1. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Jesus made it very clear that it cannot! (Mt 16:18)

2. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Jesus made it very clear that it cannot! (Mt 16:18) n The kingdom of God has God’s authority behind it. (Mt 28:28-20)

3. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Jesus made it very clear that it cannot! (Mt 16:18) n The kingdom of God has God’s authority behind it. (Mt 28:28-20) n God has plainly said it would never fail. (Isa 9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14)

4. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Jesus made it very clear that it cannot! (Mt 16:18) n The kingdom of God has God’s authority behind it. (Mt 28:28-20) n God has plainly said it would never fail. (Isa 9:6-7; Dam 7:13-14) n “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end”

5. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom.

6. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom. –Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. (Lk 17:20-21)

7. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom. –Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. (Lk 17:20-21) –Some were so confident in the Jewish nation.

8. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom. –Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. (Lk 17:20-21) –Some were so confident in the Jewish nation. –John the Baptist strongly taught them (Mt 3:9-10)

9. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom. –Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. (Lk 17:20-21) –Some were so confident in the Jewish nation. –John the Baptist strongly taught them (Mt 3:9-10) –The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a horrible lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11)

10. Can the kingdom of God fail? n Our problem is one of identifying and seeing God’s kingdom. –Jesus warned about looking at the wrong things. (Lk 17:20-21) –Some were so confident in the Jewish nation. –John the Baptist strongly taught them (Mt 3:9-10) –The people of Jeremiah’s day were to learn a horrible lesson. (Jer 7:4, 8-11) –Many have done this with the name “churches of Christ.”

11. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20)

12. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20) n What had John already seen and confessed? (Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37)

13. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20) n What had John already seen and confessed? (Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37) n There are two possible reasons for John's doubt.

14. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20) n What had John already seen and confessed? (Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37) n There are two possible reasons for John's doubt. –Jesus had not done what John expected. (Mt 3:11-12)

15. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John expressed doubt in the identity of Jesus. (Lk 7:19-20) n What had John already seen and confessed? (Mk 1:10-11; Jn 1:32-37) n There are two possible reasons for John's doubt. –Jesus had not done what John expected. (Mt 3:11-12) –John may have harbored a misconception about the nature of The kingdom!

16. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged.

17. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged. –Any man who is isolated and suffering, depression and doubt will come.

18. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged. –Any man who is isolated and suffering, depression and doubt will come. –The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling! (1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18)

19. John the Baptist had a time of doubt n John was in prison and likely both isolated and discouraged. –Any man who is isolated and suffering, depression and doubt will come. –The great prophet Elijah knew this feeling! (1 Kgs 19:10, 14, 18) n Given the right circumstances it could be you or me!

20. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such doubts. (Hab 1:1-4)

21. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such doubts. (Hab 1:1-4) n God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11)

22. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such doubts. (Hab 1:1-4) n God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11) –It is important to know that God knows what he is doing.

23. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk, a prophet of God had such doubts. (Hab 1:1-4) n God’s answer was not what Habakkuk wanted to hear. (Hab 1:5-11) –It is important to know that God knows what he is doing. –We need to now that some people are beyond repentance. God knows!

24. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk now has a greater problem.

25. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk now has a greater problem. –Have you ever had a problem that started out bad and then grew worse?

26. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk now has a greater problem. –Have you ever had a problem that started out bad and then grew worse? –How could God use such a wicked people? (Hab 1:12-13)

27. Habakkuk had a time of doubt n Habakkuk now has a greater problem. –Have you ever had a problem that started out bad and then grew worse? –How could God use such a wicked people? (Hab 1:12-13) n “How could God allow this to happen?”

28. Occasions of doubt in church history n The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4)

29. Occasions of doubt in church history n The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4) –You cannot imagine what it would be like to rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska)

30. Occasions of doubt in church history n The aftermath of a great apostasy. (2 Thess 2:2-4) –You cannot imagine what it would be like to rebuild! (Ex. Daniel, Nebraska) –What will Birmingham, AL be like in 200 years?

31. Occasions of doubt in church history n Personal disappointments of men and local churches.

32. Occasions of doubt in church history n Personal disappointments of men and local churches. –Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27)

33. Occasions of doubt in church history n Personal disappointments of men and local churches. –Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27) –Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of the kingdom. (Jn 16:1)

34. Occasions of doubt in church history n Personal disappointments of men and local churches. –Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27) –Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of the kingdom. (Jn 16:1) –How many have quit after a church split?

35. Occasions of doubt in church history n Personal disappointments of men and local churches. –Men’s actions may cause others to quit. They should not! (Mk 9:42; 14:27) –Jesus tried to prepare them about the nature of the kingdom. (Jn 16:1) –How many have quit after a church split? n Some have identifies a human movement with God’s kingdom. (Ex. The Boston Movement)

36. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20)

37. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20) –Always take your doubts to the Lord!

38. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20) –Always take your doubts to the Lord! –Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture. (Lk 7:21-23)

39. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n John sought more information from Jesus! (Lk 7:19-20) –Always take your doubts to the Lord! –Jesus removes John's doubt by scripture. (Lk 7:21-23) n Habakkuk resolves to give God the praise. (Hab 3:1-2)

40. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13)

41. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13) –All of history stands because of what God wants for His people.

42. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n God was doing the very best for His people. (Hab 3:13) –All of history stands because of what God wants for His people. –When we give up our faith we pervert the purpose for the whole universe.

43. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt.

44. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt. –Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. (1 Pt 3:15)

45. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt. –Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. (1 Pt 3:15) –Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for help.

46. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt. –Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. (1 Pt 3:15) –Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for help. –Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in prayer!

47. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt. –Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. (1 Pt 3:15) –Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for help. –Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in prayer! –Always distinguish between the actions of men and that of God.

48. How to deal with the disappointments that will come n Lessons for us during times of doubt. –Learn how to renew your faith from a study of God's word. (1 Pt 3:15) –Do not let doubts linger! Go to God and to spiritual men for help. –Always express yourself, including your doubts, to God in prayer! –Always distinguish between the actions of men and that of God. –Deal quickly with sin in your life. Most of our doubts lie here. (Lk 8:14; Rev 3:1-2)