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From Doubt to Dependence
Big Idea: Doubts themselves aren’t wrong, but they can easily lead us astray.
Big Question: Where can our doubts lead us?
Main Scripture: Genesis 16:1-12
Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. 2a So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children.” —Genesis 16:1-2a
Where can our doubts lead us?
1. Our doubts can lead us to distrust
This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. —Psalm 91:2
“Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. 5 “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” —Genesis 3:1b-5
Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. 4a So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. —Genesis 16:2b-4a
Where can our doubts lead us?
1. Our doubts can lead us to distrust
2. Our doubts can lead us to disobedience
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. —Genesis 3:6
Where can our doubts lead us?
1. Our doubts can lead us to distrust
2. Our doubts can lead us to disobedience
3. Our doubts can lead us to destruction
But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt. 5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who’s wrong—you or me!” 6 Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. —Genesis 16:4b-6
This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives. —Genesis 16:12
Where can our doubts lead us?
1. Our doubts can lead us to distrust
2. Our doubts can lead us to disobedience
3. Our doubts can lead us to destruction
4. Our doubts can lead us to dependence
It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise. 12 And so a whole nation came from this one man who was as good as dead—a nation with so many people that, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore, there is no way to count them. —Hebrews 11:11-12
Distrust – “What areas of my life am I struggling to trust You the most?”
Disobedience – “What parts of my life have I allowed distrust to lead me astray?”
Destruction – “Where in my life do You want to restore what is battered and broken?”
Dependence – “No matter what my surroundings tell me, I am choosing to trust in You!”
If you have surrendered your life to Jesus today, we’d like to celebrate that with you and help you with some next steps. Please text Life to 63566.
Reference Books:
✦ The Problem of God by Mark Clark
✦ Christianity for People Who Aren’t Christians by James Emery White
✦ Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
✦ Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
✦ The Reason for God by Timothy Keller