How to Believe When You Have Doubts

Can you believe in Christ (that is, can you follow him) and have doubts at the same time?

I hope so, because that describes me. But I think it describes all followers to some degree, and I’ll show you how it works this weekend.

If you don’t follow Jesus because of your doubts or you’re on the verge of turning away from Jesus because of your doubts, I think there’s going to be a lot from our text this weekend that’s for you.

There are all kinds of reasons for doubting Christ.

Sometimes people doubt the claims of Christ because they haven’t looked into them. And why should they, if they believe it’s irrelevant to them?

Disappointment with God or with God’s people can lead to doubts about Christ.

Unanswered questions can lead to doubt.

But it’s not just those things, it’s like we’re wired to be skeptical. “Tell a man that there are 400 billion stars and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it.” Not sure who came up with that, but it’s funny (and true).

We’re wired to be skeptics and that’s way better than believing everything and anything.

“Doubting” Thomas knew Jesus, yet the crucifixion shook his belief in Jesus.

And when your belief in Jesus is undermined, there go your commitment to him and your convictions based on his teaching. So believing is important—believing in Jesus.

So if most of us are prone to doubt, how can we believe in Jesus, even when we have doubts?

Come to hear more as we explore the story about “Doubting” Thomas.

And invite a Thomas in your life.

Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash

This is Us

We are the church, whether we are gathered or scattered--each one of us, a part of the body of Christ, wherever we go, whatever we do.

So, where can you find us, and what are we doing?

Here’s a photo of some Five Oaks families who spent last Saturday morning participating in Rake a Difference Day. It’s run by a local nonprofit called Community Thread; they match volunteers with homeowners in Washington County who need help raking. This is the third year this group has raked Laurel’s yard—she has a heart condition and can’t do any heavy yard work. They rake her large yard and do whatever other outside projects she needs done. Then they spend some time sitting on her back porch and chatting with her while she serves them cake and coffee. It’s become an annual tradition, and they love doing it because all of their kids can help! And they love being able to request Laurel each year as their homeowner match so they can continue building a relationship with her.

And one more story. Last Friday 900 people attended our Fall Fun Fest. 100 families had never been to Five Oaks before and over 50 more families were not attenders. 150 volunteers made it a great night. 150! Some worked behind the scenes, like two families, the Benson’s and the Morrison’s, who tied 240 strings to donuts for the Donut on a Rope station. Don’t worry, they wore plastic gloves while tying.