We live in a culture that has a lot to say about what faith is

• Faith in faith – it doesn’t matter what you believe in as long as you are sincere
• Faith is personal and has only the meaning you give it

We have decided to live by faith not by sight

Review – we unpacked what faith is biblically

• Remember – contend for “the faith” that was once for all delivered to the saints —Jude 3 –right doctrine
• Remember faith is to believe He is and He blesses those who diligently seek Him –Hebrews 11:6
• Remember real faith leads to obedience – Romans 1:5, James 2:14
• Remember faith is to believe Him –who He says He is and has done what He says He has done –and He will do what He says He will do

Romans 4:1–3 (NIV) — 1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

But we will live in a world that will challenge our faith and even cause doubt

1. Doubting is a normal part of our lives
2. What did they doubt? – the mission without Jesus? Their own eyes – is this real?
3. Sometimes we doubt ourselves
4. Sometimes we doubt God when we don’t understand what is happening
5. We doubt because we are strangers in the world –everyone believes something different than us – we feel different and are tempted to just get along and go along

Matthew 14:31 (NIV) — 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Matthew 11:2–6 (NIV) — 2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” 4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Matthew 28:16–18 (NIV) Mark 9:24 (NASB95)

Much of the New Testament was written to help believers overcome doubt

1 Peter 4:1–5 (NIV) — 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:12–19 (NIV)

How do we deal with doubt?

Jude 3 (NIV) — 3 Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.

Jude 17–23 (NIV)

Have the right _______________________ concerning your faith

• We all will struggle with faith
• We deal with the devil to cause us to doubt Gods perspective

Mark 8:33 (NLT) — 33 Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

1. ______________ what you have believed (Jude 3)

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NIV) — 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2. __________________

• Jesus and the apostles told us about Jesus and even about life today
• Why did you believe in the start?
• What has God done for you?
• What has God kept you from because you were obedient

3. Be in ____________________ relationships

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) — 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:12–13 (NIV) — 12 See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

4. We __________________ to walk by faith –we choose it

2 Corinthians 5:6–10 (NIV).

For Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: What stood out to you the most from the sermon this week?

Main Point: Jesus recognized that we will struggle with doubts, but He has given us authority through the Holy Spirit to overcome those doubts.

Read/Tell the Story: Matthew 28:16-20

Questions:

1. Where is doubt most likely to show up in your life?
2. The disciples were there in person worshiping Jesus. Why do you think some still doubted?
3. How has God proven Himself to you in the past?
4. How has obeying God helped your own personal faith grow?
5. We are commanded to go and make disciples. Who has done that for you, and how are you doing at that with others?
6. God promised to be with us until the end of the age. How do you feel His presence in your own life?
7. Starting a new Life Group might be a good next step for you to start making disciples.

Supporting Scripture: Jude 22, Lamentations 3:22-24, Mark 9:23-25