
Doubt: To be uncertain or lack confidence in
We’ve all had
Doubt can be a
For even his own brothers did not believe in him. —John 7:5 NIV
…the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. —James 1:6 NIV
Belief: Conviction, confidence or trust which is placed in some person or thing.
Would you allow your doubts to be a catalyst for your faith?
The greatest
Post-Christian: A society rooted in the history, culture, and practices of Christianity, but in which the religious beliefs of Christianity have been either rejected or forgotten.
To qualify as “post-Christian,” individuals had to meet 8 or more of the following of these 15 criteria.
- Do not believe in God
- Identify as atheist or agnostic
- Faith is not considered an important part of everyday life
- Have not prayed to God (in the last week)
- Have never made a commitment to Jesus
- Don’t agree the Bible is fully accurate
- Have not donated money to a church (in the last year)
- Have not attended a Christian church (in the last 6 months)
- Think that Jesus committed sins
- Do not feel a responsibility to “share their faith”
- Have not read the Bible (in the last week)
- Have not volunteered at church (in the last week)
- Have not attended a religious small group (in the last week)
- Disagree strongly or somewhat with parts of the Bible
- Not baptized
What or who are we placing our faith in?
There are only 2 times when Jesus is amazed.
thaumázō (thou-mad’-zo):
Original Word: θαυμάζω
marveled, amazed, astonished, surprised
Jesus was never amazed
by anyone’s
Jesus was never amazed
by anyone’s
The Faith of the Centurion
5When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. —Matthew 8:5-10 NIV
3Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. … 6He was amazed at their lack of faith. —Mark 6:3,6 NIV
What amazed Jesus was
Faith is different than hope.
What amazed Jesus was
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. —John 14:1
What if we
22…Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
23“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
24The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” —Mark 9:22-24 NLT