2015-04-26
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Memory Verse:
John 20:29
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
We have been talking about what it truly means to live, not just exist, because Christ lives. Over the past two weeks, we’ve looked at Peter, Mary, the guards who were assigned to Christ’s tomb and others who encountered the risen Lord. Over these conversations, we’ve talked about following Him and how to live without fear. Today, we want to talk about living without doubt.
Doubt and uncertainty are issues that so many of us face in encountering the daily grind of life. Wondering if God cares, wondering if He’s going to help us, wondering if anyone cares for us are all issues that we must deal with. Many of us today even question if God made a mistake when he made us. What do we doubt? Our worth, our value, whether anyone truly loves us, if we can actually contribute.
When you doubt your value as a human being, you are really doubting God’s value as your creator.
It’s interesting to note that even those who walked with Christ as His disciples dealt with similar feelings.
John 20:24-31
“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’ 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said,’Peace to you’ 27 Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing’ 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
No Doubt
1. The importance of presence
verse 24
“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.”
– Thomas missed out on the miracle because he wasn’t in God’s presence
– How many miracles of God do we miss out on because we are somewhere else besides the presence of God?
– In every moment of self doubt, in every moment of wondering whether you have value, make that a moment where you instantly start talking to God, asking for His perfect peace.
– Ephesians 2:10 – “We are His workmanship…” In some translations, it says we are “His masterpiece.”
– Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in His own image.”
2. The importance of encouragement
verse 25
“The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’”
– Even though Thomas knew the integrity of the men in that room, he doubted everything they said
– God places people into your life that can be an encouragement in your faith walk
– Don’t let your doubts and fears keep you from trusting in and being encouraged by others
– In every moment of self doubt, surround yourself with people who will lift you up, not bring you down. (Misery loves company)
– 1 Thess. 5:11 – “Therefore comfort one another…”
– Hebrews 10:23-25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
3. The importance of faith
verse 29
“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’”
verses 30-31
“30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”
– Having faith in God is the single most important marker in living without doubt
Heb. 11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
John 1:12
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name”
G. Campbell Morgan had already enjoyed some success as a preacher by the time he was 19 years old. But then he was attacked by doubts about the Bible. The writings of various scientists and agnostics disturbed him (e.g., Charles Darwin, John Tyndall, Thomas Huxley, and Herbert Spencer). As he read their books and listened to debates, Morgan became more and more perplexed. What did he do? He cancelled all preaching engagements, put all the books in a cupboard and locked the door, and went to the bookstore and bought a new Bible. He said to himself, “I am no longer sure that this is what my father claims it to be–the Word of God. But of this I am sure. If it be the Word of God, and if I come to it with an unprejudiced and open mind, it will bring assurance to my soul of itself.” The result? “That Bible found me!” said Morgan. The new assurance in 1883 gave him the motivation for his preaching and teaching ministry. He devoted himself to the study and preaching of God’s Word.