Mark 9_17-24 Dealing With Doubt

Rev. David Holwick

Ledgewood Baptist Church Bible study

October 30, 1997

Mark 9:17-24

DEALING WITH DOUBT

I. What should we do when we are afflicted by doubts?

A. Intellectual doubts - is it all true?

B. Personal or moral doubts - am I a real Christian?

C. Practical doubts - will God help me this time, the way I want?

II. God does not require rock-solid, 100% convinced faith. Mark 9:17-24

A. He begins with us where we are at.

B. God is open to our doubts and willing to be tested. Malachi 3:10

C. "Fleeces" show a lack of faith, but God still used Gideon

to do great things. Judges 6:11 ff

D. Even mature Christians can have periods of doubt. Matthew 28:16

III. Ways to increase your faith, and decrease doubt.

A. Seek God through prayer and Bible study. Mark 9:29

1) Confront unconfessed sin. 2 Thess. 2:9-12; Hebrews 3:13

B. Diligently look for answers to hard questions. Job; Acts 17:11

C. Be patient: believe in God even when it is hard. Romans 4:18-21

D. Get close to a mature Christian.

2 Timothy 3:14-15; Jude 1:22; Hebrews 3:12-13

E. Get involved in a ministry.

1) We will always doubt whether God can do stuff if we are

never in a situation where he has to.

2) Do not neglect church and sermons.