Transforming Doubt into Faith Through the Resurrection

 

Summary

In my sermon today, I focused on the transformative power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the challenge of faith in the face of doubt. I began by recounting an anecdote about Billy Graham's experience in India, which humorously highlighted the importance of clear communication about the truth of Jesus' resurrection. This story served as a segue into the heart of my message: the resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, distinguishing Christianity from any other belief system.

I delved into the story of Thomas, one of Jesus' disciples, who struggled with disbelief after Jesus' crucifixion. Thomas, often labeled "Doubting Thomas," demanded physical proof of Jesus' resurrection, refusing to believe without seeing the nail marks in Jesus' hands and placing his hand into Jesus' side. His skepticism is emblematic of a broader human tendency to demand evidence before belief, a tendency that is particularly resonant in our modern era of skepticism.

I emphasized that Thomas' disbelief was not merely a product of his circumstances but stemmed from a willful resistance to faith. I argued that many people today, like Thomas, choose not to believe, not because of a lack of evidence, but because of a refusal to accept the truth of Jesus' resurrection. I pointed out that this disbelief persists despite the overwhelming historical, prophetic, and personal testimonies to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

I recounted the moment when Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, offering peace and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. Thomas, who was absent during this encounter, later experienced a personal meeting with the risen Christ, which transformed his doubt into one of the most profound confessions of faith found in Scripture: "My Lord and my God."

I concluded by inviting the congregation to stop doubting and to believe in Jesus Christ, assuring them that faith in Him is never misplaced. I prayed for those struggling with disbelief, that they might have a personal encounter with Jesus, who is always present among us.

Key Takeaways:

- The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not just a historical event but the foundation of our faith, setting Christianity apart from all other religions. It is a call to a living faith that transcends mere philosophy or moral teachings. The resurrection assures us that our belief is not in vain and that our Redeemer lives. [01:27]

- Doubt, often seen as a modern struggle, has ancient roots, as seen in the Apostle Thomas. His story teaches us that even the most profound doubt can be transformed into faith through a personal encounter with the risen Christ. This transformation is available to all who are willing to open their hearts to Jesus' presence. [02:43]

- The refusal to believe in the resurrection often stems from a willful decision rather than a lack of evidence. The story of Thomas challenges us to examine our own hearts and to consider whether our disbelief is a choice rather than a conclusion based on careful consideration of the facts. [16:33]

- Jesus' approach to Thomas' doubt demonstrates God's compassion and patience with our struggles. He meets us where we are, offering the evidence we need to overcome our disbelief. This is a reminder that God's desire is for all to come to faith, and He actively works to reveal Himself to us. [18:11]

- Faith in Jesus is not about receiving immediate answers to our demands or conditions. True faith trusts in Jesus' character and His promises, even when we do not see immediate evidence. Our faith is not based on what Jesus does for us in the moment but on who He is and what He has already accomplished through His death and resurrection. [21:56]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- John 20:19-28 (NIV)
> On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 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!”

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Thomas' initial reaction when the other disciples told him they had seen the Lord? ([04:20])
2. How did Jesus respond to Thomas' demand for physical proof of His resurrection? ([04:52])
3. What was Thomas' declaration after his encounter with the risen Christ? ([05:07])
4. How did Jesus address the disciples when He first appeared to them after His resurrection? ([03:38])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Thomas demanded physical proof of Jesus' resurrection before he would believe? ([04:29])
2. How does Thomas' story reflect the broader human tendency to demand evidence before belief? ([02:22])
3. What does Jesus' approach to Thomas' doubt teach us about God's compassion and patience with our struggles? ([19:40])
4. How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ serve as the foundation of the Christian faith, according to the sermon? ([01:39])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubt. How did you address it, and what helped you overcome it? ([06:31])
2. Thomas missed out on the initial blessing of seeing Jesus because he was not with the other disciples. How can regular fellowship with other believers strengthen your faith? ([06:40])
3. Jesus met Thomas' demands for proof. How has Jesus met you in your moments of doubt or need? ([20:00])
4. The sermon mentioned that disbelief often stems from a willful decision rather than a lack of evidence. Are there areas in your life where you are resisting belief? Why do you think that is? ([16:02])
5. How can you cultivate a living faith that trusts in Jesus' character and promises, even when immediate evidence is not visible? ([21:56])
6. The resurrection assures us that our belief is not in vain. How does this assurance impact your daily life and decisions? ([01:46])
7. Think of someone you know who is struggling with doubt. How can you support and encourage them to have a personal encounter with Jesus? ([27:54])

Devotional

Day 1: Resurrection: Our Faith's Foundation
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an isolated historical event but the bedrock upon which Christian faith is built. It is a transformative truth that sets Christianity apart, offering a living hope that goes beyond mere moral guidance or philosophical thought. The resurrection is a testament to the fact that belief in Jesus is not an exercise in futility but a connection to a living Savior. It is a call to embrace a faith that is alive, dynamic, and grounded in the reality of Jesus' victory over death. This foundational event provides assurance that faith in Christ is meaningful and that He is indeed the living Redeemer. [01:27]

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ESV

Reflection: How does the reality of the resurrection shape your understanding of your own faith and daily walk with Christ?

Day 2: Doubt Transformed into Faith
Doubt is not a new phenomenon; it has been a part of the human experience since ancient times, as exemplified by the Apostle Thomas. His story is a powerful narrative of skepticism turned into a profound declaration of belief. It illustrates that even the deepest doubts can be overcome through a personal encounter with the risen Christ. This transformation is not limited to biblical times but is available to anyone willing to open their heart to the presence of Jesus. The journey from doubt to faith is a path that many can relate to and find solace in, knowing that Christ's resurrection is a truth that can turn uncertainty into confident belief. [02:43]

"And he said to them, 'O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?'" - Luke 24:25-26 ESV

Reflection: Can you identify an area of doubt in your life that you need to surrender to God in order to experience a deeper faith?

Day 3: Choosing Belief Over Disbelief
The refusal to believe in the resurrection often arises from a deliberate choice, not from a lack of evidence. The account of Thomas challenges individuals to introspect and discern whether their disbelief is a conscious decision rather than a reasoned conclusion drawn from an examination of the facts. The historical, prophetic, and personal testimonies to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are compelling, yet some choose to dismiss them. This takeaway prompts a call to self-examination, encouraging people to confront the reasons behind their disbelief and to consider the possibility that the resurrection is indeed a truth worth embracing. [16:33]

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" - 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV

Reflection: What are the barriers that prevent you from fully embracing the truth of the resurrection, and how can you address them?

Day 4: God's Compassion in Our Doubt
Jesus' response to Thomas' doubt is a profound demonstration of God's compassion and patience with human frailty. He does not dismiss our struggles but meets us in the midst of them, providing the evidence we need to overcome our disbelief. This is a powerful reminder that God's desire is for everyone to come to faith, and He is actively involved in revealing Himself to us. The divine approach to doubt reassures believers that they are not alone in their spiritual journey and that God is ever-present, ready to guide them towards a stronger faith. [18:11]

"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 be more open to the ways God is trying to reveal Himself to you in your current circumstances?

Day 5: Faith Beyond Immediate Evidence
True faith in Jesus is not contingent upon receiving immediate answers or seeing tangible proof. It is a trust that is rooted in Jesus' character and His promises, even in the absence of immediate evidence. Faith is based on who Jesus is and what He has accomplished through His death and resurrection, not merely on what He does for us in the moment. This perspective shifts the focus from a transactional relationship with God to a deep, abiding trust in His nature and His work in our lives. [21:56]

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

Reflection: What does walking by faith and not by sight look like in your life, and how can you practice this principle in a practical way today?

Quotes

"The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the keystone of the Christian faith. Apart from the resurrection, Christianity is no different from any other religion, it is just another philosophical exercise. And yet, believing in the resurrection requires faith. We must believe that a man named Jesus, who was literally and completely dead, came to life again by the power of God." [01:27]( | | )

"Thomas establishes his own criteria for faith. He has to see and touch the nail marks. He has to see and touch the nail marks. He has to thrust his hand in the side of his friend in some kind of a macabre action to prove to himself that Jesus really had real wounds and had really died and come to life again. Unbelief is like that. It's arrogant. Self-centered." [15:51]( | | )

"This dying soldier's faith in his lifelong friend was not misplaced. And I can assure you that if you put your faith, your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, that faith will not be misplaced either. And you can say until the last day, I know he will come. He will come for you, for me, for all of those whose faith and trust is in him." [25:09]( | | )

"He met Thomas' arrogant demands for faith. And Jesus said to him, Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. If that's what it takes, do it. But Thomas, stop doubting and believe. He met Thomas' demands. And that's when Thomas knew Jesus had been there, when he said those things the week before." [20:03]( | | )

"Every unbeliever in the world, is trapped by the same willful arrogance that Thomas fell into on the very day of Jesus' resurrection. But thankfully, a personal encounter with the risen Christ turned his disbelief into faith. You know, Jesus had been there when Thomas asserted these demands. When he established these criteria, Jesus was right there with them." [18:11]( | | )

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