Sunday Services: 10:30 AM
505 South Sixth St. Burbank, CA
91501

FaithView, For Storm Riders:
“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”—Titus 2:1

Why wouldn’t you? What could possess anyone whose life has been found in Christ to teach something of questionable doctrine? Why would you teach a Gospel/doctrine different than the one you received?

Paul is warning the minister, Titus in this passage, largely, because of the people he’s working with on the island of Crete. Chapter one of this letter gives a description of the Cretans from one of their own. They are liars, brutes and bums. So when the second chapter starts Paul encourages Titus to stick with sound doctrine. Don’t get cute, don’t look for another approach…Just give it to them straight.

Liars, brutes/bullies, bums/lazy…Sounds like a 21st.-Century crowd to me, so Paul’s words are still applicable to us today.

Sound doctrine means don’t give them man-made hoops to jump through. Don’t encourage a journey to find spirituality through a process. Don’t set anyone on a path of good works so as to earn a cleaner conscience and a self-justification.

Paul wants Titus to give this wild bunch, Jesus, Jesus crucified and the empty tomb. To pursue holiness through prayer, the study of Scriptures and surrender. With the results being a strengthening/growing sustaining faith to anchor us permanently to the Lord.

So why would we do something else?

I do have a problem with much of the modern theology and the things I’m seeing and hearing these days…But in retrospect, I have a problem with the “theology” that was put on my generation (1970’s & 80’s) which was no theology at all.

I grew up in a Wesleyan church…and I was thoroughly schooled in the evils of alcohol, dancing and movies. Thoroughly…Did I emphasize, “thoroughly?” …Thoroughly.

But holiness?… Sanctification?…A second work of grace? The thrust—the tip of the spear—of Wesleyan Theology?…Nope…I was spiritually illiterate on these matters.

The intention was pure…The people in the church I grew up in loved us…But instead of helping us to understand holiness and total surrender to God…We became rule followers…And the Theology of Rule Following leads to legalism, not victory.

Avoiding a Church Manual infraction was more important than sound doctrine.

Am I saying there’s something wrong with educating our young in the church to prevent destructive tendencies and habits? Absolutely not!

But it can’t be just about following rules…And that’s what we did; we followed rules…We followed rules instead of surrendering to our Lord.

The Theology of Rule Following didn’t keep me from destructive habits or tendencies…Only the surrender of my life/my will to Christ did that…When I stepped off the throne and allowed him to sit on the throne…When he went (!!Appropriate Cliche Warning!!) from being just my Savior to being my Lord. I live in gratitude to a Savior, but I humbly efface myself to my Lord.

Why would I seek another doctrine? Why would I teach/preach/advance a different doctrine?

The reason the church universal is in trouble today is because it was born out of a generation that was about rule following and not heart changing. So the present day church recognized the old rules weren’t working…but instead of going to sound doctrine…it created new rules.

Drink if you want—but be sure to practice Social Justice.

Go dancing—but be sure you don’t judge another believer for the suggestive ways they may dance.

Let everyone follow what they believe—but be sure to remind them that love always wins and to not worry about eternity.

Do anything you want—but don’t hold anyone else to a standard you may–or may not–abide by.

And the standard being avoided is sound doctrine…Sound doctrine binds us to the Lord. When we say we don’t know which way to go, sound doctrine provides the spiritual compass that always points the correct way.

Don’t worry if you can’t understand what the theologians are saying. It’s okay to read and study them. It’s okay take some great things from them…But don’t ever surrender to them…It’s more important for you to be able to share the reason for the hope that you have than comprehending some guy or gal’s theory on the nature of God.

Study the Scriptures and seek the Lord through prayer to gain all you will need for victory in this life and the eternity to come.

Boom!

***

A VBS Unlike Any Other:

VBS Goes to Rome: The theme for Vacation Bible School this year is “Rome: Paul & The Underground Church”

VBS Staff Meeting This Sunday: 1:30 PM

The dates are June 26-30…Look at your calendar…share with your friends…Pray for Seana Zilbert, who is directing…Make plans to volunteer.

You can sign up your child and their friends here on our website. Look the button up top, click, and follow.

***

Burbank Faith now has a Twitter account. You can follow us at; @BurbankFaithNaz

***

Eric Canto has created a Burbank Faith channel on YouTube and has placed all of our recent services there. Go check it out.

***

July is Camps Month: Remember July is camps month…Junior High, High School & Kids will all have separate camps at Granite Ridge.

District Assembly is July 12-14
(It is one month later this year due to General Assembly (Indianapolis) being held June 21-30.)

SrHi Camp: July 16-21
Kids Camp: July 23-28
JrHi Camp: July 30-August 4

***

Did You Know?
On this date…

…In 1740, English revivalist George Whitefield wrote in a letter: ‘True faith is not merely in the head, but in the heart.’

…In 1971, “Godspell” first opened at the Cherry Lane Theater in New York City. The musical by Stephen Schwartz is based on the New Testament Gospel of Matthew, and is still produced by secular and religious theater groups today.

***
Church Calendar:
May 21: Sunday Service, 10:30 AM…Sunday evening “Prayer Hour” from 6-to-7:00 PM
May 21: VBS meeting after church (1:30)
May 23 Women’s Bible Study—7:00 PM
May 24:
All Church Prayer Time: 7—to—7:30 PM
Worship Team Practices: 7:30 PM
Adult Bible Study—1 Samuel 18—7:30 PM May 21: VBS planning meeting, following morning worship.
May 29: Memorial Day
June 3: Men’s Breakfast at Harry’s, 8:00 AM
June 26-30: VBS Week

As believers, we have to remain in continual prayer for all of our first responders…all our leaders…not a political party but for those carrying the heavy burden of leadership in our country and communities.