The Shadow Of Doubt [Shadows] - Pastor Jason Burns

Shadows are the dark parts of our lives that follow us—untamed emotions, hidden motives, and unresolved pain that shape our behaviors, often without us realizing it. Today, the focus is on the shadow of doubt, a topic that is rarely discussed openly in church but is a universal experience for all believers. Doubt often arises from unanswered questions, unfair situations, or deep hurts that seem impossible to resolve. Even those closest to Jesus, like John the Baptist, experienced profound doubt when life didn’t go as expected. John, who witnessed the miraculous and was affirmed by God Himself, still found himself questioning Jesus when he was left in prison, asking, “Are you the one?”

This story reminds us that doubt is not the opposite of faith; rather, it is a companion on the journey. The opposite of faith is unbelief, not doubt. We long for certainty, but God offers us His sovereignty—His complete control and faithfulness, even when we don’t understand. Faith is not the absence of questions, but the decision to trust God in the midst of them. The invitation is to bring our doubts to Jesus, not to run from Him. Throughout Scripture, God welcomes our questions and meets us in our uncertainty, as seen in the lives of David, Thomas, and countless others.

It’s important to remember what God has already done in our lives. Building “altars” of remembrance—moments when God has shown Himself faithful—helps anchor us when we walk through seasons of doubt. Don’t let what you don’t understand cancel out what you do know about God’s character and His work in your life. Sometimes, our doubts are actually invitations to deeper faith and intimacy with God. The strongest faith is not one that never doubts, but one that grows through doubt, trusting God’s sovereignty and goodness even in the valley of the shadow. On the other side of doubt, there is often a stronger relationship with God and a testimony that can encourage others who are struggling.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Doubt is a normal part of the Christian journey, not a sign of failure or unbelief. Even spiritual giants like John the Baptist experienced deep doubt when life didn’t align with their expectations. God’s people are not immune to questions, and carrying doubt does not disqualify us from His love or purpose. [07:22]
• 2. The opposite of faith is not doubt, but unbelief. Faith and doubt can coexist, because faith is choosing to trust God’s sovereignty even when we lack certainty or answers. We often crave explanations, but God invites us to rest in His control and goodness, even when we don’t understand. [17:41]
• 3. Bring your doubts to Jesus, not away from Him. Scripture is full of examples—like David’s honest psalms and Thomas’s skepticism—where God welcomes our questions and meets us in our uncertainty. Doubt should lead us to seek truth, and truth is ultimately found in the person of Jesus. [21:49]
• 4. Remember and record God’s past faithfulness as an anchor in seasons of doubt. Building “altars” of remembrance—whether through baptism, journaling, or sharing testimonies—helps us recall what God has done and trust Him for the future. The greatest indicator of what God will do is what He has already done. [23:29]
• 5. Don’t let what you don’t understand cancel what you do know. There will always be mysteries and unanswered questions, but hold fast to the truth of God’s character and your personal experiences of His faithfulness. Sometimes, doubt is an invitation to deeper faith, and the strongest faith is forged by walking through, not around, the valley of the shadow. [25:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:20] - Defining Shadows in Our Lives
• [01:14] - The Unspoken Shadow: Doubt
• [02:11] - Sharing Dreams and Deepest Pain
• [03:10] - The Hardest Day: Personal Loss
• [06:03] - Wrestling with Questions for God
• [07:22] - Doubt as a Common Christian Experience
• [08:08] - Why Doubt Drives People from Church
• [10:07] - Faith as a Journey, Not a Destination
• [10:33] - John the Baptist’s Crisis of Faith
• [13:13] - John’s Question: Are You the One?
• [15:08] - When Following Jesus Isn’t What We Expect
• [17:17] - Four Ways to Handle Doubt
• [19:19] - Faith Isn’t the Absence of Questions
• [20:17] - Bring Your Doubts to Jesus
• [22:51] - Remembering God’s Faithfulness
• [24:19] - Don’t Let the Unknown Cancel What You Know
• [25:57] - Doubt as an Invitation to Deeper Faith
• [27:10] - Prayer for Those Wrestling with Doubt
• [28:27] - Invitation to Follow Jesus

Bible Reading

Matthew 11:2-6 (ESV) — > 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.”

Psalm 23:4 (ESV) — > Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

John 20:24-29 (ESV) — > Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 11:2-6, what question does John the Baptist ask Jesus, and how does Jesus respond? What is significant about Jesus’ answer? ([13:13])
2. According to the sermon, what are some common sources of doubt in a believer’s life? ([06:35])
3. How does Jesus treat Thomas when he expresses his doubts in John 20:24-29? What does this reveal about Jesus’ attitude toward doubt? ([21:23])
4. What does Psalm 23:4 say about God’s presence during difficult or dark times?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might John the Baptist, who had witnessed so much about Jesus, still experience doubt while in prison? What does this suggest about the nature of faith and doubt? ([13:13])
2. The sermon says, “The opposite of faith is not doubt, but unbelief.” What is the difference between doubt and unbelief, and why is this distinction important for Christians? ([17:41])
3. How does remembering God’s past faithfulness (“building altars of remembrance”) help believers when they are struggling with doubt? ([23:29])
4. When Jesus responds to John’s question, he lists miracles but leaves out “freedom for the prisoners.” What might this omission mean for people who are waiting for God to act in a specific way? ([16:53])

Application Questions

1. The sermon shared a personal story of loss and unanswered questions. Have you ever experienced a season where you doubted God because of pain, loss, or disappointment? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that time? ([03:10])
2. When you have doubts or hard questions about your faith, do you tend to bring them to God or hide them? What would it look like for you to bring your doubts honestly to Jesus this week? ([20:17])
3. The sermon encourages us to “build altars of remembrance” by recording or sharing moments of God’s faithfulness. What is one specific way you can remember and celebrate God’s work in your life—through journaling, sharing a testimony, or another method? ([23:29])
4. Is there something about God or your circumstances that you don’t understand right now? How can you hold on to what you do know about God’s character instead of letting the unknown cancel out your faith? ([24:19])
5. The strongest faith is not one that never doubts, but one that grows through doubt. Can you think of a time when your faith became stronger after wrestling with questions or uncertainty? How did that process look for you? ([25:57])
6. The sermon mentioned that church should be a safe place for people to bring their doubts. How can our small group or church community become a more welcoming place for honest questions and struggles? ([08:08])
7. If you know someone who is currently struggling with doubt, what is one practical way you can encourage them this week, based on what you’ve learned? ([26:19])