Dare to Believe
This sermon explores what it means to maintain faith when life's circumstances defy understanding and expectations are unmet. It offers a powerful perspective on how God works through our seasons of doubt and perceived defeat to bring about a greater purpose.
This sermon encourages listeners to trust God's plan even when life doesn't make sense or brings disappointment. It teaches that God works behind the scenes, using perceived setbacks and even moments of doubt to launch individuals into their greater destiny.
Overview
The sermon opens by acknowledging that everyone faces moments where life doesn't make sense, prayers seem unanswered, and dreams appear impossible, leading to doubt and discouragement. It asserts that God's plans are far bigger and better than human understanding, and current difficulties or closed doors might be setting the stage for something much better later on.
Using the example of Thomas and Jesus' crucifixion, the preacher illustrates how what seemed like a devastating defeat was, in fact, God's divine plan for salvation and an eternal kingdom. Thomas expected Jesus to overthrow Rome, but God's purpose was to free humanity from sin, demonstrating that divine plans often unfold in unexpected ways that are beyond immediate comprehension.
The message then turns to God's response to doubt, recounting how Jesus specifically sought out Thomas to show him the nail prints and wounds, proving His resurrection. This act emphasizes that God does not dismiss individuals for their doubts or questions, but instead meets them where they are, showing that doubt does not disqualify a person from His love or purpose.
Finally, the sermon encourages listeners to shed negative labels others or even they themselves have attached to their past failures or seasons of doubt. It highlights Thomas's later life, where he went on to spread the gospel further than other disciples, proving that a moment of doubt does not define a person's entire destiny; instead, God can use those experiences to propel them into greater purpose.
Key points
- Life often brings confusing seasons and disappointments that challenge our faith and invite doubt.
- God's plans are bigger than our immediate understanding, and perceived setbacks can be setups for future good.
- The crucifixion of Jesus, a perceived defeat, was God's necessary plan for salvation and an eternal kingdom.
- God actively meets individuals in their doubt and questions, demonstrating that such moments do not disqualify them.
- We should not let past failures or labels define our future, as God sees us as worthy and blessed.
- Difficult 'Friday' seasons are often precursors to a 'Sunday' of breakthrough and destiny.
- Thomas, despite his famous moment of doubt, was later used by God to spread the gospel further than any other disciple.
In Joel Osteen's words
“Faith is all about trusting when you don't understand.”
“What God started, he's going to finish.”
“People may define you by what you did, but God defined you by what Jesus did.”
Outline
- I. Dare to Believe When Life Doesn't Make Sense
- A. Facing seasons of disappointment, unanswered prayers, and doubt
- B. God's plans are bigger and better than our understanding
- C. Trusting God when circumstances are confusing and difficult
- D. 'Friday' seasons are setting you up for 'Sunday' resurrections
- II. The Example of Thomas: When Expectations Don't Align with God's Plan
- A. Thomas's initial expectations for Jesus as a political Messiah
- B. The crucifixion: a perceived defeat that was God's greater plan
- C. God's purpose: freedom from sin and an eternal kingdom over temporary change
- D. You can't always see God's plan in the present moment
- III. God Meets Us in Our Doubt
- A. Thomas's insistence on physical proof of Jesus' resurrection
- B. Jesus appears to Thomas, addressing his specific doubts directly
- C. Doubt doesn't disqualify you; God knows your heart and will come to you
- D. God can walk through locked doors of impossibility in your life
- IV. Removing Labels and Embracing Your Destiny
- A. The lasting label of 'Doubting Thomas'
- B. Don't let people or past failures define you; God's labels are what matter
- C. Thomas's legacy: going further and spreading the gospel despite his doubt
- D. You are blessed for believing without seeing; your best is yet to come
Scripture references
1 These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Insights
God's plans often unfold in ways beyond immediate understanding.
A closed door can be God preparing a better pathway forward.
Trust in God’s story is key when your present feels like a defeat.
Questions & answers
What is the main message of 'Dare to Believe'?
The sermon's main message is to trust God's plan and dare to believe, even when life's circumstances are confusing, disappointing, or lead to doubt. It emphasizes that God is working behind the scenes for a greater purpose.
How does the sermon address disappointment and unanswered prayers?
It explains that what seems like disappointment or unanswered prayer might be God closing one door to open a better one, or moving a person through a 'detour' to set them up for a greater destiny. God's timing and plans are often beyond our current understanding.
What is the significance of the 'Friday' and 'Sunday' analogy?
The 'Friday' represents difficult, confusing, or suffering seasons in life, analogous to Jesus' crucifixion. The 'Sunday' signifies coming breakthroughs, healing, favor, and the fulfillment of destiny, mirroring Jesus' resurrection.
How does the story of Thomas relate to the sermon's theme?
Thomas's story highlights how perceived defeat (Jesus' crucifixion) was part of God's greater plan for salvation. It also shows that God lovingly meets individuals in their doubt, demonstrating that questions or lack of immediate faith do not disqualify them from His purpose.
Does the sermon suggest doubt is acceptable for believers?
Yes, the sermon implies that doubt is a human experience and does not disqualify a believer. Using Thomas's example, it shows that Jesus directly addressed and met Thomas in his doubt, demonstrating God's mercy and understanding.
How does the sermon encourage listeners to overcome negative labels?
It urges listeners to reject labels from others or past failures (like 'doubting Thomas'). Instead, it embraces God's labels—blessed, worthy, victorious—and recognizes that one moment or season does not define their entire life or future destiny.
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Source
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