As seen in the previous nugget there are many warnings in Scripture in regards to false doctrine. Bible doctrine helps us to understand the nature of God and man, sin, redemption, judgement, eternity, how to live on this earth, and much more. False doctrine will bring distortion in each of these subjects.

Because of false doctrine, legalism, conflicts over the nonessentials, influence of secular humanism, rebellion, immaturity, and the evil schemes of the devil, many Christians have a dislike for the word doctrine. In some Christian circles you are looked down upon if you say you are committed to sound doctrine. You are immediately labeled as rigid, legalistic, judgmental, and not "seeker sensitive". Yes, there are those who preach, teach, or stand for sound doctrine who are rigid and judgmental, but their attitudes and behavior do not negate sound biblical doctrine. Truth is truth no matter who preaches it. We should not 'throw out the baby with the bath water'.

Sound Biblical doctrine gives us principles to live by. Doctrine is for our benefit, not our detriment. As scripture states:
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;"
2 Timothy 3:16. Doctrine will give us guidelines and wisdom in regards to finances, relationships, morality, and how to live a fruitful, blessed life. This does not mean that if we live by sound doctrine we will not have struggles. What it does mean is that if we have struggles, we will be able to live above our circumstances. In the midst of this terrible world, the doctrine of the future hope of heaven can give all believers peace in the midst of turmoil.

Some say that if we teach doctrine, then spiritual seekers will get offended and not come to church. I have seen just the opposite. I am at a church that stands for holiness, righteousness, and preaches the "bad news" (we are sinners, and calls sin, sin) and the "good news". With this preaching I have seen lost, secular people walk into the doors of the church and leave the church born again. Coffee and donuts do not change hearts, the preaching of the word of God does. Scripture states:
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12

"How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
Romans 10:14, 17

We are not talking about teaching 'as doctrines the precepts of men.' This only leads to legalism and encourages people to live by works and not faith. We are not talking about preaching on our preferences. We are talking about teaching and preaching the Word of God- what is sin, the nature of Christ, how to be born again, the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, hell; in other words, the doctrines of Christianity.

In the next nugget we will list what we believe are some of the essential doctrines of Christianity.

P.S. There is nothing wrong with using coffee and donuts to reach spiritual seekers, but finding a way to get them in the church doors and then not preaching the word of God with power is useless. All you do is create an environment where people are at peace with their sin and do not desire to change. If by chance they get saved, they live their lives as babes in Christ, never having victory over sin in their life. The preaching and teaching of sound doctrine with the love and power of the Holy Spirit will change lives and help build mature Christians. Mature Christians win others to Christ. Babes in Christ who never grow up are just pew warmers. Christianity becomes fire insurance for them. They miss out on the abundant life that Jesus promises believers. They do not help fulfill the Great Commission. In these last days Jesus is not looking for pew warmers, He is looking for the remnant that have a desire to come against the gates of hell and win souls to Him. We should be more than conquerors–not be defeated, conquered Christians. This is what happens when:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires;" 2 Tim. 4:3