Abnormally Normal PBC Sermon Series

DEALING With DOUBTS

Luke 7:18-23 John’s (who was in prison) disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, 19he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’” 21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

22So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

Luke 3:15-18 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else ‘Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?’ “I believe, help my unbelief”

THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF UNBELIEF  THERE IS AN UNBELIEF THAT REFUSES TO BELIEVE THERE’S AN UNBELIEF THAT ACKNOWLEDGES GOD … YET STRUGGLES WITH QUESTIONS AND DOUBTS

To Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden … Did God really say you may not eat of the tree? To Jesus in the wilderness: … If you are the Son of God …

John 2:25 “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.”

Mat 14:31 “O you of little faith. Why did you doubt Mat 14:31 “O you of little faith! Why did you doubt?” Matthew 21:21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt

James 1:6-8 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO OVERCOME OUR DOUBTS

WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF DOUBTING KNOW THIS: YOU ARE NOT ALONE DOUBT AND FAITH LIVE SIDE BY SIDE IN ALL OF US

Martin Lloyd-Jones (Spiritual Depression pg 154, Chapter xi – “Looking at the waves”) Though you have faith, you may still be troubled by doubts and there are examples of this not only in Scripture but also in the subsequent history of the Christian Church. …

Read the lives of some of the greatest saints that ever trod this earth and you will find they have been assailed by doubts. Our Lord here surely gives the final word on this – doubts are not incompatible with faith.

THE OVERRIDING TRUTH IS THIS: JESUS DIDN’T REJECT THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR DOUBTS

Matt 14 30-31 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Martin Lloyd-Jones (pg 154): Doubts are not incompatible with faith Martin Lloyd-Jones (pg 154): Doubts are not incompatible with faith. … Some people seem to think that once you become a Christian you should never be assailed by doubt. But that is not so, Peter still had faith.

Our Lord said to him: “You of little faith Our Lord said to him: “You of little faith.” He did not say, “Peter, because you have doubts you have no faith at all.” That is what many people ignorantly say, and it is very wrong. … You may have doubts and still have faith, a weak faith.

John 20:27 27Then 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.”

Luke 24:37-43 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence.

JOHN WAS TO REVIEW THE EVIDENCE AND DRAW HIS OWN CONCLUSIONS Luke 7 22-23 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard:

The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. 23Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”

DOUBT IS NOT GOOD DOUBT IS REALITY You are not alone Jesus does not reject you because of your doubts The Holy Spirit will use you in spite of your doubts

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T DOUBT: Please don’t treat the rest of us like we’re evil pagans or silly children because we have doubts Please don’t look down your noses at us

Please don’t try to fob us off with trite answers … Please give us the freedom to ask questions and express our doubts … Please pray for us Jude 22 Be merciful to those who doubt.

TO YOU WHO FIND YOURSELVES DOUBTING – QUESTIONING …  Don’t feel you have to abandon your faith because you have doubts Don’t feel you have to stop asking questions because you are a believer in Christ

Do give yourself every opportunity to overcome your doubts … to answer your questions Don’t be afraid to ask God for help to overcome your doubts Acknowledge you don’t have all the answers

Look for opportunities to pose your questions … express your doubts Don’t look down your nose at those who don’t question as you do …