DUALITY | Faith and Doubt

INTRO

Did you know that your generation is the most skeptical generation in history when it comes to institutions and authorities? What I mean is, whereas my generation and the ones that came before me had a natural inclination to trust organizations, people in power, long-standing tradition, etc., your generation is most naturally inclined to doubt those very same people and things.

A recent survey of over 10,000 Gen Z’ers found that on a scale from 1-10, the average “trust” rating of organized religion was a 4.9. While 80% of young people surveyed who indicated “no religious affiliation” rated their trust in organized religion at less than 5. That’s not all that surprising to me, what is surprising to me, however, is that 52% of young people who claimed religious affiliation rated their trust in organized religion at less than a 5! That means more than half of the young people that claim to be religious don’t trust the organized religion they are part of![1]

I say all of that, simply to say, you are living in a remarkably skeptical generation.

Tonight, we are going to be starting a brand-new series we are calling “Duality.” Duality means to hold 2 seemingly opposed things together in tension. Another word for that sensation is called a paradox. Over the next several weeks, we’re going to be looking at the parts of our Christian life that aren’t quite so black-and-white, they’re more full-colored. Tonight, we are talking about the balance and tension we experience between faith and doubt.

Transition: In order to do that, I want to start by defining our terms. Let’s see how the Bible defines faith, and then let’s see how that faith gets applied.

BODY

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation,” - Hebrews 11:1-2

And the author goes on to say...

“And without faith it is impossible to please him [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him,” – Hebrews 11:6

So, faith, as the author of Hebrews puts it, is the deeply held belief in what cannot be seen or proven. It’s not blind or ignorant of fact or evidence, it is simply beyond pure reason. So, why is this faith relevant to us?

Why does it matter what faith is or why we should have it?

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. Ad this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast,” – Ephesians 2:8-9

Transition: You see, this discussion is so important because…

Faith is foundational to following Jesus.

If faith is so important, and faith is defined as being sure or convinced of something that is not seen or definitely provable, what happens if we struggle with doubt or are skeptical? Is it ok or even possible for us to have imperfect faith?

“Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So, the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see in his hands the marks of the nails and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.’ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve but believe.’ Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name,” – John 20:24-30

Transition: I love Thomas’s story, because it shows us this truth…

Doubt is an unavoidable part of being human.

Some Reasons We Doubt:

- Personal crisis

- Logical or Intellectual challenge

- Brokenness in the world

Thomas was one of Jesus’s closest early followers. He did life with Jesus 24/7 for 3 years! He had seen him perform all kinds of miracles first-hand, even heard him predict his eventual death and resurrection at least 3 times, and yet he still doubted. Why? Well, Thomas had certainly just experienced a major personal crisis—the resurrection was obviously the worst for Jesus, but his friends also shared in the experience of that trauma. More explicitly, in this passage, we see Thomas wrestling with a logical or intellectual challenge or inconsistency. His view of the world was not large enough to include the possibility for someone he had personally seen be publicly executed and murdered to suddenly be up walking and talking again.

I wonder if anyone of us can relate to Thomas’s doubts? I know I certainly can.

Share one of my stories of my personal struggle with doubt.

JH: Wrestling with logical / intellectual challenges in college

HS: Wrestling with God in the face of personal crisis (miscarriages)

Tbh, Christians believe a lot of crazy stuff. Not least of which is that our faith is based entirely on a Jewish rabbi who was publicly executed by the state coming back to life from the dead. There’s no getting around that fact.

For people that are really logical and intellectual and who firmly hold to a rational, naturalistic view of the world, this seems like foolishness. This isn’t surprising or offensive to God. In fact, it’s exactly how he meant it to be. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 that the message of Jesus is the wisdom of God expressed as foolishness to the world. God revealed salvation to us this way so that we can’t boast in human wisdom or strength to come to him. We have to come to him by humbly embracing what sounds like utter foolishness.

But, like I said earlier, we don’t put our faith in this blindly or without evidence. On the contrary, Jesus performed many obvious signs and wonders that give us hope in his outlandish claims about himself. Let’s take a look at another story about Jesus and how he encountered someone who was experiencing some doubt.

“And Jesus asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ And he said, ‘From childhood. And it has often cast him into the fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘“If you can”! All things are possible for the one who believes.’ Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, ‘I believe; help my unbelief!’ And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’ And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer,’” – Mark 9:21-29

This is one of my favorite stories because it contains one of my favorite prayers.

Jesus meets this man, this father, who has a child who is possessed by an evil spirit. This father has suffered along with his child for years. He’s at his wit’s end. His son is suffering and insane. This father has probably sought every last shred of medical intervention and worldly help at his disposal. A father would do just about anything to save his son. So, he’s admittedly and understandably skeptical about what help this random Jewish teacher from Galilee is going to be able to do to help his son. And Jesus calls out his skepticism. He addresses the man’s doubts.

But what’s so cool about this is what the man replies with— “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

This is one of the simplest and most beautiful prayers recorded in the Scriptures.

And it’s a prayer that gives me tremendous hope, because then Jesus obviously heals the man’s son and they go on about their merry way.

Transition: What this story illustrates is an essential truth in following Jesus…

Faith overcomes doubt not because of the strength of our faith but because of the strength of the one we have faith in.

Our faith isn’t powerful because we have such great intellect or cognitive strength in the idea. The amount or fortitude of my willpower in my faith isn’t what saves me. Remember what Ephesians said? It is faith that saves us, not our works, and this is a gift! Think about it: if the power of our faith lied in our own ability to have really strong faith, wouldn’t that in and of itself become a works-based salvation? No, our faith doesn’t come from our strength, it’s a gift from God!

The strength and power of our faith comes from the one we have put our faith in! Jesus.

Let’s take a look at another example of imperfect faith and let’s see where the strength and power comes from. Ask yourself as we read this story: who is the hero of this story?

“And Peter answered him, ‘Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.’ He said, ‘Come.’ So, Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the win, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’ And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshipped him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God,’” – Matthew 14:28-33

God is strong enough to handle our doubts and he is kind enough to love us through them.

CONCLUSION

What To Do with Doubts:

1. Acknowledge them.

Pray the simple prayer like the father in Mark 9, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”

2. Talk to trusted people.

Thomas didn’t keep his doubts silent or suppress them. He took them to the community.

3. Take them to the Lord.

Just like Thomas.

Just like the father of the possessed boy.

Just like Peter.

There are some of you here tonight who are skeptical about this whole Jesus thing. You’re not sure if you’re ready to put your faith in him just yet.

Maybe you still have some questions or hesitations or doubts. Maybe you’ve experienced some personal crisis or trauma that has led to your doubts.

That’s ok, we’re glad you’re here!

Maybe you’re really analytical and rational and you have some logical challenges and hurdles you need to get over in coming to Christ.

That’s ok, we’re glad you’re here!

And maybe you’re just concerned with the evil and brokenness you see in the world and struggle to reconcile that with a good and loving God.

That’s ok, we’re glad you’re here!

Wherever you’re at tonight, we believe that our God loves you and is big enough and gracious enough to meet you right where you’re at. Don’t push him away. Keep giving him a chance to win your heart.

Transition: And now let’s pray and worship him.