Embracing Doubt: Strengthening Faith Through Honest Questions

 

Summary

Today, I shared a message centered on the theme of doubt, faith, and the unexpected ways God works in our lives, drawing from the life of John the Baptist as depicted in the book of Matthew. I began by recounting a personal story from my high school days, a moment of deep embarrassment and unmet expectations during a wrestling team pep rally. This story set the stage for discussing how we handle disappointments and doubts in our spiritual journey.

I then transitioned into the scriptural narrative of John the Baptist, who, despite his pivotal role in heralding Jesus, found himself wrestling with doubt while imprisoned. John's doubt was not a quiet, internal struggle; he actively sought answers, sending his disciples to ask Jesus if He truly was the expected Messiah. This act of questioning, I emphasized, is not a sign of weak faith but a part of the faith journey itself.

Throughout the sermon, I explored the reasons behind John's doubts, which are often mirrored in our own lives. These include difficult circumstances, like John's imprisonment by Herod for his bold proclamation of the kingdom against corrupt leaders. Another significant cause of doubt is unmet expectations. John expected a Messiah who would bring judgment and political liberation, but Jesus' ministry focused on healing, forgiveness, and spiritual renewal.

I stressed that Jesus did not rebuke John for his doubts. Instead, He provided reassurance by highlighting the miracles and good news being spread among the poor, fulfilling the prophecies of Isaiah. Jesus' response to John was both an affirmation of His messianic identity and a gentle correction of John's expectations.

In addressing how we should deal with our doubts, I encouraged embracing them as opportunities for growth rather than reasons for shame. By bringing our doubts to Jesus, aligning our expectations with Scripture, and not allowing feelings to overshadow truth, we can strengthen our faith. This approach does not eliminate doubts but integrates them into a mature, enduring faith that can withstand life's trials and unexpected turns.

Key Takeaways:

1. Doubt as Dialogue: Doubt should not be seen as a failure of faith but as an invitation to deeper understanding and intimacy with God. Just as John the Baptist expressed his uncertainties, we too can approach God with our questions and fears. This honest dialogue can lead to a stronger, more resilient faith. [09:03]

2. Expectations vs. Reality: Our spiritual journey can often be hindered by our expectations of what God should do, rather than embracing what He is actually doing. Jesus' response to John reminds us to trust in God's larger plan and to find blessing in the unexpected ways He works. [17:26]

3. The Role of Community in Doubt: Sharing our doubts within a community of believers provides strength and perspective. Just as John sent his disciples to Jesus for answers, we too can lean on our spiritual family for support and guidance through our uncertainties. [28:23]

4. Scriptural Alignment: Aligning our expectations with the truths of Scripture is crucial. The Bible provides clarity and correction for our misconceptions and teaches us to expect challenges along with God's promises. This alignment helps prevent disillusionment when faced with life's hardships. [29:28]

5. Emotional Honesty and Control: While our emotions are valid responses to life's difficulties, they should not govern our actions or beliefs. Placing our feelings under the truth of God's word allows us to respond to life's challenges with wisdom and faith. [31:02]

Chapters:

0:00 - Welcome
01:56 - Introduction and Personal Story
09:03 - Doubt in the Life of John the Baptist
11:18 - Causes of Doubt: Difficult Circumstances
14:16 - Causes of Doubt: Unmet Expectations
17:26 - Jesus' Response to John's Doubt
22:09 - Unmet Expectations and Faith
24:15 - Greater Clarity in the Kingdom of God
27:20 - Dealing with Doubt in Faith
31:33 - Placing Feelings Under Truth

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Matthew 11:1-6 (ESV)
> "When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, 'Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?' And Jesus answered them, 'Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.'"

#### Observation Questions
1. What was John the Baptist's situation when he sent his disciples to question Jesus? ([09:03])
2. How did Jesus respond to John's question about His identity? ([17:26])
3. What specific miracles and actions did Jesus highlight to reassure John? ([17:26])
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Blessed is the one who is not offended by me"? ([18:27])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think John the Baptist, who had previously proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, began to doubt? ([09:49])
2. How do difficult circumstances, like John's imprisonment, contribute to spiritual doubt? ([11:18])
3. In what ways can unmet expectations about how God should act lead to doubt in our faith journey? ([14:47])
4. How does Jesus' response to John’s doubts provide a model for how we should handle our own doubts? ([17:26])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? ([06:59])
2. John the Baptist had certain expectations of Jesus that were not met. Do you have any expectations of God that might be causing you doubt? How can you align these expectations with Scripture? ([14:47])
3. Jesus highlighted the importance of not being offended by unmet expectations. How can you cultivate a heart that trusts in God's plan, even when it doesn't match your own? ([18:27])
4. The sermon emphasized the role of community in dealing with doubt. How can you create a supportive environment in your small group to openly discuss and address doubts? ([28:23])
5. Emotions are valid but should not govern our actions or beliefs. Think of a recent situation where your emotions overshadowed your faith. How can you place your feelings under the truth of God's word in similar future situations? ([31:02])
6. Jesus reassured John by pointing to the fulfillment of prophecies. How can you use Scripture to find reassurance and strengthen your faith during times of doubt? ([17:26])
7. Identify one area in your life where you feel disappointed or let down by unmet expectations. What steps can you take this week to bring this disappointment to Jesus and seek His guidance? ([14:47])

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Doubt as a Faith Dialogue
Doubt is not a detour in our faith journey; it's an integral part of it. When we encounter doubts, it's an opportunity to engage in a deeper dialogue with God, much like John the Baptist did when he questioned Jesus' messianic identity from his prison cell. By expressing his uncertainties, John exemplified that doubt can coexist with a strong faith. This process of questioning and seeking clarity can lead to a more profound understanding and a resilient faith. We are invited to approach God with our doubts, knowing that this honest exchange can strengthen our relationship with Him. [09:03]

James 1:5-6 ESV: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: What specific doubt about your faith or life have you been wrestling with? How can you bring this doubt to God in prayer today?

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Day 2: Aligning Expectations with God’s Reality
Our spiritual journey can often be clouded by our own expectations of what God should do, which may not align with His actual plans. Jesus' response to John the Baptist's doubts serves as a reminder that God's ways and timing often differ from our expectations. By focusing on the miracles and teachings of Jesus, we are called to trust in God's larger plan and find blessings in the unexpected. This alignment of our expectations with God's reality helps us to navigate our faith journey with trust and openness to His divine will. [17:26]

Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Can you identify an area in your life where your expectations of God have not been met? How can you adjust these expectations to better align with the reality of God's promises?

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Day 3: Community’s Role in Navigating Doubt
Sharing our doubts within a community of believers provides not only support but also a variety of perspectives that can enrich our understanding. Just as John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to clarify his doubts, we too can lean on our spiritual family for guidance and reassurance. This communal aspect of faith helps us to bear our burdens together and to encourage one another, making our journey through doubt less isolating and more edifying. [28:23]

Galatians 6:2 ESV: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Reflection: Who in your spiritual community can you share your doubts with this week? How might their insights help you see your situation in a new light?

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Day 4: Scripture as the Compass in Doubt
Aligning our expectations with the truths of Scripture is crucial in navigating our faith, especially during times of doubt. The Bible not only provides clarity but also corrects our misconceptions, teaching us to anticipate challenges along with God's promises. This scriptural alignment helps us to avoid disillusionment and to remain steadfast in our faith, even when faced with life's hardships. By continually returning to Scripture, we ensure that our faith is built on a solid foundation of truth. [29:28]

Psalm 119:105 ESV: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: What specific Scripture can you meditate on this week to help realign your expectations with God’s truths?

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Day 5: Managing Emotions with Scriptural Truth
Our emotions are valid responses to the circumstances we face, but they should not govern our actions or beliefs. Placing our feelings under the truth of God's word allows us to respond to life's challenges with wisdom and faith. This practice of emotional honesty, coupled with scriptural truth, equips us to handle our feelings responsibly and to act in ways that reflect our faith. By doing so, we maintain our focus on God's promises rather than being swayed by our fluctuating emotions. [31:02]

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV: "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Reflection: What emotion has been challenging your faith recently, and how can you apply scriptural truth to manage it effectively?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "But faith is eternal. Faith has a forward view. Faith says no we have to sit our feelings under truth. And we have to be reminded of what Jesus says about us. We have to be reminded about what Jesus says about the future. And so we take these heartaches, we take these struggles anxieties, frustrations and we sit them under the truth. Being reminded preaching to ourselves constantly that Jesus wins." [31:33]( | | )

2. "Unmet expectations, they lead to doubt in our lives. It is okay to have hopes for your future It is okay to have a vision that you want for the future but what we have to do is have a posture of an open hand and an open heart that says, Lord, I'm going to serve you even if these expectations don't come to pass." [21:37]( | | )

3. "The invitation no matter where you are is to come. Come to Jesus. Bring your doubts to him. Allow your doubts to be transformed into a greater faith. Don't let your circumstances and your situations and your unmet expectations build to the point where you're disillusioned with the faith and say thanks but no thanks to Jesus." [32:36]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Bring your doubts to Jesus. The second thing that we can do is align our expectations with scripture. We all create these expectations in our lives. Things that we hope for. Things that we long for. Again it's good to have a vision for the future. Hopes. It's whenever we take those things and make them an ultimate thing." [29:28]( | | )

2. "Jesus invites us to remember that we can't see the whole picture but God can. We can't see everything that plays out from now until the end of history but God can. We have a limited perspective and that's the third reason that we can doubt and it's the third reason that John doubted here." [23:43]( | | )

3. "We can have doubts come up in our life. And I would say this. If you are a believer, doubts will arise in your life. But what matters most is not whether those doubts come in our walk with Jesus. But rather what we do with those doubts whenever they do come." [08:22]( | | )

4. "Jesus doesn't abandon John. He encourages John and wants to stir up faith in John. Even in the midst of all that John is going through. And so if you brought your Bibles, we're going to continue in Matthew chapter 11 starting in verse 1. We'll have the text here on the screen for you as well." [09:03]( | | )

5. "So bring your doubts to Jesus. We should be encouraged by John. You see what John does. In the midst of his difficult situation John brings his doubts to Jesus. He doesn't hide how he's feeling. He doesn't abandon all hope. He doesn't say thanks but no thanks." [28:23]( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?