Standing In The Shadow Of Doubt
Matthew 11:2-6
In the previous sermon in this series, we looked at “Faith That Impresses Jesus”. The Centurion believed that Jesus could heal his servant without even having to come to where he was. We saw as Jesus marveled at the great faith of a Gentile.
Now we come to a portion of scripture that is in stark contrast to that “great faith” I have heard it said that “The opposite of faith is doubt”. Tonight we have a great illustration of doubt. This occurrence of doubt comes from an unlikely source… John the Baptist!
Look at Jesus’ testimony concerning John in - Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. - John was not the first man of God to doubt Jesus, nor will he be the last.
Doubt– To be uncertain or undecided, having a tendency to disbelieve, a wavering of opinion or a lack of trust.
The Christian life is based on faith. Doubt involves thoughts or feelings that are contrary to faith. You have heard the phrase “Beyond the shadow of a doubt?” Well, tonight I want to examine what happens when there is a shadow of a doubt! Join me as we consider the thought “Standing In The Shadow Of A Doubt”
There are two groups of people here this evening.
1. Some are unbelievers and experience doubt.
You may doubt:the existence of God, the divinity of Christ,the idea of an afterlife, the reality of Hell and many other aspects of Christianity.
2. Some are believers and periodically experience doubt.......
There are a number of areas in this life in which a Christian may experience doubt:
a) Is the bible actually 100 % accurate?
b) Is Jesus really the only way to heaven?
c) Is there really a place called Hell?
d) Do I really possess eternal life?
e) Does God hear me when I pray?
If we are honest, there are times in life when we feel like God is a million miles away.I read a very accurate poem by Norman Shirk of Dallas seminary:
Let me meet you on the mountain, Lord,
Just once.
You wouldn't have to burn a whole bush.
Just a few smoking branches
And I would surely be ...like Moses.
Let me meet you on the water, Lord,
Just once.
It wouldn't have to be on White Rock Lake.
Just on a puddle after the annual Dallas rain
And I would surely be...like Peter.
Let me meet you on the road, Lord,
Just once.
You wouldn't have to blind me on North Central Expressway.
Just a few bright lights on the way to chapel
And I would surely be...like Paul.
Let me meet you, Lord,
Just once.
Anywhere. Anytime.
Just meeting you in your Word is so hard sometimes
Must I always be...like Thomas?
I am not here to attempt to justify or excuse doubt. Doubt can and will bring about many difficulties in your life.When your life is filled with doubt you will be less likely to pray, study or serve the Lord. When you get to this point you are on a slippery slope that usually leads to a backslidden condition.If you are struggling with doubt, I have some good news! THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU!
The forerunner of Jesus… The great prophet John the Baptist faced doubt as well. The encouragement comes in the fact that John did not remain in this condition. You may be here and you have lost all hope.You have questions, concerns, and yes …DOUBTS! Maybe you are so ashamed of your doubts that you have refused to talk to anyone due to embarrassment and you are carrying a heavy burden as a result. The goal of this message is to show you that that is hope!
Look with me to verses 2-3 and see:
I. The Common Reality Of Doubt v2 Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?
We read in Matthew 4:12 that “John had been cast into prison”. By the time we arrive at Matthew 11, some time has passed and John has some questions and concerns. John’s disciples have been going back and forth reporting to John concerning the events that have taken place concerning Jesus’ ministry.It is possible that John was expecting to be released at any moment. He, like many others may have expected Jesus to immediately judge Israel and establish His Kingdom.
Consider this:
John hears the reports of what is happening in Jesus’ ministry
He hears of the miracles
He hears of the teachings
He hears of the opposition
He hears of the victories and successes
While all of these things are happening, John is locked up in prison for the cause of Christ! We can safely assume that all the while, the enemy was whispering deception in John’s ear. Let’s examine a few things about this man who is questioning Jesus.
John had been selected before he was born to be the forerunner of Jesus. (Luke 1:17)
Then he leaped in is mother’s womb while in the presence of Jesus (Luke 1:41)
He came preaching repentance of sins and preparing the way.
He published the fact that the Messiah was coming (Luke 3:16)
He vividly proclaimed BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD (John 1:29)
He witnessed the Spirit of God descending from Heaven on Jesus confirming that He was the Messiah. (John 1:32)
Remember John’s reaction when Jesus came to him to be baptized “John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?”
Child of God understand this, if a man who had witnessed all that John had witnessed could doubt, you too may find yourself in that situation from time to time. John very well might have been saying “If you are the Christ why have you not delivered me from this jail cell yet”. If we are honest we have found ourselves in similar situations as well.
Trouble comes and we say:
“If God is real, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME?”
“If Jesus loves me why do I feel alone?”
“What have I done to deserve this?”
“Is this really worth it… IS IT EVEN REAL?”
The Psalmist said in Psalms 10:1 ¶Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? - Have you ever been there?
There are the common doubts/questions about finances, marriage problems, health, job situations, etc. Basically the common problems of life. There are some who may doubt their ability to serve the Lord in the capacity in which they were called. There are some who doubt the effectiveness of their prayers. There are many different areas of our lives that will cause us to doubt from time to time.
We can’t seem to mention doubt without referring to Thomas. Remember the event? John 20:25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
The fact is that we are all like Thomas at times. If we can’t see things, if we don’t have some visible manifestation that God is real then we begin to doubt.Doubt is a far too common reality. We may not be able to stop it but we can learn how to properly react when doubt creeps up in our minds.
Notice in verse 4-5 “The Correct Reaction To Doubt”
II. The Correct Reaction To Doubt v4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: v5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
Notice that Jesus was not offended; He did not chastise John for asking this question. He simply stated the facts. Jesus’ reply was all the evidence that John would need.Not only was this a statement of facts, this was a message Jesus knew that John would understand.
It was a reference to a portion of scripture from the Old Testament - Isaiah 35:4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you. 5 ¶Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
In essence Jesus reply to John was “Just look at all that I have done”. - Consider this: When doubts arose in John’s heart, he did the right thing, he turned to Jesus for the answers
John’s moment of doubt was surely put to rest when he thought back to what he had witnessed.The same is true for us. When the seed of doubt is planted in our minds we must look to the things that Jesus has already done in our lives.
We can look at what the Bible tells us about Jesus:
1. For those that doubt that He is the only way to Heaven look to John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
2. For those who doubt that He can solve your financial or career situation look to Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
3. For those who doubt that He can provide you with the ability to carry out His call in your life look to Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
4. For those who doubt that He is present with you at all times look to John 14:18 I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you.
5. For those who are facing difficult times and question if God even cares look to Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
6. For those who doubt the fact of His return look to John 14: 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
7. The overwhelming majority of people who are born again will doubt their salvation at times. In that situation look to your conversion. Remember the day that you went from death unto life. - 1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
For whatever doubt you may be facing there is a simple answer. Look to JESUS!...... We have seen the Common Reality Of Doubt and the Correct Reaction To Doubt, Finally I want to see the Counsel Regarding Doubt.
III. The Counsel Regarding Doubt - v6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Now Jesus did not chastise John for his question but He did give him some advice about His mindset. He said “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me”
We may encounter a doubtful thought from time to time but we must react swiftly.We must look to Jesus and all He has done. Doubt is like cancer. It starts out small and then it grows and spreads and before you know it you are in a bad place. You may have doubts today and be completely away from God next week. That is how fast doubt can spread. As we mentioned earlier, when your mind is filled with doubt, chances are that you will not be praying, studying or laboring for God. Doubt is a slippery slope that leads to heartache and sin.
Conclusion:
You may be here and standing in the shadow of doubt,
Your mind is filled with unanswered questions.
You feel all alone. The answer is simple: Do what John the Baptist did …TURN TO JESUS!
Did John recover from this moment of doubt in his life? He sure did! He was so secure in Jesus that he soon would lose his life for the cause of Christ. If you are in the shadow of doubt today… THERE IS HOPE FOR YOU!
