Doubting Your Doubts
Pastor Shawn Stone
August 25, 2024
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Main Topics Discussed
Introduction
Opening reference to John 20:24-29.
Personal introduction: Sean, normally in La Jolla, introducing the new lay pastor team.
Call to the audience: How many have experienced doubt in their faith?
The Reality of Doubt
Doubt is common among believers; even the Bible heroes had moments of doubt (Hebrews 11).
Example: The hall of faith includes figures like Moses, David, Abraham, who experienced crises of faith.
Acknowledge that even pastors, like Sean, struggle with doubt at times.
Jesus Values Faith but Understands Doubt
Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”
Jesus honors even a small amount of faith (mustard seed faith).
God meets us in our doubts and moves us toward faith.
The Story of Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29)
Introduction of Thomas as a skeptic: He wasn’t present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples.
Thomas’s condition: "Unless I see and touch the wounds, I will not believe."
Jesus’ response: He appears to Thomas and invites him to touch His wounds.
Jesus' challenge: "Stop doubting and believe."
Thomas’s declaration: “My Lord and my God” – the greatest declaration of faith from a doubter.
Why Do We Doubt?
Doubt can arise from various reasons:
Personality Type – Some are naturally skeptical (e.g., Enneagram 5 types).
Worldview – A materialistic or naturalistic mindset can make belief in the supernatural difficult.
Disappointment and Heartache – Doubt often stems from emotional pain or unfulfilled expectations.
The Emotional Root of Doubt
Personal heartache can often lead to doubt more than intellectual objections.
Disappointment is the gap between what we expect from God and what we experience in life.
Example: Charles Darwin’s loss of his daughter led him to reject God, while his wife found deeper faith.
How Do We Deal with Doubt?
Doubt is a choice of the will: Thomas chose not to believe.
Scripture invites us to reason with God (Isaiah 1:18), not just ignore our doubts.
Jesus encourages us to consider the evidence (Matthew 6:25-30).
God doesn’t ask us to stop thinking, but to seek understanding with Him.
The Evidence for Belief
Eyewitness Testimony: Thomas had trusted friends testify to Jesus’ resurrection, but he still doubted.
Resurrection Evidence:
The first witnesses were women, which strengthens the account due to cultural context.
Jewish believers accepting the resurrection was unprecedented, yet they believed and worshiped Jesus as God.
The apostles’ willingness to die for their testimony shows the depth of their belief.
How Jesus Deals with Honest Doubters
Jesus is merciful to honest doubters (Jude 1:22).
He doesn’t shame or condemn Thomas, but invites him to believe by showing him His wounds.
Jesus pushes us toward faith, but meets us with grace.
The Power of Jesus’ Wounds
Thomas’ declaration of faith came after he touched Jesus’ wounds, realizing that those wounds were the means of his healing.
Jesus’ wounds remind us that our pain and suffering can be redeemed.
God doesn’t waste our wounds or disappointments; He can turn them into glory for our good and His purpose (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Closing Challenge: Doubt Your Doubts
Encourage the congregation to doubt their doubts and examine the evidence of their faith.
Open yourself to the possibility that Jesus is revealing Himself to you, even in your doubts.
Jesus is not done with you; He is preparing something good, even if you are in a valley of doubt.
Conclusion
Prayer for those struggling with doubt to encounter Jesus like Thomas did.
Encouragement to see doubt as a step toward deeper faith, like Thomas, who made one of the greatest declarations of faith after his doubt.
Biblical References
John 20:24-29: The story of doubting Thomas, where he expresses doubt about Jesus’ resurrection and Jesus responds by inviting Thomas to touch His wounds.
Hebrews 11: The chapter known as the "hall of faith," which highlights the faith of Bible heroes like Moses, David, Abraham, and others who had moments of doubt or crises of faith.
Hebrews 11:6: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God."
Matthew 17:20: Jesus honors even a small amount of faith: "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move."
John 20:24-29: The passage where Thomas doubts the resurrection until he encounters the risen Christ and declares, "My Lord and my God."
Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord."
Matthew 6:25-30: Jesus encourages His followers to trust in God's provision: "Consider the lilies of the field..."
Jude 1:22: "Be merciful to those who doubt."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18: "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
John 20:28: Thomas’ declaration: "My Lord and my God."
The sermon emphasizes the reality of doubt in the Christian life, encourages honesty in addressing those doubts, and affirms that God meets doubters with grace, mercy, and ultimately, a call to deeper faith.
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Reflection Questions
What personal experiences have caused you to doubt your faith, and how did you respond in those moments? Reflect on whether you turned to God, ignored your doubts, or struggled with them on your own.
How does Thomas’ story of doubt and restoration (John 20:24-29) resonate with your own faith journey? Consider how Jesus' invitation to Thomas to touch His wounds speaks to how God meets us in our doubts.
Why do you think doubt is a common experience for even the heroes of faith like Moses, David, and Abraham? Reflect on how moments of doubt can lead to deeper faith or understanding of God’s purpose.
In what ways have disappointment or unfulfilled expectations caused you to doubt God’s goodness or presence in your life? Think about how unmet expectations might influence your belief in God’s promises.
How can you open yourself to Jesus during times of doubt, and what steps can you take to move from doubt to deeper faith? Consider practical actions you can take, like prayer, reflection on Scripture, or seeking counsel from others.
Daily Activities
Monday: Reflect on Your Doubts
Activity: Take 15 minutes to journal about any doubts you’ve had in your faith journey. Identify where these doubts stem from—whether emotional, intellectual, or circumstantial.
Application: Acknowledge that doubt is a normal part of faith, even for biblical heroes. Bring those doubts before God and be honest with yourself about their root causes.
Tuesday: Meditate on Hebrews 11:6
Activity: Spend time meditating on Hebrews 11:6, which says, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." Write down what this means in your life and how you can apply faith even in uncertain areas.
Application: Ask God to strengthen your faith in small ways, recognizing that even a mustard seed of faith pleases Him. Consider how you can take one step of faith in your daily routine today.
Wednesday: Study the Story of Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29)
Activity: Read John 20:24-29 slowly and imagine yourself in Thomas’s shoes. Reflect on how Jesus responded to Thomas's doubt with grace and how that applies to your life.
Application: Pray and ask Jesus to reveal Himself in the areas of your life where you struggle with doubt. Seek out ways to deepen your relationship with Him, knowing He meets you in your uncertainty.
Thursday: Analyze Your Expectations vs. Reality
Activity: Reflect on a time when you experienced disappointment because things didn’t turn out the way you expected. Write about how that disappointment influenced your faith.
Application: Ask yourself if any of your current doubts are rooted in unfulfilled expectations of God. Reflect on Isaiah 1:18, where God invites you to reason with Him. Engage in prayer, asking God for understanding in these areas.
Friday: Practice Gratitude and Worship
Activity: Take time today to worship God and thank Him for the ways He has worked in your life, even in seasons of doubt. Reflect on how He has been faithful despite your uncertainties.
Application: Like Thomas, declare "My Lord and my God" in your worship. Commit to bringing your doubts into the light of God’s presence, trusting that He is still working for your good.
