3. Matthew 14:28-33

4. Matthew 26:26-29 NKJV [26] And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [27] Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. [28] For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. [29] But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom.“

5. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NKJV [1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: [2] On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

8. Dealing with
Discouragement

10. A REAL PROBLEM TODAY: WORRY

11. P R D E I

12. The Answer to Sinful Pride

13. Do you Doubt?

15. A problem prevalent in our society
A Doubtful society
A problem prevalent in our society
The call to question everything, especially authority
Education, entertainment and government that regularly rejects divine accountability
The amount of information available expressing every conceivable view
Rampant immorality and worldliness without real answers

16. A problem prevalent in our society
A Doubtful society
A problem prevalent in our society
Many, if not most, struggle with doubts from time to time:
Personal – abilities, who we are, failures
Others – a lack of confidence
Spiritual questions – Who is God? Am I saved? Weak faith. Difficult questions of critics, etc.

17. The Bible and doubt
Peter doubted – Matthew 14:28-33 – he began to sink, “Why did you doubt?”
Matthew 14:28-33 NKJV[28] And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." [29] So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. [30] But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" [31] And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" [32] And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. [33] Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

18. The Bible and doubt
Thomas doubted – John 20:24-29, refused to believe Jesus was raised until he saw Him.
John 20:24-29 NKJV[24] Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] The other disciples therefore said to him, "We have seen the Lord." So he said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." [26] And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" [27] Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." [28] And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" [29] Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

19. The Bible and doubt James 1:5 – ask in faith, without doubting
James 1:5 NKJV[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

20. The Bible and doubt Romans 14:22-23 – to act while doubting is sin
Romans 14:22-23 NKJV[22] Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. [23] But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

21. Dealing with doubts: Is doubt sinful?
Doubt is NOT something that can be ignored.
It is a legitimate concern, or a cause to reject?
Is it persistent, or are you trying to deal with it?
HOW we deal with doubts will determine who we are

22. Dealing with doubts: Realize what doubt is
Doubt can be calling something into question; uncertainty; or lack of confidence
Doubt is not always a denial of faith.
Sometimes it is questioning something about our faith, OR it is insufficient or weak faith.
It is a bridge between your current faith and perfected faith

23. Dealing with doubts: Realize what doubt is
Doubt is not just intellectual, it is also spiritual.
It is a tool of Satan!
Genesis 3:3-5
Our spiritual warfare
Ephesians 6:10-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

24. Dealing with doubts: Deal with your doubts
Don’t ignore it, for that could be sin! Rarely does ignoring something make it go away.
Do not close your mind to an answer!
John 20:26, while Thomas doubted, he was with the disciples the next Sunday.
WHEN he saw the Lord, he believed.
Learn to doubt your doubts

25. Dealing with doubts: Deal with your doubts
Be humble. Many let doubts excuse ungodly behavior.
Skeptics sometimes will reject the possibility of an answer
Not having an answer is no excuse to say there is no answer.
Further, we don’t know everything! Be humble enough to admit it – Deut 29:29, Romans 11:33-34

26. Dealing with doubts: Deal with your doubts
Search for answers - diligently.
Keep looking! Romans 10:17, John 8:32, Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:15
Be willing to accept the answer when/if you find it
EVEN if it is not the answer you were looking for!

27. Dealing with doubts:
Deal with your doubts
Pray about it
Pray to help you overcome your doubts – James 1:5
Help my unbelief! Mark 9:24

28. Dealing with doubts: Deal with your doubts If there is sin, repent!
Sometimes doubts and questions come because of sins we are struggling with and we don’t like or want the clear answer in God’s word.
Some try to explain away what the Bible says (hell, homosexuality, MDR, etc.), but that too can produce doubts
Acts 8:22

29. Dealing with doubts:
Deal with your doubts
Keep growing
If doubt is the product of a weak faith, the more we mature, the greater our faith, the less doubts.
2 Peter 1:5-11

30. Dealing with doubts: Be patient with those who question or doubt!
Sometimes people struggle with questions, but are afraid to voice them because they will be rebuked or belittled.
As long as one is honest, they ought to be able to ask questions!
1 Thessalonians 5:14,
Hebrews 12:12

31. Doubt will do one of two things: You can choose which path to take!
It can devastate your faith
OR it will make your faith stronger
You can choose which path to take!

32. How is Your Faith? Jesus Do you need help for your doubt?
I know who can give you the help you are looking for.
Come Now
Hear
Believe
Repent
Confess
Be Baptized
Be Faithful forever.
Come Now
Repent and confess and the Lord will forgive all your sins!
Jesus