SundaySermon - Rajiv - Why do you doubt?
Why do you doubt?
God in our journey of life, asks us to take a step into the unknown and impossible. There are several example in the Bible
Abraham was asked to take a journey. This journey brought troubles. It is natural to doubt
Joshua probably instruction to walk around the walls of Jericho for 7 days. Did he doubt?
Even Peter .... the man who walked on water.... doubted...
Verse: Matthew 14:31
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
Doubt causes you to sink, faith enables to walk on water.... What does water represent? It is the area of unknown and the impossible.
John the Baptist had his doubts
Verse: Luke 7:19
and he sent them to the Lord to ask him, “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Mary had her doubts
Verse: Luke 1:34
Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
Elijah had his doubts and gave up on life itself
Verse: 1 Kings 19:4
Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
Thomas had his doubts and he got stuck with this name.... doubting Thomas
Verse: John 20:25
25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
Doubt is questioning the ability and character of God to come through
What are the consequences of doubt? Fear and Anxiety. What is fear? Believing in the imaginary situation as real
What is consequence of doubt? Faith is lost and you have robbed of peace
So how do I face doubt?
- Identify doubt and lay it on the altar
- Stop feeding your doubt
- Where is your focus?
- Remind yourself of the character of God
- Stand on the promises of God
Identify doubt and lay it on the altar
Doubt started with the first family
Verse: Genesis 3:1
1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”
We recognize and identify doubt through symptoms. The symptoms could be anxiety, pessimism, indecision
Doubt controlled mind is a pessimistic mind. This condition makes it difficult for your miracle to come through. Jesus could not perform miracles in one village because of the doubt
Doubting people cannot make decision.
Verse: James 1:6
But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
Deal with your doubt and receive your miracle
Stop feeding your doubt
What are doubt amplifiers?
unanswered prayers.... news.... layoffs ... including conversation with people who are super sweet and seed doubt in your heart.
What do you do with doubt amplifiers? Cut the source and look back in the past on how God has led you? Get into fellowship who can feed you with the Word and Faith
Verse: Hebrews 11:1
1 Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.
The evidence of what you cannot see.... which is different from the way the world views evidence. The way of Evidence the in Kingdom of God is not seen but spoken. Speak forth your evidence
When you have doubt, be careful of the words that you speak. Instead... confess the word of God and bring life to your situation
Where is your focus?
Peter walked on water with his eyes on Jesus. But when his focus shifted, he began to sink. When your focus is lost, listen to the call of the Savior.
Our water walking experience is not based on the situation but completely based on the Savior
Does that mean, we should not be practical? No.... be practical.... but don't meditate on it
Look at Abraham's life. Abraham faced the fact but don't waver in unbelief
Verse: Romans 4:19
19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.
20 Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises
In the battle between Israel and Philistines... soldiers focused on Goliath. David focus on God and he was strengthened
Remind yourself of the character of God
If the credibility of the person is very high.... the intensity of the doubt is less.
The maker of Heaven and Earth.... do we need to say anything about His credibility? God always keep his promises all the time.... everytime.
So remind yourself of the credibility of God. It is the valley of doubt that God orchestrates his greatest miracles.
Verse: 1 Samuel 12:24
But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.
Stand on the promises of God
When doubt raises it's ugly head, speak the Promises - Word.... Just like Mary accepted the Word of God
Verse: Luke 1:37-38
37 For the word of God will never fail.” Mary responded,
38 “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
Doubt always shouts.... Goliath shouted doubts.... But God speaks in a still small voice.... Don't let the shouts drown the whisper of the Savior
Where are you in life? What doubts are you battling?
Here is what Jesus is saying
Verse: Matthew 21:21
21 Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.