Is it OK to have doubts – those times in your life when you feel God is missing? Pastor Troy Murphy examined that question during his message on Easter Sunday, April 1, at Community Church. Here are some key points:
*Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-8 that there is ample evidence that Jesus died and rose again, based on the testimony of eye witnesses soon after the fact. If the story of Jesus’ resurrection was a myth, it would have been debunked very quickly. There is enough proof, based on evidence, to believe the claims about Jesus.
*We all have doubt in our faith journey. Sometimes we don’t feel like God is in our presence. It could stem from wounds or difficult circumstances. Doubt is a natural part of how God wired us. Doubt also serves as a catalyst for belief. Sometimes our faith doesn’t have all the facts yet we can have absolute conviction about things we have never seen.
*We read of the story of "Doubting Thomas" beginning in John 20:24. Thomas was not with the disciples when Jesus first appeared to them after the resurrection and couldn’t believe their story. He said that unless he saw the nail marks in Jesus’ hands he wouldn’t believe them. Thomas is crying out and saying, “I need to see more.” That’s fair for us to ask God.
*Faith isn’t just saying ‘I believe it’ and being done. The burden of belief is on us to move toward our faith. Thomas responds by saying to Jesus, "My Lord and my God" (John 20: 28). An appropriate response to belief for us is worshipping God, praying, singing, serving, giving, loving others.
*True belief means your whole life revolves around the death and resurrection of Jesus. We should display a living response. It’s not about following traditions and religious rituals if those things don’t change how you live your life. If faith in God isn’t compelling enough to cause a response, then it’s a dead faith (James 2: 14-19). Belief in God should radically shift everything we do. Faith demands that you show up ready to let God use you every day.
*We’re not responsible to inspire belief in others. We become living proof for others.
Discussion questions
Name a time when you struggled with doubt. How did you get through it?
Describe your faith in God. Is it based on knowledge or action?
How is your life living proof for others to see and experience Jesus?
