The Impossible Is Possible With God

• Make the most of every day!

  • ”Carpe Diem” - Seize the day.
  • “Carpe Deum” - Draw closer to God; grow your faith in God.
  • James 4:8: Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

• Questions to Consider:

  1. How do we grow our faith?
  2. Why do we struggle with lack of faith (doubt)?
  3. How do we overcome doubt?

1. How Do We Grow Our Faith?

• Faith (Hebrews 11:1): Confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
• Romans 12:2: Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
• Ways to Be Transformed and Grow Faith:
  
  • Scripture, worship, prayer
  • Fellowship
  • Service
  • Testimony
  • Eliminating “lack of faith”

2. Why Do We Struggle With Lack of Faith/Doubt?

• Doubt: A feeling of uncertainty or conviction; to call into question the truth of God.
  
  • We respond to life’s problems with remnants of our old, sinful selves.
• Emotional Symptoms of Doubt: anger, sadness, despair, loneliness, self-pity, unhappiness, discouragement, grumbling, distrust, envy, jealousy, worry, alarm, etc..
• Expressions of Doubt:
  
  • Fear
  • Skepticism
  • Disappointment
  • Double-mindedness
  • Prideful faith
• Doubt is a unique battle for every believer.
• Examples of doubt in the Bible: Adam, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Elijah, Peter, Thomas.

Examples of Doubt

• Fear
  
  • The belief that something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or harm.
  • Isaiah 41:10: Do not fear, for I am with you; I will strengthen you and help you.
  • Peter’s Doubt (Matthew 14:28-31): Peter walked on water but doubted when he saw the wind and began to sink. Jesus rebuked him for his little faith.
  • Teaching Moment: God gives faith to believe the impossible is possible. Stepping out in faith grows our faith.
• Skepticism
  
  • A questioning attitude toward God’s promises, ability, and Word.
  • Isaiah 55:8-9: God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours.
  • Zechariah’s Skeptical Doubt (Luke 1:11-20): Zechariah doubted the angel’s message that his wife would have a son, and was made mute until the child’s birth.
  • Zechariah was a righteous man, yet he doubted.
  • Teaching Moment: God’s plans are beyond our understanding.
  • When Zechariah’s mouth was opened, he praised God. This showed greater faith.
• Disappointment Doubt
  
  • Misplaced expectation from overconfidence or unrealistic confidence in our hopes, dreams, plans, relationships, or circumstances.
  • Proverbs 19:21: Many plans in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s purpose prevails.
  • John the Baptist’s Disappointment (Luke 7:18-23): John questioned if Jesus was the Messiah.
  • Jesus’ Response: Jesus told John’s disciples about the miracles he was performing.
  • Jesus’ Rebuke: God blesses those who do not fall away.
  • Teaching Moment: Don’t waver in unbelief if God doesn’t answer as we expect. Believe He will do what He promised, even if it looks different.
• Prideful Faith
  
  • Expecting God to respond to a predetermined outcome, denying God’s sovereignty.
  • Matthew 4:7: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.
  • Thomas’ Doubt (John 20:25-29): Thomas wouldn’t believe unless he touched Jesus’ wounds. Jesus offered proof.
  • Jesus’ Rebuke: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
• Double-Minded Doubt
  
  • Uncertain that God is faithful to fulfill His promises, divided loyalties.
  • James 1:5-8: A double-minded person is unstable and shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.
  • The Double-Minded Father (Mark 9:21-27): The father of a sick boy asked Jesus to help “if you can.” Jesus said everything is possible for one who believes.
  • Teaching Moment: The father’s response: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”.

3. How Do We Overcome Doubt?

• All followers of Jesus have both belief and unbelief, both faith and doubt.
• God lovingly disciplines us in our doubts so we may share in His holiness.
• Discipline varies, but it is always for our good.
• 2 Corinthians 10:5: Take every thought captive to obey Christ.
• Pray:
  
  • Psalm 139:1, 23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
• Discipline:
  
  • James 1:2-3: Count it all joy when you meet trials because the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
  • Hebrews 12:11: Discipline produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those trained by it.
  • God tests us to prove to us that our faith is real.
• The more we draw near to God, the stronger our faith grows.

Carpe Deum!