Immanuel Church

"Although Jesus was very fond of Mary, Martha & Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and made no move to go to them. Finally, after the two days, he said to his disciples,“Let’s go to Judea.” But his disciples objected saying, “Master, only a few days ago the Jewish leaders in Judea were trying to kill you! Are you going there again?”John 11:5-8 (TLB)

Then Thomas…said to his fellow disciples, “Come on, then, let us all go and die with him!” John 11:16 (PHILLIPS)

“Do not let your heart be troubled [distressed/afraid/worried/upset]. You have put your trust [believed/put your faith in]in God, put your trust in Me also. There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am. You know where I am going and you know how [the road] to get there.”Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, wedo not know where You are going. How can we know the way to get there?” Jesus said, “I am the Way [the road]and the Truth and the Life. No one can go to the Father except by Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father also. From now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:1-7 (NLV)

Then Thomas…said to his fellow disciples, “Come on, then, let us all go and die with him!” John 11:16 (PHILLIPS)

“Do not let your heart be troubled [distressed/afraid/worried/upset]. You have put your trust [believed/put your faith in]in God, put your trust in Me also. There are many rooms in My Father’s house. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going away to make a place for you. After I go and make a place for you, I will come back and take you with Me. Then you may be where I am. You know where I am going and you know how [the road] to get there.”Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, wedo not know where You are going. How can we know the way to get there?” Jesus said, “I am the Way [the road]and the Truth and the Life. No one can go to the Father except by Me. If you had known Me, you would know My Father also. From now on you know Him and have seen Him.” John 14:1-7 (NLV)

Thomas’ doubts are rooted in grief, fear and longing…not rebellion.

Doubt: to waver, hesitate or be uncertain.
Doubt isn’t a rejection of belief but holding to belief ALONG WITH hesitation and uncertainty (I can’t/don’t understand)

Unbelief: a deliberate decision/choice NOT to believe in God or to honestly pursue His thoughts. (I won’t believe)

We can learn to embrace our doubts even in the midst of uncertainty.

-Everyone doubts and it’s a normal part of the Christian life
-Doubt isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s really just a sign of our humanity
-Doubt isn’t the opposite of faith, it’s a partner on the journey
-Doubt reminds us of the mystery that there are some things we will never fully understand this side of heaven

Jesus responds to our doubts with compassion.

What can we do with our doubts?

Acknowledge them

What can we do with our doubts?

Believe what you can (even if it’s just a little) and ask Jesus to make up the difference “…if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

What can we do with our doubts?

Keep showing up. “When your doubts arise (and they will), don’t run away from the Lord, run to him.” -Shelby Abbott, DoubtLess: Because Faith is Hard

Hang out with new believers
Serve others – because God can use you even while you’re sorting through your doubts and questions

"Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)