In our study of Mark we are in Mark 9:24; where after coming down from mountain where He was transfigured Jesus met a man whose son's demon possession caused epileptic like fits.
In his conversation with Jesus he had expressed a small amount of doubt regarding his son being healed and Jesus challenged him with the statement.
Mark 9:23; "If you (Jesus) can?????" With doctrine all things are possible. So we took up a study on the importance of doctrine.
When we left off last time we were looking at various ways that doctrine has priority.
The believer's attitude toward doctrine determines whether they receive blessing or discipline from God during their life in time, Prov 8:33-36; The issue in the believer's life is not sin, but whether evil (satan's lie) or Bible doctrine (God's truth) resides in the soul.
Doctrine is the basis for the distribution of escrow blessings in time, Isa 53:12. "Therefore, I (God the Father) will distribute the plunder of victory to Him (Jesus Christ) because of the many (royal family); then He will distribute the plunder of victory to the great ones (mature believers) because He poured out His soul to death..."
Doctrine is also the basis for the distribution of escrow blessings for eternity, Heb 11:9-10; Heb 11:13; James 1:25;
Bible doctrine must be more real to us than empirical knowledge, 2Pet 1:12-21. If there is a conflict between what you see in life and God's Word, God's Word is always right.
For the mature believer, Bible doctrine is more real than anything else in life.
Lack of Bible doctrine destroys a nation, Hos 4:1-6. This is what is wrong in the USA is today. The nation is rejecting the doctrine contained in the founding principles.
The communication of Bible doctrine is part of God's logistical grace support for believers, Col 1:25-29; Heb 13:7, 17; Eph 4:11-13.
God keeps us alive to acquire doctrine. Logistical grace includes all of the resources necessary for this including time, food, shelter, clothing, money, transportation, protection, the Bible, a pastor, a local church, friends, and loved ones.
The plan of God is both the advance and vindication of Bible doctrine, Isa 53:10; Rom 3:4; Psa 51:4. When you are maligned or rejected and you persist in doctrinal application, ultimately God's word will vindicate you. 2Cor 13:8;
The pastor's communication of doctrine provides the information that is necessary for the balance of residency. Christ is formed in you by means of doctrine under the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Gal 4;19;
This is what makes the advance to spiritual maturity possible. 1Cor 6:19, 1Cor 3:16; Eph 5:18; Eph 4:13;
When the believer receives the communication from their right pastor-teacher under the ministry of God the Holy Spirit Bible doctrine is transferred from the written page of God's Word into the believer's soul where it is usable. We refer to this as the function of GASP (Grace Apparatus for Spiritual Perception).
The purpose of this transfer of doctrine is to establish a balance between the residency of the mind of Christ that creates capacity with the filling of the Holy Spirit that creates potential, whereby God can be glorified in your life by blessing you. Phil 1:20;
Since the Holy Spirit works through God's Word, a lack of doctrine in the soul creates a demand for the ministry of God the Holy Spirit and the function of GASP (grace apparatus for spiritual perception).
Consistent function under GASP on a daily basis maintains this balance.
Heb 10:25,35-36,39; and Col 2:6-7; emphasize the importance of the consistency of function under GASP.