John chapter 7. I'm entitling
the message from the words that our Lord speaks to these scribes
and Pharisees as He taught them in the temple. And they said,
well, why do you speak the things that you do? You didn't graduate
from our seminary. You didn't go to our school.
And the Lord answered them and said, my doctrine doesn't originate
with me. It doesn't come from Galilee
or from Nazareth. My doctrine comes from God. My
doctrine is not mine, but God. He is that sent me. The doctrine of Christ. That's
the title of the message today. The doctrine, singular, the doctrine
of Christ. Now, I hope that I can ask and
answer at least these questions about the Doctrine of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ. First
of all, what it is. What is the Doctrine of Christ
all about? The Doctrine of Christ. Secondly,
do we believe, preach, confess, and abide in the Doctrine of
Christ? Do you believe the Doctrine of
Christ? Thirdly, How can I know who is
preaching the doctrine of Christ? It gets down to this bottom line.
Who gets the glory? Who gets the glory? Man? Man? Or God alone? Who gets the glory?
I want us to notice something here in the introduction of this
message about the doctrine, notice, doctrine of Christ. Verse 17
said, if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God or whether it be of man. Doctrine. Notice it doesn't say doctrines,
but rather singular. Doctrine. Doctrine. And the word
doctrine means teaching. Teaching. Every time, without
exception, Every time, without exception, in the Word of God,
when you see the word doctrines in its plural form, it's always
referring to the false doctrines or the false teaching of men.
When it's found in reference to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ, it's always singular. Doctrine. Doctrine. Now, let me show you a couple
places here. Find Matthew Chapter 15, first
of all, Matthew chapter 15. Matthew 15, the doctrine of Christ. And when the Lord exposes the
doctrines of men, it's always in the plural. Matthew 15, look
at verse 7. You hypocrites, well did Isaiah
prophesy of you, saying, This people draw an eye unto me with
their mouth, they honor me with their lips, but their heart is
far from me. But in vain they do worship me,
teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." So you see the distinction
there. Turn over here to Colossians
chapter 2. Colossians chapter 2. We're going to see in our
study in the book of Hebrews in chapter 13, where it says, "...be
not carried about with divers and strains, doctrines, For it
is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not
with meat and drink. Now in Colossians chapter 2 we
see another reference to the doctrines of men. Look at verse
20 of Colossians 2. Wherefore, if ye be dead with
Christ from the rudiments, elements of the world, why, as though
living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances of men, such as
touch not, taste not, Handle not. That's what I call the religion
of not. You are righteous or unrighteous
because of certain things you touch, taste, or handle, which
are all to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines
of men. So our religion doesn't consist
of touch not, taste not, handle not. That's not the doctrine
of Christ. So it's always found when it's
talking about the teachings of men, it's always talking about
doctrines. But when it's in reference to
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the testimony of God
and the gospel of God, it's always found doctrine of Christ. You say, well, that's splitting
hairs. No, it's not. No, it's not. Big difference. The doctrine
of Christ is one, one grand truth. The doctrine of Christ is one
plain message. The doctrine of Christ is a clear,
simple declaration that salvation is of the Lord. That salvation
is His doing. Now, the doctrine of Christ,
while it may have many characteristics, may have many aspects, may have
many features, it yet presents one grand and glorious truth. And knowing this truth, believing
this truth, abiding in this truth, confessing this truth, knowing
and believing the doctrine of Christ, which is the same as
the doctrine of God, will set us free. Free from the bondage
of error, free from the burden of Traditions of men and free
from the slavery of sin our Lord said this turn to John chapter
8 John chapter 8 Lord has given his people an understanding that
we might know him that is true and That we're in him that is
true the true God. This is the true God in this
eternal life resting in Christ this one truth this doctrine
of Christ will set us free from the traditions of men and from
the burden and bondage of error, and the slavery of sin." Notice,
if you will, John 8, verse 31, "...then said Jesus to the Jews,
which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are
you indeed my disciples, abiding, and you shall know the truth."
And the truth, the truth sets sinners free. Verse 36 of John
8, "...if the Son therefore shall make you free, Ye shall be free
indeed. Stand fast therefore into liberty,
wherewith Christ hath set us free, and be not entangled again
with the yoke of bondage." Now I want us to consider back in
John chapter 7, for just a minute, I want us to consider briefly
the verses surrounding verse 16, and then we'll center in
on this question, what is the doctrine of Christ? Notice verse
10, John chapter 7 verse 10. When his brethren were gone up,
they went up to the feast. The Lord Jesus, he also went
up to the feast, not openly but in secret. Then the Jews saw
him at the feast and said, where is he? He inquired of his brethren,
his kinsfolk, his family, where is this man? And there was much
murmuring among the people because or concerning him, for some said,
Well, he's a good man. Others said, No, you're wrong
about that. He's an evil man. They even said
down here in verse 20, Thou hast a devil. Some said, This man
is demon possessed. In this same chapter, look over
at verse 43. We're going to see this in a
week or so. So there was a division among the people because of him. The gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ divides. It divides truth from error,
light from darkness. The gospel of the Lord Jesus
Christ will divide the sheep from the goats. We're not to
make the division. The gospel itself, the Lord Jesus
Christ divides truth from error. These Jewish leaders, back in
chapter 7, verse 14, some said he's a deceiver, some said he's
a good man. Whom do you say that the Lord
Jesus Christ is? Do you remember the Lord asked
Peter that question? Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. How be it no man spoke openly
of Him, verse 13, for fear of the Jews, What would they fear
from the Jews? Well, here's what they feared,
and here's what these Jews threatened. Turn over here to John chapter
9. Remember the young man who was born blind, and the Lord
healed him, and his parents, they were questioned by the Pharisees
and Sadducees, and they said, well, we know he's our son, and
we know he was born blind, but as to how he now sees, you need
to ask him. Why were they afraid to answer?
Because the Jews had threatened. Here's what they threatened.
John chapter 9 verse 21, By what means he now seeth? We know not. Or who hath opened his eyes?
We know not. He's of age. Ask him. He shall speak for himself. These words spake his parents,
because they feared the Jews. For the Jews had agreed already
that if any man did confess that he was the Christ, or the doctrine
of Christ, He should be put out of the synagogue." They feared
being excommunicated from the synagogue, being put out of Judaism. So that's what the Jews, that's
the only leverage they had to threaten those people in that
day. No man spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews. Remember,
Nicodemus came to the Lord by night. Now look at verse 14,
"'Howbeit when the Lord did go up, to the midst of the feast,
about the middle of the feast, this eight-day feast. He went
up on the fourth day or thereabouts. He went up to the temple. Now
whose house is this? Whose temple is this? Here's
the owner. Here's the sovereign. Here's
the heir of all things, the Lord of all things. He goes up to
his temple, and rightly so, and he sits down and he teaches in
his temple. Now what lesson do you reckon
he taught? You know what he said. Salvation is of the Lord. I've come to complete the will
of God, to accomplish salvation. But I want you to notice something
here. Look back here in John chapter
2. We've seen this once before. When the Lord came to His temple
before, you remember what happened in John chapter 2? And I'm sure
that these money changers were right back at their same business.
This is probably a year or maybe two years after this time. In
John chapter 2, when he went down to Capernaum, he and his
mother and his brother and his disciples, they continued there
not many days. Verse 13, the Jews' Passover
was at hand and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And he found in
the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves and changers
of the money, Sitting and when he made a scourge of all cords
he drove them out of the temple The sheep the oxen poured out
the changers money and over through the tables upset the whole thing
Drove him out of the temple and he said to those that sold take
these things hence make not my father's house a house of merchandise
and The disciples remembered that he is written the zeal the
house of the Lord had eaten him up Now, at this particular time,
I'm sure these money changers are right back at their same
business. At this particular time, He doesn't drive the money
changers out, but rather He sits and teaches them the gospel of
His sovereign and saving grace in Christ Jesus. Now, notice
if you will, verse 15. Verse 15. These most educated
Jews, marveled, saying, when they heard
his teaching, how knoweth this man letters?" Where did he get
his education? Having never been to school,
having never learned, these most educated Pharisees and scribes
were astounded at his wisdom, amazed over his knowledge and
the power of his teaching, yet he taught the absolute truth,
But they still rejected him and rejected his message. They sought
to end his ministry. They sought to discredit his
ministry and to end not only his ministry, but his life. How
can this man of Nazareth, this carpenter, we know his mother,
we know his father, we know his brothers, his sisters. How can
this man teach us? You see their self-righteousness.
He had never attended our school. Did you notice over here in verse
46 of John chapter 7, turn over there. The officers, the same Pharisees
and scribes, sent those soldiers out from the temple to arrest
the Lord Jesus Christ. And when they came back without
Him, they said, why didn't you bring Him? Look at verse 46,
the officers answered and said, never man spake like that man. His word was with wisdom and
power and authority. Turn back to Matthew chapter
7. Matthew chapter 7. You see, he taught the absolute
truth of God. And he did it with all wisdom
and power, knowledge. In Matthew chapter 7, when the
Lord had been sitting on the mount. This is called the Sermon
on the Mount. In Matthew 7, look at verse 28.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the
people were astonished at His... Notice that word. Doesn't say
doctrine, does it? They were astonished at His doctrine.
For He taught them as one having authority, not as the scribes. The Pharisees. Turn over here
to Mark chapter 6. Mark chapter 6, verse 1. He went out from thence and came
into his own country, and his disciples followed him. And when
the Sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue.
And many hearing him were astonished, saying, For whence hath this
man these things? And what wisdom is this which
is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought
by his hand? Is not this the carpenter's son,
the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Judah,
and Simon? Are not his sisters with us?
And they were all offended in him." One other scripture on
this, the Lord Jesus Christ speaking with wisdom and glory. Look at
Luke chapter 4. While you're finding that, let
me read this to you. You turn to Luke chapter 4, Luke
verse 22. When he went to Nazareth and
he taught in the synagogue, and he read from Isaiah 61, the Spirit
of the Lord is upon me. And he closed the book in verse
20, gave it again to the minister and sat down. The eyes of all
of them were fastened upon him. He said, this day is this scripture
fulfilled in your ears? And all bear witness, verse 22,
looked for and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded
out of his mouth, and they said, Is not this the son of Joseph? Now, you remember from Isaiah
chapter 11, never man spake like that man. There was never and
never will be another God-man mediator. God manifests in the
flesh. His words were with power, authority,
and wisdom. The prophecy of Scripture tells
us about that. In Isaiah 11 it says, "...the
Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom,
the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might,
the Spirit of the knowledge of the fear of the Lord shall rest
upon him." Certainly never man spake like that man. There never
will be another one like him. His word was with authority and
all power. Now, back to John chapter 7.
John chapter 7. How knoweth this man letters,
verse 15, having never learned? Now what's the Lord going to
say? He answered them and said, my doctrine, my teaching, it
didn't come from this man from Nazareth, rather it comes from
a higher source. My doctrine is not mine, but
God's that sent me." It's from God. The Lord said to them, His
teaching is not of this world. It's not from a man from Galilee
or Nazareth. He did not invent it Himself. It is the doctrine and teaching
of God. His doctrine was not arrived
or learned from any man. Look at John chapter 8. John
8, verse 28. John 8, verse 28. Then said Jesus unto them, When
ye have lifted up the Son of Man, He's talking here about
His crucifixion, Then shall ye know that I am He, that I do
nothing of myself, but as my Father taught me, I speak these
things. He that sent me is with me, the
Father hath not left me alone, for I always do, I do always
those things that please Him." And he spake these words, and
many believed on him. He never spake anything contrary
to the Father, always speaking the Father's will, the Father's
Word. Turn to John chapter 12. I'll
show you this again. John chapter 12, verse 49. John 12, 49. He said, I speak
not of myself, but the Father which sent me. He gave me commandment, what I should say and what I
should speak. And I know that His commandment
is life everlasting. Whatsoever I shall speak, therefore
even as the Father said unto me, That's exactly what I speak. I and my Father are one. He could
not speak anything contrary to the truth of God, to the will
of God, to the purpose of God. He came to do the purpose of
God. One other reference, turn to John 14.10. Remember our Lord
said, the words that I speak to you, they are spirit and they
are life. Look at John 14.10. Believest thou not that I am
in the Father, and the Father in me? The word that I speak
unto you, I speak not of myself, but the Father that dwelleth
in me, he doeth the works. I and my Father, we are one. I speak the will and purpose
of God. You know, this is similar to
what the Apostle Paul says in Galatians chapter 1. Turn over
there. Galatians chapter 1. The Apostle Paul said in Galatians
chapter 1, For I certify you, or I guarantee you, brethren,
that the gospel, and that's the doctrine of Christ, which was
preached of me, is not after man. For I neither received it
of man, I was neither taught it by man, but by the revelation
of Jesus Christ. The God-man mediator spoke the
will of God, The purpose of God. He came to do the work of God. Now, hold your place here in
John 7, and turn over here to 2 John, 2 John, just one chapter. Well, let's ask this question
then, what is the doctrine of Christ? What is the doctrine
of Christ? And let's look to the Word of
God for the answer. Look at verse 9, 2 John verse
9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth
in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the
Son. Now look at verse 7, same chapter, 2 John verse 7. Many
deceivers are entered into the world who confess not that Jesus
Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and anti-Christ. What is the doctrine of Christ? Now I want you to find 1 John
chapter 4. 1 John chapter 4. What is the doctrine of Christ?
Well, simply put, it is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That
Paul said, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, it's the
power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. It is
the doctrine of God that glorifies God in all things. But of Him are you in Christ,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification,
and redemption. The gospel of Christ. The doctrine
of Christ has to do with the glory of God, the purpose of
God in saving sinners to His glory. Now look at 1st John now,
1st John chapter 4, 1st John chapter 4, Beloved, believe not
every preacher, spirit, that's what he's talking about there,
but try them, whether they are of God, because Many false prophets
are gone out into the world. Hereby we know the Spirit of
God. Hereby we know the gospel of God or the doctrine of Christ.
Every spirit or preacher that confesses that Jesus Christ has
come into flesh is of God. So the doctrine of Christ has
to do with... Now stay right here in 1 John
4. The doctrine of Christ has to do, first of all, with His
person, who He is, and what He accomplished, who He is and what
He accomplished, His person and His work. Now, look at verse
2 of 1 John 4 verse 2. When the Apostle Paul says that
Jesus Christ is come, now what's he saying there? When he's saying
He is come, that means He was before. So the doctrine of Christ
has to do with the eternality of the Lord Jesus Christ. In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. Is, come, we conclude that He
was before. Before He came. He's eternal
God, the eternal God. Co-equal, co-eternal with the
Father. Our Lord said, I and the Father,
we are one. He's very God of very God. who being the brightness of his
glory, the expressed image of his person, upholding all things
by the word of his power, when he by himself purged our sin,
he sat down at the right hand of the throne, the majesty on
high." What I'm saying, the doctrine of God declares the eternality
and deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. That he is God. That he is God
Almighty in all things. That he is the eternal God. Now
hold your place there, and turn back to John chapter 8. I thought
about this scripture here. John chapter 8. So the doctrine
of Christ has to do with the deity of Christ. Who He is. Not just a mere man. God Almighty. Now look what it says here in
John chapter 8, verse 56. He said, Rejoiced to see my day. He saw
it and was glad. Now Abraham had been dead thousands
of years when the Lord speaks this. Then said the Jews unto
him, Thou art not yet fifty years old. Have you seen Abraham? Look what the Lord says. Verse
58. The Lord said unto them, Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. I am that I am. So the doctrine of Christ has
to do with His deity. Has to do with His eternality.
And those who deny the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, they
do not preach the doctrine of Christ. They are anti-Christ. They're anti-Christ. Secondly,
look back at 1 John chapter 4. Look at verse 2 again. Howbeit
know we the Spirit of God, every spirit or preacher that confesseth
that Jesus Christ is come, now watch this, is come in the flesh. In the flesh. In the beginning
was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God, that's
His eternality, right? Remember verse 14? John chapter
1 verse 14. And the Word was made flesh. and dwelt among us. And we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,
full of grace and truth." By saying that He came in the flesh
means that Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ, took humanity, married
it to His deity. He became a real man. How can that be? I can't explain that. How God
who inhabits eternity inhabited a body of a man. How God Almighty
in His holy nature took to Himself humanity apart from sin and married
that and blended that into one blessed person. We call Him the
God-Man Mediator. That's the doctrine of Christ.
Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness. God
was manifest in the flesh, justified, vindicated by the Holy Spirit,
preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, and received
up to glory. So the doctrine of Christ has
to do with the person of Christ, His eternality, and His humanity
in one blessed person. Now I want you to find Hebrews
chapter 2 for a moment. Hebrews chapter 2. We're going
to see this in our study in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews chapter
2, verse 14. Hebrews 2.14. For as much sin
as his children are partakers of flesh and blood, Hebrews 2.14,
partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took
part of the same, that through death He might destroy him that
had power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who
through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
For verily he took not on him the nature of angels, but he
took on him the seed of Abraham, a real man." This is the doctrine
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Now look back to 1 John chapter
4 verse 2 again. Hereby know we the Spirit of
God, or the doctrine of Christ, Every spirit of preacher that
confesses that Jesus Christ is coming to flesh is of God. Now, here's the third point.
What's involved in the doctrine of Christ? I told you, not only
His person, but also what's involved in the doctrine of Christ is
most importantly, not that the first point is not important,
they all go together. But also involved in that, why
did he become the God-Man Mediator? Why did he take humanity unto
himself? Well, God cannot die, but the
God-Man Mediator did. He came and took humanity to
himself, that he might bear our sins in his own, what? Body on
the tree. This is what the doctrine of
Christ is all about. By saying He came in the flesh,
the cause of His coming must be declared. Why did He come? Now this is critical. Why did
He come? He didn't come here for nothing.
He didn't just show up here and turn around and skeedaddle back.
He came here for a purpose. God's purpose. To do what? to save His people from their
sin. He came on purpose to accomplish
God's redemptive will. Remember He said, My meat is
to do the will of Him that sent me and to finish His work. This
is what the doctrine of Christ is all about. His person, His
eternality, God and man, His real humanity, In one body He
had no sin, but God made Him to be sin for us. That's why
He came. Calling His name Jesus, He shall
save His people from their sin. He didn't come to call the righteous,
sinners unto repentance. The Son of Man has come to seek
and to save the lost. In the fullness of time, God
sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem
them that were under the law." We see written in the Word of
God the express purpose why He was manifest in the flesh. To
actually accomplish salvation, to actually put away the sin
of God's covenant people now. Did He do it? Did He get it done? Did He make an effort? Did He
make salvation a possibility or did He absolutely secure it
for His covenant people? To deny the successful redemptive
work of the Lord Jesus Christ is to be an antichrist. The Lord
Jesus Christ, the doctrine of Christ concerns the successful,
particular atonement and redeeming work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
He cannot fail in God's purpose. That's the doctrine of the Lord
Jesus Christ. And to deny that is to be anti-Christ. Christ actually accomplished
the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what the doctrine of
Christ is all about. Actually accomplished all of
salvation. Accomplished all of God's purpose
of which He cannot fail. He prayed in John 17. Remember
what He prayed? I've glorified Thee on the earth,
I finished the work you gave me to do." And then at Calvary,
in his last breath, he declared, it is done. Finished. It's not, he paid a part. Now,
I must pay a part. He didn't make a down payment,
he made full atonement for sin. This is the doctrine of Christ.
And to deny that is to be anti-Christ. Now some heretics depart from
the faith denying the divine nature of Christ. Others depart
from the faith denying the effectual, sufficient, substitutionary atonement
of the Lord Jesus Christ. Leaving man's salvation to the
free will of the creature, rather than the eternal purpose of God.
Now those who promote free will, creature, salvation, are anti-Christ. Clear and plain. They are anti-Christ. Salvation is not according to
our will. Salvation is according to His
will. By the witch will we are sanctified by His one offering. By the one offering He has put
away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. By that one offering.
Now, turn back to 1 John again. That's the doctrine of Christ,
His person and His work. Now, do you believe the doctrine
of Christ? Do you believe the doctrine of
Christ? If you do, two things are so. If you do, two things are so.
Turn back to 2 John. There are many deceivers who
confess not that Jesus Christ has come into flesh. If you're
a believer of the doctrine of Christ, you know what you do?
You confess it. You own it. Turn back to 1 John
chapter 4 now. 1 John chapter 4, look at verse
15. If you believe the doctrine of
Christ, if God has convinced you in your heart and revealed
Christ into your heart, you believe the doctrine of Christ. And you
cannot stand and will not listen to anything contrary to that.
And you confess it. Look at 1 John 4 verse 15. 1 John 4 verse 15, "...whosoever
shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him,
and he in God." We confess Him. We confess the doctrine of Christ.
That is, we repeat it. I'm not afraid to repeat the
gospel, the doctrine of Christ. To confess it is to identify
with it. To confess it is to publicly
own it, the Christ of God, not being ashamed of it. That's why
Paul said, I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I'm not
ashamed of the doctrine of Christ, the power of God unto salvation. And then the second part of this,
if you believe the doctrine of Christ, first of all, you confess
Him. publicly owning Him, identifying with the gospel, identifying
with God's people, and confessing Him in believers' baptism. Secondly,
you abide in it. You abide in it. Look at 1 John
chapter 2. You abide in the doctrine of
Christ. You abide in it. That is, you
continue in it. Look what it says in 1 John 2,
1 John 2, 28. And now, little children, abide
in Him, that when He shall appear you may have confidence and not
be ashamed before Him at His coming. Abide in Him. Now look
back to 2 John. 2 John, verse 9. How important is this? Confessing
and abiding in Him. Look at verse 9 again, 2 John
verse 9. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth
not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. Wow! He that abideth in the doctrine
of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. So it's vitally,
vitally important. This is how we know that we own
the doctrine of Christ by confessing it, by abiding in it, giving
all the honor and glory unto the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
And when I say we give all the honor and glory unto Him, who
gets the credit? I mean, do you get part of the
credit? Abiding in the doctrine of Christ, confessing Him, the
doctrine of Christ, gives God all the honor and glory, doesn't
it? In saving sinners. You remember Psalm 115? Not unto
us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory for
thy mercy and for thy truth's sake. He that would glory, let
him glory only in the Lord. God help us, God help us to believe
the doctrine of Christ. If you read Ephesians chapter
1, in all When it talks about the work of the triune God in
salvation, when it talks about the Father electing a people
in Christ before the foundation of the world, you remember the
bottom line in that electing grace? To the praise of the glory
of His grace. See, that's the bottom line.
How can I tell if someone is preaching the doctrine of Christ? Well, he declares the doctrine
of Christ that gives God all the honor and glory. And then
Ephesians chapter 1, not only when it talks about the Father
electing a people, and then secondly, it talks about the Son redeeming
a people, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness
of sin, according to the riches of His grace, through the praise
of the glory of His grace. And then when it talks about
the work of the Holy Spirit and regeneration, you see in any
aspect of salvation, From election to glorification, and every aspect
in between, who gets the glory? The Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians
1, when it talks about God who has sealed us until the day of
redemption, talking about the work of God the Holy Spirit regenerating
you had they quickened who were dead, it's all to the praise
of His glory. You see, God's jealous of His
glory. He must have all the glory. The doctrine of Christ, the doctrine of Christ glorifies
Him. Back in John 7, verse 18, "...he
that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory, but he that seeketh
His glory that sent him, the same is true." Whose glory was
the Lord Jesus Christ seeking? God's glory. Whose glory are
believers seeking? His glory. The doctrine of Christ.