TODAY’S TOPIC
IS
“OVERCOMING DOUBT”
March 17, 2021
By Rev. Dennis L. Johnson
1
Introduction:
Good morning, my name is pastor Dennis L. Johnson, and my topic for today is about:
“OVERCOMING DOUBT”
Pastor
Dennis
At one time or another, during the Christian walk, you will face doubts. Even pastors have doubts during their course while serving the Lord. The Lord's prophets also doubted, as well as Jesus' disciples.
Although Christians will face doubt from time to time, they do not want to remain a doubter because doubt will stunt our faith from growing to maturity.
Thank you pastor Dennis
Evan. Richard, will you read (James 1:5-8) and tell us why not to remain a doubter.
(V-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 him.
(V-6) But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
(V-7)
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
(V-8) He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Thank you Evan. Richard
Pastor Dennis.
1) James said whoever doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed between faith and doubt.
2) Also, those who doubt
will not receive anything from the
Lord.
3) And, anyone who doubts is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
4) However,
if we have doubts we can take them the Lord in prayer.
Pastor Dennis
The word doubt is such a little word, but today we learned in (James 1:5-8) that doubt, can affect
your faith, your growth, and your walk with the Lord. God knows we will face doubts as we learn to trust Him; with our lives, our family, our possessions, and our homes.
Pastor Dennis
Today, we will look at some of our ancestors who had doubts like us and how God countered their doubts with words of truth.
Sarah, Abrahams wife had doubts.
Pastor
Carl, will you read Gen.18:9-13 for our hearing.
(V-9) Then the Lord said to Abraham, where is Sarah your wife? So he said, Here, in the tent.
(V-10) And God said, I will
certainly return to you according to the time of life, and behold, Sarah your wife shall have a son. Sarah was listing in the tent door which was behind him.
(V-11) Now Abraham and Sarah were old, well advanced in
age; and Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.
(V-12) Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I have grown old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
(V-13) And the Lord said to Abraham, why did Sarah laugh, saying shall I surly bear a child, since I am old?
Thank you pastor Carl.
Pastor Ranaye please read
(Gen.18:14) and share God’s response to Sarah as well as to us who have doubts.
(V-14) Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah
shall have a son.
Thank you pastor Ranaye
Pastor Dennis.
Like Sarah, who had doubts because of her age, we too-will have doubts
if we look at our physical bodies rather than God’s supernatural capabilities.
Pastor Ranaye, please read (Mark 11:22) and share what Jesus said to those who may be facing an impossible situation.
(V-22) So Jesus answered and said to them, have faith in
God.
Thank you pastor Ranaye.
Pastor
Dennis.
The apostle Paul faced several tasks that seemed impossible during his ministry.
Thank you pastor Dennis
Pastor
Ranaye please read (Phill.4:13) and tell us what Paul said when he faced an impossible task or situation.
(V-13) I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me.
Thank
you Pastor Ranaye
Pastor Dennis
Moses had doubts when he walked the earth.
Evan. Richard: Please read (Ex.3:10-12)
when God commissioned Moses to go to Egypt.
(V-10) Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.
(V-11) But Moses said to God, who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.
(V-12) So God said, I will certainly be with you. And this shall be a sign to
you that I have sent you; When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.
Thank you Evan. Richard
Pastor Carl, Please read (EX.4:10-17)
and tell us Moses response to the Lord.
(V-10) Then Moses said to the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.
(V-11) So the Lord said to him, who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?
(V-12) Now therefore, go, and I will
be with your mouth and teach you what you shall say.
(V-13) But he said, O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.
(V-14) So the anger of the Lord
was kindled against Moses, and He said: is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glade in his hear.
(V-15) Now
you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do.
(V-16) So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself
shall be a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God.
(V-17) And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.
Thank you pastor Carl.
Pastor Dennis.
As God sent Moses, likewise, Jesus sends us to represent His Father’s kingdom in this world. Like Moses, at times, you may not feel eloquent enough to
speak on behalf of the Lord because of some flaw you believe you possess. However, whatever task you might be facing today, know that God has equipped you to be victorious. God was present with Moses, However, today’s Christians have the Holy Spirit
living within them.
Thank you Pastor Dennis
Pastor Ranaye, please read (1-Cor.3:16) and tell us what Paul said about the Holy Spirit.
(V-16) Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
Thank you pastor Ranaye.
Pastor Dennis.
Not only dose the Holy Spirit dwell within us, He is also our helper, and will show us things to come, and also reveal
Secrets to those who believe. Jesus said the Holy Spirit will
Abide with you for ever.
Evan Richard, Please read (Jn.14:16) and share Jesus prayer for believers.
(V-16) Jesus said, I,
will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.
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Thank you Evan. Richard
Pastor Carl, please read (Jn.14:26) for our hearing.
(26) But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance
all things I said to you.
Thank you Pastor Carl.
Pastor Dennis:
Today, we learned three crucial facts about the Holy Spirit
that will enrich the lives of believers. 1) Wherever you go
The Holy Spirit goes with you. 2) Whatever you do, the Holy Spirit does it with you. 3) Whatever scripture you read the Holy Spirit will bring it to your
remembrance all things that
He said to you. God speaks to us through His written word, which is the Bible. Therefore it is, important to lay aside time to read God’s word even if you do not understand
the scripture for now.
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Thank you Pastor Dennis.
Pastor Dennis.
John the Baptist had doubts while he was on the earth.
Evan. Richard, please read (Matt.11:1-3), and tell us the doubts John was concerned with.
(V-1) Now
it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve Disciples, that He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
(V-2) And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two
of his disciples .
(V-3) and said to Him, Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?
Thank you Evan. Richard.
Pastor
Dennis.
Like John the Baptist, we too might have doubts, and like John, we-to, do not want to hide our doubts, but rather, take them to the Lord in prayer.
Thank you pastor
Dennis
Pastor Carl, Please, read (Matt.11:4-6) and share Jesus, response to those who might doubt His abilities.
(V-4) Jesus answered and said to them, Go tell
John the things which you hear and see;
(V-5) The blind see and the lame walk; the leapers are cleansed and the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(V-6) And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.
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Thank you pastor Carl.
Pastor Dennis.
As Christians, Like Jesus, it is important that we share the things that Jesus is doing in our lives with others so their faith in Christ will be strengthened, by our testimonies.
Thank
you pastor Dennis
Evan. Richard, please read (Acts 1:8) and tell us what Luke said about witnesses.
(V-8) But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judah and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Thank you Evan. Richard
Pastor Dennis.
Thomas,
one of the twelve Disciples had doubts.
Pastor Ranaye, Please read (Jn.20:24-26) for our hearing.
(V-24) Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
(V-25) The other Disciples therefore said to him, we have seen the Lord. So Thomas 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 was with them.
Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace to you!.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you Pastor Ranaye
Pastor Dennis.
Sometimes like Thomas we too might refuse to believe
A scripture unless we see a sign.
Thank you pastor
Dennis
Evan. Richard, please read (Jn.20:27-31) and share how Jesus responded to Thomas’ doubts.
(V-27) Then Jesus 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.
Evan. Richard.
(V-28) and Thomas answered and said to
Jesus, My Lord and my God!
(V-29) Jesus said to him, Thomas because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have beloved.
(V-30)
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His Disciples, which are not written in this book.
(V-31) but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing
you may life in His name.
Thank you Evan. Richard
Pastor Dennis.
Although most Christians will face doubts during difficult
times as they journey on the road of faith. However, there are benefits for those Christian who believes despite doubts.
Pastor Carl, please read (Mark 11:23-24) for our hearing.
(V-23) For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be moved and cast into the sea, and dose not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done. He will have whatever he says.
(V-24) Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask
When you pray. Believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
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Thank you pastor Carol
Pastor Dennis.
Please note: you are not going to receive anything from the Lord just by believing you will.
The apostle Paul tells believers how to come to the Lord when we pray.
Evan. Richard, Please read (Hebrews 10:22-23) and tell us how to pray before the Lord.
(V-22)
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience
And our bodies washed with pure water.
(V-23) Let us hold
fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who promised is faithful.
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Thank you Evan, Richard
Pastor Dennis.
Sometimes the devil will cause Christians to doubt.
Thank you pastor Dennis
Pastor Ranaye, Please read
(Lk.4:3) and tell us how the devil tried to cause Jesus to doubt.
(V-3) And the devil said to Jesus, if you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.
Thank
you pastor Ranaye.
Pastor Dennis
Just as the devil tried to cause Jesus to doubt likewise, he also tries to cause Christians to doubt.
Peter had doubts
Pastor Carl, please read (Matt.14:22-26) and tell us what was happing in the Disciples boat.
(V-22) Immediately Jesus made His Disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
(V-23) And when He had sent the multitude away, He went up on the mountain
by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
(V-24) But the boat was now in the middle of sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
(25) Now
in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
(26) And when the Disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, it is a ghost!
Thank
you Pastor Carl.
Evan Richard, please read (Matt.14:27-36) and tell us how Jesus responded to the Disciples who are in the boat.
(V-27) But immediately Jesus spoke
to them saying, Be of good cheer it is I; do not be afraid.
(V-28) And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You command me to come to You on the water.
(V-29) So Jesus
said Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
(V-30) But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, Lord,
save me!
(V-31) And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?
(V-32) And when they got into the
boat, the wind ceased.
(V-33) Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Jesus, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.
(V-34) When they had crossed over, they came
to the land of Gennesaret. (Gen-nes-a-ret).
(V-35) And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent out into all surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick.
(V-and begged Jesus that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
Pastor Dennis
Here
are some key takeaway’s from the topic of doubt.
As Christians, sometimes we might have doubts because we do not see any way possible to changed or fix our present situation.
Thank you pastor Dennis.
Pastor Ranaye, please read (Proverbs 3:5) and share what God says to believers who have doubts.
(V-5) Trust in the Lord with all
your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.
Thank you Pastor Ranaye.
Pastor Dennis.
Doubting God’s word
does not stop God’s plan for your life. The Disciples had doubts, but God used them in spite of their doubts.
Pastor Carl, please read (Mark 16:14) and share what Mark said about the Disciples unbelief.
(V-14) Later Jesus appeared to the eleven Disciples as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen from the dead.
Thank you pastor Carl.
Pastor Dennis.
Jesus prayed for His Disciples, and likewise, He is praying for us who might be experiencing
doubt in their Christian walk with the Lord.
There are four positive tools a Christian can use to overcome the doubt in their life.
1) Read all the scriptures that pertain
to your doubts.
2) Meditate on the scriptures you have just read.
3) Pray and ask God to gives you the wisdom to understand what you have read.
4) And repeat.