“IS IT A SIN TO DOUBT?” John 20:24-29
FBCF – 10/22/23
Jon Daniels
INTRO – State nicknames:
- MS – The Hospitality State
- AL – The Heart of Dixie
- TN – The Volunteer State
- LA – The Pelican State
- AR – The Natural State
- FL – The Sunshine State
- MO – The Show Me State
o At an 1899 naval banquet in Philadelphia, Missouri Congressman Willard Duncan Vandiver stated, “frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me.” Even with other competing origin stories, the nickname has stuck and today refers to the “stalwart, conservative, noncredulous character of Missourians.” (https://www.rd.com/list/how-every-state-got-its-nickname/#)
o I don’t think the disciple, Thomas, was from Missouri, but he definitely had a “Show me” attitude.
Back to “DEEP-Construction” series after departing from it last week to talk about all that’s going on in the world after the attacks on Israel. Reminder of what this series has been about: Phenomenon called deconstruction that’s happening in our society now.
- “For some people, deconstructing means losing their faith altogether—becoming atheists, agnostics, or spiritual-but-not-religious nones. For others, deconstructing means still believing in Jesus but struggling with how religious institutions have failed.” (https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/february-web-only/russell-moore-deconstruction-faith-church-dangerous-form.html)
Some who’ve deconstructed remain civil & respectful toward Christians. Others cross the line & become disrespectful & disparaging toward Christians, ridiculing their beliefs & practices (that they themselves used to believe & practice.)
- Picture of Derek Webb, Matthew Blake AKA Flamy Grant, & Grace Baldridge AKA Semler
- Flamy Grant video
Different reasons for this process:
- Church hurt – wounded by abusive or manipulative church leaders, or just an unhealthy church culture.
- Hypocrisy in the church – “If THAT’S what a Christian is…” was going to be sermon last week.
o Kat Von D – Tattoo artist who recently got baptized & has left the occultic practices she was involved in. Young Christian. Lot of her followers not Christians & she expected to get negative response from them & she did get some. But the criticism that surprised her the most in her fledgling faith was, in her words, “it was the Christians who really were the worst.” Surprised that certain Christians would “come at me in such a public way.” (https://churchleaders.com/news/460881-christians-worst-kat-von-d-criticism-baptism.html/2)
o Ben Fuller – Christian musician who battled drugs, alcohol, immorality - “I’m going to be straight up honest with you: I have been treated more like Jesus from people that don’t know Jesus out on the road—homeless people, people dealing with drug addiction, and people helping with the production crew at the end of the night loading the trucks.” (https://churchleaders.com/news/461029-christian-artist-ben-fuller-encourages-the-church-to-be-authentic-ive-been-treated-more-like-jesus-by-those-who-dont-know-him.html?utm_source=cl-today&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=cl-today-2023-10-20&mumara_id=13815264)
- Poor Biblical teaching – questions about faith struggles are not answered or even ignored or pushed aside.
- An underlying desire to sin – Pastor Josh Butler in AZ: “I minister in a college town (go ASU Sun Devils) where students regularly deconstruct when they’ve started sleeping with their girlfriend or boyfriend. Convenient timing. Others deconstruct while harboring an addiction (drugs, alcohol, porn), to release their guilt.” (https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/4-causes-deconstruction/)
- It’s the popular thing to do in many circles.
- Don’t want to have to deal w/ the stress of living a genuine Christian life in a world that is rapidly becoming unchristian & antichristian.
These reasons are either caused by doubt that has taken root in a person’s mind. Or these reasons cause the doubt to surface. Sometimes the doubt comes first & is the cause of deconstruction – sometimes the deconstruction starts & then doubt is one of the consequences.
Today we are going to look at the most famous doubter in the Bible, the disciple named Thomas.
EXPLANATION – John 20:24-29
Setting: Jesus has been crucified, buried, & has risen from the dead. He has conquered sin, death, & the grave & purchased our salvation. He appeared to most of His disciples, appearing out of nowhere after they had gathered behind locked doors b/c of their fear of the Jews. His appearance & His speaking peace to them made them glad (v. 20). Then He told them that He was sending them out into the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. What a moment for them!
- But Thomas wasn’t there (v. 24) & we see his reservation (v. 25).
o Thomas sometimes gets a bad rap – “Doubting Thomas.” But earlier Thomas was prepared to go into dangerous territory w/ Jesus & even die w/ Him if necessary (John 11:7-8. 16).
- Then see Jesus’ revelation (v. 26-27).
- Then we hear Thomas’ proclamation (v. 28).
APPLICATION – Doubts become sinful when they lead to unbelief. So, keep working through your doubts until you get back to Jesus.
RECOGNIZE THE CAUSES OF DOUBTING – v. 24-25
If we think about all the Thomas & the disciples had gone through, I believe we can see some causes for doubting:
- Fear – v. 19 – “We might be next.”
- Disappointment & discouragement
- Grief – Grief is hard work &, in those moments of despair & loneliness, the doubts can begin to set in.
o “Why did God let this happen? Why didn’t God answer my prayers?”
- Just hard times in general
John the Baptist’s experience w/ doubt.
- Matthew 11:2-3 – “Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples & said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?’” And Jesus answered them, ‘Go & tell John what you hear & see: the blind receive their sight & the lame walk, lepers are cleansed & the deaf hear, & the dead are raised up, & the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.’” (NIV)
We doubt when we don’t get the satisfactory answers to our questions.
- “…I will never believe.” – v. 25 – Scary statement for Thomas to make!
RECEIVE THE GRACE OF JESUS IN THE MIDST OF DOUBTING – v. 26-27
Let me make something very clear: Jesus loves doubters.
- His response to John the Baptist in his moment of doubting – Matthew 11:4-6 – “And Jesus answered them, ‘Go & tell John what you hear & see: the blind receive their sight & the lame walk, lepers are cleansed & the deaf hear, & the dead are raised up, & the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” (NIV)
- Jesus didn’t fuss at John. He didn’t shame him. He didn’t ignore him. He showed him grace & answered his questions w/ His life-changing truth & deeds.
His response to Thomas is also another amazing display of grace & love.
- He didn’t have to do that.
- He didn’t say, “O, Thomas, ye of little faith! You doubts are too strong. Your faith is too weak. You’re not truly one of my disciples.”
o That’s how some of us would respond – which is why some people walk away from the church & the faith.
- Jesus responded w/ love & grace.
o “Here! Let me show you!”
You & I MUST learn to do the same thing!
- Respond w/ the love & grace of Jesus pouring out of our lives.
- “Here! Let me show you!”
o Show you in the Word.
o Show you w/ my life.
o And the 2 must agree w/ each other!
o John 13:35 – “By this will all men know that you are my disciples…”
o Matthew 5:16 – “Let your light so shine…”
o Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
o People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
o If we KNOW the love of God, we have to SHOW the love of God – especially to those who are doubting & struggling & deconstructing.
RESPOND IN FAITH TO MOVE OUT OF DOUBTING – v. 28
“My Lord & my God” – What a statement!
- Could have said, “My friend, my Savior, my Messiah.” All those would have been right.
- But saying:
o LORD – Master, Boss – Now that I’ve seen, I now believe & I will live for you from now on.
o GOD – You are not just a great teacher, prophet, & miracle-worker; YOU ARE GOD – which means you are sovereign over my life & worthy of my worship & obedience.
o Make that statement of faith today! If you believe it, say it w/ me right now!
CONCLUSION – But if you couldn’t truthfully & honestly say those words today, that’s ok. You are in a good place – a safe place to have your doubts.
Let me be clear: Doubting is real. Doubting is scary. Doubting can be dangerous. It’s one of the tools in Satan’s toolbox – The first words of Satan recorded in the Bible are, “Did God really say…?” (Genesis 3:1). He loves sowing those seeds of doubt & I wouldn’t be a good pastor & preacher of the Word if I didn’t warn you about that. But know this:
- You are loved by Jesus.
- He died on the cross to save you from your sins.
- He can handle your doubts & will meet you in your doubts.
- So, take a step toward Him today. Don’t have to understand everything. Just come to Him today.
- There are people in this place right now who will step into your season of doubt w/ you & walk w/ you until you’re in the safety of an eternal relationship w/ Jesus.
