1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.
9 There was the true light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,
13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John bore witness of Him, and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
16 For of His fulness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
18 No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.
John 1:1-18

Sunday, July 1, 2012

Why Do I Doubt?

Game: which place do you think I have not visited? Why?
1. The grand canyon
2. The great wall of China
3. The Eiffel Tower

What causes you to doubt certain statements, beliefs, or people?
Why do people doubt God?

I. Despair
Psalm 22:1-2
->God may seem far during certain times in your life because of difficult circumstances.

This psalm of David was not for himself. This was spoken prophecy that Jesus referred to on the cross. He endured God's wrath as He became sin (substitutionary atonement), and, for the only time EVER, was completely separated from God (as God cannot look upon sin.)

**[Substitutionary atonement: Biblical teaching that Jesus Christ is God’s substitute sin offering through his death on the cross making it possible for believers to be at one with God and experience his forgiveness and salvation.]

II. Disillusionment
Matthew 11:1-6

John the Baptist had publicly called out King Herod for his inappropriate marriage. Because of this, John was imprisoned, soon to be beheaded. The vileness of the prison and horror of certain death disrupted this man accustomed to living only by his own restrictions.

->Disillusionment is caused by momentary confusion about God. Friends may question your faith and leave you feeling stumped. TV can give you wrong thinking, causing subtle doubts.

**Your Bible is your best source of Truth! Read it and know it to be able to face the onslaught of lies.

III. Distress
Matthew 14:28-31

Peter doubted only after he noticed the wind. But why should he doubt when he was with Jesus? If you take time to notice what is wrong and frightening around you, you surely will. And you will lose focus on your Savior.

**My pregnancy story...

IV. Disbelief
John 20:24-29

Thomas wanted to see for himself, but once he was in the presence of Jesus, there was no doubt left in his mind.

->Seeing is believing for most people. Because of this, our culture considers religion, and Christianity in particular, as a crutch for the weak and unintelligent.

1 Corinthians 1:18-19
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”

V. Deception
2 Corinthians 11:1-4

The church is the bride of Christ, and Paul seeks to protect her from being enticed by the destruction of Satan.

Galatians 1:8
8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Paul is reminding the people that there is only one truth, but Satan seeks to deceive and destroy us with false teaching. Be aware of how cunningly the serpent deceived Eve. We, too, can be destroyed but subtle false teaching.

**Remember: we can only live right if we first think right!
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