In The Midst of Doubt

Encounters with Christ - Part 3

By John Youell, Jr., April 20, 2024

(Matthew 28:8-10 NLT) The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message. And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them…Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid! Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

(Matthew 28:16-17 NLT) Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

IN THE MIDST OF DOUBT

  • Causes of Doubt

    • questions

    • situations

    • hurts

  • Your faith is a , not a .

  • Properly handled doubts can be a to a faith.

    • Strong faith is not the of doubt.

    • Strong faith grows our doubts.

(John 20:24-25 NLT) One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

“Doubt is not always a sign that a man is wrong; it may be a sign that he is thinking.” – Oswald Chambers

(John 11:14-16 NLT) So he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And for your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there, for now you will really believe. Come, let’s go see him.” Thomas, nicknamed the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s go, too—and die with Jesus.”

(John 20:26 NLT) Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

Thoughts On This Encounter

1. Christ is not in our doubts.

(John 20:27 NLT) Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

2. Christ encounters turn into .

(John 20:28 NLT) “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

3. Doubts don’t your .

(John 20:29 NLT) Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Faith enables you to doubt to .