OVERCOMING DOUBTS
Acts 10:17-21
INTRO: Peter was on the housetop praying and fell into a trance. Heaven opened and a certain vessel descended unto him that had all manner of four footed beasts, creeping things and fowls of the air. He was commanded to kill and eat the animals, which he did, but he didn’t understand the meaning of the vision.
Today, we want to examine that vision.
I. HOW DID PETER OVERCOME THE DOUBTS?
1. Peter was in a spiritual condition so that he could listen to
the Spirit.
(1) He was in prayer. He had prayed through.
(2) Problems are never serious to men who are prayed up.
2. He listened to God.
(1) The Spirit spoke to him.
(2) The Spirit bade him into action.
(3) God wants His people to get up and move. This will overcome
doubting.
II. DOUBTING THOMAS OVERCAME.
1. We know not whither thou goest (John 14:4-5).
(1) Jesus was about to leave His disciples.
(2) Thomas spoke as one who went throughout life without a guide.
2. He doubted the Resurrection.
(1) Being absent from the meeting with Christ, he had to rely on
the story of the other disciples.
(2) Those who carelessly absent themselves from the church ser
vices often miss a great deal, and their loss in these
spiritual things adds to their unbelief.
3. Thomas believes (John 20:24-29).
(1) Thomas met Christ and he was allowed to examine Him.
(2) Thomas had to see before he would believe.
(3) A blessing is given to those who believe without seeing.
III. JOHN CONFESSED CHRIST AND AFTERWARD DOUBTED.
1. John baptized Christ.
2. The prison walls cast a shadow on John’s faith (Matt. 11:2-3).
(1) In prison, he began to doubt.
(2) He sent two of his disciples to bring back evidence of
Christ.
3. Conditions have much to do with the creation of doubts.
(1) When there is a sense of the Spirit present, it is easy to
believe.
(2) When the Church is cold, it is easy to doubt.
CONC: Do you have doubts today? Are they about your own needs? Are they about the church? You now know how to overcome those doubts.
