On the Way to the Other Side
Sunday, August 31, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
Schrader Lane Church of Christ
Mark 4:35-41
Central Idea:
The Christian life is a sojourn from the shores of this temporal planet to the eternal shores of an everlasting destiny. Beware of the obstacles on the journey, and be sure to acquire tools along the way to stay on course.
Objectives:
Sunday, August 31, 2025 @ 5:00 p.m.
Schrader Lane Church of Christ
Mark 4:35-41
Central Idea:
The Christian life is a sojourn from the shores of this temporal planet to the eternal shores of an everlasting destiny. Beware of the obstacles on the journey, and be sure to acquire tools along the way to stay on course.
Objectives:
- The Journey to the Other Side
- The Obstacles on the Journey
- What We Pick Up Along the Way
Help My UnBelief
Navigating Doubt
Sunday, August 3, 2025
10:30 a.m.
Brookfield Church of Christ
Mark 9:24 (ESV)
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Central Idea:
Have you ever found yourself believing, yet still wrestling with the shadows of doubt? This message explores the powerful truth that God meets our honest questions not with condemnation, but with profound compassion and patience. Discover how your doubts, when engaged openly, can become the very catalyst for a more resilient, mature, and authentic faith.
Navigating Doubt
Sunday, August 3, 2025
10:30 a.m.
Brookfield Church of Christ
Mark 9:24 (ESV)
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Central Idea:
Have you ever found yourself believing, yet still wrestling with the shadows of doubt? This message explores the powerful truth that God meets our honest questions not with condemnation, but with profound compassion and patience. Discover how your doubts, when engaged openly, can become the very catalyst for a more resilient, mature, and authentic faith.
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Help My Unbelief
Navigating Doubt with Honest Faith | Mark 9:24
1.
The father's cry in Mark 9:24, "I believe; help my !" shows that faith and doubt can coexist.
2.
The central idea of the sermon is to use our understanding of doubt to develop a faith that produces .
1. Understanding the Landscape of Doubt
John 20:24-29, Matthew 28:16-17, Mark 9:24
3.
Doubt is a common experience, even for biblical heroes like Thomas and the .
4.
Instead of being the opposite of faith, the sermon suggests that doubt can be an of faith.
5.
My personal reflection on a time I experienced doubt:
2. Witnessing God's Compassionate Engagement
John 20:24-29, Exodus 3-4, Judges 6:36-40, Matthew 26
6.
God consistently responds to doubt not with condemnation, but with patience, , and evidence.
7.
When Thomas doubted, Jesus compassionately invited him to His wounds.
8.
How does God's patient response to Gideon or Moses encourage me personally?
3. Cultivating Fruitful Faith Through Honest Engagement
James 1:6, Jude 22
9.
Four practical strategies for engaging doubt are: 1) Engage Honestly, 2) Study Scripture, 3) Lean into , and 4) Take Faith-Inspired Action.
10.
True biblical faith is grounded in , not gullibility or trickery.
11.
A specific "faith-inspired action" I can take this week to strengthen my trust in God is:
12.
My personal prayer to God about my own doubts and beliefs:
Help My Unbelief
- Doubt is a common part of the spiritual journey, experienced even by biblical heroes like Thomas and the disciples.
- God responds to honest doubt with compassion, patience, and evidence, not condemnation, as seen with Thomas, Moses, and Gideon.
- Engaging with doubt honestly—through Scripture study, community, and faith-inspired action—can lead to a stronger, more authentic faith.
Core Principle
"Our central idea is to inspire each of us to move beyond our doubt, to understand what doubt truly is, and to use that understanding to develop a faith that produces spiritual fruit in our lives."
Introduction: The Cry of an Honest Heart
This message is centered on the vulnerable and honest cry of a desperate father in Mark 9:24: "I believe; help my unbelief!" Many of us have been in a place where belief is present, yet a shadow of doubt remains. Doubt is an undecided state of mind, a hesitation between two conclusions. This exploration aims to help us move beyond our doubt to develop a faith that produces spiritual fruit.
1. Understanding the Landscape of Doubt: It's More Common Than You Think
It is crucial to understand that doubt is a common experience, even for spiritual giants. The Bible is filled with stories where doubt and faith are intertwined, showing that God engages with our struggles as part of the journey to deeper trust. Consider these examples:
- Thomas (John 20:24-29): He famously refused to believe in the resurrection without physical proof. Jesus met his skepticism, leading Thomas to declare, "My Lord and my God!" This shows that doubt can coexist with and even deepen genuine faith.
- The Disciples (Matthew 28:16-17): Even after seeing the resurrected Jesus, some of His closest followers "doubted." Yet, Jesus still entrusted them with the Great Commission, showing that faith need not be perfect to participate in His mission.
- The Father in Mark 9: His honest admission, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" was met with compassion by Jesus, who healed his son. This illustrates that faith and doubt often exist side-by-side.
As theologian Paul Tillich stated, "Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith." Wrestling with doubt can ignite growth, reflection, and new insights.
2. Witnessing God's Compassionate Engagement with Doubt
God consistently responds to doubt with patience and encouragement, not condemnation. He meets people where they are, providing what is needed to move forward in faith.
- Thomas (John 20:24-29): Jesus did not rebuke Thomas but invited him to see and touch His wounds, providing the exact evidence he required.
- Moses (Exodus 3-4): When Moses doubted his own ability, God reassured him repeatedly, gave him signs, and provided Aaron as a helper, meeting his insecurity with empowering grace.
- Gideon (Judges 6:36-40): Gideon repeatedly asked for signs (the fleece). God responded patiently, confirming His promise and empowering Gideon for victory.
- Peter (Matthew 26:69-75): After Peter's denial, Jesus later restored him to leadership, demonstrating that recovery from doubt can lead to a renewed purpose.
God desires honest engagement far more than He demands perfect certainty.
3. Cultivating Fruitful Faith Through Honest Engagement
Understanding doubt and God's response should lead us to practical strategies for growing a more resilient and dynamic faith. When engaged openly, doubt can foster humility and lasting transformation.
- Engage with Doubt Honestly: Recognize that doubt is a natural part of faith. View it as an invitation to growth, not a failure. Suppressing doubt can be harmful, while confronting it can make faith more authentic.
- Study Scripture Deeply: Regularly read the Bible, especially passages where figures struggled with doubt. As James 1:6 urges, we should "ask in faith, with no doubting," aiming for a settled conviction in God's Word.
- Lean Into Christian Community: Share your struggles with trusted mentors and friends. Positive social support is vital. As Jude 22 reminds us, we are to be patient and compassionate with those who doubt.
- Take Faith-Inspired Action: Sometimes growth comes from "doing" even when you feel unsure. Acts of service and obedience can restore perspective and reinforce faith through experience.
It is vital to distinguish true faith from gullibility. D.A. Carson tells of a faith healer, Peter Popoff, who used a hidden radio receiver to fake supernatural knowledge. This was exposed as trickery, not faith. True biblical faith is grounded in truth, not manipulation. Like Thomas, we should seek genuine, truth-based conviction from God Himself.
Conclusion: A Call to Deeper Trust and Action
We've seen that doubt is a common companion on the journey of faith and that God meets our honest struggles with profound compassion. When we engage our doubts constructively—through self-examination, studying His Word, community, and action—those doubts become a catalyst for spiritual maturity.
The plea, "I believe; help my unbelief," is not a sign of weakness but an invitation to growth. It is a prayer for deeper trust and renewed purpose. Allow your questions to drive you deeper into the heart of God, not away from Him.
Invitation
Don't let doubt paralyze you. Let it propel you into a deeper, more resilient, and ultimately, more fruitful faith. We urge you to respond today.
1. Be Baptized
This is an act of obedient faith, a burial with Christ and a resurrection to new life, where your sins are washed away (Romans 6:3-4). If you have never taken this step, do so today.
2. Repent
Perhaps your doubts stem from choices that distance you from God. Today, you can repent by determining to implement the lessons discussed: engage your doubts honestly, dive into His Word, seek a supportive community, and commit to actions of faith.
3. Make a Prayer Request
If you are struggling, we invite you to come forward and allow us to pray with you. "I believe; help my unbelief" is a legitimate prayer. We will present your honest struggles to God, seeking His wisdom and comfort for you.
Help My Unbelief - Study Quiz
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Where Are the Nine?
Lessons PTP Branson, MO 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Brookfield Church of Christ
Luke 17:11–19 (ESV)
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Central Idea:
When Jesus healed ten lepers, all demonstrated faith through their obedience, but only one returned with a heart full of gratitude. His poignant question—"Where are the nine?"—challenges us to examine our own response to God's blessings. This message explores the vital difference between a faith that stops at obedience and a true discipleship marked by joyful, heartfelt worship.
Lessons PTP Branson, MO 2025
Sunday, August 3, 2025
5:00 p.m.
Brookfield Church of Christ
Luke 17:11–19 (ESV)
11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
Central Idea:
When Jesus healed ten lepers, all demonstrated faith through their obedience, but only one returned with a heart full of gratitude. His poignant question—"Where are the nine?"—challenges us to examine our own response to God's blessings. This message explores the vital difference between a faith that stops at obedience and a true discipleship marked by joyful, heartfelt worship.
Where Are the Nine? (Luke 17:17)
- Being at the "feet of Jesus" is associated with gratitude, humility, peace, devotion, and worship.
- Faith is shown by acting in obedience before the blessing is fully realized.
- True discipleship combines faith with gratitude, moving beyond just receiving blessings to active worship.
- Faith without gratitude fails to reach true worship, as gratitude reflects a disciple's overflowing love for God.
Jesus' question, "Where are the nine?" is less about a physical location and more about a spiritual response. It challenges us to examine whether our faith is accompanied by a deep, worshipful gratitude.
The Setting: A Journey of Healing
The story unfolds as Jesus travels between Samaria and Galilee, a region marked by tension between Jews and Samaritans. He encounters ten men with leprosy who, in their shared affliction, have found a common ground that transcends cultural divides. In obedience to Old Testament law, they stand at a distance and cry out for mercy.
The Significance of the Samaritan
After Jesus heals all ten, only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks. This is profound for several reasons:
- He Glorified God: His first response was to praise God for his healing.
- He Acknowledged Jesus' Authority: He called Jesus "Master," a title recognizing His power and position.
- He Prioritized Gratitude over Ritual: While the other nine likely went to fulfill the ceremonial law, the Samaritan prioritized a heartfelt response directly to the source of his healing.
Faith, Gratitude, and Discipleship
This narrative provides deep lessons on the nature of faith. The lepers demonstrated initial faith by obeying Jesus' command to go to the priests *before* they were visibly healed. However, true discipleship goes a step further. It is the combination of this initial faith with a deep sense of gratitude that leads to worship. The sermon challenges us to reflect on our own attitudes using a simple analogy:
- The "Dog": Represents those who respond to love and care with unwavering devotion and thankfulness.
- The "Cat": Symbolizes those who are content to receive blessings without reciprocating with devotion or seeking closeness.
The ultimate question is whether we are content merely to be blessed, or if our blessings drive us to the feet of Jesus in worship and thanksgiving.