Talk 3: Faith and Doubt
Intro: A common secret we never share!
Discussion question:
How many times have you ever talked to anyone at church about doubts?
Types of doubt:
Rebellious doubt
Mat 12:38–42, 16:1–4; 27:42; John 7:1–6; 12:37–43
Wrestling doubt
Ps 42:3, 9–10; 88:1–18; John 3:1–12 (7:50, 19:38–42)
Causes of doubt:
External causes:
Scary/impossible situations
Gen 18:9–15; Matt 14:28–33; Mark 4:35–41; John 20:24–25
The company we keep
Psalm 1
Lies and accusations of the devil
Gen 3:1–5; Rev 12:10
Persecution
Mark 4:17; 2 Thes 1:4
False Teaching
2 Tim 2:16–18
Internal Struggles:
Unanswered prayer
Ps 22:2
Not feeling God’s presence
Ps 13, 77
Expectations of God being dashed
Ps 73; Ruth 1:13, 20–21
Doublemindedness
James 1:5–8
Temperament
John 20:24–25
The Compassion of Jesus
Jesus is gentle and lowly
Matt 11:29; 14:28–33
Bruised reed won’t break
Matt 12:20
The sympathy of Jesus
Heb 4:14-16
The concern of Jesus
Not the amount of faith but its reality
Matt 17:19–21
Faith grows
Not everyone has the same measure of faith
Matt 6:30; 15:28; Rom 12:3, 14:1; 1 Cor 12:9
Faith can really grow
Luke 17:3–6; 2 Cor 10:15; 2 Thes 1:3
Doubt and struggle as part of the experience of faith
Jesus wrestles with unanswered prayer
Mark 14:36; 15:34; John 17:21
I believe; help my unbelief
Mark 9:14–29 (esp v24)
Reading the word/embracing the evidence
Ps:73:16–17; John 20:26-31; Rom 10:17; 1 Cor 15:12–20
Praying
1 Cor 3:6; Eph 1:15–23
Imitate others’ faith
Heb 6:12; 13:7
Tasting and seeing the Lord is good
1 Pet 2:3
Persevering under trials
2 Cor 1:9; 1 Pet 1:6–7
Having eternal life ? knowing you have eternal life
John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13
The Wonderful experience of Christian Assurance
Rom 8:38–39; 2 Cor 5:1-6; 2 Tim 1:12
Prayerfully Pursuing Christian assurance
Rom 8:16; Eph 3:18–19
Comfort: Jesus is praying for you
Luke 22:31–32; Heb 7:25
Application: I belief; help my unbelief
"But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us." 23 And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!""
(Mar 9:22-24 ESV)
