Note before sharing the sermon: This sermon is very apropos for me right now. Even though I believe that Jesus is who the Bible says He is, and that He did everything that the Bible says He did, and that He died on the cross for me and for my sins, and that I have said "yes" to a personal relationship with Him... I still struggle with doubt in my life. I always have, and the roots of that doubt (regarding some things) are deep and they go way back. I am desiring to surrender that over to God, but on my strength it is difficult. What I did not note in the sermon notes below, that our pastor exhorted us to do, is to pray this:
In the name of Jesus, doubt, I command you to leave! In Jesus' name, doubt, you must go!
Church 9/9/2023
Offertory scripture:
Jesus says it’s going to be ok.
Psalm 23:4
We are called to do miracles and great things for God. Start thinking like God thinks.
Romans 8:5-6
We cannot merely continue to be like everyone else. Forgive others. Be spiritually minded.
Sermon message:
Thesis: Leaving the dry places.
It’s time to move into the promises of God.
(Even demons don’t like dry places.)
Point #1: God wants you blessed and refreshed.
This is backed up by scripture. God wants you refreshed.
Psalm 23:3 He refreshes my soul
Jeremiah 31:25 I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.
Proverbs 11:25 a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Matthew 11:28 come unto Me (says Jesus) …. and I will give you rest, refreshing your souls with salvation.
God also wants you blessed.
In the mouth of two or three witnesses let something be established.
3 John 1:2 God wants us to prosper.
Psalm 33:12 blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, and the people who He has chosen for His inheritance.
Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. The one who trusts in Him is blessed.
Psalm 5:12 the Lord will bless the righteous; with favor He will compass them as a shield.
Numbers 6:24-26 the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:27 “And they shall put My name upon the people of Israel and I will bless them.”
Point #2: God sent us a deliverer.
God has delivered us through Jesus.
John 8:36 if the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.
You still need to believe God for righteousness and that He will help you in your journey of life.
You need God all the way.
Point #3: God sent Israel a deliverer.
God sent Israel Moses to set them free from bondage in Egypt. But they still had a journey to complete. They still needed God.
The distance from Egypt to the promised land is not far at all. Maybe 7-11 days journey by foot. But because of the Israelites’ unbelief it took them 40 years. (~14,600 days)
1 Corinthians 10:11
God has promises for you. But you gotta trust Him.
What can we learn from the Israelites regarding where they went wrong?
Could it be possible we could be stuck in a dry place?
Point #4: The Israelites’ attitude was a problem.
They stopped God’s promises from happening due to their murmuring and complaining.
Point #5: Their doubt and their unbelief was a problem.
They doubted God.
Numbers 13:30 Caleb had scouted the promised land and encouraged the people that they can go in and get it.
But the Israelites didn’t believe Caleb’s good report and swayed each other to not believe.
Point #6: Doubt is a thief.
Mark 11:23 believe and do not doubt
Mark 14:31 Jesus caught Peter while they were on the water and asked why he doubted.
Matthew 13:58 Jesus’s hometown was full of non-believers; He couldn’t do any miracles there.
Matthew 10:1 Jesus gave his disciples power over unclean spirits.
Matthew 17:20 Jesus rebuked His disciples for their unbelief.
Point #7: Feed your faith and not your doubts.
Romans 10:17 faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 12:2 be transformed by the renewing of your mind.