Faith as a Journey: Embracing Doubt and Helplessness

 

Summary

Today, we explored the concept of faith, particularly the kind of faith that is actionable and focused. This faith is not about having absolute certainty but about having enough belief to keep moving forward, even when the path is unclear. Just as a scientist trusts the scientific method or a parent believes in the value of their efforts, we need faith to sustain us through life's challenges. This is especially true in spiritual journeys, where faith is the foundation for transformation.

In the context of spiritual growth, we discussed the process of "coming to believe," as illustrated in the story from the Gospel of Mark. A desperate father, seeking healing for his son, approaches Jesus with a mixture of belief and doubt. His plea, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," encapsulates the essence of faith as a journey rather than a destination. This story teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers but about being willing to come to Jesus with our doubts and uncertainties.

We also delved into the writings of O. Hallesby, who emphasizes that true prayer is rooted in helplessness and faith. Helplessness is the recognition of our limitations and the need for divine intervention. Faith, on the other hand, is not about certainty but about the willingness to come to Jesus despite our doubts. Hallesby distinguishes between unbelief, which is a willful refusal to acknowledge our need for God, and doubt, which is a natural part of the faith journey.

The kingdom of God is a place where weakness is met with compassion and strength. Our inadequacies tether us to God, allowing His grace to work in our lives. This is a profound reminder that our faith journey is not about achieving perfection but about continually coming to God, seeking His presence and guidance.

Key Takeaways:

- Faith is not about certainty but about having enough belief to keep moving forward. It is the willingness to continue the journey, even when the path is unclear, trusting that God will lead us to something good. [04:11]

- The story of the desperate father in Mark illustrates that faith is a journey. His plea, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," shows that faith involves coming to Jesus with our doubts and uncertainties, trusting Him to help us grow. [05:02]

- True prayer is rooted in helplessness and faith. Helplessness acknowledges our limitations and need for God, while faith is the willingness to come to Jesus despite our doubts. This combination is essential for a genuine relationship with God. [07:06]

- Unbelief and doubt are distinct. Unbelief is a willful refusal to acknowledge our need for God, while doubt is a natural part of the faith journey. Embracing our doubts as part of our spiritual growth can lead to deeper faith. [10:26]

- The kingdom of God is a place where weakness is met with compassion and strength. Our inadequacies tether us to God, allowing His grace to work in our lives. This reminds us that our faith journey is about continually coming to God, seeking His presence and guidance. [08:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:48] - The Nature of Faith
- [02:31] - Faith in Parenting
- [03:14] - The AA Experience
- [04:11] - Faith for Transformation
- [04:26] - The Desperate Father
- [05:02] - Help My Unbelief
- [06:08] - O. Hallesby on Prayer
- [07:06] - Helplessness and Faith
- [08:17] - Weakness and Compassion
- [09:28] - Faith Beyond Certainty
- [10:26] - Unbelief vs. Doubt
- [11:52] - The Journey of Faith
- [12:32] - Stories of Transformation
- [13:18] - Conclusion and Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 9:17-24 - The story of the desperate father seeking healing for his son.
2. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - Paul's revelation about strength in weakness.

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story from Mark 9, what was the father's initial request to Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to the father's expression of doubt? [04:44]

2. According to the sermon, what are the two key characteristics of true prayer as described by O. Hallesby? [06:08]

3. How does the sermon describe the difference between unbelief and doubt? [10:26]

4. What example from anthropology was used in the sermon to illustrate the concept of compassion in the kingdom of God? [08:30]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the father's plea, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," reflect the nature of faith as a journey rather than a destination? [05:02]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that helplessness is a crucial component of prayer and our relationship with God? [07:06]

3. How does the distinction between unbelief and doubt help us understand our own spiritual struggles and growth? [10:26]

4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community and shared experiences in strengthening one's faith? [12:05]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt uncertain in your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now to seek God's guidance? [05:02]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of coming to Jesus with our doubts. What practical steps can you take this week to bring your uncertainties to God in prayer? [09:39]

3. Consider the concept of helplessness in prayer. How can acknowledging your limitations lead to a deeper reliance on God in your daily life? [07:06]

4. Think about a situation where you felt weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's strength into that area of your life, trusting that His grace is sufficient? [08:17]

5. The sermon discusses the difference between unbelief and doubt. How can you embrace your doubts as part of your faith journey, rather than seeing them as obstacles? [10:26]

6. Identify a person or community that has inspired your faith. How can you engage with them this week to encourage and strengthen your spiritual journey? [12:20]

7. Reflect on the idea that the kingdom of God is a place where weakness is met with compassion. How can you show compassion to someone in your life who is struggling? [08:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Faith as a Journey Forward
Faith is not about having absolute certainty but about having enough belief to keep moving forward, even when the path is unclear. It is the willingness to continue the journey, trusting that God will lead us to something good. This kind of faith is actionable and focused, much like a scientist trusts the scientific method or a parent believes in the value of their efforts. In our spiritual journeys, faith becomes the foundation for transformation, allowing us to navigate life's challenges with hope and perseverance. [04:11]

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel uncertain? How can you take a step forward in faith today, trusting that God will guide you?


Day 2: Embracing Doubt in Faith
The story of the desperate father in the Gospel of Mark illustrates that faith is a journey. His plea, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," shows that faith involves coming to Jesus with our doubts and uncertainties, trusting Him to help us grow. This narrative teaches us that faith is not about having all the answers but about being willing to approach Jesus with our questions and struggles, knowing that He is patient and understanding. [05:02]

"Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" (Mark 9:24, ESV)

Reflection: What doubts or uncertainties are you currently facing in your spiritual journey? How can you bring these to Jesus in prayer, asking for His help and guidance?


Day 3: The Power of Helplessness in Prayer
True prayer is rooted in helplessness and faith. Helplessness acknowledges our limitations and need for God, while faith is the willingness to come to Jesus despite our doubts. This combination is essential for a genuine relationship with God, as it opens the door for divine intervention and transformation. O. Hallesby emphasizes that helplessness is not a weakness but a recognition of our dependence on God, which is the starting point for true prayer. [07:06]

"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel helpless? How can you turn this helplessness into a prayer, inviting God to work in those areas?


Day 4: Distinguishing Unbelief from Doubt
Unbelief and doubt are distinct. Unbelief is a willful refusal to acknowledge our need for God, while doubt is a natural part of the faith journey. Embracing our doubts as part of our spiritual growth can lead to deeper faith. Recognizing this distinction allows us to approach God with honesty, knowing that He welcomes our questions and uses them to strengthen our relationship with Him. [10:26]

"And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh." (Jude 1:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: How do you typically respond to doubt in your faith journey? What steps can you take to embrace your doubts as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles?


Day 5: Weakness and the Kingdom of God
The kingdom of God is a place where weakness is met with compassion and strength. Our inadequacies tether us to God, allowing His grace to work in our lives. This reminds us that our faith journey is not about achieving perfection but about continually coming to God, seeking His presence and guidance. In our weakness, we find the strength of God, which transforms our lives and deepens our faith. [08:17]

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: What weaknesses do you struggle with in your life? How can you invite God's grace to work through these weaknesses, trusting in His strength and compassion?

Quotes


I want to talk about the kind of faith that is needed because it's not at all vague uh it's actually quite focused and quite actionable you need enough belief you need enough Faith to sustain you to continue to work the steps that's the idea um it's like if you're going to do therapy you must have sufficient faith that it's worth devoting myself to this uh as much as I'm able to so that it's going to lead to something good. [00:01:36]

The story of the desperate father in Mark illustrates that faith is a journey. His plea, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief," shows that faith involves coming to Jesus with our doubts and uncertainties, trusting Him to help us grow. This is our prayer for today for step two, help my unbelief help my unbelief when you find yourself doubting uncertain resisting help my unbelief. [00:05:00]

True prayer is rooted in helplessness and faith. Helplessness acknowledges our limitations and need for God, while faith is the willingness to come to Jesus despite our doubts. This combination is essential for a genuine relationship with God. Prayer and helplessness are inseparable only the one who is helpless can truly pray. [00:06:06]

Unbelief and doubt are distinct. Unbelief is a willful refusal to acknowledge our need for God, while doubt is a natural part of the faith journey. Embracing our doubts as part of our spiritual growth can lead to deeper faith. Doubt on the other hand is an anguish a Paar a pain a weakness which at times affects our faith. [00:10:26]

The kingdom of God is a place where weakness is met with compassion and strength. Our inadequacies tether us to God, allowing His grace to work in our lives. This reminds us that our faith journey is about continually coming to God, seeking His presence and guidance. [00:08:17]

I never grow weary of emphasizing our helplessness for it is the decisive Factor not only in our prayer life but in our whole relation to God when Paul discovers his deep inadequacy and brings it to God and asks God take it away take this Stone In the Flesh away whatever it is what he discovers is his inadequacy tethers him to God in a way that his adequacy never could. [00:07:39]

The faith that is needed for transformation is I need to have enough Faith to keep coming back now this is the case in a classic story of somebody who is coming to believe in the Bible and it's in the gospel of Mark there's a man who is desperate and he's powerless his son is just dying being tortured by a demon physical torment. [00:04:11]

Prayer is not defined by a feeling of certainty or a sense of confidence it is coming to Jesus and he talks precisely about this man in Mark chapter n he had all kinds of doubts he came to Jesus and for Jesus that was sufficient Jesus did not say to him when he gave the big if if you can do anything said well sorry you disqualified yourself not going to answer this prayer. [00:09:39]

I need a foundation that is deeper than my own power and My Own Strength so umby says that's the first characteristic of prayer is helplessness now the second one interestingly is Faith but he writes precisely about the problem a lot of people will have when they hear that oh man I don't believe enough I'm not certain enough I'm not confident so he says no no no. [00:09:28]

I came came to came to believe now I want to show you how tightly this is connected to Step One wimpy step one wimpy other 11 steps and how these steps are woven into the way of life of spiritual communities and the writings of a spiritually wise folks from way back when so this is a little book called Prayer by oh hsby oh hsby had thought a lot about prayer. [00:05:41]

Listen to this you who are often so helpless that you do not know what to do at times you do not even know how to pray your mind seems full of sin and impurity he goes on I never grow weary of emphasizing our helplessness for it is the decisive Factor not only in our prayer life but in our whole relation to God. [00:07:23]

I invite you make that prayer your prayer today come now you've already come just come become new like we come here to hear these words again um come to a place that will help you just like an AA meeting will help somebody oh yeah you were like me and you got sober and you got sober come to stories like this in Mark 9 in the Bible. [00:11:52]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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