Recap of this past Wednesday (9/14)

This past Wednesday night we continued our series on “Doubt.” We took a detour last week due to all of Praise Family Church having an emphasis on missions. So, we got back on track and here are the notes on the sermon:

1. Introduction
1. Doubt defined is to be undecided or skeptical about. To tend to disbelieve; distrust. To regard as unlikely.
2. Part one was about how we just doubt God and who He is (Doubting Thomas)
3. John 20:29- Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 
4. Part two was about how we doubt how good God can be
5. For some of us, it has been a long time since you have had good news and you have questioned God and why He has allowed something to take place.
6. Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
7. For me, that is the perfect scripture

2. Tonight we are going to hit on “I Doubt God Will Do It For Me”
1. You can really find yourself thinking that a lot
2. We sit there and think that God will not do this or that for us and He really doesn’t care for our situation
3. It’s like this story found in the book of Mark
4. Mark 9:17- A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
5. The word brought means to use strength to carry, seize or retain.
6. The reason I want to emphasize that is because he literally carried his son to Jesus
7. Mark 9:18 & 19a- Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you”
8. Mark 9:21 & 22- Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered.  “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
   

3. So, there is a key word found in that scripture that represents a sense of doubt
1. If is the word, and the man says “If, you can do anything..”
2. We can easily find ourselves saying this a lot,  “if” you could this or that
3. We find ourselves not meaning to, but in a way doubting if God is capable of actually doing some things for us.
4. Let’s be honest, how many of you have found yourselves praying “If” or even thinking about it…

4. So, why do many of us find ourselves doubting?
1. There are 3 key reasons why we find ourselves doubting. Are you ready?
2. #1- God doesn’t do what we would do
3. In the back of our minds, we have this way we want something to come about and if it doesn’t work out that way, we doubt if God did anything about it.
4. We get upset at God and begin to doubt Him because He didn’t do it the way we feel it should have been done.
5. A lot of tragic things take place in life, period.
6. But who are we to say that God didn’t have better inentions or wanted to protect someone or something…

5. Second reason we find ourselves doubting is because…
1. We’ve tried things that didn’t work
2. This really goes with trying to take things into our own hands
3. We find ourselves not even praying about a situation and doing what we feel is best
4. When it doesn’t work out the way we thought it should, we turn around and ask God, “Why?”
5. We don’t even take the time to talk to God about it and then we totally get upset with Him, cause in the back of our minds we are like, I am a Christian and these things don’t happen to Christians

6. Third reason we find ourselves doubting and I am sure a lot of you in here can relate to this is because we….
1. Surround ourselves with people that express doubt as well
2. The main problem with most people in their walk with God is the people you surround yourself with.
3. If you would change your surroundings, it will really help your walk with God
4. In turn, when you surround yourself with people that think positive and lack doubt, in turn you will find yourself thinking with more faith
5. Our faith becomes dilute, polluted, and partial as we continue to surround ourselves with people that “doubt”

7. Lets look into that story a little more…

1. Mark 9:22b-24- But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “’If you can‘?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
2. That is exactly what some of you need to say to Jesus
3. “Help me overcome my unbelief!!!”
4. Let’s be real with God and just be honest that you struggle with your faith
5. Mark 9:24- “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”
6. I truly believe that God will help you

8. After you confess that you have some unbelief, act on what you have already

1. Most of you have some faith at least, you may not have complete totally committed faith
2. Though, you at least have some cause you have a relationship with God or just even believe in God
3. James 2:26- As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
4. Act on what you have and just trust in God for the rest

10. I think one of the best examples of real, committed, deep, sincere faith is found in the book of Dainel
1. Daniel 3:17 & 18- If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
2. That is faith, to trust in God and to not worry about the outcome because in the back of your mind you know He is going to come through
3. It may not work out the way you want, but you know it is in His hands
4. You know that best is going to come because He cares for you and I

flipsiders, take sometime and really think about this and where you stand with doubt in your life.

If you missed this last Wednesday night it went really well. We are in the process of making some changes in flipside and you may have noticed it in the way we are doing services now. You will also see some upgrades in the furniture and the change of where things used to be. We are doing what we can to create a place where you will invite your friends and also create a place where you can get to know one another more. Hope to see you next week and try your best to bring someone with you!!! Let’s pack it out for Pride Night 2011!!!!

-Pastor Leo