“Doubt is a terrible enemy.” stated Pastor Josh during the course of the sermon. Romans 14:23 says that “he that doubts is damned if he eats because he eats not of faith: for whatever is not of faith is sin.” Genesis 3:1 yields an appreciation for doubt when we see its use in seducing Eve in the Garden of Eden. The serpent says, “Hath God said…?” Adam and Eve gave up a perfect life with God. Then Pastor Josh said, “The devil will tempt you to do wrong. God will test you to do right.” And so it has been ever since Adam and Eve’s sin.
Doubt plays a part in sinners’ lives as well as those who are saved. The message for the sermon was taken from Mark 4:35-41. Jesus retreats to the sea of Galilee to teach. There are so many there that he stands in a ship just offshore. Later that same day Jesus, who is in the ship, says that they should go to the other side. Some other ships joined them. Jesus has had a full day and retreats to the rear of the ship to sleep.
While he’s asleep a great wind comes up and beats the waves against the boat hard enough that water creeps into it. The disciples who have witnessed the miracles that Jesus has performed are afraid. Somehow, doubt has entered in. They awaken Jesus and ask him if he cares that they could perish. He gets up and rebukes the wind and says to the sea, “Peace be still.” Then there was great calm.
“As long as you keep the world on the outside, it doesn’t matter about what’s going on out there. The boat will float. It’s when it gets on the inside. That’s when the boat will sink. That’s where the problem is. And so it is in life. When the problem gets in the boat with you, then you can sink.” continued Pastor Josh.
“How is it you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) The conundrum is this: Jesus says how is it you have no faith, the disciples marvel that he can calm the sea. Jesus, the doer of miracles, the Son of God, the king who has come to save his people, Israel; how did this get lost on the disciples? Doubt. When the cares of the world came spilling into the boat, the disciples lost it.
First John 4:15 states that those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, that God dwells in them and them in Him. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19) Christ made a promise. It’s in John 14:27. Read it whenever fear and doubt creep in.
Doubt plays a part in sinners’ lives as well as those who are saved. The message for the sermon was taken from Mark 4:35-41. Jesus retreats to the sea of Galilee to teach. There are so many there that he stands in a ship just offshore. Later that same day Jesus, who is in the ship, says that they should go to the other side. Some other ships joined them. Jesus has had a full day and retreats to the rear of the ship to sleep.
While he’s asleep a great wind comes up and beats the waves against the boat hard enough that water creeps into it. The disciples who have witnessed the miracles that Jesus has performed are afraid. Somehow, doubt has entered in. They awaken Jesus and ask him if he cares that they could perish. He gets up and rebukes the wind and says to the sea, “Peace be still.” Then there was great calm.
“As long as you keep the world on the outside, it doesn’t matter about what’s going on out there. The boat will float. It’s when it gets on the inside. That’s when the boat will sink. That’s where the problem is. And so it is in life. When the problem gets in the boat with you, then you can sink.” continued Pastor Josh.
“How is it you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) The conundrum is this: Jesus says how is it you have no faith, the disciples marvel that he can calm the sea. Jesus, the doer of miracles, the Son of God, the king who has come to save his people, Israel; how did this get lost on the disciples? Doubt. When the cares of the world came spilling into the boat, the disciples lost it.
First John 4:15 states that those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, that God dwells in them and them in Him. “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19) Christ made a promise. It’s in John 14:27. Read it whenever fear and doubt creep in.
