Doubt is Not the Enemy of Faith

March 2, 2025

Gateway Church of the Nazarene (gwnaz.org), Paster Rod Marion

Doubt is often a pathway to a deeper, more meaningful faith.

Relatability Principle: your physical and psychological state affects your engagement

Doubters:

• Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 17:17, 18:12

• Israelites, Exodus 16:2-3

• Gideon, Judges 6:36-40

• John the Baptist, Matthew 11:2-3

• Thomas, John 20:24-29

"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountains where Jesus had told them to go. When the saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted." Matthew 28:16-17 (New International Version)

"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Why do you doubt?

• You have questions you can't answer

• You face situations that seem unfair

• You experience hurts you can't resolve

If you have no bend, you will break.

"Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.'

"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then he said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.' Thomas said to him, 'My Lord and my God!' Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'" John 20:24-28 (NIV)

"Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?'" John 14:5 (NIV)

"Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.'" John 11:16 (NIV)

God is not distant in your doubts.

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4 (NIV)