Message of Hope
Dear Friend:
Watching my kids swim the other day stirred some old memories of when they were really little and we would go swimming. At two or three years of age, they were fearless in a pool. I remember our oldest, Jon, standing on the edge of a hotel pool and simply shouting to me, “catch me daddy!” Wherever I was in the water he thought I could be there immediately to catch him as he said those words and took the plunge into the deep end.
Jon had no inhibitions about whether or not I would be there when he jumped or whether or not I would be physically coordinated enough to catch him. He assumed it. He had no doubt or reservation.
Over the years, as the various dangers and realities of such a jump began to settle into Jon’s perspective on the world, things would change. He would not always be so willing to jump with the expectation that I would be there. Fears would emerge about water dangers and doubts would develop about my physical strength and agility.
Some of us came to faith in Jesus through a skeptical search. Others may have initially had the simple, clear faith like the faith of a child from the start - uninhibited and free of any doubt. Then, over time, we may have found ourselves second-guessing such things as the existence of God, the authenticity of the Bible, the resurrection of Christ, the forgiveness of sins by grace through faith alone, or the presence of the Holy Spirit inside the believer.
Have you ever wondered if what you believe is actually true? Have you ever questioned whether or not you were really God’s child? Have you ever questioned why God allows some of the things he allows to happen? Have you gone through seasons of doubt in your spiritual journey? Have you stood back from the edge and reevaluated God and your relationship with Him? Maybe you are grappling with these uncertainties today.
My message this Sunday will address the “Benefit of the Doubt” that most of us deal with at some point or another. Uncertainty is always a part of faith and doubt can be a positive part of our growth in trusting God. I will talk about the difference between “good doubt” and “bad doubt” as we look at the visits of Jesus after the resurrection to the Upper Room where His followers were gathered. We will see how Jesus addressed the fears of the Bible’s most famous doubter – Thomas.
So if you have doubts or you have ever experienced lingering uncertainties regarding your faith in God, this message is for you!
Shawn Thornton
Senior Pastor
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