Doubt on SermonAudio

The sermon challenges believers to stop hesitating between faith and doubt by examining the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18. It emphasizes that a genuine relationship with God requires repairing the 'altar' of prayer and commitment, which often becomes broken or cold due to neglect. The message argues that confidence in prayer should be built upon the foundation of God's past faithfulness, rather than current circumstances or personal feelings. Ultimately, the central call is to make a decisive choice to follow the Lord, trusting that He hears and answers prayers with the purpose of revealing His true identity to a doubting world.

In Genesis 3:1-6, we come to the foundational account of humanity's fall into sin. In this sermon, Jeremiah Gabbard examines the disobedience of man and the events that brought sin and separation from God into the human race. This passage reveals three important aspects of man's departure from God: the resistance of God's will, the rejection of God's Word, and the desertion of God's way. The subtle work of the adversary, the devil, is also examined as he introduces doubt, contradicts God's Word, and suggests that God is withholding something good from man. The sermon also considers the pattern of temptation and its appeal to the body, soul, and spirit, contrasting the outward-in approach of temptation with the inward-out work of Christ. Genesis 3 reminds us that man cannot achieve righteousness through his own efforts, but is completely dependent upon the grace of God. This message challenges us to view the Fall from God's perspective and to recognize the seriousness of sin, the authority of God's Word, and man's need for divine grace. Series: In The Beginning Bible Text: Genesis 3:1-6 Speaker: Jeremiah Gabbard Date: September 23, 2026

This sermon explores the complex spiritual journey of the Apostle Peter, highlighting the tension between his moments of profound faith and his significant failures. By examining key Gospel narratives, including the calling by the lake, walking on water, and the denial in the courtyard, the message illustrates that Peter's life was marked by both bold confession and human weakness. The central theme emphasizes that while believers often experience a 'messy faith' characterized by doubt and error, God's grace remains constant and never withdraws the promise of eternal life. The preacher encourages the audience to find comfort in this shared human experience, noting that Peter's growth serves as a model for how God refines and perfects believers over time. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a recognition of the miracle of salvation and a commitment to continue growing in faith rather than becoming complacent or discouraged by personal shortcomings.

This sermon introduces a series on the book of Hebrews by establishing a theology of biblical warnings, arguing that they are intended to preserve believers rather than induce despair. The central message emphasizes that the primary danger for Christians is not a lack of initial salvation, but a gradual drift away from Christ caused by apathy, worldly distractions, and spiritual declension. By examining Hebrews 6 and 10, the text highlights that while Christ's work of redemption is complete and once-for-all, believers must actively hold fast to their confidence in Him to the end. The preacher urges the audience to view these severe warnings as acts of divine love that provoke self-examination, repentance, and a renewed focus on the supremacy of Christ, ensuring that the fear of God serves as a protective boundary rather than a source of doubt.

This sermon examines the tension between Jesus' miraculous provision and the persistent spiritual blindness of his disciples, using the metaphor of 'minding the gap' between professed faith and daily living. The text highlights the contrast between the grateful Gentiles who receive Jesus' compassion and the hard-hearted Pharisees who demand signs they do not believe, while the disciples struggle with doubt and worry over physical needs. Jesus warns the disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees and Herod, urging them to examine their own hearts rather than fixating on their lack of bread. The central message calls believers to recognize the distance between their words and actions, encouraging them to turn to Jesus as the source of faith and strength rather than relying on their own understanding or resources. The tone is pastoral and convicting, inviting the audience to trust in Christ's sufficiency amidst their struggles.

This lesson examines the spiritual danger of pragmatic and relativistic thinking by analyzing the serpent's strategy in Genesis 3, which targets the mind by casting doubt on God's integrity and authority. It argues that utilitarian moral frameworks, which prioritize outcomes over divine command, inevitably lead to the erosion of moral absolutes and the devaluation of human life, as seen in modern medical ethics. The speaker contrasts this with the Reformed principle of Sola Scriptura, emphasizing that obedience to God's revealed Word is an intrinsic good that reflects the Imago Dei, regardless of human understanding or perceived consequences. By highlighting the failure of consequentialist reasoning to predict long-term outcomes or define true good, the message calls believers to reject worldly philosophies and maintain distinct separation from pagan ideas. The tone is instructional and convicting, urging the church to guard its thinking against subtle distortions of truth and to rely solely on the sufficiency and authority of Scripture.

The sermon examines the biblical witnesses that confirm the true identity of Jesus Christ and the assurance of salvation for believers. It argues that the historical events of Jesus' baptism and crucifixion, along with the ongoing testimony of the Holy Spirit, provide undeniable proof of His deity and messianic role. The message contrasts the reliability of God's witness with the fallibility of human testimony, emphasizing that faith in the true Christ is the sole basis for eternal life. The preacher addresses the distinction between genuine believers and false converts by highlighting that true identity is evidenced by correct beliefs and a life transformed by grace. Finally, the sermon offers comfort to doubting believers, assuring them that their spiritual struggle is itself evidence of the Spirit's work, while urging all to place their trust exclusively in Jesus.

Does adversity mean we made a bad decision? Do unmet expectations mean we have gone the wrong way? Does the prosperity of the wicked mean our faith is false? Does our struggle against sin mean the effort is not worth it? The answer of the text before us today is No! The problem in moments of doubt often has to do with our perspective—or our lack of perspective. There is always more going on in God's good providence than what we can see. And what we need in these moments of doubt is a gentle reminder that God is in control, He is at work, He is always good, and we can trust Him and take Him at His Word.