Some well-known theologians and preachers thought doctrinal matters were important.

3. Some well-known theologians and preachers thought doctrinal matters were important. • A. W. Tozer wrote, “Great saints have always been dogmatic.” • J. I. Packer wrote, “There can be no spiritual health without doctrinal knowledge.” • D. Martyn Lloyd Jones write, “We cannot have the benefits of Christianity if we shed its doctrines.” • Philips Brooks wrote, “The truth is, no preacher ever had any strong power that was not the preaching of doctrine.”

4. Matthew 16:5-12

5. Be Careful vv 5-6, 11b-12

6. The disciples forgot to take bread on their journey. • Jewish tradition often used the image of yeast for evil. • “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?” (1 Cor 5:6).

7. We need to be on guard against the yeast of error. • Evil often acts just like yeast. • We need to be on guard against error. • That is a major role of our elders. • Acts 20:29-31. • An elder must be “holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:9). • We must all guard ourselves against error. • That will prevent division (1 Cor 1:10). • If we practice error individually, God will judge us (Rev 2:20-25).

8. Be Confident vv 7-11a

9. The disciples say, “It is because we have taken no bread” (v 7). • Jesus: “O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves because you have brought no bread?” (v 8). • The disciples had little faith. • How strong is our faith? • “Increase our faith” (Lk 17:5).

10. We know why Jesus said the disciples had little faith. • He fed five thousand & had 12 basketfuls left over (Matt 14:13-21). • He fed four thousand & had 7 basketfuls left over (Matt 15:29-39). • God has promised to provide for us. • Matt 6:26. • Acts 14:17.