposed to envying and grieving over what others have.

We must never jealously desire what others have, but show contentment with what God has given us.

Below are some other resources relating to our discussion in the broadcast which may help you.

• The Existence and Attributes of God - Stephen Charnock
• Our Awesome God - John MacArthur
• The Attributes of God - A. W. Pink