Leave Doubt Outside...
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Introduction
Introduction
Good morning all, I’m glad to see you here today.
Now I am not saying God doesn’t want us to enjoy ourselves, , but He does desire us to give to him what is His in time, talent and yes the tithe.
Summer is a busy time, but I want to encourage to be faithful to his house and his work during this time of year.
So often pastors call this time of year the “Summer Slump” because people are always gone...
Vacation Bible school is coming up and I cant wait to see what God is going to do in our lives and in the lives of the children who will come this year. Be praying for each other, for families, for VBS and for the eyes of the lost to be opened..
So during the summer, don't forget to give unto God what is God’s...
Now today, I want to share with you a tool the devil uses to disrupt our life in front of God.
It is doubt.....
I want to share a message with you today that I want to title as this… “Leave Doubt Outside...”
I want to share a message with you today that I want to title as this… “Leave Doubt Outside...”
Now what do I mean by that my friends… As a said a minute ago, doubt is the one thing that disrupts our life in front of God.
Doubt keeps us from believing.... but literally it keeps us from trusting God.
So honestly there is no room for doubt in our lives… It is something we must leave outside our lives, literally outside of our homes.
And with it comes the challenge of refusing to give it any place, any room in our lives any longer.
So lets go to the New Testament Book of James this morning and lets look at James words today.
James chapter 1, verses 5-8
Now James is a great New Testament person, he is a strong leader and believer, but one thing special He is the half brother of Jesus and grew up along side of him. But He did not believe in Jesus as the Savior, until after his death, burial and resurrection.
Now lets read the text…
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
So with this text, I want to remind us that in all we do in front of God we should do it with confidence, never doubting where the Lord is leading us.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James is one who very much embraces practical faith, walking with the Lord in faith and practice, living and doing what is right in every area of life. So considering that idea, lets begin...
So right off the bat I want to push this thought to the front of our discussion and let you consider it.
We are called to be complete, complete in Christ. And that is not something we can achieve that completely by ourselves, it is something that Christ himself works in us, but we can strive for it as we walk with Jesus
So here is the first thought.....
1. Seek Completeness In Christ...
1. Seek Completeness In Christ...
When you look at the opening of James words here to the church, he is calling for those early Christians ( and us ) to be very practical in Jesus
Seek Completeness In Christ
James knows the church is facing persecution and hardship, this was especially true of the church there at Jerusalem. Even Paul himself was collecting a offering from the churches in Asia, to assist and help those Christians who were in Jerusalem, this is where James is ministering and leading at…
And in these challenges, James calls for them to count these events as joy, for these trials can and will produce good things in our life if we are faithful. They will produce long lasting qualities ...
And then you come to verse 5… James says ..if any one of you lacks.....
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
As a child of God, there are things we lack in our walk. it is not we are perfect...
Now just to illustrate my point more completely, consider this....
We are complete in Christ. We have everything we need to stand acceptable in front of God.
But in our walk in him, we are always growing and have the opportunity to grow everyday to be more like him. So we have not reached a state of perfection, that only happens when we see Jesus.
So what do we lack… James mentions one thing… Wisdom
So James says to ask for this ( wisdom ) … in truth He compels us to seek and ask for wisdom. and in going so, God gives it.
Listen to what Jesus says in , verse 7.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Now in asking, James tells us to ask God, and unconditionally God gives generously to all,
Think of this, there are days we are walking through difficult paths, some are walking through extreme hardships and during the journey we find our-self in need in wisdom, in help...
As a child of God, there are things we lack in our walk. Particularly wisdom, the call is for us to “ask God”..
In our walk with Christ, we are not perfect and complete, there are things we are lacking in… wisdom is one such item that James compels us to ask for..
In seeking help, asking, we find our loving heavenly Father giving to us generously, so that we might have the joy of walking complete in Him.
Now in the midst of our idea of keep doubt away, Walking complete in Jesus pushes back the lies of the Devil that we are anything but what Jesus says we are....
We are seeking to be complete in Jesus! Walking faithfully in Jesus helps push back doubt..
But coming to a second thought, there is a problem that seeks to derail our life if we are not careful, doubt is that problem. So what to do?
But coming to a second thought, there is a problem that seeks to derail our life if we are not careful, doubt is that problem. So what to do?
2. Let Doubt Lie.....
2. Let Doubt Lie.....
Doubt is a terrible thing. Doubt can rob the believer of so much and the devil uses doubt to stagnate the believers life, to stop them from growing and being productive..
I think the Devil can also use doubt to blind the person in need of Christ, making them think they are to far gone, they have done to much, that God couldnt possibly love them.
Doubt is a terrible thing.
Let Doubt Lie.....
Now for the church, doubt hurts....
And James addresses the issue here in chapter 1.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Look at verses 6-8
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
So to the person who lacks wisdom or is asking God for anything in life, let me ask in faith,
Faith is believing what on cannot see…but yet we know is real.
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
So let us ask, present our requests before God by faith, knowing that God will work for our good … but we cannot allow doubt to steal our faith away.
Doubt has a ability to steal what we are enjoying and possess in Christ Jesus.
Listen to what Jesus says in Matthew 21:21
21 And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.
The ability to believe by faith and not doubt enables the believer to see and experience great things in their Christian life.
I want to share the experience of Peter…, this is found in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 14, verses 28-33
The disciples were crossing the sea of Galilee, and Jesus came walking to them on the water while it was late in the night.
And then the disciples saw Jesus they were afraid, and Jesus told them not to be afraid, it was he…
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
;-33
Man, I love Peter, he says, Lord if it is you bid me come.. and you know what Jesus did...
He said, come on big boy and Peter is walking on the water… why? …faith, he believes. And it is happening, and then suddenly he takes notice of everything and his doubts...
He takes his eyes off of Jesus and he stops believing and cries our Lord, save me...
Now I want you to pay attention to Jesus response …verse 31
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matt 14:2
That phrase… “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” literally it means you were believing, why did you stop believing?
You see doubt has the ability to take what you are doing, experiencing and leave you with nothing.
Understand, doubt is not an attack on our character but His… when you doubt you are not doubting you, you are doubting that He is able to do what He has said… it is an assault on God’s character.
So what is the answer…
Trust God and all His ways.
James says is you are lacking, ask ( prayer ) and by faith you will receive wisdom. But it will only happen if you lay doubt down… let it lie...
If we don't, it has the ability to wreak havoc in life....
So prayer is
If we don't, it has the ability to wreak havoc in life....
So here is my last thought today...
3. Don’t allow Doubt to Take You Out of the Game
3. Don’t allow Doubt to Take You Out of the Game
So consider what we have been talking about, doubt inhabits our ability to believe and with it our ability to receive God’s blessings, help and presence in our life....
James says let doubt lie....
It wrecks our life....
So go back to the final portion of our text today… verses 6-8
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
So listen to what he says there… he gives them an illustration they can identify with....
For the one who doubts, that person is like the waves of the sea, and the wind drives them in any direction...
Wind is a powerful force, we see it in tornadoes and hurricanes, it can push water and other things with great force in any direction .... the sea and the waves, James says is tossed.
To toss is throw about.... … no purpose and no way of being sound.
Doubt keeps us from being rooted and grounded in our faith following the Lord. It keeps us from acting, so in doubt we distrust God and it keeps us from enjoying his blessing and purposes.
James goes on to say verse 7 - the one who doubts, shouldn’t in any way believe they will receive from God.
So the person needing wisdom, or perhaps something else, they should not expect that God will answer, for you have not believed Him or His word. In truth you have cut yourself off...
That person James says are double minded and unstable in all their ways… verse 8.
What does James mean by being double minded.... it is like a person living with one foot in the world and one foot in faith. they are torn between the two, divided and as such they cannot enjoy the good things of God.
Too be of two minds, means you are hypocritical in all you do.... your loyalties are divided.
In fact, James says they are unstable.
My friends there is no middle ground between faith and unbelief, you are either living in one or the other, you trust God or you do not,
so the question is, which will it be. I will trust and follow God or I will trust my ways...
Which one will work the best for you.... If you choose you.. well you are in a sad shape my friends, for we are not able to do anything in our own strength.
But understand, doubting is part of our flesh and at times it is hard to overcome.
The Scriptures tell us to have mercy on those who doubt.
24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
So what can we do to overcome doubt....
Pray Seek the Lord’s help, God understands our struggles and desires to help us overcome that we might grow and be the Christian he has planned for us to be
tells us
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Place those doubts, those worries, those things that hinder your ability to believe on Him… He cares for you...
Do you believe He loves you, Do you believe He died for you, Saved you… then hold fast to him and pray.
2. Change your mind and thinking… As those thoughts enter your mind and heart… take them captive under the authority of Christ.
To take the words captive is to overpower it. It will only have as much authority in your life as you give it. Greater is he that is in you, than He that is in the world.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
To take the words captive is to overpower it. It will only have as much authority in your life as you give it. Greater is he that is in you, than He that is in the world.
Remember the word you hide in your heart is truth, the devil, his ways and tricks cannot stand up to the truth.
says Your word is truth...
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
3. Submit yourself to the Lord.... the two previous thoughts are great and helpful, but you must surrender your life to the Lord
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Let me share Psalm 37:5....
5 Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Trust the Lord your God with your whole life, trust him and follow. He will act and take care of you..
Again it requires faith, but God will never let you down.
Put doubt out of the way and have faith in all you do!!
Dont be unstable
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away.
22 And have mercy on those who doubt;
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.