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Welcome!
God has spoken to me in clear moments
- What always followed? Doubt
Doubt says:
- Did God really say that?
- What if you’re wrong?
- What if this doesn’t work?
Shows up in:
- College decisions
- Career
- Ministry
- Health
- Trusting God
I am calling this message:
When Doubt Won’t Shut Up
Because Doubt just does not quit… it:
- Paralyzes me
- Robs me of obedience
- Stalls progress
- Takes my peace
Doubt doesn’t just show up in church.
We know that doubt shows up in life.
We Have a Doubt Problem
- 52% of Americans have experienced doubt about their religious beliefs.
(Barna – barna.com/research/doubt-faith)
Doubt is not rare. It is normal.
- 85% have low self-worth.
Sounds like -“Something is wrong with me.”
- 70% have impostor syndrome.
Sounds like “Eventually, they’re going to realize something is wrong with me.”
SELF-DOUBT is a major issue.
- Research shows that rumination, replaying negative thoughts over and over, is strongly tied to anxiety and depression.
In other words – Doubt does NOT just visit – Doubts stays, loops, and will not shut up.
The Top Causes for doubting Christianity
- Suffering – 23%
- Hypocrisy – 22%
- Evil/conflict – 19%
NOT:
- Bible translation questions.
- Textual inconsistency (Mark 16).
- Not intellectual.
INTELLECTUALS YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE.
If doubt were primarily intellectual, better arguments would solve it.
But that is not the issue.
The majority of doubt is NOT intellectual, but:
- Emotional
- Relational
- Experiential
Here is what I know…
You’ve got a doubt…
- It keeps coming back.
- You don’t have an answer.
- It’s slowing you down.
- For some… it’s paralyzing you.
It’s showing up in:
- Your faith.
- Your career.
- Your future.
- Your relationships.
“Will this ever work out?”
“Will I ever succeed?”
“Will I ever own a home?”
“Will I ever have a happy ending?”
You’re not stuck because you don’t care.
You’re stuck because doubt is interrupting your next step.
If you don’t deal with doubt…
doubt will decide your direction.
So… What does Jesus do with doubters?
Let’s turn to John 20
Read about “doubting” Thomas
To be fair… All the disciples had self-doubt at the crucifixion.
- Questioned themselves.
- Hid and denied.
- Not confident.
They had self-worth and impostor syndrome.
This all changes when Jesus appears in a locked room. “The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord!”
KEY DETAIL
John 20:24 (NIV)
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
Thomas missed the moment
John 20:25 (NIV)
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.”
Others saw Jesus – not Thomas.
Doubt gets loud when:
- You feel left out.
- Others have the story.
- You missed your moment.
Thomas’ statement – “I need evidence”
Sounds:
- Logical
- Intellectual
Doubt disguises itself as intellect
But underneath:
- Afraid (emotional)
- Lost Jesus (relational)
- Trauma, betrayal (experiential)
How does Jesus respond to Thomas’ doubt?
John 20:26-27 (NIV)
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!”
27 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.”
- Jesus shows up again.
- Speaks directly.
- Meets him personally.
He doesn’t cancel him.
He doesn’t replace him.
He doesn’t shame him.
Jesus comes back for him and meets him…
- Relationally
- Experientially
- Emotionally
Did it make a difference?
John 20:28 (NIV)
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
- Doubt → Worship
- Resistance → Surrender
- Doubt → Revelation
Jesus didn’t win an argument.
He restored a man.
THE TRUTH – The majority of doubt is NOT intellectual.
Doubt is more likely rooted in experience, than ideas.
What should you do with your doubt?
1 Unmask the doubt
Doubt = disguise
Looks like:
- Logic
- Reasoning
But underneath:
- Fear (emotion)
- Disappointment (experience)
- Hurt (relationship)
Theologically deep tv show…
Stop arguing with the mask
Start naming what’s underneath
Unmask the doubt.
2 Bring the real thing to Jesus
Thomas didn’t pretend – He was real.
Bring the real:
- I’m afraid.
- I’m disappointed.
- I don’t know if I can trust.
- I don’t know if I have what it takes.
The Result – the Real Jesus doesn’t just answer – He meets you
3 Take one step
Faith does not mean 100% certain.
Faith does not mean zero doubt.
Faith is deciding who leads.
Does fear lead… or does courage lead?
Let faith lead and take one step today:
- Pray again
- Trust again
- Show up again
- Try again
Thomas never got a full explanation
He got Jesus
What is your doubt?
What is it really?
What is under the mask?
-Is it fear?
-Disappointment?
-Something that didn’t work out?
-Something or someone you lost?
-Something you prayed for… and it didn’t happen?
What is under the mask of doubt?
Imagine if we didn’t let doubt lead?
If you stopped letting doubt lead your faith?
- You’d pray again.
- You’d trust God again.
- You’d actually believe He hears you.
If you stopped letting doubt lead your future?
- You’d take the step.
- You’d apply for the job.
- You’d pursue the calling.
If you stopped letting doubt lead your relationships?
- You’d open your heart again.
- You’d forgive.
- You’d stop assuming the worst.
What if the thing holding you back is not your ability…
Not your opportunity…
Not your future…
…but the voice you’ve been listening to?
Action – Unmask your Doubt
1. Come meet Jesus – Pray
- Doubt is loud
- Bring it forward
- Don’t carry it alone
- And if you’ve never met Jesus…
- This could be your moment.
2. Be with Jesus – Don’t rush. Worship.
- Not a song
- Encounter Jesus
- Be honest
3. Take your next step – Fill out your Connect Card
- Not ready?
- Fill out connect card
- Ask for help
- Baptism / follow Jesus
