United In Christ · Growing In Grace · Reaching Out In Love

Sunday Morning Sermon Summary

►STOP YOUR CRYING – NOW!

“The Proof is in the Doubting!”

Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009

Mark 16:9-14; John 20:29

Much of the Bible is a “hard sell.” Jonah last week, Hitchens debate (virgin birth, resurrection), truth is: Passion Week is characterized by doubt, denial (Peter), fear, and disbelief.

BIGGER ISSUE: Christians aren’t supposed to doubt. Faith and doubt are opposites.

What happens to your faith when life turns sour? when your beliefs don’t work? when what you expected to happen doesn’t?  when God doesn’t come through like you think He should.

In the face of unexplainable circumstances people have two choices: either there is no “god”, or there is a God and He either isn’t strong enough to handle things or He just doesn’t care. NEITHER ONE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OPTIONS FOR TRUE CHRISTIANS.

►“THE PROOF IS IN THE DOUBTING”

►Mark 16:9 – 14  After rising from the dead, Jesus appeared early on Sunday morning to Mary Magdalene… She went to His former companions, now weeping and carrying on, and told them.  When they heard her report that she had seen Him alive and well, they didn’t believe her.

Put yourself in the scene: You’re a “former companion” of Jesus.  You’re in a room, locked up for fear of the Jews and you’re weeping and carrying on.  Mary shows up and says she’s seen Jesus alive and well.

Remember: she had been delivered of 7 demons, was particularly close, “infatuated” or in love with Jesus. You might not accuse her of making the whole thing up but maybe she was delusional!

Sometimes bitter, heart-breaking disappointment does that to people!

Point: they didn’t believe her (imagine you’re Mary: how do you feel?)

►Later, He appeared, but in a different form, to two of them out walking in the countryside.  They went back and told the rest, but they weren’t believed either. 

Back into the scene:  You just spent a full day with Jesus.  You didn’t recognize Him at first.  Then, suddenly, you get it – no question, this is Jesus and not only is He alive and well, He’s walking and talking, and explaining everything, AND EATING DINNER!!  And “didn’t our hearts burn within us as He explained everything.”  WE GET IT!  WE REALLY GET IT!

Point: they weren’t believed either (imagine you’re the two men: how do you feel?)

►Still later, as the eleven were eating supper, he (Jesus) appeared and took them to task most severely for their stubborn unbelief. Refusing to believe those who had seen Him raised up.

►1)     Doubt creates a PATHWAY for growth (“The proof is in the doubting”)

        their doubt gave these early believers the boldness to preach and venture their all on it. The resurrection is a lot more believable coming from men and women who doubted it themselves.

►2)     “Stubborn unbelief” creates a BARRIER for growth

        What created doubt for the disciples?

        Matthew Henry suggests one thing might have been their pride: “If Jesus really did rise, He would have come to us first – we’re the 12 closest to Him, Mary is a former prostitute and demon possessed woman! And 2 random guys walking around? If He is indeed risen, who should He do the honor of showing Himself to but us?

        Moving from tragedy to triumph for the disciples required a major shift in their thinking

what if they had remained terrorized, bitterly disappointed, frustrated, angry victims of a             colossal fraud? Peter went back to fishing for a living; Jeff Paisley after Sunny’s death; Randy’s “I’ll live with it”

        What are the implications for humanity if the disciples stay in that room, weeping, carrying on and refusing to believe?

►3)     Real faith creates a PASSION for more growth     

        Mary Magdalene was first to see the risen Jesus.  “much was forgiven her, and much was given her, and done for her, and she loved much; and this honor Christ did her, that she was the first that saw him after his resurrection. The closer we cleave to Christ, the sooner we may expect to see him, and the more to see of him.” (Matthew Henry)

 ►John 20:29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

SO WHAT?:

►Faith and doubt “live as co-hosts of the human spirit” (Gary Parker). Faith in God allows us to challenge the things we’ve been taught and move through them to real truth. Real knowledge, real intimacy, allows us the freedom to question and doubt.  When we do, the realistic expectations of “full understanding” disappear. Real faith welcomes doubt as a pathway to even greater growth

We see God for who He really is!

Article in the Sun-Star about the Housing Authority wanting to renovate old units and the residents objecting because they don’t want to move (stubborn refusal to believe)

►Doubt for the unbeliever is often caused by the “faulty lifestyles of people professing to be Christians.” (Gary Parker)

Hearing can be ignored; seeing is believing. As a pastor, I learned quickly how easy words are to be ignored…      “Your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear what you’re saying”

NOW WHAT?:        

►Eugenia Price. No Pat Answers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. 1972

“The only direct statement of Jesus which is simple enough for me to comprehend when my heart is breaking, or when I’m discouraged or scared is: “Follow me.”  I cannot understand life because life is not understandable.  But I can grasp “Follow me.”

Legend:

Green: Mission and Vision
Blue: Illustrations and quotes
Red: Scripture

Note to the visitor:  These are Pastor Paul’s sermon notes from Sunday Morning.  They probably won’t make much sense if you weren’t in the service.  Feel free to contact Pastor Paul if you’d like more detailed information.
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