Doubting God
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Handout
But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”
Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”
Pray
Doubting Tomas gets a bad name. Here he is, someone who knows Jesus is dead and his friends are all together saying he isn't dead.
What is going through is mind? What would be going on through your mind?
That can't happen
They are just fooling with me
Maybe they just saw a ghost. Ghost were popular at that time
What if it was you? Would you believe what you were told?
Today I want to talk about Doubt
When you read the Bible there is actually two types of doubt. But unfortunately we tend to lump them all into one big pile and this leaves many Christians feeling guilty and ashamed, and unaware as to how to deal with the dark night of the soul
First type of Doubt - Unbelief
First type of Doubt - Unbelief
This is the type of doubt in which you have been presented with the evidence that the Gospel is true and you say I don't know if I can believe and you, either say Yes I ABC Or not. The evidence is out there. God wants us to love Him with all that we are which includes our minds so he doesn't just want us to take a blind leap of faith when we believe. He wants us to say here is the evidence and what conclusion do I come to.
This is the point of true belief
More than just I believe because Mom or dad did. But I understand
I challenge you to look at the evidence. I encourage you to learn the evidence. To often we rely on just experimental evidence, I felt and this is great and important. But Mormons and Islam and Jehovah witness and Wicca are all going to sound the same. Learn the evidences ask the questions. Evidence of why Gospel is true it does stand up.
This is not the type of Thomas doubt.
Second type of Doubt
Second type of Doubt
Thomas doubt was of a man who believed, but was having a hard time dealing with what he saw. This is the second type of doubt. It isn't necessary unbelief. It’s a type of doubt that come from after you have ABC and now you say is this the truth, And it is hard. Maybe you can say I have never questioned my faith. But many Christians can’t.
They say I have doubts
Sadly the body of the Christian world says that this is a sin and that these people need to just stop doubting or pretend till it gets right or a hundred other things. But if we ignore our doubt it just gets worse. But if we deal with our doubt then we can if we have truly evaluated the evidence we can come out as stronger more dedicated Christians. Like with Peter who doubted God and denied him and then arose to be the rock of the church.
This is the kind of doubt that says can my actions, reactions, focus match my faith
How to deal with you doubt
How to deal with you doubt
What kind of Doubt do you struggle with - as Christians we struggle with different types of doubt
Evaluate your doubt
Evaluate your doubt
Doubts that come because of Circumstances
Some times we doubt God because of difficult times. Is God real. Does god hear me. Maybe I am just talking to myself. And there are a million reasons why you could feel this way
You ever felt this way?
Doubts about salvation. Was it real? Was I really saved
Spiritual warfare
If Satan can get you to doubt the very foundation of your faith then he has you paralyzed in you mission for Christ. Can God really save me? We are questioning God’s grace. Which is a matter of can I trust God to do what he says he will do
Intellectual doubts
Science makes you question. Maybe a word from the Word that makes you question who God is
Embrace the tension
Embrace the tension
Doubt is not comfortable
But don't ignore it
Be honest with yourself and others about it. Allow the tension you feel in your heart and mind because of you doubt drive you into Gods word and prayer more regularly
Feed your faith
Do some research
Do some research
If you are struggling with something put in the hours and look it up. Don't be afraid to seek council. God has placed godly people in your life to help you Grow
The truth of the Gospel has stood the test of time
Do you believe it?
Look it up
Don't know where to start see me
I will help you out
Pray
Pray
Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
I do believe! Help my Unbelief.
God will see you through the time of doubt and make you stronger. If you find yourself saying that It isn't enough.
Did you ever believe in the first place?
The evidence is there if you are open to see it
Doubt is often part of Christian life
Don't fear doubt
Instead grow from it
But I call to you for help, Lord; in the morning my prayer meets you. Lord, why do you reject me? Why do you hide your face from me? From my youth, I have been suffering and near death. I suffer your horrors; I am desperate. Your wrath sweeps over me; your terrors destroy me. They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me from every side. You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me; darkness is my only friend.
A Psalm of a man who says I do believe help my unbelief
He is in the dark night of the soul
Next Steps
Next Steps
Maybe you are too
Pray
If you are doubt pray for you
If you never accepted please
Want to see me after please seek me out