INTRODUCTION
“…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith…” – Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB95)
BACKGROUND
Jesus’ followers have a of
Mary reported that she saw Jesus…
“When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they refused to believe it.” – Mark 16:11 (NASB)
Two more disciples reported seeing Jesus…
“They went away and reported it to the others, but they did not believe them either.” – Mark 16:13 (NASB95)
Jesus shows up himself, solidifying their faith
And He said to them, “Why are you troubled and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” – Luke 24:38 (NASB95)
Identify the at the of your doubt (v.24)
Two questions to ask when you are dealing with doubt:
- Is my crisis of faith based on a ?
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures – James 4:3 (NASB95)
- Is my faith based on His ?
“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.” – Mark 8:31-32 (NASB95)
Surround yourself with people who your (v.25)
“were saying”: The disciples were affirming Jesus’ resurrection to Thomas (told [v.25] is elegon,
an imperf. tense which indicates their continual activity). (Bible Knowledge Commentary)
Wait for His (vv.26-27)
“Do not be unbelieving but believing” “It is impossible fully to express the play upon these two words. Ἄπιστος is not so much a worthless, untrustworthy person, as one who has settled down into an abiding condition of unbelief; and πίστος is not simply “believing,” but “trustworthy,” “trusty,” and “trustful.” (The Pulpit Commentary)
Stronger leads to greater (v.28)
Conclusion: