FREEDOM FROM DOUBT – Questions Lead to Answers
• John 20:24-29 (NIV)
[24] Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
[26] A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" [27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
[28] Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
[29] Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
INTRODUCTION:
On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico. How was this incredible feat accomplished, when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil? Here’s the secret. Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain. And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat burned and sank. And from that point on, they knew beyond any doubt there was no return, no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die.
How often does doubt seemingly fill our hearts causing us to want to run and retreat. According to Ray Comfort 80% of those who accept Christ today in America backslide and abandon their faith. According to Comfort these people where sincere when they accepted Christ, but they did so for the wrong reasons. Rather than understanding that they had sinned against a holy God and escape His wrath at judgment through Jesus Christ, they come to Christ to have a life filled with peace love and joy. Therefore when they experience difficulties, and we all do, they are overcome by doubt and return to the world to try to find something else that will make them happy.
It’s time for us to burn the ships, to never let doubt cause us to want to retreat to the refuge of familiar places and the pleasures of sin the world offers for but a season. When you burn the ships and are committed to stay the course and not retreat, DOUBT CAN BECOME YOUR FRIEND. When hardships and difficulties come and doubts fill our hearts that is when our faith can be strengthened and with a new found resolve we persevere to the end. Burn the ships; there is no turning back. I choose to make doubt my friend so my faith will increase and I will stand before Christ unashamed because I overcame by faith.
This morning we want to discover freedom from doubt—to see that the nagging questions that sometimes fill our hearts all have answers. With God’s help we can be free from doubt. Instead of doubt being our enemy that seeks to hold us captive, it can become our friend that strengthens our faith to be stronger.
Through the story of “doubting” Thomas we are going to discover how God responds to our seasons of doubt as well as some important steps that we can take to make doubt our friend so our faith will grow.
I. What is doubt?
1. Doubt comes in many shapes and sizes.
a) According to the dictionary doubt is:
1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe.
2. to distrust.
doubt. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1). Retrieved September 01, 2006, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=doubt&x=17&y=12
b) Essentially to doubt is to question or be skeptical. When our doubt is directed at a person doubt is seen as distrust because we call into question the ability or character of the person.
c) This can even happen with God. We can doubt God’s love or His power to heal. Doubting God is to question if God will do what He said He will do.
d) As Christians a good way to think of doubt is simply to question God’s word. Satan wants to call God a liar, to convince you that God is not trustworthy and won’t do what He has said. What will we do with our doubts? Will we continue to question God’s word, or will we break free from our doubts and believe what God has said? Will we doubt God or trust Him?
2. Some say it is impossible to mix doubt with faith
a) Not true! Faith and doubt are mixed all the time and that’s why we struggle with doubt because it questions what we believe.
b) Doubt does not contradict our faith; doubt questions our faith creating uncertainty. The opposite of faith is not doubt it is disbelief.
ILLUSTRATION: A father brought his son to Jesus to be set free from a demon. This boy would foam at the mouth; he was unable to speak. The demon would often throw the boy to the ground in a seizure, even throwing the boy into the fire. The boy had been like this his entire life. This was a big problem for the boy and his father took him to Jesus for help. Why did he come to Jesus? He believed Jesus could do something to help his son. This man had faith—BUT HE ALSO HAD HIS DOUBTS. The man said to Jesus “Do something for us if you can.” “IF” a little word that carries all our doubts. When questioned by Jesus about his doubts, the father didn’t list his doubts. He affirmed his faith and asked for help to overcome his doubts.
• Mark 9:23-24 (NIV)
[23] " ’If you can’?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." [24] Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"
c) The fact that you have doubts is evidence that you have faith! Some think doubt means the absence of faith, but doubt is really an indication that you have faith. To doubt is to question God’s word. Faith is to have confidence in God’s word, therefore doubt questions your faith in God’s word!
ILLUSTRATION: Our feelings of doubt are like the tide with it’s ebb and flow in an ocean of faith. The high tide lifts everything along the shore; places once dry are submerged in water. However, hours later when the tide goes out again things that had been lifted high by the tide are now brought low and places once wet are now exposed to the heat of the sun and are drying out. Yet the oceans were not drained of water. When the tide goes out in one place it rises in another. Likewise doubt does not empty us of faith; it is only able to push it aside. Our high spirits and joy filled emotions have fallen low with doubt—hearts once pulsating with life are now dry and seemingly lifeless. FAITH IS NOT GONE—IT IS NOT DIMINISHED. Faith has only been pushed aside by a season by doubt, but with one word faith will rush back in and doubt will vanish . . . until it tries to empty us of faith again, yet all it ever does is push it aside until faith comes back stronger than before.
d) The first key to freedom from doubt is found in the understanding that doubt is not the absence or lack of faith—that doubt is evidence of your faith. The key is this: make your prayer, “LORD I BELIEVE, HELP ME OVERCOME MY UNBELIEF.” Ask God to strengthen your faith and be free from your doubt.
e) If you did not have faith your doubts would solidify into denial and disbelief. Remember doubt is like the low tide; it does not empty us of faith it only moves it aside. Faith remains! Jesus said with a mustard seed of faith you can move mountains! Even when you don’t feel like there is any faith left in your heart FAITH REMAINS so you can move your mountain of doubt.
f) The fact of the matter is even those who deny God and don’t believe in what the Bible says sometimes “doubt” what they believe. We just don’t often call it doubt when the Holy Spirit opens their darkened minds to the light of the truth and they begin to doubt or question what they don’t believe in—we call it conviction that convinces the non-believer (or what we sometimes call the pre-believer) of their need for God’s love.
g) God transforms disbelief into faith; He has done that for all of us. We all believe, but sometimes we struggle as our faith is mixed with doubt. Questions and uncertainty flood out minds. What are we to do with doubt? PRAY! “Lord I believe, help my unbelief!”
II. What are the causes of doubt?
1. The causes of doubt are as numerous as the sand on the seashore.
a) Over 6 billion people fill the planet earth, and each is an individual with their own doubts. What causes one person to doubt may not challenge the faith of another person.
b) While the causes of doubt are individual and specific to each person, there are five broad natural causes of doubt.
2. Five natural causes of doubt.
a) SELF—often we don’t need to look any further than the face in the mirror for the cause of our doubt. Poor self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence hold many of us in a prison of doubt. We can break free from our self doubt.
b) FEARS—fear come in all shapes and sizes; some are legitimate and others are imaginary. Fear creates doubt, but we can break free from the doubt caused by fear.
c) PHYSICAL ISSUES—Doubt can come from a personal illness, or it may result from the prolonged disease of others we love. We question God’s ability to heal. When death comes either by disease or through an accident we question why God would let it happen. We can be set free from the doubt caused by physical issues.
d) CRISIS EVENTS—Unexpected crisis comes in all shapes and sizes. It may be what the insurance company calls an “act of God” like storms or earthquakes. It might be an act of violence and evil. Tragedy comes in all shapes and sizes. It could be an economic crisis. When there is more month than we have money, or if we unexpectedly lose our job we often doubt God’s provision. We question whether or not God will meet our needs. Regardless of the size of the crisis, we can break free fro the doubt caused by crisis events.
e) OTHER PEOPLE—The criticism of others, unkind words, resentment and unforgiveness, doubt can be triggered by other people. We can break free from the doubt other people cause in our lives.
3. The primary cause that triggers all doubt—SPIRITUAL WARFARE.
a) Satan wants to destroy your faith and will use doubt to try to defeat you. Regardless of the natural cause of doubt you need to remember that you are engaged in a spiritual battle.
b) If we were to identify just one reason for doubt it would all come down to the spiritual fight for our soul.
• Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
c) We need to learn to look beyond the natural causes of doubt and remember we are engaged in a spiritual battle.
4. God won’t leave us to fight the battle alone! Greater is He who is in us than the one who is in the world. Our doubts are not greater than our faith!
a) Faith is strengthened as our doubts are overcome with the help of the Holy Spirit. The struggle you feel is the Holy Spirit working within you to strengthen your faith. Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” The Holy Spirit is with you to help you overcome your doubt and strengthen your faith.
b) Satan wants to use your doubts to paralyze you, to make you hesitate and not take the step of faith and obedience that God wants you to take. AS CHRISTIANS DOUBT IS A SPIRITUAL BATTLE. God does not leave you to fight this battle alone; the Holy Spirit will strengthen your faith and empower you to overcome all your doubts.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 (MsgB)
But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you.
III. How does God respond to our doubt? As Jesus responds to Thomas we learn how God will meet us in our times of doubt.
1. Jesus came to Thomas. God will not leave us to suffer alone with our doubt; THE LORD WILL COME TO US.
• John 20:26 (NIV)
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them.
a) Doubt wants us to believe that God has forsaken us, that we are alone and helpless. Doubt questions God’s word. Through doubt Satan calls God a liar. Don’t believe the devil’s lies!
• Matthew 28:20 (NIV)
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
• John 14:18 (NIV)
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
• Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
b) God will come alongside you even in those times your heart is filled with doubt. Stop focusing on your doubts and fears and look to the Lord. When you seek Him you will find Him because He is right there with you!
2. Jesus speaks to Thomas. God will not remain silent, but will confirm His Word.
• John 20:27 (NIV)
Then he said to Thomas, ". . . Stop doubting and believe."
a) Thomas had questioned Jesus’ word. Jesus said He would rise again on the third day. What Jesus said was the truth, but Thomas doubted the words of Jesus.
b) God has given us his word to remove all doubt from our hearts. When you hear His word your doubts diminish and your faith grows stronger.
• Romans 10:17 (NIV)
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
c) Don’t let your doubts tell you God is silent. Pick up your Bible and begin to read it. God is not silent; the Lord will speak to you. Listen He is calling your name and wants to tell you of His unfailing love, to make His promises come alive. LISTEN! God will speak to you even in your seasons of doubt.
3. Jesus invited Thomas to touch His hands and feet to see that He was indeed alive. God will meet us at our point of need to dispel our doubts.
• John 20:27 (NIV)
Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."
a) Thomas had not made a prayer of his doubts; it was more of a challenge to the disciples. Nevertheless Jesus gave him what he needed.
• Matthew 6:8 (NLT)
. . . Your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!
b) Don’t let your doubts convince you that God does not know what you need, or that He is powerless to help you. My God will meet all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. GOD WILL EVEN PROVIDE FOR YOU IN TIMES OF DOUBT TO HELP YOU OVERCOME AND STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH.
4. As the body of Christ WE ARE HIS HANDS AND FEET. We should follow Jesus’ example to come alongside those who doubt to help build up their faith.
• Jude 1:22 (NIV)
Be merciful to those who doubt.
a) Doubt is not contagious nor is it one of the seven deadly sins. We don’t need to withdraw from those who are experiencing doubt. Instead we need to be there to help them; NO ONE SHOULD GO THROUGH A SEASON OF DOUBT ALONE.
b) We should be ready to be used by the Holy Spirit to speak a word of encouragement to those who doubt. FAITH COMES BY HEARING. Speak God’s word into the lives of those around you to build up their faith and set them free from doubt.
c) God can use us in practical ways to meet an individual’s needs. Through our willingness to be used by God and do whatever He asks of us, God can prove Himself faithful and trustworthy chasing away all doubt.
IV. How should we respond to our doubt? We find three keys to breaking free from our doubt in the story of “doubting” Thomas.
1. Be honest about your doubt.
• John 20:25 (NIV)
So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."
a)
2. Stay in fellowship with other believers.
• John 20:26 (NIV)
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
a)
3. Confess the Jesus as Lord and affirm His Word.
• John 20:28 (NIV)
Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
a)
V. Doubt is not our enemy. We can break free from doubt and make it our friend as it proves and strengthens our faith.
1. Doubt is evidence that you have faith. Affirm your faith and make it stronger by using doubt to your advantage to make your faith stronger with the help of the Holy Spirit.
a)
2. Doubt can also be a reminder that we must examine ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. RATHER THAN QUESTION GOD—QUESTION YOUR FAITH IN GOD AND PUT IT TO THE TEST.
a)
• Galatians 6:4 (NIV)
Each one should test his own actions.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
Conclusion: COMMUNION
• 1 Corinthians 11:28 (NIV)
A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
• John 20:29 (NIV)
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
