Dealing with Doubt
Christ Offers Relief On Nervousness & Anxiety • Sermon • Submitted
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Handout
Handout
HOOK
HOOK
First of all, I’d like for us to PRAY FOR THOSE WHO CONTRACTED THE VIRUS- sadly, we have one member family that are tested positive— let us pray for them
If you remember— God’s message to us a few Sundays ago is that— God is using this crisis to build the church— we are being built to love and care for one another— I am so inspired how the church came together to support the Villalobos Family—
I’d like for us also to honor the people who deserves our prayers and recognition— In the middle of this war against the unseen enemy, they need our prayers, care and support in any way we could extend— there’s a lot of ways that we can do that apart from our prayers— we just have to be willing… yeah say that! be willing…
LET US PRAY FOR THE FRONT LINERS— doctors, nurses, medical practitioners, police, the military, food servers, ambulance drivers and others who are involved in providing medical attention specially to those inflicted with Covid-19
LET US PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF THE NATIONS— that they may have the fear in the Lord that brings wisdom— wisdom to lead countries wisely out of their misery brought by this global pandemic
LET US PRAY FOR THIS SEASON TO PASS QUICKLY— for this pandemic not to be hanging over our heads for indefinite period of time
LET US PRAY FOR THE GREAT REVIVAL & A GREAT MULTITUDE TO COME TO KNOW JESUS— that the Lord’s kingdom expand here on earth— and finally...
LET US PRAY THAT GOD WILL OVER RULE THE PLANS OF SATAN— that the Gospel will not be hindered— and for God’s will and grace to abound
PRAY
PRAY
EVERY 3RD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH— we give time for life testimonies. I talked to one of our church members but she said she is not ready. Hence, after some prayers— I was led to this story of Lee that was shared by sis. Debbie— let’s listen to his testimony— PLAY LIFE TESTIMONY!
PLAY PRE-SERMON VIDEO
Welcome to our “After-Easter Sunday”— the Sunday after Easter! — When we looked at the very first Easter— the first day of the week when Jesus was victorious! when He defeated death!— and from the narrative of events that day— we learned some timeless principles and fulfilled promises!
We must accept the peace offered by Jesus
We must live out the PURPOSES that Jesus gave to His disciples
We must rely on His PROMISES for He alone is worthy
Today, join me as we take a look on what happened after Jesus resurrected— after the very first Easter!
In a moment we will glean into the narrative when Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples— this time Thomas was around [he was not with the other disciples the first time Jesus appeared to them]
Meanwhile, let me you ask you this question—
How are you coping up through this crisis so far?
Exactly one month today when Governor Newsome of California ordered citizens to “stay at home” in support to the the Federal Government’s efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus
With the extended “Stay at Home” order, DOUBTS might begin to creep in to the hearts of people— even to the hearts of believers!—
Is it okay to doubt? is it a sin to doubt? do I offend God when I doubt?— am I considered as faithless when I doubt? — do I lose my salvation when I doubt God?
People chosen by God expressed “temporary” doubts
MOSES - [Brother of Aaron and Miriam] Great leader of Hebrew people who brought them out of bondage in Egypt to the promised land in Canaan— the one who gave them the law at Mt. Sinai that became the basis for their religious faith through the centuries
11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
GIDEON— [Son of Jehoash— a judge in Israel]— from the clan of Abiczer and the tribe of Manasseh— Of the 12 judges of Israel more verses are devoted to Gideon than any other, Samson running a close second. He led an army of 300 and still defeated the Midianites— that of course is because of God!
15 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
ELIJAH — [of Tishbe— who was a prophet during Ahab’s reign in Israel]— his name means “my God is the Lord”.
3 Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”
JEREMIAH— [The weeping prophet]— prophesied to the nation of Judah leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem.
6 “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”
They have their circumstances leading up to their temporary doubts— in the midst of this pandemic, we are surrounded what a great cloud of uncertainty—
God told us a couple of Sundays ago that— in this time of great uncertainty, he is our security
You can say that, “God will lift me because of my humility”— and “victory belongs to me”
But this people who have gone ahead of us had their assurance from God, and yet they expressed temporary doubts!— What about you?
What are your doubts?
I’m pretty sure you have heard about “doubting” Thomas [Didymus— The Twin] before— if not, well.. let me tell you that he was among the 12 disciples— during the Lord’s ministry here on earth— which was about 3 years, Thomas walked alongside with Jesus and the rest of the disciples! Literally walked with Jesus!— and yet he too expressed his doubts.
TEXT: Let’s see the details what and how it actually happened— open your Bible to John 20: 24-31
While you turn your Bible to the right page— let me tell you some facts about our main character today— Thomas! Who is Thomas?
He is one of the twelve Disciples— He was among those twelve that Jesus sent ahead of him
A couple of interesting statements of Thomas was when Lazarus died and Jesus told them that they have to go back to Judah to see Lazarus— this was recently after Jesus was almost stoned to death by the Jews in Judah— So, this is how Thomas reacted to Jesus
16 Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
On another occasion, after Jesus washed their feet, after he predicted his betrayal, after he predicted Peter’s denial— He told them that he is leaving to prepare a place for them in His Father’s house— Jesus said, “you know the way to the place where I am going”
Again, here made a scene.. he said in John 14:4-6
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
However, after Thomas doubted Jesus Christ— there are proofs to show that he was revived in the flock— He was there when Jesus appeared again to his disciples by the Sea of Galilee— when Jesus did the miraculous catch of fish [John 21]
And also after Jesus was taken to heaven, when the disciples chose the replacement of Judas, Thomas was there also [Acts 1:13]
BOOK
BOOK
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
LOOK
LOOK
UNLESS I SEE, I WILL NOT BELIEVE
The reason why it is called faith— because it is our belief on things that we do not see!— You will not have room for “faith” if you see everything around your circumstances, and where your circumstances is taking you!
1 To have faith is to be sure of the things we hope for, to be certain of the things we cannot see.
7 For we live by faith, not by sight.
PEACE BE WITH YOU
Peace for the Lord must be so important that every time he revealed himself to his disciples— he offered them peace— we often look for peace in wrong places or unreliable persons! Jesus said in John 16:33
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE
Whenever you ask something from your Dad [or your mom]— most likely, the reason you asked because you believe that He [or she] can give it to you
And that is what James also said to us children of God— that when we ask, we must not doubt— look James 1:6
6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
THOMAS SAID, MY LORD AND MY GOD
After Jesus showed the nail marks on his palms and the spear wound on his side— Thomas believed— and he said, “my Lord and my God!”— that could be the highest expression of reverence to God— holding on to His Word— meditating on His Works and trusting His Worthiness
The nail marks on His palms, and the spear wound on his side are illustrations of the Lord’s sufferings! — We deal with our doubts when we lean in and glean on the sufferings that Jesus endured for us!
BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE BELIEVED
And then finally Jesus said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — obviously, Jesus was referring to the people of that time— people that have not seen him and yet have believed.— Are we among the people that the Lord referred to?
To qualify yourself on this statement of Jesus— ask yourself! Have you seen Jesus [literally]? NO!— Do you believe in Him? YES! — if your answer is NO to the first and YES to the second question, then yes you are among those Jesus referred to when he said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”— Tell the person seating across you! YOU ARE BLESSED!
Now, let me wrap this up for you today!— And after giving you giving you biblical ways to deal with your doubts [if you have any]— I pray that your response will be— YES I WILL! [everyone says Yes I will!]
Using your sermon outline, I’d like you to write these down.. THREE W’s!
TOOK
TOOK
DOUBT DEALT BY HOLDING ON TO GOD’S WORD
Those who are away from the Word of God are more likely to be always in doubt—The common struggle of many Christians is setting their priorities— if you want to know who, or what your priorities are— just simply look at your calendar and look at your bank accounts
How do you start your day?
David, in one of his psalms— he said Psalm 119:147
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
Rise before dawn— wake up early— get a grasp of God’s Word—
How to grasp the Word?— [6 things] Listen, Read, Study, Meditate, Memorize & Apply
Join us every weekday morning live on facebook, YouTube and @ our website— “The Message” [just 15 minutes]
In revelation 1:3 says this...
3 Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.
DOUBT DEAL BY MEDITATING ON GOD’S WORKS
The problem with many they have short-term memory!
They easily and quickly forget the past specially if they’re in a difficult situation! — I call this spiritual Alzheimer’s disease!
If you look on a piece of white clean paper— and you mark it with just a tiny little black dot!— more eyes would see that black dot, and the vast white portion of the clean paper is generally overlooked— Why is that so?— well, it’s about what those eyes would rather see—
Many times people in a challenging situation would see the difficulties and complain about them— rather than looking at the works of God! [this pandemic is a great example]
David again wrote in Psalm
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
DOUBT DEALT BY TRUSTING GOD’S WORTHINESS
Is Jesus truly Worthy?
When Jacob left Beersheba going to Harran— he stopped for the night because the Sun had set. Taking one of the stones, he put it under his head, and he laid down to sleep
He had dream in which he say a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven— and the Angels of God were ascending and descending on it.
God told Jacob that his descendants will be like dust in the earth [countless]— in that place, and that place is called Bethel
And God said to him in Genesis 28:15
15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”
APPEAL
APPEAL
We can count on God
God never fails
God is never late
God is working all things out
He will lift you high in your lowest valley
Sing for joy when your heart is heavy
In all your days say, YES I WILL! [everyone say YES I WILL!]