C. BOSTIAN            TURNING DOUBT INTO FAITH              4/3/05

 

[s] John 20:24-29 (MsgB)

But Thomas, sometimes called the Twin, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples told him, "We saw the Master." But he said, "Unless I see the nail holes in his hands, put my finger in the nail holes, and stick my hand in his side, I won't believe it." [26] Eight days later, his disciples were again in the room. This time Thomas was with them. Jesus came through the locked doors, stood among them, and said, "Peace to you."[s] [27] Then he focused his attention on Thomas. "Take your finger and examine my hands. Take your hand and stick it in my side. Don't be unbelieving. Believe." [28] Thomas said, "My Master! My God!" [29] Jesus said, "So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing."

 

FOR OVER 2000 YEARS THIS MAN WE JUST READ ABOUT IN THE SCRIPTURE HAS AN UNFAIR LABEL ASSIGNED TO HIS LIFE JUST BECAUSE HE WAS HONEST ABOUT HIS DOUBT CONCERNING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.  [s] SO WE HAVE LABELLED HIM “THE DOUBTING THOMAS.”  I THINK JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH KNOWS WHAT THAT PHRASE MEANS.  BUT DID YOU KNOW THAT THOMAS DIED AS A MARTYR FOR HIS FAITH IN CHRIST.  SO OFTEN WE LABEL SOMEONE WITH DOUBT AND THINK THAT THEY ARE LESS OF A CHRISTIAN; WHEN IN REALITY, THEY ARE JUST STRUGGLING IN BELEIVING BUT HAVEN’T DERIVED AT A FINAL DECISION CONCERNING THE MATTER.  SO THIS MORNING I WANT TO LOOK AT A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON DOUBT SO THAT WE TURN OUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.

 

[S] Seabiscut Movie Clip: ride again?

 

IF YOU WANT TO BE HONEST ABOUT IT, EVERYBODY HAS SOME LEVEL OF DOUBT IN THEIR LIFE.  WE ALL HAVE A TENDENCY AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER TO SECOND GUESS OURSELVES.  DID I MARRY THE RIGHT PERSON?  DID I DO THE RIGHT THING? DID I TAKE THE RIGHT JOB? DID I SAY THE RIGHT THING?  SHOULD I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR?  SHOULD I TAKE IT BACK TO THE STORE?  YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN? WE ALL HAVE SOME DOUBTS IN OUR LIFE.

 

NOW THERE ARE MANY KINDS OF DOUBT.  WHEN WE DOUBT THE FUTURE WE CALL IT WORRY.  WHEN WE DOUBT OTHER PEOPLE WE CALL IT SUSPICION.  WHEN WE DOUBT OURSELVES WE CALL IT INFERIORITY.  WHEN WE DOUBT WHAT WE HEAR ON TV IT’S CALLED INTELLEGINCE.  WHEN WE DOUBT A POLITICIAN WE CALL IT DISCRETION.  WHEN WE DOUBT EVERYTHING WE CALL IT CYNICISIM OR SKEPTICISIM.  MEN TYPICALLY GO THEORUGH A PERIOD OF DOUBT CALLED MID-LIFE CRISIS: WE DOUBT OUR VERILITY OUR ABILITY AND OUR SENILITY.  MID-LIFE CRISIS IS THE AGE OF THE THREE B’S: BIFOCALS, BALDING AND BULGES.  STATISTICS SHOW THAT MEN ARE GETTING NIPPED AND TCKED BY PLASTIC SURGEONS JUST AS MUCH AS WOMEN?  WHY?  BECAUSE THEY’RE DOUBTING THERE APPEAREANCE AND THEY’RE JUST A VAIN AS SOME WOMEN.

 

NOW, DO CHRISTIANS EVER FALL INTO INDECISION AND DOUBT?  I THINK WE CAN ALL SAY AN EMPHATIC, YES!

 

[s] 2 Cor. 4:7-10 (MsgB)

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us.  [8] As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do,   (we are some times in doubt but never in despair) [s]  [9] but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.  [10] What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives!

 

[s] THAT IS ABOUT THE BEST, HONEST ASSESMENT ON LIFE THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD.  WE GOT TROUBLES BUT WE’RE NOT CRUSHED.  SOMETIMES WE DOUBT BUT WE’RE NEVER IN DESPAIR.  WE HAVE ENEMIES BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE A FRIEND AND SOMETIMES WE BADLY HURT BUT WE’RE NOT DESTROYED.  YOU SEE THE POINT IS THIS: WE CAN HAVE SOME DOUBTS AS A CHRISTIAN AND NOT BE DEFEATED BY THEM.

 

[s] James 1:5-8 (KJV)

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. [8] A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

 

[s] James 1:5-8 (MsgB)

If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. [6] Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. [7] Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, [8] adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

 

I RECEIVED A CALL INTO THE MINISTRY BACK IN 1973 AND EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN TEACHING PEOPLE WHAT I KNOW ABOUT THE REVEALED WORD OF GOD.  ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO CONTEND WITH IN PRAYER IS DOUBT, FEAR AND UNBELIEF.  I PUT ALL THREE TOGETHER BECAUSE I THOUGHT THEY WERE ALL RELATED TO EACH OTHER. [s] IN FACT I THOUGHT THAT DOUBT AND UNBELIEF WERE ONE AND THE SAME THING.  THAT IS UNTIL JUST RECENTLY I DISCOVERED THAT THEY ARE NOT.  I thought that faith meant an absence of doubt. I think a lot of Christians may feel this way. If we struggle with any kind of doubt we wonder if we’re on the verge of losing our faith. We may even feel guilty about entertaining doubts. No one showed us how to handle them, so we shove them aside and attempt to go on with faith. On the flip side, there are folks who haven’t crossed the line of faith yet because they still grapple with serious doubts about major Christian teachings. Maybe you’re one of those people who’ve concluded that since you have some doubts you can’t consider yourself a Christian with integrity.  BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS MORNING THAT YOU COULDN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.  HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT ONCE YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE [s] AND I WANT TO SET SOME OF YOU FREE FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF YOUR BOUT WITH DOUBT.

 

[S] Mark 11:23 (KJV)

For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

 

Acts 2:4-13 (KJV) 

    And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. [5] And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. [s] [6] Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. [7] And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? [8] And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? …..We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. [12] And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What does this mean? [13] Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.

 

[s] Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) 

    Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

 

Heb 11:1 (TLB)

1 What is faith? It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.

 

Wherever you are on your spiritual journey, we’re going to address this issue today, [s]  “What do I do with my doubts?” and “how to turn YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.”  The most appropriate place to begin is with definitions. The first thing we must determine is: What is faith? By definition you’ll see that faith is not the absence of doubt. Here’s a description of faith straight out of the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [s] SO FAITH is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. Faith is belief. The opposite of faith is not doubt. It is unbelief.

 

NOW, There is a difference between doubt and unbelief, so let’s define DOUBT as well. [s] What is doubt?
Doubt literally means “two minds.” The doubting person vacillates between two points of view. In the Old Testament, the prophet, Elijah called the people to make up their minds about who was really God. He defined doubt quite well: LET’S READ IT IN:

 

[s] 1 Kings 18:20-21 (KJV)

So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. [21] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

 

[s] 1 Kings 18:20-21 (MsgB)

So Ahab summoned everyone in Israel, particularly the prophets, to Mount Carmel. [21] Elijah challenged the people: "How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it's Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!" Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

 

[s] NOW, I BELIEVE THAT SITTING ON THE FENCE TOO LONG CAN BE A NEGATIVE THING IN YOUR LIFE.  WHEN JESUS FINALLY APPEARED TO DOUBTING THOMAS IN ONE OF HIS POST RESURRECTION APPEARANCES HE DIDN’T VEHEMTLY CENSURE HIM OR OPENLY REBUKE HIM FOR HIS DOUBT.  HE SIMPLY APPEARED TO HIM IN SUCH A WAY THAT HE FINALLY MADE UP HIS MIND ABOUT THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.  WHAT HAPPENED?  HE GOT MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION AND REVELATATION ABOUT THE RESURRECTION.  MAYBE THERE’S AN AREA OF TRUTH THAT YOU HAVEN’T MADE UP YOUR MIND ABOUT WHETHER YOU SHOULD BELIEVING GOD OR NOT.  ONE WAY TO TURN THAT DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO GET MORE ACCURATE INFORMATION AND REVELATION

ABOUT IT.

[s] Ephes. 1:17 (KJV)

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

 

Ephes. 1:17 (MsgB) 

    But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,

 

[s] Col. 1:9-11 (KJV) 

    For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

THERE ARE A Lot of factors THAT determine whether we doubt or not. Sometimes our doubts are purely intellectual and at other times we’re just going through a rebellious time of life. When it comes to God AS OUR FATHER, our family backgrounds AND particularly our relationships with our EARTHLY father CAN causeS us to be suspicious about a loving and merciful HEAVENLY FATHER. In some churches a false view of God is taught. We’re told that if we name and claim it, God is bound to give it to us. [s] That’s a false view of God and when he doesn’t come through with the thing that we want, we typically begin to doubt his existence rather than question the false teaching.   I WILL SAY MORE ABOUT THIS A LITTLE LATER AS WE LOOK AT THREE CAUSES FOR DOUBT IN OUR LIFE.

[s] Hebrews 4:12 (MsgB)

God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.

[s] The underlying REASON why doubts enter into our lives iS that the truth that we’re supposed to believe doesn’t ALWAYS match up with our experience. GOD IS A LOVING, CARING AND GENEROUS HEAVENLY FATHER BUT WHY DID HE LET THIS CRISIS HAPPEN IN MY LIFE? [s] Doubt is not unbelief. It’s wavering between truth and experience. Faith and doubt can exist together. In fact, doubt can actually be A good thing. Here’s why: A dose of doubt can make your faith stronger.

In his book on doubt, Dr. Guinness starts off by describing an experience in a Pyrenean village. A farmer had tied an enormous load of wood onto the back of a donkey. However hard the farmer whipped the animal, it could only stumble along, getting progressively slower and slower, until it sank down in exhaustion under the burden. Still the farmer whipped the poor animal. The writer saw this as a parable of [s] how some Christians treat their faith – they say, “Believe this”, “Stop doubting”, “Act in faith” and continue to try anD whip their faltering faith into action until, finally, it collapses anD can go no further. Don’t bury your doubts. Learn to deal with them. It can make

your faith stronger.

[s] Philip Yancey ONCE SAID, “Doubt is the skeleton in the closet of faith and I know no better way to treat a skeleton than to bring it into the open and expose it for what it is: not something to hide or fear, but a hard structure on which living tissue may grow.”
God doesn’t condemn us for our doubts. He uses them, and seems to lead us into situations that bring them TO THE FOREFRONT SO THAT IT CAN ACTUALLY make our faith stronger. Here’s one example from the Bible.

 

[s] Mark 9:14-27 (MsgB)

When they came back down the mountain to the other disciples, they saw a huge crowd around them, and the religion scholars cross-examining them. [15] As soon as the people in the crowd saw Jesus, admiring excitement stirred them. They ran and greeted him. [16] He asked, "What's going on? What's all the commotion?" [17] A man out of the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought my mute son, made speechless by a demon, to you. [18] Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and goes stiff as a board. I told your disciples, hoping they could deliver him, but they couldn't." [s] [19] Jesus said, "What a generation! No sense of God! How many times do I have to go over these things? How much longer do I have to put up with this? Bring the boy here." [20] They brought him. When the demon saw Jesus, it threw the boy into a seizure, causing him to writhe on the ground and foam at the mouth. [21] He asked the boy's father, "How long has this been going on?"

"Ever since he was a little boy. [22] Many times it pitches him into fire or the river to do away with him. If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!" [23] Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen." [s]  [24] No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!" [25] Seeing that the crowd was forming fast, Jesus gave the vile spirit its marching orders: "Dumb and deaf spirit, I command you—Out of him, and stay out!" [26] Screaming, and with much thrashing about, it left. The boy was pale as a corpse, so people started saying, "He's dead." [27] But Jesus, taking his hand, raised him. The boy stood up.

 

A man’s son was possessed by an evil spirit and he brought him to Jesus for healing. At first Jesus’ followers tried to cast the evil spirit out, but they couldn’t do it. Of course this man began to doubt. The man was wavering between belief and unbelief. Jesus didn’t condemn him. Instead, he healed his son. This was a faith strengthening moment. Do you think this guy ever doubted Jesus’ ability again? No way. If we’ll just drag our doubts out into the open and deal with them honestly our faith will be strengthened. If we seek God for an answer, he’ll lead us to places and events and information that will strengthen us in the face of doubt. You need to also understand this fact about faith. Faith is the will to believe.  You are a person of faith if you want to believe the promises of God and the truths of the Bible, but you still struggle with doubt. The key is your will.

 

Matthew 14:24-33 (KJV)

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. [25] And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. [26] And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. [27] But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. [28] And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. [s] [29] And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. [31] And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? [32] And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. [33] Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

 

   NOW LET ME GIVE YOU SOME CAUSES FOR DOUBT.  BECAUSE ONCE WE UNDERSTAND SOME OF THE ROOT CAUSES FOR DOUBT SO THAT WE CAN GET THE VICTORY OVER IT.   NEXT WEEK I WANT TO SHOW YOU SOME THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO SO THAT YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.

 

[S] 1. CRITICS AND CRITICISM WILL OFTEN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.

 

[s] Proverbs 1:22 (MsgB)

"Simpletons! How long will you wallow in ignorance? Cynics! How long will you feed your cynicism? Idiots! How long will you refuse to learn?

 

Proverbs 29:8 (MsgB) 

A gang of cynics can upset a whole city;  a group of sages can calm everyone down.

 

Psalm 119:51 (MsgB)  The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation.

 

[s] 2 Peter 3:3 (KJV) 

    Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

 

2 Peter 3:3 (MsgB) 

    First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings,

 

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CHALLENGE YOUR FAITH AND WHO RIDICULE AND MAKE FUN OF YOUR BELIEFS.  THE BIBLES SAYS A LOT ABOUT THESE PEOPLE AND IT CALLS THEM SCOFFERS.  WE’VE ALL BEEN IN A CLASSROOM OR A CAFETERIA OR A RESTAURANT WHERE OUR BELIEFS WERE CRITICIZED OR CHALLENGED IN SOME WAY.  CRITICS CAN BE ONE SOURCE THAT CAUSES DOUBT IN A BELIEVER.

 

[s] Psalm 73:8-10 (MsgB)

They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. [9] They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. [10] People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.

 

[S] 2. HERE’S ANOTHER WAY THAT DOUBT COMES INTO OUR LIVES AND THAT IS THROUGH A SEARED CONSCIENCE.  WHEN WE FEEL GUILTY FOR DOING SOMETHING WE CAN RATIONALIZE OUR BELIEF TO FIT OUR LIFESTYLE.

 

 

[s] 1 Tim. 1:19 (KJV)

Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

 

1 Tim. 1:19 (MsgB)

keeping a firm grip on your faith and on yourself. After all, this is a fight we're in. There are some, you know, who by relaxing their grip and thinking anything goes have made a thorough mess of their faith.

 

[S] YOU SEE, IF YOU HAVE A GUILTY CONSCIENCE ABOUT SOMETHING AND YOU DON’T WANT TO CHANGE OR BE CHANGED BY GOD AND HIS WORD YOU’LL START DENYING YOUR BELIEF.  DOUBT IS OFTEN A MEANS TO JUSTIFY WHAT WE WANT TO DO REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS.  OUR MORALITY WILL OFTEN DETERMINE OUR THEOLOGY WHEN WHAT WE SHOULD REALLY BE DOING IS LETTING GOD’S THEOLOGY DETERMINE OUR MORALITY.  WE NEED TO ACCEPT CLEAR BIBLICAL TRUTH AS THE TRUTH AND LINE UP OUR LIFE ACCORDINGLY.  WE DON’T DOUBT WHAT GOD SAID IN ORDER TO JUSTIFY OUR SIN OR IMMORALITY.  AND WE DON’T EXCUSE OUR BEHAVIOR BASED ON PERSOANL INTERPRETATION OF GOD’S WORD.  SOMETIMES WE EXCUSE OUR BEHAVIOR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT’S NOT WHAT GOD REALLY MEANT BY THAT PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE.  SO WE CHOOSE TO DOUBT OR DISREGARD GOD’S WORD AS APPLICABLE TO OUR BEHAVIOR SO THAT WE CAN JUSTIFY OUR ACTIONS.  WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT WE ARE DOUBTING THE AUTHENTICITY OF GOD’S WORD.  HERE’S ONE JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE: THE SCRIPTURE SAYS DON’T BE UNEQUALLY YOKED TO AN UNBELIEVER IN MARRIAGE.  THAT MEANS THAT A CHRISTIAN SHOULD NOT MARRY A NONCHRISTIAN. SO THIS GAL IS GETTING OLDER AND SHE THINKS HER CHANCES OF GETTING MARRIED ARE PASSING HER BY SO SHE JUST SAYS SOMETHING, WELL, I JUST BELIEVE THAT ONCE WE’RE MARRIED HE’LL COME AROUND TO ACCEPTING MY BELIEFS AND GO TO CHURCH WITH ME.  BUT HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT RARELY HAPPENS.  SO THE REASON GOD SAID THAT IN HIS WORD IS TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST SOMETHING THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF DESTROYING YOUR LIFE OR ABORTING YOUR PURPOSE AND POTENTIAL IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD.  [S] SO YOU DOUBT THAT THAT SCRIPTURE IS APPLICABLE TO YOUR LIFE AND YOU DISREGARD IT ALTOGETHER.  YOU DON’T BELIEVE IT SO YOU DOUBT AND YOUR MORAILTY DETERMINES YOUR THEOLOGY.  IF YOU VIOLATE YOU CONSCIENCE YOU’RE GONNA GET IN TROUBLE.

 

[S] 3. CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.  OUR PRAYERS ARE UNANSWERED OR A TRAGEDY STRIKES OR WHEN WE’RE SUDDENLY FACE WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO A GOOD PERSON IT GETS US TO DOUBT GOD.  WELL LORD I DID WHAT YOU SAID AND ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. WE SAY THINGS LIKE: “GOD WHY DID YOU ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME.”  I SAY THAT A LOT.  I’M GONNA GET AN EMAIL OUT TO GOD ON THIS ONE: LORD WHAT’S GOING ON HERE.  LOVE CRAIG  I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU LOVED ME?

 

[S] Mark 4:35-41 (MsgB)

Late that day he said to them, "Let's go across to the other side." [36] They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. [37] A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. [38] And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, "Teacher, is it nothing to you that we're going down with the ship?" [39] Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, "Quiet! Settle down!" The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. [s]  [40] Jesus reprimanded the disciples: "Why are you such cowards and doubt? Don't you have any faith at all?" [41] They were in absolute awe, staggered. "Who is this, anyway?" they asked. "Wind and sea at his beck and call!"

 

WHAT’S HAPPENNING HERE?  A STORM COMES UP FROM NO WHERE AND THE DISCIPLES PANIC FOR THEIR LIFE.  THEY RUN TO JESUS OUT OF FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES.  LORD DON’T YOU CARE THAT WE ABOUT TO DIE OUT HERE IN THIS BOAT?  THAT’S A TYPICAL REACTION WE GET WHEN WE’RE UNDER PRESSURE AND WE DON’T UNDERSTAND, THE RESULT IS WE BEGIN TO DOUBT.  DON’T YOU CARE ABOUT ME GOD?

 

THERE WAS A NEW GALLOP POLE IN AMERICA THAT STATES THAT 96% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IN GOD.  BUT WHAT KIND OF GOD DO THEY BELIEVE IN: IS HE A PERSOANL GOD?  IS HE A LOVING AND COMPASSIONATE GOD?  IS HE DEPENDABLE?  IS HE INTERESTED IN ME?  YOU SEE THE PROBLEM THAT GOD HAS WITH MANY CHRISTIANS IS THAT THEIR RELIGION CAUSES THEM TO FALSELY REPRESENT HIM TO PEOPLE AS BEING CRITICAL, JUDGEMENTAL AND DOWN RIGHT MEAN TO PEOPLE.   AND THEN THERE ARE FALSE TEACHERS OUT THERE THAT PORTRAY GOD IN A WRONG WAY AND SO PEOPLE DOUBT THE INHERENT GOODNESS OF GOD.  SO WHEN A BAD SITUATION OR CIRCUMSTANCE HAPPENS TO THEM THEY BEGIN TO DOUBT THE GOODNESS OF GOD AND START TO BLAME HIM FOR SOMETHING THAT ORIGINATED WITH THE GOD OF THIS WORLD WHO SEEKS TO KILL, STEAL AND DESTROY PEOPLES LIVES.  SO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE YOU TO DOUBT GOD.

 

[s] Lament. 3:22-26 (KJV)

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. [24] The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. [25] The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. [26] It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

 

[s] 2 Cor. 1:20 (KJV) 

    For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

 

Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

 

[s] SO THERE ARE THREE MAJOR THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE DOUBT IN YOUR LIFE: CRITICS, A SEARED CONSCIENCE AND CIRCUMSTANCES.  BUT LISTEN TO ME THIS MORNING: YOU DON’T HAVE TO STAY IN YOUR DOUBT YOU CAN CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN GOD BASED ON THE REVELATION OF HIS WORD AND HIS FAITHFULNESS TO FULFILL HIS PROMISES TO YOU.  NOW NEXT WEEK WE’RE GONNA LOOK AT SOME WAYS THAT YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.