I recently heard a minister respond to a question about why his church was growing so large and at such a rapid pace. He told the reporter that people are not interested in hearing doctrine, they simply want to be encouraged. I agree that we should certainly encourage people and lift up each other. Hebrews 3:13 says, "But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." Yes, we are to lift up and edify each other. Scripture tells us to do so!

The Word also says in 2 Timothy 4:2-3, "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine....." To put it bluntly, sound doctrine is the very thing that will cause the believer to become rooted and grounded in the Truth. The word doctrine means "instruction and teaching." Without it, growth and maturity will not occur.

We are instructed to preach the Word when it's popular and when it's not popular! There will never be a time when doctrine is not vital to the lives of God's people. It seems that people don't want to have their comfort zones upset by what may challenge their compromising lifestyle. Don't get caught in that trap! Follow God's heart and be a doer of the Word.

So while I do my best to shake up your comfort zone, have a great week!

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