WALKING WITH. Series Title slide: Walking with God: rediscovering the wonder of life GOD

Transcription

1 WALKING WITH GOD

2 For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9

3 WALKING WITH GOD God s unusual way of growing my faith

4 The Mystery and Ministry of Doubt: faith seems to grow best when we are stretched to and beyond our capacity

5 difficulties and pressures that we could otherwise avoid. WALKING with God does not insulate us rediscovering from the wonder the of life difficulties of life; actually it will take us into

6 Jude 22 - Be merciful to those who doubt

7 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. It s a ghost! they said, and cried out in Matthew 14:22-33

8 fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. Have courage! It is I. Don t be afraid. 28 Lord, if it s You, Peter answered Him, command me to come to You on the water. 29 Come! He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, Lord, save me! 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, You of little faith, why did you doubt? 32 When they got into the Matthew 14:22-33

9 boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, Truly You are the Son of God! Matthew 14:22-33

10 ... for a little while now you have been distressed by various trials that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:6-7

11 Why is doubt such a prevalent problem for God s people and me? 26,31 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, It s a ghost! they said and cried out in fear.... why did you doubt?

12 Faith grows best in the dark, fertile soil of doubt Ask any one in the Bible Who was used by God

13 Don t deny your doubts. Doubt ceases to be a big problem when you take it to GOD Acknowledge them to God. He s waiting to help. Your faith will GROW

14 To understand our doubts, we need wisdom from God, wise application of the truths of His Word and good thinking processes.

15 Is it possible my doubt is a part of a healthy faith experience? 14:27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them, Have courage! It is I. Don t be afraid.

16 Where were the disciples when their faith grew? They were at the corner of Doubt and Despair.

17 Doubt is the incubator for my faith to grow >My faith is not measured by my certainty; it is measured by God s faithfulness >Doubt is not the enemy of faith; it is part of the process of growing faith >The opposite of faith is not doubt; the opposite of faith is certainty

18 The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted person if they have not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest things cannot be made clear to the most intelligent person if they are firmly persuaded that they know already without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before them. ~ Leo Tolstoy 1897

19 Authentic Faith is birthed when we have a clean heart, clear thinking and courageous action.

20 Doubt is a place of confirma=on, not a place of condemna=on 28 Lord, if it is You... command me to come to You on the water.

21 We are never in a place where God cannot help us. No darkness is too dark for Him to find us. No problem too difficult for Him to help us.

22 The only thing bigger than any fear or doubt is GOD. WALK

23 Doubt is the legitimate place where we learn to believe because faith grows when it is taken to the extremities where it has never been before.

24 Blessed is the person who endures trials, because when he has passed the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

25 Make every effort to come to me soon, 10 for Demas has deserted me, because he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me... bring the cloak I left in Troas with Carpus, as well as the scrolls, especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the coppersmith did great harm to me. II Timothy 4:9-18

26 The Lord will repay him according to his works At my first defense, no one came to my assistance, but everyone deserted me But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me... I was rescued from the lion s mouth The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom...to Him be the glory forever and ever! Amen. II Timothy 4:9-18

27 Doubt does not disqualify me with God; it is the proving ground with God.

28 Have you ever learned anything without asking questions?

29 Sermon on Mount... Amazing miracles... incredible parables... did not produce faith. Doubt was the place where faith grew. WALK

30 When I am afraid (doubting), I will trust in You. Psalm 56:3 WALK