Sundays at Home

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Can A Christian Struggle With Doubt?

John 20:24-29
Sunday, May 3, 2020
Pastor Jojo Ma

 
 

Sermon Notes

For a PDF of the notes for today’s sermon, please follow this link.

Can A Christian Struggle With Doubt?
John 20:22-23

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe." 26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Where are You, God? Why so much pain in my life? Do You even care? Can I even trust You? Are You real? Do You hear any of my prayers? Why does it feel like You don’t answer?

How does the Lord treat doubters like Thomas? How does the Lord treat doubters like you and me? 

24 Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

We can all be like this, even as Christians: downcast, sometimes feeling hopeless, sad, worried, fearful or much afraid, leading to much doubt and many questions about God, Christ, faith, and salvation.

There is a kind of questioning and doubt, a real quest for truth, that isn’t sinful and that God uses to grow us in faith.

Luke 11:10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

Don’t miss out on Sunday worship. That is where you meet with believers, get encouragement, and feed on Christ through His Word. All of us need regular, consistent practice of Sunday worship presence. It is not good to miss out. It can do serious spiritual damage, apparently even after one week.

CrossLife, be sure to make Lord’s day worship a priority: for God’s honor, for the blessing of others, and the good for your own soul.

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

What grace, what mercy, what kindness, what gentleness, what patience, what a Savior we have in Jesus.

28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 

CrossLife Community Church is the best place to doubt if you are struggling.

Mark 9:24 "I believe; help my unbelief! 

27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

At the end of the day, whether you are a strong believer, a doubting believer, or truly an unbeliever, the remedy is always the cross, the atonement, the wounds of the Lord Jesus Christ for sinners.

Look at Jesus, look at his wounds, look at his love. Do not disbelieve but believe.