2026 07 12 - If I Believe, Why Do I Doubt? - Engel

Grace, mercy and peace be unto you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. Pastor Popp assured me that this our service was a short one today, so that gives me a lot longer to preach. Right? Well, the sermon this morning is on a different topic that we very seldom discuss in the church.

And it's summertime. And this has nothing to do with the Pericles assigned for today, but it is in the Pericles at some other time during the church here. But the sermon this morning has to do with doubt. Doubts is an unfamiliar topic to most of us in the church, even though there are whole books of the Bible that are devoted to doubt or questioning in various ways. Books like Job, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and of course, Habakkuk.

And then there are many of the psalms that touch on this theme of doubt and feeling abandoned by God. If you were to ask me, do you ever doubt? I would be quick to respond and say, yes, I do have doubts, but I don't talk about them very much. The truth is, I have doubts and questions that bother me almost every day. We all have doubts from time to time.

And it's important to understand that if you arrive to the place where you have no doubts, where all your questions are answered, then you need to take a deep breath, you need to relax, because you have arrived in heaven. This is one of the hidden secrets of the church, that we all have doubts, but we don't talk about them. Doubt itself is not sinful, nor is it wrong. In fact, doubts can be the impetus, the spurring on of some great development of our spiritual life. But as we begin today, I want us to recognize that there are three categories of doubts.

The first category is intellectual doubt. These are doubts that mostly arise outside the body of believers, outside the church family. Questions like, is the Bible the Word of God? Is Jesus really the Son of God? Did he really rise from the grave?

Those kinds of questions are intellectual doubts. But then there are spiritual doubts. And these doubts are those that occur among those believers, those within the body of the church. Questions like, am I really a Christian? Have I really believed?

Are my sins really forgiven? Why is it so hard for me to pray? Why do I still feel so guilty? Why is it taking me so long to heal? Is it because I have a weak faith?

Those kinds of questions are spiritual doubts. But finally, there are circumstantial doubts. And these are the most difficult to deal with in the largest category, because these encompass the question why?

And we always have this question, why? That troubles us so much. Why did my child die? Why did my marriage break up? Why can't I find a husband?

Why did my friend betray me? Where was my uncle? Or where was God, rather, when my uncle was abusing me? These are questions that bother us because what they do is they. They meet us at the intersection of where the Bible and its faith of the Bible meets us together with all the pain that exposed to us in living in a fallen world.

And so when these two collide, we ask these difficult questions. Why so in my experience, these are the most difficult doubts to contend with, and we tend to sweep them under the rug. But when we refuse to deal with these circumstantial doubts, sometimes they soon become spiritual doubts. And the spiritual doubts then become intellectual doubts. And that's when people start leaving the church.

I've seen it happen, and I'm sure you have seen it happen too. But there are several things that we need to understand up front when we deal with the subject of doubt. First, many people think doubt is the opposite of faith. It isn't. Unbelief is the opposite faith.

Unbelief refers to a willful refusal to believe. Doubt refers to an inner uncertainty, a troubling uncertainty that you just can't explain. Secondly, many people think that doubt is unforgivable. It isn't. God doesn't condemn us when.

When we question him. Think of characters in the Bible like Job and David, who repeatedly questioned God, but they were never condemned by God. God is big enough to handle all of our questions, all of our concerns, all of our doubts.

Doubting is not unforgivable. Thirdly, many people think struggling with God means that we lack faith. Well, that's not true either. Struggling with God is true. And it is sometimes a sign that we have faith.

We wouldn't struggle with our faith if we didn't have it. If we struggle our faith, if we don't struggle, rather, our faith will never grow. Years ago, I knew a woman who said she never died, that she always believed, she never found it hard to believe anything having to do with God. This elderly woman was a widowed pastor's wife, a very close friend, and one whom I greatly admired. So I was happy to take her at her word.

But let's put it this way, I had my doubts.

In truth, we are all wired differently. Some people struggle repeatedly and greatly with doubts throughout their life, while others seem to have no trouble at all facing the difficulties in the worst of times. And I suspect that most of us fall somewhere in between those two extremes. But still, many Christians struggle with doubt. Then they feel guilty.

And it is to those believers, perhaps some of you here, that my words this morning are primarily directed. So in order for us to get a biblical perspective, let's focus on one man in the Bible who doubted. And let's focus on how Jesus dealt with doubt. That man's name is John the Baptist. Perhaps you will remember the occasion when Herod threw John the Baptist into prison because he dared to rebuke him because of his gross sexual sin.

Now, no doubt John was confused. He was frustrated while he was incarcerated. So he sent some messengers to Jesus with a very pertinent question. You remember the question. He wanted to know, are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we look forward to another one?

That's a powerful question, especially coming from a man like John the Baptist. And it may trouble some of us that this man, John the Baptist, has come to the point of such serious doubt. I mean, here is the man, John the Baptist, who has already made one of the first professions public professions of faith. When he cried out in John, behold the Lamb of God who comes to take away our sins. It's the same man who later would declare, I have seen and I testify, and that this one is the Son of God.

So make no mistake, John the Baptist was a believer and he had this faith. And John knew who Jesus was. So how could he come to this point where he was so uncertain about Jesus? How could he then harbor this doubt? Well, the text doesn't tell us exactly why, but I have a suspicion why, and it has to do with his incarceration.

There's probably no place on earth more hopeless and more corrosive to a person's faith in a prison cell. That no place on earth is darker and more desperate than a prison. So it's no wonder that while John was there, as he languished in prison, not knowing if or when he would ever be released, that he began to wonder and that he began to doubt. He at least knew enough to ask the right question. Are you the one sent from heaven, or is there someone else to be our Savior?

Are you really the promised Messiah? Now, the answer that Jesus gives is telling. The answer Jesus gives is very instructive to us. Listen to it In Matthew, chapter 11, beginning at verse 4, Jesus told them the messengers who came. Jesus told them, go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen.

The blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the good News is being preached to the poor. And he added, God blesses those who do not fall away because of me. Notice that he does not rebuke John. He does not scold John. He does not belittle John.

He does not put John down because of his doubting. He simply gives John the reason, the evidence that he needs in order for him to strengthen his faith. Go back to John, he tells the messengers. Tell John what you have seen and what you have heard. Then he lists six miracles.

He says, the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are healed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised from the dead, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Now notice what Jesus didn't say. He didn't say to John, didn't tell them to tell John. Tell John that I am the and the fulfillment of all the messianic promises. That was certainly true. But he doesn't even mention that to John.

He doesn't tell John that I'm the one who can walk on water. And that was true. But he doesn't mention anything like that. He doesn't tell John that I can make all the Pharisees act like fools or seem like fools. All those things were true.

But he also did not mention them. Because Jesus essentially says, go and tell John. Go back and tell him that in my name the poor, hurting people of the world are being helped. They're being transformed. And then notice what he says, what happens next.

This, as we continue to read what happens with Jesus and those messengers? As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about John to the crowds. What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed swayed by every breath of wind? Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes?

No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces. Were you looking for a prophet? Yes. And he is more than a prophet. John is the man to whom the scriptures refer when it says, look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you and he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you the truth. Of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.

John the Baptist sent his disciples from prison to find Jesus in Galilee and to ask him that all important question. And after answering the question, Jesus then shares with the crowd his high praise. With John the Baptist, he is more than a prophet. Jesus says he is the forerunner who was foretold in the Old Testament. No one born of a woman is greater than John the Baptist.

And notice when Jesus says this. According to verse seven, it happens as the disciples of John were Leaving. That means they probably overheard the high praise of their master. And no doubt they relayed that information back to John the Baptist in prison. But where was John at this point?

He was still in prison. He was still wrestling with his doubts. He was still filled with uncertainty. He was still unsure about Jesus. He hasn't heard the answer that Jesus gave yet.

It's as if Jesus is saying about John, John may doubt me, but I don't doubt him. He's still my man. He's still on my team. I still believe in him. So Jesus affirmed his faith in John while John was still doubting.

We need to recognize that while John was still in a state of doubt and uncertainty, Jesus expresses his faith in him. He knew that underneath that doubt there was genuine faith. Jesus is saying, he's still my man. He's still on my team. Doubts and all.

That's an incredible affirmation of a man who is doubting, having serious doubts. And I trust that God and Jesus are saying the same thing about us when we have our doubts.

Perhaps above the front door of every Christian church, we should put this two word sign. Doubters welcome. If you have doubts, come inside. If you have questions about your faith, come inside. If you're experiencing uncertainties, come inside.

If you're a skeptic, come inside. If you're searching for the truth, indeed, come inside. See, doubt does have its uses. Deep doubt can sometimes be the prelude to an increased faith, a deepening of faith. I like the way one theologian puts it, doubts are the ants in the pants of faith.

They keep it awake and they keep it moving. It's for certain that there are some people who have extreme doubts who later become some of the strongest believers. And honest doubts, once those doubts are resolved, often become the bedrock of an unshakable faith. So what do we do with our doubts? Please first, remember that doubt is not sinful, but they can be dangerous.

Doubts can also spur on enormous spiritual growth in an individual. It's what you do with your doubts that makes the difference. So here are a few suggestions about how to deal with our doubts when they arise as we walk through those dark shadows of life. First, admit your doubts. Admit your doubts and ask for help.

That's what John the Baptist did. God is not a fragile God. He can handle anything we throw at Him. He can handle your doubts, your fears, your uncertainties, your worries, and all your unanswered questions. He's a big God after all.

He rules the universe without any help whatsoever. Your doubts will not upset God. So tell him your doubts. Cry out to him and ask for help. And don't fight the battle alone, but go to a Christian friend, a pastor, an elder, a teacher, anyone has a strong faith and a godly insight, and ask them to walk with you as you walk through that difficult time and to face your doubts honestly.

Secondly, most important, act on your faith, not on your doubts. Don't trust your doubts. Act on your faith. That's what Noah did when he built the ark. That's what Abraham did when he left Uru of the Chaldees.

That's what Abraham did when he offered Isaac. That's what Moses did when he crossed the Red Sea on dry land. That's what David did when he faced Goliath. That's what Joshua did when he marched around the city of Jericho. That's what Daniel did when he faced the lions in the lion's den.

And that's what Nehemiah did when he rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem. Now, don't you think that all those great heroes of faith had their doubts? Of course they did. How did they handle them? They didn't know in advance what was going to happen.

They didn't know how things were going to turn out. Daniel didn't know that he would survive the lions in the lion's den. Well, what did they do? They took a deep breath. They decided to trust God.

And they acted on their faith and not their doubts. And somehow when we do the same thing, our faith grows stronger.

Thirdly, doubt your doubts, not your faith. Don't doubt your faith. Your faith is genuine. Your faith is real. Doubt your doubts.

This simply means that you should not cast away your faith. Throw it away when you have a doubt. Because when you go through these deep valleys, sometimes those doubts just overwhelm you. And all of us walk in those dark valleys from time to time. Some of us spend a long time in those dark valleys.

Valleys. But when you find yourself in that valley of darkness where all is uncertain and you are tempted to give in to your doubts and your fears and your worries, remember two Keep walking. Just keep walking. Because nothing is gained when you stop in that dark valley. Nothing is gained when you camp out in that dark valley and you wallow in your doubting, your fears and your uncertainty.

Just keep walking. The only way out is to take one step at a time. And as you walk forward, you are always dealing with your doubts, not with your faith. Because soon enough the light will shine once again and you'll come out of the darkness. And finally, one last thing.

When dealing with our doubts, and that is to keep going back to what you know is to be true. This, I think, for me at least, is the most important point. And I find that Paul, after considering all the troubles he faced in life and considering the perils and tribulations of following Christ, Paul concludes Romans chapter 8 triumphantly by declaring, I am persuaded that nothing in the entire universe will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. And further, he says, I know whom I have believed. You know, some things we think about, some things we hope for, but there are also some things that we know.

We just know them to be true. So in times of trouble, keep going back to the things you know to be true. When I hit my 80th birthday a year ago, I realized that I believe less now than I did years ago. Back then, I thought I had everything all figured out. Life has a way of knocking us down a few pegs, and that certainly happened to me.

So on one level, I don't have total certainty about a lot of things.

But what I know, I really know. And I have a handful of convictions that cannot be broken. I will not allow them to be broken. And I would include in that short list these truths. God is good all the time.

Jesus is Lord and Savior every day. The Bible is absolutely true. Life is short. Every day to me is a gift. People matter to me more than things.

And the world is not my home. And even hard times are meant somehow for my benefit. And at the core of my faith and the core of these beliefs is the unshakable belief in the psychiatrist sovereignty of God, that God is God and I am not. That he is sovereign over all the details of my life and I can trust him completely even when those details seem to be spinning out of control. The sovereignty of God.

He's in control.

In 1822, a woman by the name of Charlotte Elliot was visiting some friends in the West End of London. And there she met a noted minister by the name of Cesar Milan. Over the course of supper, he asked her if she was a Christian, and she said she would rather not talk about it. So he told her, I did not mean to offend you, but I simply want you to know that Jesus loves you and that when you turn to him, he will save you.

Several weeks later, they had the opportunity to meet again. And Ms. Elliot told him that she had been trying to come to Christ but didn't know how to do it.

So Pastor Millon simply said, just come to him as you are. And taking those words to Heart. She composed a poem that began this. Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me and that thou bidst me come to me, O Lamb of God, I come. Thy coming.

That was in 1822. In 1846, William Bradley put that poem to music. And ever since then, just as Ian has become one of the most popular, cherished hymns of the Christian faith, the third verse contains Charlotte Elliot's whole testimony. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without O Lamb of God, I come. I come.

Then in the fifth verse, we find that gospel promise. Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve because thy promise I believe. O Lamb of God, I come. I come. This is also the promise that God makes to you and to me.

God never turns an honest doubter away, never ever. So come to him. Come with your doubts, with your skepticism, with your unbelief, with your hard questions, with your uncertainties. He welcomes your hardest questions. Remember, doubt is not a sin.

It's what you do with your doubt that makes all the difference. So don't let your doubts keep you from Jesus. Go to him just as you are in bringing your doubts with you, and he will not turn you away. Amen. And now may the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Amen. Let us now rejoice together. We stand and speak together the words of our Nicene Creed as we profess our faith on this Sunday morning.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God begotten and the salvage God of God, light and light, very God of very God begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary and was made with man and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge those who are living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worship glorified, who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic church.

I acknowledge my baptism for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

You may be seated. At this time, we'll cut down our tithes and our offerings. There are some cards in front of you, your offerings through there. But there's also they ask you to write your name, number. If you're a visitor with us, we're not going to bombard you with information, information, send you a welcome letter, or if you're a member here, regular visitor, and you change your address, please update that for us.

We have all that correct information. Thank you, guys very much.

Sam, It.