What to Do with Doubt

Matthew 11:2-3 (NKJV)

2 And when John (the Baptist) had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

What was John expecting? 

Does God disappoint you? 

Do you expect God to do something that He never said that He will do? 

God will do what He has promised to do.  

God will allow more problems than you can handle.  

God will never allow you to have a life that makes Him unnecessary.

  

Ephesians 3:20 (NKJV)

20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

When God does not do what you expect Him to do that creates doubt. 

If you doubting God, look no further than Job.  

Job 14:19  (NKJV)

19 As water wears away stones,
And as torrents wash away the soil of the earth;
So You (God) destroy the hope of man.

Job struggled with disappointment which poisoned his perspective of God. 

Jeremiah 15:18 (NKJV)

18 Why is my pain perpetual
And my wound incurable,
Which refuses to be healed?
Will You surely be to me like an unreliable stream,
As waters that fail?

Jeremiah was so discouraged that he called God a liar, and even recorded it in Scripture.  

1 Kings 19 (NKJV)

4 But he (Elijah) himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!”

Elijah got so discouraged that He prayed to God to die.  

He prayed the wrong prayer, but to the right person. 

John the Baptist got so disappointed in prison that He doubted although he had heard this voice from heaven. 

Matthew 3:17 (NKJV)

17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

A prison perspective will cause you to doubt your destiny.

Are you scared to death that God will not do what He has said that He will do?

  

Have you been hurt by someone in Church? 

I'm so sorry! 

God loves you and sees your hurt.

Is it your sin that disappoints?  

God's mercy endures forever. 

Your faith is more important than your failure.  

God can continue to use you if you'll just trust in Him. 

   

Luke 22:32 (NKJV)

32 But I (Jesus) have prayed for you (Peter), that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Jesus tells Peter that he's going to fail, and how many times he's going to fail.  

You keep writing yourself out of the story, but Jesus keeps writing you back in. 

God has called you for His purpose, and your pain will not negate it.  

God says trust me.  

I know it's hard. 

Here's a story about a man who struggled with his faith.  

He brought his son to Jesus, but His disciples couldn't help him.

Mark 9:18-24 (NKJV)

18 And wherever it seizes him (my son), it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. 

So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”

19 He (Jesus) answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 

20 Then they brought him to Him. 

And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood. 

22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. 

But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

The father had both belief and unbelief fighting it out within him.  

That battle that wages on is called doubt.  

Jesus healed his boy.  

Jesus is looking for a way to save you not to kill you.  

Jesus is looking for a way to redeem you not to curse you. 

Even when you doubt, God still shows up. 

John 20:19  (NKJV)

19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, 

when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, 

Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

After Jesus was crucified, His disciples went into hiding. 

They were afraid that what had happened to Jesus would happen in them.

They had lock themselves into their hiding place.  

Suddenly, Jesus appeared and spoke peace into their situation even in their discouragement and doubt.  

It didn't say that Jesus walked through a door or climbed through a window.  

He just appeared.

Wherever, you can't get out.  

Jesus can still get in and speak peace into your predicament. 

Thomas wasn't there.  

He had missed Jesus, and He didn't believe.

John 20:24-28  (NKJV)

24 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.”

What will Jesus do to Thomas for not believing?

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. 

Although Thomas did not believe, he continued to embrace those who did.

Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

Jesus did not appear to be present when Thomas voiced his doubts, but He was. 

He knew everything that was said. 

Jesus came for Thomas and met Him with his doubts. 

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!”  

Jesus came for the one guy who had lost faith.  

Jesus will come for the one.

Our God is the God who leaves the 99 for the 1.  

2 Peter 3:9  (NKJV)

Peter writing: The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Revelation 3:20  (NKJV)

20 Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Jeremy Foster, Hope City Church

https://hopecity.com/sermons/what-to-do-with-doubt-pastor-jeremy-foster/