Confronting Doubt: Embracing God's Power and Love
Summary
In today's reflection, we delve into the profound question of belief and unbelief, particularly focusing on the skepticism surrounding miracles and the gospel. The discourse challenges the dogmatic assertions that dismiss miracles as impossible, urging a deeper examination of the foundations of such disbelief. It is crucial to question the basis of our skepticism and to recognize that much of it may stem from societal influences rather than personal conviction.
The narrative of Adam and Eve serves as a poignant illustration of how doubt and disbelief can lead to a departure from God's truth. The serpent's deception in the Garden of Eden is mirrored in modern times by the skepticism propagated by science and societal norms. This skepticism often leads to a questioning of God's power and goodness, which are foundational to faith. The message encourages us to reflect on the power of God, which, if truly understood, would prevent us from defying Him.
Furthermore, the discourse highlights the tendency of human reason to replace divine wisdom. This shift often results in the creation of a God that aligns with personal desires rather than the God of the Bible. The narrative warns against the folly of substituting human reasoning for God's truth, as it leads to a distorted understanding of God and His intentions.
The reflection also emphasizes the immense love and sacrifice of God, who, despite humanity's rebellion, sent His only Son to redeem and restore us. This act of love is a testament to God's benevolence and should dispel any doubts about His goodness. The call to action is clear: to reverse the process of doubt and rebellion that began in the Garden of Eden by submitting to God's word and embracing His salvation.
Key Takeaways:
- Questioning the Basis of Unbelief: It's essential to critically examine the foundations of our disbelief. Often, skepticism is rooted in societal influences rather than personal conviction. By questioning these influences, we can open our eyes to the truth of the gospel. [21:18]
- The Power of God: Doubting God's power is the first step towards unbelief. Recognizing His omnipotence should lead us to submit to Him rather than defy Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and understanding His power is crucial to faith. [25:33]
- Human Reason vs. Divine Wisdom: The tendency to replace God's wisdom with human reasoning leads to a distorted understanding of God. This shift results in creating a God that aligns with personal desires rather than the God of the Bible. [36:46]
- God's Love and Sacrifice: Despite humanity's rebellion, God's love is evident in the sacrifice of His Son. This act of love should dispel any doubts about His goodness and encourage us to embrace His salvation. [45:29]
- Reversing the Process of Rebellion: To find peace and reconciliation with God, we must reverse the process of doubt and rebellion that began in the Garden of Eden. By submitting to God's word and embracing His salvation, we can experience true blessing. [51:08]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [20:45] - The Question of Miracles
- [21:18] - Examining Unbelief
- [22:06] - The Hoax of Dogmatism
- [23:02] - The Call to Think
- [23:47] - Steps of Doubt
- [24:22] - Doubting God's Power
- [25:33] - The Fear of the Lord
- [26:27] - The Example of Belshazzar
- [27:17] - Moses and the Burning Bush
- [29:20] - Modern Confidence
- [31:00] - Defying God
- [32:16] - Doubting God's Goodness
- [36:46] - Human Reason Takes Over
- [45:29] - God's Ultimate Sacrifice
- [51:08] - Reversing Rebellion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-6
2. John 3:16
3. Proverbs 9:10
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Observation Questions:
1. In Genesis 3:1-6, what tactics does the serpent use to instill doubt in Eve's mind about God's command? How does this relate to the skepticism discussed in the sermon? [24:22]
2. According to John 3:16, what is the ultimate demonstration of God's love for humanity? How does this act counter the skepticism about God's goodness mentioned in the sermon? [45:29]
3. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." How does this verse relate to the sermon’s emphasis on recognizing God's power as foundational to faith? [25:33]
4. How does the sermon describe the consequences of replacing divine wisdom with human reasoning, as seen in the story of Adam and Eve? [36:46]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the narrative of Adam and Eve illustrate the dangers of doubting God's power and goodness? What are the modern parallels to this skepticism? [24:22]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that societal influences contribute to our unbelief? How can individuals critically examine these influences in their own lives? [21:18]
3. How does the sermon interpret the act of God sending His Son as a response to humanity's rebellion? What does this reveal about God's character and intentions? [45:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of human reason in distorting our understanding of God? How can believers guard against this tendency? [36:46]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you doubted God's power or goodness. What societal influences might have contributed to this doubt, and how can you address them moving forward? [21:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing God's omnipotence. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding and reverence for God's power in your daily life? [25:33]
3. Consider the ways in which you might have replaced divine wisdom with human reasoning in your understanding of God. What steps can you take to align your beliefs more closely with biblical truth? [36:46]
4. How does the sacrifice of Jesus challenge your perceptions of God's love and goodness? In what ways can you embrace this truth more fully in your life? [45:29]
5. The sermon calls for reversing the process of rebellion that began in the Garden of Eden. What practical steps can you take to submit to God's word and embrace His salvation? [51:08]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you have allowed skepticism to overshadow your faith. What actions can you take to confront and overcome this skepticism? [21:18]
7. How can you actively remind yourself of God's blessings and provisions in your life, especially during times of doubt or rebellion? [43:21]
Devotional
Day 1: Questioning the Roots of Skepticism
In a world where skepticism often overshadows faith, it is essential to examine the roots of our disbelief. Many times, our skepticism is not born out of personal conviction but is influenced by societal norms and scientific assertions that dismiss the possibility of miracles. By questioning these influences, we can open our eyes to the truth of the gospel and recognize the power and presence of God in our lives. This reflection invites us to critically assess the foundations of our unbelief and to seek a deeper understanding of the divine. [21:18]
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (ESV): "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'"
Reflection: What societal influences have shaped your views on miracles and faith? How can you begin to challenge these influences today?
Day 2: Recognizing God's Omnipotence
Doubting God's power is often the first step towards unbelief. Recognizing His omnipotence should lead us to submit to Him rather than defy Him. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and understanding His power is crucial to faith. When we truly grasp the magnitude of God's power, we are less likely to question His ability to perform miracles or His role in our lives. This understanding calls us to a place of reverence and submission, acknowledging that His ways are higher than ours. [25:33]
Isaiah 40:28-29 (ESV): "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to recognize God's power? How can you actively remind yourself of His omnipotence today?
Day 3: The Folly of Human Reason
The tendency to replace God's wisdom with human reasoning leads to a distorted understanding of God. This shift results in creating a God that aligns with personal desires rather than the God of the Bible. When human reason takes precedence over divine wisdom, we risk losing sight of God's true nature and intentions. This reflection encourages us to seek God's wisdom above our own, recognizing that His understanding far surpasses our limited perspective. [36:46]
Proverbs 3:5-7 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil."
Reflection: How have you allowed your personal desires to shape your understanding of God? What steps can you take to align your perspective with God's wisdom today?
Day 4: Embracing God's Love and Sacrifice
Despite humanity's rebellion, God's love is evident in the sacrifice of His Son. This act of love should dispel any doubts about His goodness and encourage us to embrace His salvation. God's willingness to send His only Son to redeem and restore us is a testament to His benevolence and grace. This reflection calls us to respond to God's love with gratitude and faith, recognizing the depth of His sacrifice and the hope it brings to our lives. [45:29]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: How does understanding God's sacrifice change your view of His goodness? What can you do today to embrace His love more fully?
Day 5: Reversing the Process of Rebellion
To find peace and reconciliation with God, we must reverse the process of doubt and rebellion that began in the Garden of Eden. By submitting to God's word and embracing His salvation, we can experience true blessing. This reflection encourages us to turn away from the skepticism and defiance that separate us from God and to seek a renewed relationship with Him through faith and obedience. [51:08]
James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What steps can you take to reverse areas of rebellion in your life? How can you actively submit to God's word and embrace His salvation today?
Quotes
The vital question is what about the first statement who can establish the fact that miracles cannot happen nobody can it's never been done it never will be done it is nothing but sheer dogmatic assertion. I mustn't stay with this preliminary matter but my dear friend I do trust that I'm opening your eyes to this position. [00:21:18]
What are the grounds of your unbelief what is really the basis for your rejection of this gospel what have you really got to substantiate what you say you believe and don't believe what is it really based on has it anything to say except that so and so doesn't believe and I read an article and I heard a man saying and nobody any longer believes and science says and so on and so forth. [00:21:21]
If we all but realize the power of God we wouldn't continue defying him for a second it's because of this doubt of the power of God and our unbelief in the power of God that men continue still in sin. The Bible puts that positively by putting it like this it says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. [00:25:33]
The power of God isn't this still the trouble has it ever occurred to you that the very way in which we tend to talk about God is in and of itself an expression of our denial of the power of God how fond we are all of us of religious debates and discussions what is there more enjoyable than to have an argument about these matters. [00:27:17]
The doubt came in about the power of God but still more serious the devil insinuated a doubt about the goodness of God you remember how he put it the devil said unto these people for God does know that the day ye eat thereof then your eyes shall be opened and you shall be as God's knowing good and evil. [00:32:16]
Human reason came in and substituted itself for God's way you notice the steps first of all the dog the dogmatism the assertion then the questioning about God's power and the questioning about God's goodness and then well after all there something in this do you notice it's put like this in the sixth verse and when the woman saw that the tree was good for food. [00:36:46]
We begin to reason and to argue and then of course we say well we don't want to give up religion altogether well what shall we do then well let's make a religion that's more satisfactory so you see by exercising our human reason and our own thoughts we even begin to create a new God oh yes we say we want to believe in God but not a god with prohibitions. [00:36:46]
God's so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life God so loved this world that there had rebelled against him and spat into his face he so loved it that in spite of that he sent out his only son and he I don't understand it but he came and was born as a Bab in Bethlehem. [00:45:29]
He humbled himself he went to the Cross he died on a tree that you and I might be redeemed forgiven and restore to God and to heaven and yet men spit in his face they still do it the old action of Adam and Eve is repeated it was in spite of all that God had done for them that they believed the lie and men and women still believe the lie. [00:45:29]
Reverse the very process that happened in the garden and all will be well with your soul give up your foolish reasoning and listen listen to God believe his word submit yourself to it and soon you will Delight in it for it will be living the life of God himself instead of asking hath God said say I believe what God has said I accept it. [00:51:08]
I surrender myself to it do so and you will be blessed in a manner that you'll never understand here in this world blessed in the act of death and you will go on to be with God and with Christ throughout eternity amen. [00:51:08]
We do hope that you've been helped by the preaching of Dr Martin lyd Jones all of the sermons contained within the the mlj trust audio library are now available for free download you may share the sermons or broadcast them however because of international copyright please be advised that we are asking first that these sermons never be offered for sale by a third party. [00:51:08]
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