This is an article is a sermon note preached by Pastor Joshua during one of the Sunday Services at Hope City Church, click here to watch the full sermon

1 Timothy 4:16 NIV
16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

The apostle Paul’s command to Timothy, a church leader, emphasizes the importance of closely monitoring one’s life and doctrine. While directed at a leader, this principle applies to all believers: we must regularly examine our beliefs to ensure they align with Scripture.

RC Sproul said,
“Theology matters. It matters not because we want a good grade on a test, but because what we know about God shapes the way we think and live”.

I would like you to pay attention to the last line:
The most important reason doctrines matter is that the right doctrines set a good foundation for living a faithful and Godly life.

Good Doctrines are essential to the Christian faith because they lay a solid foundation.

But many often reject Doctrines, saying that anyone who emphasises doctrines is just longing for knowledge

5 Reasons why Doctrines are rejected? :

1. Rejected on the pretext that it emphasizes too much knowledge.

• Knowledge is often seen as a problem in the church.
• Some claim that too much knowledge does not permit God to move.

But here’s what the Bible teaches us
2 Peter 3:18 NIV
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”

2. Rejected because some believe God speaks outside the bible,

Some believe that God speaks beyond what He has already revealed in Scripture—something new or different. Therefore, they say, we must remain open to such revelations.

Here’s what we must know: If God speaks, His words will be consistent with what He has already spoken. If a person claims that God speaks something that is not in line with scripture then it’s no longer God but the devil speaking.

3. Rejected, because human opinions and personal experiences have been elevated above the authority of Scripture in the church

A sermon is never meant to be a platform for a pastor’s personal opinions or thoughts. Its true purpose is to proclaim what the Bible says. Sadly, today, that order has been reversed—many now listen to sermons to hear the pastor’s perspective, not God’s Word.

3. Rejected because of a lack of Bible studies

Studies show that many in the church today are ‘Biblically disengaged’—a troubling trend largely due to pastors neglecting to faithfully teach the Scriptures.

When pastors faithfully teach the Scriptures, it nurtures a love for God’s Word in the hearts of the congregation. Unfortunately, many have neglected this responsibility, leading to the widespread biblical disengagement we see today.

What’s happening is this: many no longer read the Bible for themselves. Instead, they rely on sermons, daily devotions, and motivational messages to chase blessings, breakthroughs, or financial success. In doing so, the true Word of God gets pushed aside—replaced by so-called “new revelations.” These teachings often claim that God is revealing things today that He never spoke before. I’ve listened to some of these messages. At first glance, they sound fresh—but look closely, and you’ll see it’s the same old verse, just repackaged. Often, they borrow heavily from New Age ideas, wrapped in Christian language. And because people aren’t grounded in Scripture, they’re easily convinced.

Here are a few illustrations

Illustration #1
Imagine building a house without a firm foundation. No matter how beautiful the structure, it will collapse when storms come. Similarly, sound doctrine is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without it, beliefs become unstable, vulnerable to error, and unable to withstand life’s challenges.

Key Verse: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them.” (2 John 1:10 NIV)

Illustration #2
A compass is essential for navigating through unfamiliar terrain. Doctrines function as the believer’s compass, ensuring they stay on course amidst the confusion of conflicting ideologies and false teachings. Without it, believers risk losing their way spiritually.

Key Verse: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV)

Illustration #3
A chef follows a recipe to create a perfect dish. If they change the ingredients or proportions, the dish loses its intended flavour. Similarly, altering or ignoring doctrine distorts the gospel, resulting in spiritual “meals” that fail to nourish.

Key Verse: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8 NIV)

Illustration #4
Driving on a narrow mountain road can be treacherous. Guardrails are placed to prevent vehicles from veering off the cliff. Doctrines serve as spiritual guardrails, protecting believers from falling into heresy or moral failure. They guide and keep us within the safe boundaries of truth.

Key Verse: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16 NIV)

Why do doctrines matter?

1. To set discipline in the church.

If we look at 1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV), Paul gives this command for a reason—the church in Ephesus had a serious problem: they were out of order. This wasn’t unique to Ephesus. In the New Testament, another church that struggled with similar issues was the church in Corinth. They, too, were out of alignment with Scripture and lacked spiritual discipline.

If you read 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, and 2 Timothy, you’ll notice that the Apostle Paul is correcting the churches by teaching sound doctrine.

Why do doctrines matter?. They provide the foundation for truth, guard against error, and establish discipline within the church.

Good doctrines give us clarity, especially when it comes to worship. Take the issue of speaking in tongues during worship. Should it be done? Should it not? The Bible gives us clear instructions.

Some people have expressed disappointment that we don’t speak in tongues publicly in our church. But the reason we don’t is simple: the Bible says so.

1 Corinthians 14:26–28 (NIV)

“What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.”

Some may still disagree—but let’s be clear: that disagreement often comes from personal opinion, not Scripture.

When it comes to worship, there must be order. When it comes to preaching, there must be structure.

We must be cautious about the idea that God changes sermons at the last minute—as is sometimes claimed by preachers like Mike Todd. Yes, the Holy Spirit can and does lead us. But God’s truth doesn’t shift with our emotions. Sound doctrine ensures that what is preached aligns with Scripture—not personal impulses or dramatic shifts.

2. Doctrines reveal the Nature of God.

Doctrines teach us about the true nature of God; His handiwork, love, compassion, kindness, anger, justice, retribution, concern

3. Doctrines help you navigate difficult seasons of Life.

Job 13:15 NIV
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

Our Understanding of God enables us to navigate tough seasons of life because His words remind us of His unchanging nature, love, and care towards us. When Job went through tough seasons of life, his knowledge of God enabled him to hold on to Him, and that is why, although he was frustrated and questioned God, he never abandoned Him.

4. Doctrine helps you be a witness (For Evangelism and Witness)

2 Timothy 4:2-3 (NIV)
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”

The right doctrine ensures that the gospel message remains clear and uncompromised. These verses remind us that doctrine is foundational for faith, life, and ministry. It enables us to understand God’s Word accurately, stand firm against deception, and reflect Christ in our lives.

5. Doctrines lead to maturity.

Hebrews 5:12-14 NIV
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”

Finally, doctrines enable us to become mature Christians. Mature Christians are those who are aware of sound doctrine—understanding the nature of God, His plans, and His purposes for mankind. They are the ones who hold on fervently and keep their faith alive even in the toughest circumstances. The author of Hebrews reminds the church of what they truly need. Is it more miracles, signs, and wonders? No—it is the Word, sound doctrine that helps us grow and mature as Christians.