Embracing Doubt: Trusting God's Sovereignty and Purpose

Some days feel a little off-kilter, but even in those moments, there is comfort in knowing that God remains sovereign and present. Gathering together to worship, pray, and support one another is a privilege made possible by God’s grace. We are reminded of the global work of missions, particularly through organizations like the International Mission Board, which sends missionaries into some of the most challenging places on earth. Our support—both financial and prayerful—enables the gospel to reach people who might otherwise never hear it, even as some missionaries serve in secrecy due to the dangers they face.

Reflecting on Matthew 11:1-15, we encounter John the Baptist in prison, wrestling with doubt and unmet expectations. Despite being the one who announced Jesus as the Messiah, John’s circumstances led him to question if Jesus was truly the one to come. This moment of doubt is deeply human and relatable; even the most faithful can struggle when life doesn’t unfold as expected. John’s confusion stemmed from his difficult situation, his expectations of what the Messiah would do, and his limited perception of God’s plan. He, like many, anticipated a Messiah who would bring immediate political and social change, not realizing that Jesus’ mission was to conquer sin and death, not Rome.

Jesus responds to John’s doubts not with rebuke, but by pointing to the fulfillment of Scripture and the evidence of God’s work: the blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the poor receive good news. Jesus affirms John’s role and greatness, yet declares that even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John, because those who follow Christ after his resurrection have the indwelling Holy Spirit and a fuller understanding of God’s redemptive plan.

Doubt is not a disqualifier in the life of faith. Instead, it can be a catalyst for deeper trust and understanding. We are called to confront our doubts with Scripture, to submit joyfully to God’s will even when it’s hard, and to recognize that God’s perspective is far greater than our own. The kingdom of God is not received passively; it requires intentionality, passion, and sometimes even a kind of “holy violence”—a determined pursuit of God’s purposes in prayer and action. Even in our struggles, God is faithful, and he delights to use even the least among us for his glory.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Doubt is a Common Experience, Even for the Faithful John the Baptist, a spiritual giant, experienced doubt when his circumstances didn’t match his expectations of God’s plan. This shows that doubt is not a sign of weak faith, but a natural part of the journey, especially in times of hardship or confusion. God is not threatened by our questions; instead, he invites us to bring them to him and seek understanding in his presence. [46:23]
• 2. Unmet Expectations Can Obscure God’s Greater Work John and many others expected the Messiah to bring immediate political deliverance, but Jesus came to address humanity’s deeper need: freedom from sin and death. When our expectations of God are unmet, it’s often because we are focused on the temporal rather than the eternal. Recognizing the miracle of salvation helps us realign our hopes with God’s ultimate purposes. [55:29]
• 3. Limited Perception Calls for Trust in God’s Sovereignty We see only a small part of God’s plan, while he sees the whole picture. Our limited perception can lead to confusion or discouragement, but faith means trusting that God is working for our good even when we cannot see how. This trust is cultivated by remembering God’s faithfulness in the past and relying on his promises for the future. [57:57]
• 4. Scripture and Joyful Submission are Antidotes to Doubt Jesus answered John’s doubts by pointing to the fulfillment of prophecy and the evidence of God’s work. Immersing ourselves in Scripture grounds us in truth and helps us interpret our experiences through God’s perspective. Joyful submission—trusting God even when it’s hard—brings blessing and deepens our relationship with him. [66:39]
• 5. The Kingdom of God Requires Intentional, Passionate Pursuit Jesus describes the kingdom as suffering violence and being seized by the forceful, highlighting that it is not received passively. Bold prayer, intentional action, and passionate pursuit of God’s purposes are necessary for spiritual breakthrough. God honors those who seek him with determination and faith, using even the least in the kingdom for mighty works. [75:59]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [04:42] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
• [22:38] - The Work of the International Mission Board
• [33:17] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [37:33] - John the Baptist’s Doubt in Prison
• [46:23] - The Roots of Doubt: Circumstances and Expectations
• [50:08] - God’s Use of Imperfect People
• [52:10] - Unmet Expectations and the Miracle of Salvation
• [55:29] - The True Miracle: Freedom from Sin
• [57:57] - Limited Perception and God’s Perspective
• [60:58] - Pastors and the Struggle with Doubt
• [65:01] - Confronting Doubt with Scripture
• [66:39] - Joyful Submission and Trust
• [69:03] - Jesus’ Commendation of John the Baptist
• [75:59] - The Kingdom of God and Holy Pursuit
• [78:50] - The Greatness of the Least in the Kingdom
• [81:29] - Encouragement in Times of Doubt
• [87:05] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [88:40] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

Matthew 11:1-15 (ESV) —
> 1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.
> 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples
> 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?”
> 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see:
> 5 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.
> 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”
> 7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?
> 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.
> 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
> 10 This is he of whom it is written,
> ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
> who will prepare your way before you.’
> 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
> 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
> 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,
> 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.
> 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Observation Questions

1. What question did John the Baptist send his disciples to ask Jesus, and why is this surprising given what we know about John’s earlier ministry? ([37:33])
2. How did Jesus respond to John’s question, and what specific evidence did he give? ([37:33])
3. According to Jesus, what makes John the Baptist unique among the prophets? ([01:09:03])
4. What does Jesus mean when he says, “the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he [John]”? ([01:18:50])

Interpretation Questions

1. John the Baptist experienced doubt while in prison, even though he had previously proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. What does this reveal about the nature of faith and doubt in the life of a believer? ([46:23])
2. Jesus points to the fulfillment of prophecy and the evidence of God’s work as his answer to John’s doubts. Why do you think Jesus chose to respond this way instead of giving a direct “yes” or “no”? ([01:05:01])
3. The sermon mentions that unmet expectations can obscure God’s greater work. How did John’s expectations of the Messiah differ from what Jesus was actually doing? ([55:29])
4. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is “suffering violence, and the violent take it by force.” What do you think this means about how people enter or pursue the kingdom of God? ([01:15:59])

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that doubt is not a disqualifier in the life of faith. Can you think of a time when you experienced doubt in your walk with God? How did you handle it, and what helped you move forward? ([46:23])
2. John’s doubt was partly due to his difficult circumstances and unmet expectations. Are there areas in your life right now where your expectations of God are not being met? How does that affect your faith? ([55:29])
3. Jesus answered John’s doubts by pointing to Scripture and the evidence of God’s work. When you face doubts or confusion, what practical steps can you take to ground yourself in God’s truth? ([01:05:01])
4. The sermon talks about “joyful submission”—trusting God even when it’s hard. Is there a situation in your life where you need to practice joyful submission? What would that look like for you this week? ([01:06:39])
5. Jesus says that even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John the Baptist because of the Holy Spirit and a fuller understanding of God’s plan. How does knowing this encourage you in your daily life and service to God? ([01:18:50])
6. The kingdom of God requires intentional, passionate pursuit. What is one area where you feel called to pursue God’s purposes more boldly—whether in prayer, service, or sharing your faith? ([01:15:59])
7. The sermon highlights the importance of supporting global missions through prayer and giving. Is there a specific way you feel led to support or pray for missionaries or the spread of the gospel this month? ([22:38])