C. BOSTIAN            TURNING DOUBT INTO FAITH            4/17/05

Part 3

 

[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."

 

Some of the best people in the Bible have had serious doubts. Abraham didn’t know if he could trust God (Genesis 15:8). Gideon did not know whether God would live up to his promise (Judges 6:17). John the Baptist questioned whether Jesus was the Messiah (Matthew 11:3). Some of the disciples doubted whether God really did raise Jesus from the dead (Matthew 28:17). Thomas, WHO WE JUST READ ABOUT IN OUR OPENING TEXT doubted and demanded that he be able to touch Christ’s wounds before he would believe (John 20:25). But, ultimately, in spite of their doubts, all of them eventually turned their doubt into faith and put their trust in God. AND WHAT WAS TRUE FOR THEM CAN BE YOUR EXPERIENCE TOO:  YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.

 

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 QUESTION WHETHER WE’VE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION OR NOT.  SO ITS NOT A MATTER OF WHETHER WE HAVE DOUBTS OR NOT ITS WHAT WE DO WITH THEM THAT DETERMINES OUR SPIRITUAL CONDITION.  NOW THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE SHOULD DOUBT.  YOU SHOULD DOUBT THAT A VIBRATOR BELT WRAPPED AROUND YOUR WAIST POWERED BY TWO AA BATTRIES IS GOING TO SLIM YOUR WAISTLINE.  YOU SHOULD DOUBT THAT A SEAWEED PATCH ON YOUR ARM IS GONNA MAKE YOUR PANTS FALL OFF.  YOU DOUBT THAT BUT DON’T DOUBT GOD AND HIS WORD.

 

[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.

 

THIS PASSAGE IN 1 KINGS 18 IS THE BEST BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF DOUBT:  HOW LONG WILL YOU HALT BETWEEN TWO OPINIONS.  TO DOUBT IS TO BE DOUBLE MINDED OR TWO HAVE TO OPPOSSING OPINIONS ABOUT WHAT TO BELIEVE OR WHAT TO DO.  DOUBT AND UNBELIEF ARE NOT SYNONMOUS WORD.  THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH IS NOT DOUBT ITS UNBELIEF.  TO DOUBT SIMPLY MEANS YOU HAVEN’T MADE UP YOUR MIND YET ABOUT WHETHER YOU’RE GOING TO TRUST GOD OR NOT.  NOW THE REASON WHY WE CONFUSE DOUBT WITH UNBELIEF IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU DOUBT YOU ARE NOT BELIEVING NOR TRUSTING GOD BECAUSE YOU HAVEN’T MADE UP YOUR MIND YET.  SO GOD GIVES YOU SPACE AND TIME TO TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.  SO THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DOUBT AND UNBELIEF.  WE’RE USING DOUBT IN REFERENCE TO WHEN YOU HONESTLY DON’T KNOW WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO IN SOME SITUATION AND YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PRAY ABOUT IT.  UNBELIEF ON THE OTHER HAND IS YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO DO BUT YOU REFUSE TO DO IT.

 

[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.

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? Doubt is not unbelief. It’s wavering between truth and experience. Faith and doubt can exist together FOR A PERIOD OF TIME HOWEVER IF YOU WAIT TOO LONG IN THE VALLEY OF INDECISION YOUR DOUBT CAN TURN INTO UNBELIEF.

 

[s] Joel 3:14 (KJV) 

    Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

 

Joel 3:14 (MsgB) 

        "Mass confusion, mob uproar—in Decision Valley! God's Judgment Day has arrived in Decision Valley.

 

(S) HERE ARE 3 THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE DOUBT:

 

(S) 1. CRITICS AND CRITICISM WILL OFTEN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.

 

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 SO THAT OUR MORALITY DETERMINES OUR THEOLOGY.

 

3. CIRCUMSTANCES CAN CAUSE US TO DOUBT GOD.  OUR PRAYERS ARE UNANSWERED OR A TRAGEDY STRIKES OR WHEN WE’RE SUDDENLY FACED WITH AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION, WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO A GOOD PERSON IT GETS US TO DOUBT GOD. 

 

[s] HERE ARE 6 THINGS THAT CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH:

 

(S) 1. IF YOU GOT DOUBT ADMITT IT TO GOD.  BE BRUTALLY HONEST ABOUT YOUR DOUBT.

 

[s] Proverbs 10:6-7 (MsgB)

Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. [7] A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench.

 

Proverbs 11:3 (MsgB)

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin.

 

Proverbs 14:2 (MsgB)

An honest life shows respect for God; a degenerate life is a slap in his face.

 

[s] 2 Tim. 2:22 (MsgB)

Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God.

 

John 4:23 (MsgB)

But the time is coming—it has, in fact, come—when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship.

 

WHEN IT COMES TO OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY.  GOD IS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN BE REAL ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS.  HE’S LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN WORSHIP HIM AND RELATE TO HIM IN WHAT IS HONEST AND TRUE IN THEIR LIFE.  WHEN WE REALIZE THE FACT OF HIS OMNICIENCE, THAT IS, THE FACT THAT HE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT US ANY WAY, THE MOST NATURAL RESPONSE IS NOT TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM HIM.  [s] THE FIRST STEP TO OVERCOMING OUR DOUBT IS TO BE HONEST IT. YOU CAN’T OVERCOME ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU GOT A PROBLEM.  SOME PEOPLE FEEL  THAT IF THEY WERE TO ADMITT THEIR DOUBT THAT GOD WON’T LOVE THEM AND RESPECT THEM.  WHY HE MIGHT NOT EVEN THINK THAT I’M A CHRISTIAN.  JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS THE GREATEST MAN EVER BORN OF A WOMAN BUT EVEN HE HAD SOME DOUBTS.

 

[s] Matthew 11:2-7 (MsgB)

John, meanwhile, had been locked up in prison. When he got wind of what Jesus was doing, he sent his own disciples [3] to ask, "Are you the One we've been expecting, or are we still waiting?" [4] Jesus told them, "Go back and tell John what's going on: [5] The blind see, The lame walk, Lepers are cleansed, The deaf hear, The dead are raised, The wretched of the earth learn that God is on their side. [6] "Is this what you were expecting? Then count yourselves most blessed!"      [7] When John's disciples left to report, Jesus started talking to the crowd about John….

 

I LOVE THE REALITY OF THE PEOPLE WE GLORIFY IN THE BIBLE. WE GOT THEM PLASTERED ON OUR WALLS WITH HALOS AROUND THEIR HEADS WHEN IN REALITY THEY ARE AS CARNAL AS DIRT. THEY ARE AS SPIRITUAL AS A FROG.  THEY ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME. SO HERE WE SEE THAT JOHN WAS A GREAT MAN OF GOD BUT HE HAD SOME DOUBTS ABOUT JESUS AS THE MESSIAH.  SO HE SENDS HIS BOARD TO JESUS TO ENQUIRE ABOUT HIS CLAIM TO BE THE CHRIST.  JESUS DOESN’T REBUKE JOHN OR CENSOR HIM IN ANY WAY.  HE TELLS THEM TO GO AND REPORT TO JOHN THAT THE BLIND SEE, THE DEAF HEAR AND THE DEAD ARE RAISED.  HE THEN TURNS TO THE CROWD AND TELLS THEM THAT JOHN WAS THE GREATEST MAN TO BE BORN OF A WOMAN.  THAT’S THE SAME MAN THAT ADMITTED HIS DOUBTS ABOUT THE VALIDITY OF JESUS.  YOUR DOUBTS WILL NOT STOP GOD FROM LOVING YOU AND HELPING YOU TURN YOUR DOUBTS INTO FAITH WHEN YOU ADMITT THAT YOU HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, RESERVATIONS AND DOUBTS.

 

[s] Jude 1:21-22 (MsgB)

staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life! [22] Go easy on those who hesitate in the faith.  Be merciful to those who doubt.

 

THAT IS WHAT GOD’S POSTURE IS TOWARDS US WHEN WE’RE HONEST ABOUT OUR DOUBT.  HE IS MERCIFUL AND SLOW TO ANGER.  (S) HE IS WILLING TO WORK WITH US AND ANSWERS ANY QUESTIONS WE MIGHT HAVE SO THAT WE CAN TURN OUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.

 

(S) 2. THE SECOND WAY YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO DOUBT YOUR DOUBT.

 

[s] Proverbs 3:5 (KJV)

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

Proverbs 3:5 (MsgB)

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.

 

WHEN YOU LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING YOU HAVE A TENDENCY TO DOUBT.  SO WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE AND DISCERN THAT YOU ARE RELYING ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTDANING YOU CAN DOUBT YOUR INTELLECTUAL REASONINGS.  YOU CAN AND SHOULD DOUBT YOUR DOUBT.

 

[s] 2 Cor. 10:3-6 (MsgB)

The world is unprincipled. It's dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn't fight fair. But we don't live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will.  [4] The tools of our trade aren't for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture.  [5] We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.  [6] Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.

 

[s] 2 Cor. 10:5 (KJV) 

    Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

 

(S) THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN CAST DOWN YOUR IMAGINATIONS AND REASONINGS IS WHEN YOU DOUBT THEIR VALIDITY.  WHEN YOU DISCERN THE FALSE REALITIES OF YOUR DOUBT YOU CAN EASILY REJECT IT AND RENOUNCE IT.  HERE ARE SOME DOUBTS WE SHOULD DOUBT: ‘WELL, I DON’T FEEL THAT GOD LOVES ME.’ I DON’T FEEL THE LORD IN MY LIFE.’ ‘ I DON’T FEEL GOOD ENOUGH.’ I DON’T THINK GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME.’  I FEEL, I FEEL, I FEEL.  DO YOU LISTEN TO WHAT GOD SAYS OR DO YOU LISTEN TO YOUR FEELS AND TO OTHERS AND THEIR OPINIONS.  SO SOLOMON SAYS: TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEARTS AND DON’T, DON’T LEAN ON YOUR FEELINGS.  I REMEMBER WHEN I STARTED THIS CHURCH 17 YEARS AGO THAT I HAD A LOT OF DOUBTS.  I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT A BUILDING.  I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE FINANCES.  I HAD DOUBTS ABOUT THE LIGISTICS, I HAD TONS OF DOUBT.  WILL I SURVIVE?  WILL I BE ABLE TO CARE FOR MY FAMILY AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR NEEDS?  AND GOD I’M NOT SPIRITUAL ENOUGH AND I’M NOT HOLY ENOUGH AND I DON’T KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT BIBLICAL THEOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY. I’M NOT SEEKER FRIENDLY AND I’M NOT A GOOD COMMUNICATOR AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.  BUT THERE WAS ONE THING I DID NOT DOUBT.  I DID NOT DOUBT THAT GOD CALLED ME AND WANTED ME TO START THIS CHURCH.  BUT (S) I HAD A LOT OF DOUBTS  AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WE JUST WENT AHEAD AND TRUSTED GOD INSPITE OF OUR DOUBTS.  I DIDN’T HAVE ALL MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED BUT I OBEYED WITH THE DOUBT AND THE LITTLE FAITH THAT I DID HAVE.  I THINK SOME OF YOU NEED TO HEAR THAT BECAUSE YOU’RE STRUGGLEING WITH YOUR OBEDIENCE TO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED YOU TO.  YOU DON’T HAVE TO HAVE ALL YOUR DOUBTS ANSWRED TO OBEY GOD.  BUT WHAT YOU DO NEED IS TO STEP OUT WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU DO HAVE AND OBEY GOD.  “Lord I just don’t know how I can afford to give 10% of my income to the church and still make ends meet.”   JUST TAKE YOUR DOUBTS ALONG WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU HAVE AND STEP OUT AND OBEY GOD.  LISTEN TO THIS BIBLICAL EQUATION: (S) SOME DOUBTS PLUS A LITTLE FAITH IN A BIG GOD EQUALS BIG RESULTS. 

 

[s] Matthew 17:19-21 (KJV)

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? [20] And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. [21] Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

 

SO LISTEN, IF GOD ASKS YOU TO DO SOMETHING AND YOU DON’T HAVE ALL YOUR DOUBTS ANSWERED YOU JUST NEED TO STEP OUT ON THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU DO HAVE.  A LITTLE FAITH PLUS A BIG GOD = BIG RESULTS.

 

(S) 3. THE THIRD WAY TO TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO BEGIN WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.  EVEN THOUGH ITS SMALL, START WITH WHAT FAITH YOU HAVE.

 

[s] Mark 9:20-24 (MsgB)

They brought him to Jesus. 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." [24] No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, "Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!"

 

HERE WE SEE A MAN THAT IS HONEST ABOUT HIS DOUBTS BUT HE ALSO BELIEVES THAT JESUS CAN HELP HIS DEMON POSSESSED SON.  HE’S HEARD A LOT ABOUT JESUS AND PROBABLY EVEN SEEN A MIRACLE OR TWO.  HE BELIEVES AND BRINGS HIS SON TO THE DISCIPLES BUT WHEN THEY CAN’T HELP THE LITTLE BOY HE BEGINS TO DOUBT.  SO HE’S GOT A LITTLE FAITH AND HE ACTS ON IT AND JESUS HEALS HIS LITTLE BOY.  YOU SEE, (S) GOD WILL HONOR WHAT LITTLE FAITH YOU HAVE IF YOU’LL JUST BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR DOUBTS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU DO HAVE.

 

[s] 2 Tim. 1:7 (KJV)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

SO YOU SENSE THAT GOD WANTS YOU TO START A NEW BUSINESS BUT THE STOCK MARKET HAS JUST GONE DOWN DRAMTICALLY, REAL ESTATE HAS GONE UP AND THE TIME JUST DOESN’T SEEM RIGHT BUT GOD’S TELLING YOU TO GO.  YOU GOT A WHOLE LOT OF FEAR AND DOUBTS.  WELL, WELCOME TO LIFE 101.  (S) LISTEN, COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR, COURAGE IS OBEDIENCE INSPITE OF YOUR FEAR.  ALL THESE GUYS IN THE BIBLE HAD A LOT OF FEAR BUT THEY STEPPED OUT AND OBEYED GOD ON THE LITTLE FAITH THAT THEY DID HAVE AND SO CAN YOU.  LISTEN, MUSTARD SEED FAITH CAN MOVE A MOUNTAIN (S) BUT WE THINK THAT A MOUNTAIN OF FAITH CAN MOVE A MUSTARD SEED OF A PROBLEM.  BUT YOU SEE, I CAN STEP OUT WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT I HAVE ALONG WITH THE DOUBTS I HAVE IN MY OWN ABILITIES, A FAILING ECONOMY, A DECLINE IN FINANCIAL RESOURCES AND OBEY GOD.  LISTEN, IF YOU WAIT TIL EVERYTHING’S PERFECT AND ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED YOU WON’T START THAT BUSINESS OR MARRY THAT PERSON OR GO TO THAT COLLEGE.  YOU WILL NEVER GET BIGGER FAITH UNTIL YOU STEP OUT ON THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU HAVE AND EXPERIENCE THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.  SO THE THIRD WAY TO TURN YOU DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO USE THE LITTLE FAITH YOU ALREADY HAVE AND OBEY GOD.

 

(S) 4. THE FOURTH WAY TO TURN YOU DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO READ THE WORD OF GOD:

 

[s] Romans 10:17 (KJV)

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

2 Tim. 2:15 (KJV)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

 

1 Tim. 4:15 (KJV)

Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

 

IF YOU DOUBT GOD’S ABILITY AND WILLINGNESS TO HEAL YOU THEN DO A WORD STUDY ON HEALING IN THE BIBLE.  GET SOME TEACHING TAPES OR BOOKS ABOUT HEALING AND READ THEM.  LOOK FOR PROMISE SCRIPTURES THAT PERTAIN TO THE SPECIFIC NEED THAT YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT OR ARE DOUBTING.  (S) DON’T JUST SIT THERE AND ENTERTAIN YOUR DOUBTS, DO SOMETHING TO TURN YOUR DOUBTS INTO FAITH.  READ THE WORD OF GOD, STUDY IT AND THE MEDITATE ON IT.  THAT MEANS TO THINK IT OVER AND CONTEMPLATE WHAT GOD TELLS YOU.  LISTEN, AS A CHILD OF GOD YOU HAVE A BIRTHRIGHT TO HEAR GOD SPEAK TO YOU BY WAY OF REVELATION.  APPLY YOURSELF LIKE SAMUEL OF OLD TO HEAR THE INNER VOICE OF THE SPIRIT AND THEN BE WILLING TO COMPLY WITH IT.

 

[s] 1 Samuel 3:9-10 (MsgB)

So Eli directed Samuel, "Go back and lie down. If the voice calls again, say, 'Speak, God. I'm your servant, ready to listen.' " Samuel returned to his bed. [10] Then God came and stood before him exactly as before, calling out, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I'm your servant, ready to listen."

 

(S) 5. THE FIFTH WAY TO TURN YOU DOUBT INTO FAITH IS TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED GOD’S FAITHFULNESS FOR THEMSELVES.  TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OR A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE AND LEARN FROM THEM.  YOU WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO TRUST GOD WHEN YOU HEAR THE TESTIMONIES OF GOD’S PEOPLE. 

 

[s] Proverbs 11:14 (MsgB)

Without good direction, people lose their way; the more wise counsel you follow, the better your chances.

 

Proverbs 12:15 (MsgB)

Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

 

Proverbs 15:22 (MsgB)

Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.

 

Proverbs 19:20 (MsgB)

Take good counsel and accept correction—that's the way to live wisely and well.

 

TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OR CONDITION YOU HAVE AND SEE HOW GOD HEALED THEM OR MET THAT NEED. (S)   LISTEN TO WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND TAKE THEIR ADVICE.  IF YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING WRONG THEN ACCEPT CORRECTION AND CHANGE WHAT YOU’RE DOING. 

 

(S) 6. BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRISTIANS ON A REGULAR BASIS:

 

[s] Hebrews 10:22-25 (MsgB)

So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. [23] Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. [24] Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, [25] not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

 

[s] 1 Cor. 15:33-34 (KJV) 

    Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. [34] Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

 

(S) THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT YOU WILL BEGIN TO THINK, ACT AND BELIEVE LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU HANG AROUND SO CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY.  CHOOSE TO BE AROUND OTHER CHRISTIANS AND FIND YOUR PLACE IN A LOCAL CHURCH WHERE YOU CAN GROW YOUR FAITH AND BE ACCOUNTABLE.

 

LISTEN, YOU AND I CAN TURN OUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.  JUST REMEMBER THAT DOUBT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS UNBELIEF—YOU JUST HAVEN’T MADE UP YOUR MIND YET, WHAT YOU’RE GONNA BELIEVE.  SO BECAUSE DOUBT IS NOT NECESSARILY A SIN YOU CAN ADMIT TO GOD THAT YOU HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS.  LET’S REVIEW THE (S) SIX THINGS WE CAN DO TO TURN OUR DOUBT INTO FAITH:

 

1. ADMIT YOU HAVE SOME.
2. DOUBT YOUR DOUBT: CHOOSE NOT TO LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING.
3. BEGIN WITH THE LITTLE FAITH THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE.
4. READ, STUDY AND MEDITATE ON GOD’S WORD.
5. TALK TO PEOPLE THAT HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED WHAT YOU’RE GOING THROUGH AND TAKE THEIR ADVICE.
6. BE IN FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRISTIANS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

 

THE APOSTLE PAUL TELLS US TO WORK OUT OUR OWN SALVATION WITH FEAR AND TREMBLING BECAUSE IT IS GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN US BOTH TO WILL AND TO DO ACCODRING TO HIS GOOD PLEASURE.  DON’T STAY IN YOUR DOUBT—DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.  WORK THROUGH YOUR DOUBT WITH GOD BY YOUR SIDE AND YOU CAN TURN YOUR DOUBT INTO FAITH.