 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.”

vv 5-6, 11b-12

 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).

 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:  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).

vv 7-11a

 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).

 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.