NO DOUBT

Sermon Notes, April 23, 2017

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

           Pastor Garry's sermon was titled "No Doubt."  It was based on John 20:19-31, the story of the disciple known as "Doubting Thomas."  Jesus had shown the other disciples  His wounds, appearing even though the doors were locked, but Thomas wasn't there.  When they told him "We have seen the Lord!" he didn't believe them.  "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my fingers in them. . .  I won't believe."

           We live in a world of doubt: fake news, false accusations, persecution of Christians, etc. 

           Moments of doubt are part of the process of spiritual growth.  Many Biblical characters had doubt: Moses, Gideon, Elijah and Jeremiah all doubted their effectiveness to serve God.  (Exodus 3:11; Judges 6:15; 1 Kings 19:3-4; Jeremiah 1:6).  We see in Genesis 15-18 moments when Abraham and Sarah temporarily doubted God's promises.  We also see this in Luke 1:18 when Zechariah doubted God's promise for a son.  Some have doubted the power of God.  Abraham and Isaac doubted God's protection: fearing for his life, Abraham resorts to deception, calling his wife his sister.  Isaac resorted to the same deception for the same reason.  We can read of the doubt Moses and the Israelites had as they wandered the desert. (Exodus 5:22-23; 14:10-11; Numbers 11:21-22; Numbers 13:31-33 and 20:7-12).  Others doubt God's deliverance.  In 1 Samuel 17:11 the people of Israel are dismayed by the challenge from Goliath; in Isaiah 7:2 King Ahaz, afraid of the coalition of Syria and Israel, turns to Assyria for help; in Matthew 14:29-31 Peter, walking on the water, is afraid and begins to sink; in Acts 12:14-15 the early church does not believe that God has released Peter from prison.  Some question God.  Moses, Joshua and Gideon questioned His actions. (Judges 6:13; Numbers 11:10-12; Joshua 7:7-8)  Samuel and Elisha's servant questioned God's commands.  And here in John 20 we read a story of one of the disciples doubting Jesus.  Would you agree that doubt is nothing new?

           So what do we do with it?  Basically, we can take it or we can leave it.  If we take it, here's what we can expect.  Doubt results in spiritual uncertainty: about commitment (Luke 9:57-62; Genesis 19:17; 19:26; Exodus 16:2-3; Matthew 6:24; Hebrews 11:15), uncertainty about God's power (Numbers 13:31; Deuteronomy 1:29-33),  and uncertainty about God's love. (Isaiah 40:27, Deuteronomy 1:27; Job 9:16-18; Job 30:21).  Uncertainty about the meaning of life (Job 3:16) and uncertainty about the will of God (Judges 6:17; 2 Corinthians 13:3). 

           Doubt may result in a spiritual decline.  Doubt may result in drifting from faith (Hebrews 2:1; 2 Chronicles 36:12-13; Nehemiah 9:16-17; Psalm 95:8-9; Lamentations 5:20; Hebrews 3:12-13; Hebrews 6:4-6; 2 Peter 2:20-21).  Doubt may result in faithless action (Isaiah 31:1; Romans 14:23; Genesis 12:13, Genesis 16:2-3; Exodus 32:1; Numbers 20:11-12; Acts 7:40; Romans 14:14).  Doubt brings the risk of God's judgment (Numbers 20:20; Numbers 11:1; Numbers 14:37; Hebrews 6:7-8).  doubt leads to ineffectiveness in prayer. (James 1:6-7; Matthew 17:20; John 20:27; James 4:8). Doubt spreads.  (Deuteronomy 1:28;  Numbers 13:32; 2 Kings 17:14.

           God appeals to us for a clear decision to leave doubt.  (1 Kings 18:21, Deuteronomy 30:15-17; Joshua 24:15; John 20:27; James 4:8).  If you have a doubt about anything, tell it to the Lord.  He will show you.  Remember Thomas: Jesus did not berate or criticize him for doubting.  He showed Him himself.  Doubt can lead us to the cross, and to the risen Christ. God has commissioned us to be Jesus to a lost world.  We need to live out the certainty.  We need to be Jesus for the doubters of  our day.