ARE WE A SOUND CHURCH?

(2 Timothy 4:1-8)

Introduction

Closely akin to “faithfulness” “Faithful” normally used of individuals “Sound” most often applied to churches Used also of what is believed

An important question Importance in financial realm Importance in physical realm Very important in the spiritual realm

Definition

Webster “Sound”- used as an adjective, means

free from injury, disease, or defect … Synonyms: healthy, valid

Vine’s Expository Dictionary Greek word, hugies, an adjective,

means whole, healthy, used metaphorically of “sound speech” (Titus 2:8)

Definition

Vine’s Expository Dictionary (cont.) Greek word, hugiano, a verb, means to

be healthy, sound in health, (English- hygiene) Luke 15:27; is used metaphorically of doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1; of words, 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; in the faith, Titus 1:13; in faith, Titus 2:2

Definition

Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon Sound i.e., true and incorrupt doctrine,

1 Timothy 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1

Teaching which does not deviate from the truth, Titus 1:8

Summary The word refers to people and principle This requires a standard of judgment

Common Concepts

Sound churches Are opposed to modernism, Calvinism,

institutionalism, premillenialism, etc. Are well thought of by brethren Use only “sound” preachers Use all the right terminology

Common Concepts

Sound preachers Are opposed to modernism, Calvinism,

institutionalism, premillenialism, etc. Are well thought of by brethren Preach for “sound” churches Agree with Bro. “Big Name” or with

certain brotherhood publications, etc. Agree with me!

False Standards

Subjective standards One’s own opinion (Revelation 3:17) Feeling good, functioning

(Matthew 7:21-23) Self-comparison (2 Corinthians 10:12) Seen in Paul’s life (Acts 23:1; 26:9)

False Standards

Human traditions Pharisees (Matthew 15:9) Appear to be healthy (Matthew 23:27) Self-made religion (Colossians 2:20-23) Israel’s mistake (1 Kings 12:26-33)

Proper Standard

Sound churches . . . Do scriptural work (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) Demand the truth (1 Timothy 3:15) Practice discipline (1 Corinthians 5:9-13) Lend no support to false teachers (2

John 9-11) Seek the lost through every scriptural

means (John 4:35)

Proper Standard

Sound preachers . . . Preach the Truth (2 Timothy 4:1-8) Live the Truth (1 Timothy 4:12-16) Let no man despise them (Titus 2:15) Are nourished on sound doctrine (1

Timothy 4:6) Do not mind being questioned

(Acts 17:11; 1 Peter 3:15)

Conclusion

Are we a sound church? Are you a faithful Christian?