Do we believe & not doubt?
At some point we must believe, especially when we don’t SEE it.
You remember the story of Thomas, "Doubting Thomas."
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
- Jesus' reponse
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29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
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Note
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There are two realms, one we see — the physical, |
We live by Faith, not by sight
Romans 1:17 … "The righteous shall live by faith." [Habakkuk 2:4]
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 (ESV) 1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
When Sight conflicts with Faith, many choose Sight
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Created in Six days
- Exodus 20:11 (ESV)
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11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
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The THEORY of evolution was DESIGNED to conflict with religion and not just any religion, but specifically the religion of the BIBLE.
When the faith shall be sight… it’s ALL OVER!
- 1 John 3:2 (ESV)
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2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared;
but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
So what should be our demeanor?
- 1 John 3:3-10
3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
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Do you believe there is a God? Do you REALLY believe
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TV has many examples of those who flatly reject there is a God
Prayer is Mighty
We began with James telling us to believe when we ask of Him.
James continues:
James 5:13-18 (ESV)
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
14 Is anyone among you sick?
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Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
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15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.
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And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
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16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James' mention of Elijah’s prayer is given as an example of a passionate prayer NOT as a miracle!
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours [i.e. he’s just like us ], and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
Will Son of Man find faith when he returns?
And finally, Jesus asks this question when talking about praying
Luke 18:1-8 (ESV) 1 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said,
“In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’”
6 And the Lord said,
“Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Do we Believe and not doubt?
Come to all those who need to heed the invitation