From Doubt to Joy
Steps to Christ • Sermon • Submitted
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· 25 viewsDealing with Doubts and Experiencing Joy in Christ.
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Opening Song: 625 - Higher Ground
All Christians
at some point
experience doubt.
The big reason,
there are some
unanswered questions.
God is good.
He expects faith
but not Blind Faith.
Steps to Christ Chapter 12—What to Do with Doubt
God never asks us to believe, without giving sufficient evidence upon which to base our faith.
God does give evidence
of the truth.
something to
base faith upon.
The reality,
you can always doubt.
It is impossible
fully prove anything spiritual.
Science can prove
the physical.
not the abstract
not the spiritual
not the eternal.
Why
God is infinite
we are finite.
WE will never fully understand
preexistance
omnipotence
omnipresence
omniscience
genesis of evil
incarnation
plan of salvation
resurrection
born again
“Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know?
If we could
fully understand God
He would not be God!
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
If there is
anything to doubt
limit of our finite minds
to understand the infinite!
Steps to Christ Chapter 12—What to Do with Doubt
We can understand as much of His purposes as it is for our good to know; and beyond this we must still trust the hand that is omnipotent, the heart that is full of love.
The Bible is
easy enough for a child
to begin with.
Hard enough
to baffle the
greatest scholar.
Not all passages are easy.
Peter says.
talking about Paul’s writing.
as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
Hard to understand!
Those things
that we can’t understand
are supposed to
be matters of faith.
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.
It is not our job
to be seeking the secret things.
Those are
where faith comes in.
Just believe.
Just accept.
Just trust.
For who knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
There is always more
to grow
to understand
to believe
Always more
treasures to be
sought out
discovering new insights
finding new truth.
In Jesus....
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Because God
is the essence of
infinituded.
Nothing to challenge
the intellect
grow the mind
like God’s word!
People find reason
to doubt.
God has conditions
to know His will.
One of the questions
I get the most.
“How can I know God’s will.....?”
God tell us:
If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
God has a condition,
before He will
tell you His will.
you must be WILLING
TO DO IT!
Many want to know
but once they do
they refuse to
obey God’s plan!
God says,
I’m not going to
even show you
until I know
you will obey!
If you want to know
relationship
job
move
interaction
purchase
ministry
etc.
surrender your plan!
be willing to do
whatever He Wants.
When we move
past doubt
to faith
trust
obedience.
God promises
Peace and Joy.
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The Bible is clear.
the result of
genuine faith
trust in God
is joy.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
We can only
experience true
hope and Joy
in belief.
That means,
taking God’s word
for what it says.
6 Literal Day Creation
Worldwide Flood
God Cares
God Forgives
God is Coming Back
God Love You
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
God want
us to be blessed
and joyful in Him.
Don’t confuse
with worldly joy
The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.
God plan
is that righteousness
brings joy and peace.
Yet,
there are many
unhappy Christians!!!
Picture
Focus on
fog
rock
thorns
Or
Mountains
colors
beauty
flowers
Jesus called us,
to represent Him
to the world.
Jesus says:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
We are the
light of the world!
Accordingly,
we are to shine for Him.
Steps to Christ Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord
If we do represent Christ, we shall make His service appear attractive, as it really is.
It is not hard
to be a Christian.
It is hard
to be an unbeliever.
Because
they have no
hope
joy
peace.
If it is
a joy
act like it!!!
Wear the
expression on your face
let it illuminate your words
share Christ’s love.
I meet some
who are constantly unhappy
having something to
complain about.
What a terrible
witness for God.
What a shame
and missed opportunity
to shine for Christ.
A grumpy Christian
is doing
the work of Satan.
Don’t get me wrong.
It is not evil to
occasionally be down.
It is okay to grieve
if you have
something worthy
to be grieving.
Once you have grieved
move on
to joy in Christ!
Find something
to rejoice about.
praise God for
sing about
Stefan says
Are you happy today?
Yes
What song do you have for me?
He is right.
Let us have
song on our lips!
We all have trial
we have have struggles
we all have frustrations.
Do you a favor
Do others a favor
Do God a favor
Find something uplifting
to chat about!
We are to represent Jesus.
it is true.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
It is true.
He had burdens.
hardships
trials.
He was rejected
by those He came to save.
That brought utter
pain to His heart.
Yet,
He was not melancholic.
He was not
always frowning.
always complaining.
I know this because
children were attracted to him.
Children are not drawn
to gloomy people.
Christ was not
gloomy or grumpy.
We are not go be
gloomy or grumpy.
How can we be
joyful, happy, Christians?
Cultivate a mindset of
contentment
praise
hope
peace.
Let go of the little anxieties.
Give them to God.
Steps to Christ Chapter 13—Rejoicing in the Lord
You may be perplexed in business; your prospects may grow darker and darker, and you may be threatened with loss; but do not become discouraged; cast your care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. Pray for wisdom to manage your affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. Do all you can on your part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised His aid, but not apart from our effort. When, relying upon our Helper, you have done all you can, accept the result cheerfully.
Not everything
in this world
is going to go our way!
That is okay,
because this
is not our home!
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
In my time,
listening to people
burdens
trials
grievances
complaints.
95% are temporal issues.
housing
gas
job
health
family trouble
We do have trials
But according to Jesus
Those have alredy
been overcome
by Jesus.
Trust Him.
and let them go.
God invites to focus
on something better!!!
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
Then can be fulfilled
God’s great promise.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Closing Song: 590 - Trust and Obey
May the Peace of Jesus be upon you today.
