Gods Not Dead

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God’s Not Dead: Welcoming Unbelievers

This is sermon three in our series based on a great movie about a college student who must defend his belief in God in his philosophy class.

In our first two messages about the film, we asked the questions "Where Is God When Life Falls Apart?” and “Is Our Faith Blind?”

In this message, I want to talk about how to handle doubters or unbelievers.

I believe that every christian should know how to talk to skeptics

As believers we should welcome conversations with doubters

it is questions about truth that leads people to a conviction about what is actually true.

In this message I want to present some facts and attempt to eliminate some apparent contradictions that doubters might bring up

I also think that as Christians those who know the truth that I’ve got some things to share with you about welcoming the doubters and unbelievers to conversations

The movie Gods not dead hits on some very important aspects of faith,

confronts some difficult questions that can seem almost impossible to answer but that we should all embrace. And learn how to answer these questions

sometimes we who believe can unintentionally convey the wrong attitude toward unbelievers one that may be judgmental and kind discourage them

We all need to be open-minded.

Remember, all of us were unbelivers too at one time

Maybe not in a not believing in God kind of way because I've always known the truth

But we all still needed some type of convincing proofs. In order to come to Christ

let’s look at one of greatest doubters in the New Testament and see what we can learn from him

Doubting” Thomas the Apostle.

Turn with me to

John 20:24-25

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

In this passage we read about Thomas, also called Didymus

one of the greatest questioners of all.

A man who had to have proof!

We should all respect that.

Thomas is sometimes unfairly judged because 10 witnesses testify to seeing a risen Jesus, but he will not believe them unless he has solid evidence.

He wants to be certain, taking no one’s word for it.

But when Jesus appears again and allows Thomas to touch His wounds, He does not chastise him for doubting.

John 20:26-29

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.27 Then saith he to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Thomas is a man who must be convinced, an admirable trait.

No one wants to “go along with the crowd” and just believe to believe.

We all want to be positive and know what’s really true, at least we should

Well, apparently Thomas was sure because he ended up dying for his faith in a risen Jesus, speared to death in India around 70 A.D.

In the movie Josh don't give up his life, but we do see what it costs him.

We also see some wonderful examples about how to graciously “give an account.”

When we are talking about our faith with doubters, there are 5 Goals you should always keep in mind.

Here’s the first:

Goal 1: Our Attitude

1 Timothy 1:5

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: