These Passages Are Meant to Encourage Us Toward or Bolster Our Faith in Christ A little faith is fruitful. Matthew 21:21 Faith like Abraham. Romans 4:20-25 When praying: ask in faith. James 1:5-8 When serving the Lord. Romans 14:22-23 Yet, these very passages become a stumbling stone for a number of Christians who struggle with doubt.

As Christians We Want Assurance of Our Faith We want to be genuine with the faith we have. 2 Timothy 1:5 We don’t want others to see potential/or flat out hypocrisy regarding our beliefs. We want to be true to ourselves!

So We Strive… To grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord. 2 Peter 3:18 To study to show ourselves approved. 2 Timothy 2:15 To give a defense for the hope within us. 2 Peter 2:15

Yet, Many Believers Have Levels of Doubt About our faith in/about Christ. Peter. Matthew 14:28-31 Theophilos: a likely reason for Luke’s gospel. Luke 1:3-4 “Doubting Thomas”. John 20:25 Some disciples AFTER Jesus’ resurrection. Matt. 28:16-17

Contrasting ‘Unbelief’

Acceptable vs. Condemning Unbelief Mark 9:14-29 Context is everything Acceptable unbelief – disciples of Christ: A man who believes yet recognizes his limitations with his belief(s). V. 24, 28-29 Condemning unbelief – detractors of Christ: A man who is disobedient or rejects a certain belief/belief system. V. 14 (Heb. 3:12)

Help for (would be) believers struggling with ‘unbelief’

Believers/Would be believers Focus your faith on Christ… not on Christians. Romans 3:4 Focus your faith on simple/fundamental truths. John 14:6 Trust His words of salvation and walk in Him. John 20:30-31

Those who are “Strong in the Faith”… Know that not every Christian (‘believer’) is as firm in your conviction regarding Christ. Jude 20-22 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting”