*Handout*

Welcome!

God has spoken to me in clear moments 

Doubt says:

Shows up in:

I am calling this message:
When Doubt Won’t Shut Up

Because Doubt just does not quit… it:

Doubt doesn’t just show up in church.
We know that doubt shows up in life.

We Have a Doubt Problem

Doubt is not rare. It is normal.

Sounds like -“Something is wrong with me.” 

Sounds like “Eventually, they’re going to realize something is wrong with me.”

SELF-DOUBT is a major issue.

In other words – Doubt does NOT just visit – Doubts stays, loops, and will not shut up.

The Top Causes for doubting Christianity

NOT:

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:

Here is what I know…

You’ve got a doubt…

It’s showing up in:

“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.

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:

Thomas’ statement – “I need evidence”

Sounds:

Doubt disguises itself as intellect

But underneath:

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.”

He doesn’t cancel him.
He doesn’t replace him.
He doesn’t shame him.

Jesus comes back for him and meets him…

Did it make a difference?

John 20:28 (NIV)
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

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:

But underneath:

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:

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:

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?

If you stopped letting doubt lead your future?

If you stopped letting doubt lead your relationships?

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

2. Be with Jesus – Don’t rush. Worship.

3. Take your next step – Fill out your Connect Card