Doubt hinders. If Thomas Edison had doubted, kerosene and candles might have become our only sources of illumination. If Abraham Lincoln had doubted, America might have split and become two countries. If the engineer Henry Ford had doubted, automobiles would not have been mass produced and buggies might still be in use. Doubt doesn’t just affect the doubter but can also affect thousands of lives.
Take, for example, Sarah—Abraham’s Sarah. She doubted and Ishmael is the result. God guaranteed that Ishmael would become a great nation (Genesis 21:18). In Genesis 25:12-18, Ishmael’s sons are named. An interesting side-note is that Ishmael’s daughter, Bashemath, was one of Esau’s wives (Genesis 36:3). Two different sources believe that the Bedouins are descendants of Ishmael. These are desert-dwellers who have not changed through the centuries.
A little doubt can go a long way. How many times has God sent messages to the hearts and minds of Christians and been doubted? How many people have missed being comforted and shown God’s love for them because the message was heard but not acted on?
Jesus didn’t have that problem. He is a living testimony that actions are the true measure of faith. In Matthew 14:15-21 he is preaching, teaching and healing. Then, he feeds the five thousand plus people. Doubt hurts, faith heals. So, which is it?
Copies of the sermon are always available and we would love to send you a CD of it. They are free. Call (417) 543-6219 to get a copy. However, if you would rather just pick one up, they are available at Strong’s Watch Shop in Barnes Shopping Center, Ava.
