From Doubt to Faith: Embracing the Resurrection
Summary
On this blessed Easter, we gathered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, a pivotal event that not only signifies the triumph over sin and death but also offers us a model for our own spiritual journey, including how we handle doubt and faith.
I began by sharing the joy of witnessing transformations in our community, like Zach and Christina's story, and the upcoming baptisms—a beautiful picture of death to life through Christ. Last week, we constructed a cross, a powerful symbol of Jesus' sacrifice, but also a reminder that the story didn't end there. Jesus' resurrection is our focal point of celebration.
After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days appearing to many, including women at the tomb, two men on the road to Emmaus, and over 500 people at once. Despite these appearances, some still doubted. This honesty in Scripture is comforting; it shows that even those who walked with Jesus struggled with doubt, as do we all at times.
I shared a personal story of doubt when my wife experienced a medical miracle. Even as a pastor, I questioned the reality of the miracle, illustrating that doubt can touch anyone, even in the face of the miraculous. I also recounted a dark season in my life 13 years ago, where personal and pastoral challenges led me to doubt God's calling and goodness. Yet, in these moments, Jesus did not discard me in my doubt but loved me through it.
Jesus' post-resurrection appearances culminated in giving His disciples a mission to be His witnesses—martyrs in the original language. Despite their doubts and fears, the resurrection empowered them with boldness to spread the gospel.
I then turned to the story of Thomas, often labeled "Doubting Thomas," who missed Jesus' first appearance to the disciples and declared he wouldn't believe without physical proof. When Jesus later appeared and invited Thomas to touch His wounds, Thomas responded with a profound declaration of faith, calling Jesus "My Lord and my God." This encounter teaches us that Jesus doesn't dismiss doubters but meets us where we are, inviting us to move from doubt to faith.
In closing, I extended an invitation to those who haven't begun their journey with Jesus or who might be wrestling with doubt. Jesus offers peace and a relationship with Him, not based on seeing but on believing. For those who stepped across the line of faith today, I encouraged them to connect with our church community to receive support and guidance on their spiritual journey.
Key Takeaways:
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just a historical event but a transformative reality that empowers us to face our own doubts and fears with courage. The risen Christ is a living hope that sustains us through all seasons of life. [49:33]
- Doubt is a natural part of the human experience and can coexist with faith. It does not disqualify us from discipleship but can be an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. Authenticity in our struggles, like that of Thomas, is valued by Jesus, who meets us with compassion and patience. [46:15]
- Our faith journey is not a destination with all questions answered but a process of continual learning and trust. The church and our families should be safe spaces to express and explore our doubts without fear of judgment or shame. [51:23]
- The strongest faith is not one that never doubts but one that persists through doubt. The biblical figures we admire, including Moses, Abraham, and David, all experienced doubt, yet their legacies are defined by their trust in God through those doubts. [58:57]
- Jesus' approach to Thomas after his declaration of doubt is a powerful example of how God deals with our uncertainties. Jesus does not shame us but invites us to trust Him, showing that our doubts, when brought to Him, can lead to a profound affirmation of faith. [01:17:50]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 20:24-29 (NIV)
> Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
2. Matthew 28:16-17 (NIV)
> Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
3. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (NIV)
> For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Thomas's initial reaction when the other disciples told him they had seen the Lord? (John 20:25)
2. How did Jesus respond to Thomas's doubt when He appeared to him? (John 20:27) [01:16:03]
3. According to Matthew 28:16-17, what was the reaction of the disciples when they saw Jesus in Galilee?
4. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, who are some of the people Jesus appeared to after His resurrection?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Thomas demanded physical proof of Jesus' resurrection before he would believe? (John 20:25) [01:06:27]
2. How does Jesus' response to Thomas's doubt provide a model for how we should handle our own doubts? (John 20:27) [01:16:03]
3. What does the reaction of the disciples in Matthew 28:16-17 tell us about the nature of faith and doubt among Jesus' closest followers?
4. How does Paul's account in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 reinforce the reality of Jesus' resurrection and its importance for the early church?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced doubt in your faith. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [49:33]
2. Jesus met Thomas in his doubt and invited him to believe. How can you create a safe space for others to express their doubts and questions about faith? [51:23]
3. The sermon mentioned that doubt can coexist with faith and be an opportunity for growth. How can you use your current doubts to deepen your understanding and relationship with God? [46:15]
4. Think about the story of Thomas. How can you move from doubt to a declaration of faith like Thomas did? What steps can you take this week to trust God more fully? [01:17:50]
5. The pastor shared personal stories of doubt and how the church community supported him. How can you support someone in your small group or church who is currently struggling with doubt? [49:33]
6. Jesus' resurrection empowered the disciples to spread the gospel despite their fears. What fears are holding you back from sharing your faith, and how can the reality of the resurrection help you overcome them? [41:04]
7. The sermon emphasized that our faith journey is a process of continual learning and trust. What specific steps can you take to make your home or church a safe space for exploring faith and doubt? [51:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Resurrection Empowers Overcoming Doubt
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not merely a historical event to be acknowledged; it is a transformative reality that offers strength and hope. It is the cornerstone of faith that empowers believers to face their own doubts and fears with courage. The risen Christ is not a distant memory but a living hope that sustains through all seasons of life, including times of uncertainty and questioning. This hope is not passive; it actively encourages believers to embrace their doubts as part of their spiritual growth, knowing that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work within them, turning their fears into boldness and their questions into deeper faith. [49:33]
"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." - 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 ESV
Reflection: How can the reality of the resurrection change the way you approach your personal doubts or fears today?
Day 2: Authentic Doubt Leads to Growth
Doubt is a natural part of the human experience and can coexist with faith. It does not disqualify one from being a disciple of Christ but can be an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding. The authenticity of one's struggles, like that of Thomas, is valued by Jesus, who meets each person with compassion and patience. When doubts arise, they are not to be shunned or feared but acknowledged and explored. This process can lead to a more profound and resilient faith, as believers learn to trust not in the absence of doubt, but in the presence of a God who understands and guides through every question. [46:15]
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." - 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV
Reflection: Can you identify a doubt you have been hesitant to confront, and how might you bring it before God for guidance and clarity?
Day 3: Faith as a Journey, Not a Destination
The faith journey is not about reaching a destination where all questions are answered, but it is a process of continual learning and trust. The church and family environments should be safe spaces where individuals can express and explore their doubts without fear of judgment or shame. This openness allows for a supportive community that fosters spiritual maturity and understanding, recognizing that questions are not a sign of weak faith but an indication of a desire to know God more deeply. [51:23]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
Reflection: What is one step you can take to create a more open and accepting environment for discussing doubts within your spiritual community?
Day 4: Perseverance Through Doubt Defines Faith
The strongest faith is not one that never doubts but one that persists through doubt. The biblical figures admired for their faith, including Moses, Abraham, and David, all experienced doubt, yet their legacies are defined by their trust in God through those doubts. This perseverance is a testament to the enduring nature of faith that does not waver in the face of uncertainty but grows stronger, becoming a beacon of hope and a testament to God's faithfulness. [58:57]
"For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance." - Psalm 66:10-12 ESV
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted. How did persevering through that doubt strengthen your faith?
Day 5: Jesus Meets Us in Our Doubt
Jesus' approach to Thomas after his declaration of doubt is a powerful example of how God deals with our uncertainties. Jesus does not shame us but invites us to trust Him. When doubts are brought to Him, they can lead to a profound affirmation of faith. This encounter with the risen Christ shows that it is not the absence of doubt that defines faith, but the willingness to seek truth and embrace the peace that Jesus offers. [01:17:50]
"Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.'" - John 20:27 ESV
Reflection: How can you actively seek Jesus in the midst of your doubts, and what practical step can you take to reaffirm your faith today?
Quotes
1) "Doubts, if that's where you are and that's where you are, maybe there's a cloud of doubt around you right now. Doubts don't disqualify you from your discipleship... Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong. It may be a sign that he is thinking." [01:11:27]
2) "Thomas is real. I think we shouldn't call him doubting Thomas. This is what I think we ought to call him. Truthful Thomas. Thomas doesn't pretend... He's raw. He's real. He's truthful... God welcomes your honesty." [01:12:39]
3) "Our faith is not a destination. What I find in the scripture is our faith is a journey... Maybe you have, but maybe there's just been some rough things that have happened in your life and you're struggling with that and you feel some doubts." [51:23]
4) "The strongest faith isn't a faith that never doubts. The strongest faith is one that grows through the doubt when it emerges in their life... Some of the greatest people of our faith, all throughout Scripture, I want you to know that they wrestled with doubt just like you and I do." [58:57]
5) "Jesus doesn't dismiss doubters. Jesus doesn't just cast them aside and discard them. What it shows us there is that Jesus meets us right where we are... He does not cold shoulder Thomas." [01:16:07]
6) "Jesus patiently pursues people who doubt him. He doesn't dismiss them. He comes to Thomas. He pursued him. He met him where he was. He didn't fire Thomas... Jesus will meet people where they are in their brokenness." [01:17:50]
7) "Jesus loves you in the middle of your doubt. He pursues you. He loves you. He's not standoffish. He's not going to shame you. He meets you there. And here's what he does with Thomas. He does everything for Thomas that he did for those guys the week before." [01:19:00]
8) "But I got to tell you what I believe this is in here for is this is in there for us. I love the honesty that Matthew doesn't leave out, but some of them doubted... And I still wrestle sometimes greatly with doubt." [46:15]
9) "Jesus still loved me and did not discard me in my doubt... What I learned in that process is that Jesus still loved me and did not discard me in my doubt." [48:41]
10) "Your doubts don't have to drive you away. In fact, God can use those to draw you to Him in certain ways... The strongest faith is one that grows through the doubt when it emerges in their life." [57:42]
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