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INTRODUCTION - Are you a Christian with doubt? What do you doubt about?
I’ve had people say to me - I have a hard time believing
DEFINITION - Doubt: A place between belief and unbelief, involves uncertainty or distrust or lack of sureness of an alleged fact.
The issue in doubt in the Corinthian church is that one day people will be raised from the dead. Not every person in the Corinthian church believed it will happen.
What do you do if you doubt? What do you do when you are not sure about certain things of Christian faith?
Doubts. They can be nagging. They can be overwhelming. They can even devastate your faith. Today we are going to go to God’s school to learn how to deal with doubts.
1. THINK ABOUT IT (USE COMMON SENSE) 12-19
Some said coming back from the dead is impossible.
Paul says (THINK ABOUT IT) if Christians won’t be raised to life then...
Jesus is a an imposter / fake! - v.13
I’m (Paul) am a liar! - v.15
You are still a sinner! - v.17
Every Christian who has died no longer exists! - v.18
...then Paul make the most powerful statement in verse 19...
19 - If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Paul says -If our hope in Christ is good only for this earthly life, then we are a pathetic bunch of people!
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DOUBT? #1 THINK ABOUT IT!
Doubting is normal. Doubting is NOT weakness.
To pretend you don’t doubt is dangerous.
Investigate your doubts. THINK ABOUT THEM.
Be honest about your doubts. Tell the Lord about your struggles.
Realize Christianity is not fragile It can handle your questions.
Realize good evidence exists supporting the truth of Christianity.
TRUTH - MORE YOU DIG - THE MORE REAL CHRISTIANITY BECOMES GOD WILL USE YOUR DOUBTS TO DRAW YOU CLOSER TO HIM!
2. BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF JESUS 20-28
Paul says...
Jesus has risen from the dead - v.20
Adam ruined humanity /Jesus restored humanity - v.21-22
Christians will be made alive! - v.22
Jesus will destroy His enemies & last enemy is -Death! - v.25-26
How does this all happen?
24 - Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and POWER.
Paul believed in the power of Jesus!
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DOUBT? #2 BELIEVE IN POWER OF JESUS!
The power of Jesus is REAL!
How can I believe in power of Jesus when I doubt?
If you look at text - one thing is clear - Paul was a FAITH BUILDER / DOUBT FIGHTER
If you hang around Paul long enough you will be ready to charge hell with a squirt gun!
When in doubt, get around people who believe!
Surround yourself / listen / be influenced by DOUBT FIGHTERS
TRUTH - IF YOUR NOT AROUND FAITH BUILDERS, YOUR DOUBTS WILL GROW STRONGER.
3. GUARD AGAINST FAITH KILLERS 29-33
Paul says if all we are going to do is die, and there’s no life after death...
Why do we baptize? - v.29
Why do I (Paul) keep risking my neck? - v.30-31
Lets party and stop lying to ourselves! - v.32 (Sarcasm)
v. 33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Don’t be fooled by people who say there’s no life after death!
Who you hang around / listen too will poison your thinking!
Think carefully about what is right!
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DOUBT? #3 GUARD AGAINST FAITH KILLERS!
Proverbs 13:20 - He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion of fools shall be destroyed,
Don’t let your relationships with unbelievers lead you away from Christ
Don’t let your relationships with unbelievers cause your faith to waver.
You might be the only person at work who believes in Jesus - GUARD YOURSELF!
As the world moves away for ’Christian Values’ we must FIGHT against doubt.
TRUTH - SATAN WILL FEED YOUR DOUBT
4. LIVE FOR JESUS ANYWAYS!
v. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Paul says wake up! Stop sinning! Some people don’t know anything about God.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT DOUBT? #4 LIVE FOR JESUS ANYWAYS!
Some Christians live without ever doubting. That’s great. (JOKE) - WE HATE YOU!
But for the most part - many Christians - struggle with doubt
Recognize that absolute certainty is an unreasonable expectation.
Many of us have questions that we simply can’t answer. Sometimes we need to let go til we get to Heaven - That takes strength!
Recognize that faith is more than a feeling or being without doubt. It’s a commitment.
It’s very important to live for Jesus in spite of your doubt - WHY?
Look at what Paul says...
v.34 for some have not the knowledge of God
Satan will use your doubt to FREEZE you - WHY?
Keep you from serving, living and impacting others!
TRUTH - OUR FAITH HAS AN AFFECT ON OTHERS
CONCLUSION - DO YOU BELIEVE?
Even John the Baptist found himself struggling with doubt...
Matthew 11:2-3 he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
Doubt is not a sin. It’s what you do with your doubt that makes all the difference.
Don’t let your doubts keep you from Jesus.
Come to him just as you are - and bring your doubts with you.
He will not turn you away.
Admit you are a sinner
Believe Jesus died for your sins
Believe Jesus came back to life 3 days later
Confess your sins to Jesus
