Lesson 2: When Doubts Make Us Fail

A. INTRODUCTION

1. This series is not about sin, but about our failures. Failure is: (a) omission to do your duty, (b) not measuring up to standards, (c) inability to perform, (d) unwilling to perform.

2. Difference between: (a) intentional, you must confess (I John 1:9), ask forgiveness and repent, (b) unintentional, know you were innocent, recognize the wrong, pay consequences, do the right thing.

3. If we don’t deal with our failures, then we will mess up again. Why? “To err is human.”

4. Our failures don’t sink us; it’s the way we react to failures that sinks us.

5. Failures are a fork in the road. The HIGH ROAD is: (a) learning from failures, (b) knowing how to solve problems. Knowing how to go the LOW ROAD is: (a) to blame others, (b) deny responsibility, (c) ignore the problem, and you will repeat the failure.

6. Three bad lessons to learn from failures (a) fear. We are paralyzed, “I never hit a home run with the bat on my shoulder, (b) do right half way. Learn the 100% rule from failure, “I know what will not work, (c) do nothing is a mindset we want to avoid failure.

If I had to live my life over again,

I would fail again quicker;

If I had my life to live over again,

I’d learn from my failures quicker.

B. QUESTION ONE: WHAT HAPPENED? (MARK 16:13-14; JOHN 20)

1. They forgot. Jesus predicted they would run away. “All of you will be offended because of me . . . smite the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered” (Mark 14:27).

2. When needed. “All the disciples forsake Him, and fled” (Matt. 26:36).

3. Unbelief. “Jesus upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart because they believe not” (Mark 16:14).

4. They were blinded. Cleopas and wife, “Were spiritually blinded” (Luke 24:16, ELT).

5. They mistook Jesus. “Jesus Himself was suddenly standing there . . . the whole group . . . thinking they had seen a ghost” (Luke 24:36-37, LB).

6. Why have you failed to see Jesus in your life? (a) blinded, (b) no faith, (c) embarrassed, (d) running away.

C. QUESTION TWO: WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT FAILURE?

1. Failure is not final. Jesus wanted them to get up and go back to work. “As my father has sent me even so send I you” (John 20:21).

I may fail, but I am not a failure!

2. While failure may be miserable at the time, there is life and happiness beyond failure. “Then were the disciples glad” (John 20:20). Other versions: happy, filled with joy, wonderful was their joy, laughed heartedly.

3. Jesus knows I am human, and knows I will fail (Mark 14:27).

4. I learn what I must not do again. The disciples prayed, “Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word” (Acts 4:29).

D. QUESTION THREE – WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD FROM FAILURE?

1. Jesus is more concerned about my restoration than I am. “When the doors were shut . . . Jesus came” (John 20:19).

2. Jesus wants us to believe in him. “Why do you doubt . . . look at my hands . . . my feet . . . you can see that it is I” (Luke 24:38-39, LB).

3. God has a plan beyond our failures. “Don’t you remember my telling you that . . . all must come true” (Luke 24:44, LB).

4. Jesus will teach us. “Then He (Jesus) opened their minds to understand” (Luke 24:45, LB).

5. Jesus will help or strengthen us. Jesus, “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:22).

6. Jesus wants us to go back to work. “As my father has sent me, even so send I you” (John 20:21).

7. Jesus wants us to be victorious over failures. “All power is given unto me . . . go . . . I am with you always” (Matt. 28:18-20).

E. QUESTION FOUR – WHAT WILL I DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME?

1. Pray. Jesus told them, “Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endowed with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). Prayer will help stop failure.

2. Be guided by scripture. “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45).

3. Don’t live defensively but live positively. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

4. Realize you won’t know all things. “It is not for you to know” (Acts 1:7).

5. Stick with winners and stay away from losers. “Being assembled together with them” (Acts 1:4, 14; 2:1-4, 41, 47).

Lessons: Mistakes and Failures

1. When someone else makes us fail.

2. When doubts make us fail.

3. When we don’t understand what God is doing.

4. When we don’t know ourselves.