Is doubt a good thing? Or is it the opposite of faith? The disciple Thomas, infamously known as Doubting Thomas, encounters the resurrected Jesus with honest skepticism. What can we learn about this story of doubt and faith?
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Message by Josh Mutter – May 12, 2019
DOUBT
John 20:24-29 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!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
WALKING WITH THOSE STRUGGLING WITH DOUBT
1. ACKNOWLEDGE THE PRESENCE OF DOUBT
2. ACKNOWLEDGE THE REASON FOR DOUBT
3. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DOUBT IS NOT THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH
4. ACKNOWLEDGE OUR OWN DOUBT
5. ACKNOWLEDGE OUR OWN FAITH
POINTS TO REMEMBER …
1. OUR DOUBTS DO NOT DISQUALIFY US FROM JESUS
2. THOMAS’ DOUBT IS A PART OF A JOURNEY THAT MADE HIS BELIEF IN JESUS SOMETHING THAT WAS GENUINE AND LIFE-CHANGING
John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
3. THROUGH MEETING WITH ONE ANOTHER, WE EXPERIENCE JESUS MEETING US WHERE WE ARE AT AND INVITING US TO AN EVER-DEEPENING FAITH
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music | RSS