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I would like
to start with something kind of funny. A
pastor was completing a sermon on abstaining from drinking alcohol. With great expression, he said, ‘If I had all
of the beer in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the river.’ With even greater emphasis, he said, ‘And if
I had all of the wine in the world, I’d take it and throw it into the
river.’ And then finally, he thundered,
‘And if I had all of the whiskey in the world, I’d take it and throw it into
the river.’ The church was silent. Not a
single congregant made a sound. The
music leader then stood up hesitantly and said, ‘For our closing song, let us
sing the hymn “Shall We Gather at the River.”’
Jesus and John
the Baptist
18 John’s disciples told him about all
these things. Calling two of them, 19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you
the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John
the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should
we expect someone else?’” 21 At that
very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and
gave sight to many who were blind. 22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back
and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the
lame walk, those who have leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are
raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23 Blessed is anyone who
does not stumble on account of me.” 24
After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John:
“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25
If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those
who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.
What is
doubt? A feeling of uncertainty or lack
of conviction. Doubt on an emotional
level is indecision between belief and disbelief. It may involve uncertainty,
distrust or lack of conviction on certain facts, actions, motives, or
decisions. Doubt can result in delaying or rejecting relevant action out of
concern for mistakes or missed opportunities.
Today the lessons we can learn from this.
Some thoughts
about Doubt
“Doubt your
doubts before you doubt your faith.” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
When in doubt,
throw doubt out have a little faith.” E. A. Bucchianeri
“Removing
doubt is like removing a blindfold.” Tim Fargo
“Don’t waste
life in doubts and fears.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. Even the most powerful and spiritual of
people can have doubts.
a. Sarah and Abraham had been waiting so long
when God said it was going to happened they both laughed. God went ahead with their promise.
b. Gideon doubted that God could use him to do
it. He tested God twice (challenging God to provide proof of his reliability
through a series of miracles) before he would believe. God humored him—and
through Gideon, God lead the Israelites to victory.
Doubt is the
gap between our current faith and perfect faith. If this is the case, we all
doubt.
c. John doubted because of his prison and
isolation. He doubted. Now notice how Jesus dealt with John's doubt. He told him the facts. “Go back and report to John what you have
seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have
leprosy[a] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news
is proclaimed to the poor. "
How to deal
with doubt
1. Jesus never condemned him. Have mercy on those who doubt.
Jude 22 tells
us to “have mercy on those who doubt.” It is easy to judge, condemn, and look
down on doubters as if they are second-rate Christians. But to have mercy on
those who doubt is to be there for them, comforting and building them up.
2. Realize doubt is often the birth pangs of
deepened faith. this is not a bad thing. We all need to consider that the
truths we espouse might be wrong, in order to embrace our faith more deeply.
Such doubt often results in stronger faith.
3. Sometimes we want all the answers. Peter says we are to grow in the grace and
knowledge of Jesus Christ. Life is a
journey and step by step. You learn to
trust when you work through your doubt.
4. Make the main things the main things.
Paul told the
Corinthians he delivered to them things “of first importance” (1 Cor. 15:3). He
goes on to talk about the atoning death and vindicating resurrection of Christ
as being most central to the faith.
Don't major on the minors. Paul
said his focus was on Christ crucified,
Remember seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all
these things will be added unto you.
Keep your prayer life, study of God's word, going to church and telling
others about Jesus your priority. Your
attitude and reaction makes or breaks what happens in these times of crisis.
5. Live according to the faith you still have.
Doubt is not
unbelief. Again, doubt is the bridge that connects current faith to perfect
faith. And that bridge will stand until our death or Christ’s return. When we
go through a faith crisis, though, live
as Christians, repenting and believing the gospel, even if you don’t always
feel like Christians.
6. Doubt your doubts. For Christians, we can be sure that the
central truths of our faith will never be outweighed by our doubt. Jesus answered John's doubts with
facts. Jesus dealt with Thomas' doubt
with reality. Facts always dispel
sincere doubt.
7. Work through your issues. If your doubt is because of personal sin
repent. If it caused by people then get
the facts. If you are dissatisfied go
deeper into God. Whatever is causing it
deal with it with love, non jugdmentalness and facts.
Be like David
when he said. Why am I so sad?
Why am I so troubled?
I will put my hope in God,
and once again I will praise him,
my savior and my God.
(Psalm 42:11)
The main thing
is to go to God like John the Baptist.
The last part
here I love. Jesus spoke highly of John
and the Lord sees you as you become. God
welcomes doubt because He know what you will be like on the other side. God lovingly dealt with Gideon because he saw
what he became. He kept his promise to
Abraham because God sees the big picture.
In Thomas' case he saw Thomas in India establishing the church
there. Doubt is Ok for a while but do
not let it become you king and country.
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