This is the manuscript of the sermon preached at Christ Church Los Angeles Sunday June 1, 2025
Scripture:
Mark 9:14-24 NIV [14] When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. [15] As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. [16] “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. [17] A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. [18] Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” [19] “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” [20] So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. [21] Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. [22] “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” [23] “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” [24] Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Sermon Text:
Romans 4:18-21 NIV [18] Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Introduction
We live in a world that often encourages skepticism and questions. But what about our faith? Is it okay to have doubts? Does having questions mean we lack faith?
The truth is, doubt is a common human experience. It's not necessarily the opposite of faith; sometimes, it's a pathway to deeper faith. Many of us have wrestled with questions about God, His promises, or His presence in difficult times. Perhaps you're wrestling with them right now.
Today, we're going to look at what it means to have "faith beyond doubt." This isn't about having no questions or never feeling uncertain. It's about a foundational trust in God that endures through every question, a conviction that stands firm even when circumstances suggest otherwise.
I. Let's be honest: doubt is real. It can creep in for many reasons:
When prayers go unanswered, when suffering seems endless, when injustice prevails.
Questions like "How can a good God allow evil?" "Is the Bible truly reliable?"
When we are under spiritual attack the enemy loves to sow seeds of doubt in our minds.
Consider our scripture this morning, where a father cries out to Jesus, "I believe; help my unbelief!" This is a raw, honest confession that faith and doubt can coexist, and that even in our weakness, we can appeal to God for strength.
Even some of our biblical heroes experienced doubt.
Consider John the Baptist, who while in prison, sent disciples to Jesus
Matthew 11:2-6 NIV [2] When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples [3] to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Even the one who prepared the way for Christ had moments of uncertainty.
So, if you've experienced doubt, or experiencing it now, you're in good company. The goal isn't to pretend doubt doesn't exist, but to learn how to navigate it and allow God to strengthen our faith.
II. The Example of Abraham: Faith Not Wavering
Our sermon text focuses on Abraham, a man celebrated as the father of faith.
Let's look at it again
Romans 4:18-21 NIV [18] Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. [20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [21] being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.
Think about Abraham's situation for a moment. God promised him countless descendants, a nation, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed.
Genesis 12:1-5 NIV[1] The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. [2] “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. [3] I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” [4] So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. [5] He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
Not only was Abraham, whose name was Abram at the time God changed it later, what we call a senior today. Not only was he 75 but scripture had told us earlier that his wife was barren and couldn't have children.
Genesis 11:29-30 NIV [29] Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milkah; she was the daughter of Haran, the father of both Milkah and Iskah. [30] Now Sarai was childless because she was not able to conceive.
So Abraham was old, and his wife Sarah was barren.
From a human perspective, this promise of countless descendants, a nation, and that through him all the families of the earth would be blessed was impossible.
Abraham had every human reason to doubt. The circumstances were overwhelmingly against him. Yet, the text says, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God”
He didn't deny the difficulty, but he didn't let it shake his core trust in God.
This is the essence of faith beyond doubt: not ignoring the obstacles, but focusing on the character and power of God.
Jeremiah 32:17 NIV [17] “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.
Remember what the angel said to Mary?
Luke 1:34-37 NIV [34] “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” [35] The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. [36] Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. [37] For no word from God will ever fail.”
III. The Source of Faith Beyond Doubt
Unwavering faith isn't about conjuring up optimism or ignoring the truth of our circumstances. Our faith is fundamentally anchored in who God is.
Abraham was "fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised." Our faith is only as strong as the object of our faith. If we believe in a God who is all-powerful, who created the universe from nothing, who raises the dead, then no promise is too big for Him.
God is not a man that He should lie. His promises are always true.
Numbers 23:19 NIV[19] God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
God is always faithful to His Word. When we anchor our faith in His unchanging character, our doubts start to go away.
2 Corinthians 1:19-20 NIV [19] For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” [20] For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
Jesus is the embodiment of God's unwavering faithfulness. He is consistent, true, and definitive. All of God's promises find their ultimate fulfillment and guarantee in Jesus Christ. He is the "Yes" to every divine promise. Because God's promises are eternally secured in Christ, we can confidently and truthfully respond with "Amen," expressing our agreement, belief, and hope.
Our faith deepens as we actively connect with God and immerse ourselves in His Word.
Romans 10:17 NIV[17] Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
The more we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the more we learn about God's character, His promises, and His track record of faithfulness. This builds a strong foundation against doubt.
This isn't blind faith; it's faith based on knowing God.
Many people, both Christians and non-Christians, sometimes misunderstand faith they see it as a leap in the dark, a suspension of reason, or a belief in something without evidence. However, genuine biblical faith is not about ignoring reality. Instead, it's about trusting in a Person: God Himself, who has revealed Himself through creation, His Word, and especially in Jesus Christ.
This kind of faith is informed faith. It's built on:
God's Revealed Character: Our trust in God stems from our understanding of His nature. He has consistently shown His faithfulness, power, love, wisdom, justice, and truthfulness throughout history and in our own lives.
When we say "God is good" it isn't wishful thinking; it's a statement of truth grounded in His unchanging character.
God has a perfect record of fulfilling His promises. From creation to redemption, His word has never returned void.
When God speaks, His word is active, powerful, and effective. It's not a mere suggestion or a hope; it carries the inherent power to achieve precisely what He intends.
Just as rain and snow fall to water the earth and bring forth life, God's word always fulfills its purpose, whether it's for salvation, guidance, correction, or any other divine intention. It never fails to produce results according to His will.
Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV [10] As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, [11] so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
This give us a solid foundation for our trust in Him for the future.
As we walk with God, we experience His guidance, provision, comfort, and transforming power. These experiences deepen our knowledge of Him and solidify our conviction that He is trustworthy.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV says [5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
It's like trusting a friend not because you're forced to, but because you've seen their integrity and reliability over time.
Philippians 1:3-6 NIV[3] I thank my God every time I remember you. [4] In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy [5] because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
This is a powerful assurance of God's faithfulness and His commitment to His children. because it assures us that He is actively involved in our spiritual journey from beginning to end.
IV. So, how do we cultivate this kind of faith in our own lives?
It’s the same thing I say every week;
Engage with God's Word Regularly: Don't just read it; meditate on it, pray through it, and allow it to shape your understanding of God. When doubts arise, go back to the promises of God.
Practice Honest Prayer: Bring your doubts, your fears, your questions directly to God. He can handle them. Like the father in Mark 9, cry out, "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"
Remember God's Past Faithfulness: Take time to reflect on how God has worked in your life, in the lives of others, and throughout history. Recalling His past faithfulness strengthens our trust for the future.
Ask yourself like the person that wrote Psalm 42.
Psalms 42:11 NIV [11] Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Engage with God’s Word, Pray Honestly, Remember God’s Faithfulness and then Surround yourself with other believers who can encourage you, pray for and with you, and who can remind you of God's truth when your own faith falters.
Remember God never meant for us to walk this journey alone.
Conclusion
"Faith beyond doubt" is not the absence of questions or the never-ending experience of uncertainty. Faith beyond doubt is a deep, steadfast reliance on God's character and promises, allowing us to endure through every storm and uncertainty.
Like Abraham, we are called to be "being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised." When doubts arise, and they will, don't let them define your faith. Instead, lean into God. Go to His Word. Pray honestly. Remember His faithfulness. And allow Him to strengthen your faith, giving Him glory, until you stand firm, unwavering, in His unfailing love and power.
Let us pray:
We thank You for Your Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Lord, we confess that doubt is a real part of our human experience. We acknowledge the times we've questioned Your promises, Your presence, or Your plan, especially when circumstances seem to contradict what we know to be true about You.
We pray for a faith beyond doubt, not one that ignores reality, but one that is so profoundly rooted in Your character that it stands firm amidst uncertainty. Strengthen our conviction, Lord, that nothing is too hard for You. Help us to be fully persuaded that You have the power to do what You have promised.
We pray that we will remember Your faithfulness, so that we may stand firm, unwavering, in Your unfailing love and power, giving You all the glory.
We ask all of this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment