Doubting After Seeing
Notes
Transcript
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Story Comments - we believe, we worship, but there’s a little hisitation
Story Comments - we believe, we worship, but there’s a little hisitation
Isn’t that where we are sometimes? We’re here to worship. We believe, with just a little hesitation. I know that God will take care of me…but sometimes I worry. I know that God is leading me through this…but I’m getting frustrated. I know God wants me to do something, but what can I do right now?
Paralysis; Hesitation
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
Explanation - doubt or hesitation? Not doubting what they have seen
Explanation - doubt or hesitation? Not doubting what they have seen
e.g. Monopoly - 1 million-too good to be true;
“Your thoughts of God are too human.”
3 2-word lies:
1. Too hard.
2. That’s impossible.
3. I can’t.
How often do we say them?
How often do we say them?
How often do we way them without thinking?
What makes us say them?
Are these reactions from fear?
Whenever you use any of these 2-word sentences, remember 2 things:
Our God is big.
Our mission is great.
Our God is big.
Our God is big.
they thought that their circumstances were too complicated for God to unravel and fix.
Why did Jesus continue to appear after his resurrection (50 days) What they needed, therefore, was a reminder of God’s sovereignty and power. -the resurrection
a small God can’t do anything about that. a small God can only handle so much.
Our mission is great.
Our mission is great.
Disciples turn into Apostles - people sitting and listening to people standing and going.
auditing v. taking the class;
Auditing = walking in, listening when it’s interesting; strolling out (could always tell who was auditing
are you auditing? casually walking in and out;
are you taking? investing? knowing the learning is for a purpose?
Our doubts say something about the size of our God.
Disbelief in the resurrection
Jesus’ authority - I’m not the one on the cross - I have defeated sin and death
Belief: If we don’t believe that Christ has overcome death and the grave, then why bother taking a risk, worrying over death, why see a greater purpose beyond this life?
Practice: Pray with authority - in the name of Jesus - not in our own name! (why? e.g. interfaith prayer, Montgomery County v. Calvert County invocation) “not being critical of interfaith, but if your faith is so important to you, can’t you talk about it without my self destructing? )
pray with authority - a formula? tradition? or taking authority over sin, fear, doubt
why do we say in the name of Jesus? formula or fact?
afraid of the pandemic - take your God-given authority and pray for power over fear (not pray for safety)
Pray: God, keep me safe v. God, take away my fear and doubt
Our doubts say something about our expectations of God.
Pray for safety of missionaries? pray for safe travels so they can make it to their mission field; pray for a safe mission field?
Belief: Good v. safe - will God answer prayers for safety? missionaries die? we take risks; we face pain;
Practice: Mission without all the details; Doubts about the mission
Why bother, if I am to be sent without the details?
Pray: God, keep me safe v. God, take away my fear and doubt
2 problems with pandemic: our God seems small; our focus is safety
2 problems with pandemic: our God seems small; our focus is safety
Your God is big. Overcome fear and doubt; hesitation
The mission is great. Overcome fear and doubt. hesitation
Pray: help us overcome our doubt; help us to use our God given authority