The Reality of the Doubting Worshiper of Christ (Matthew 28:16-17).

Class Outline:

Wednesday May 6, 2026

 

Intro:

 

Often movements paint mature or faithful Christians as supermen. God paints them as common men with imperfect faith (they don’t always trust the Lord), faith the size of a mustard seed, but who often trust and go even when they’re doubting and afraid.

 

Today we are going to see the reality of doubting in the Christian who worships Jesus Christ.

 

We will discover how not to let it paralyze you. And we will then see that obedience from love of Christ will enable you to go on God’s mission despite any doubts you have. 

 

The main idea: Because every worshiper of Christ doubts Him at times, obedience from love of Christ must be our motivation to follow Him in our commission.

 

MAT 28:16-17

But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

 

They had enough faith to go to Galilee and meet the Lord.

 

1. Worshipers who were hesitant:

 

They see Him, but the emphasis on the passage is listening to Him.

 

They all worshiped Him. They do not doubt that He is God (they are Jews they know they can worship God only).

 

Some doubted. What did they doubt? 

 

The text says that some doubted, but this does not mean that some were settled in unbelief. The word is used to describe why Peter sank (MAT 14:31). He hesitated. He didn’t reject Christ. The Greek verb denotes a practical uncertainty, being in two minds.

 

1a. How can people worship and doubt at the same time? 

 

Like Peter realizing he’s walking on water, they realize they have entered into something with Christ that they’ve never encountered.

 

Remember that John the Baptist was unsure after Jesus’ ministry showed itself, and the Man that Christ was.

 

Matthew, who was there, is not ashamed to say that we looked upon Him resurrected, worshiped Him, but the entire thing was incredible beyond belief. 

 

1b. The reality: Doubt and certainty rise and fall like waves in every Christian’s life.

 

Christian perfectionists do not live the life of Christ and become a bother to the rest who are trying to.

 

Matthew here tells us that the Christian life has a bipolar element. Faith and doubt rise and fall.

 

The word “doubted” literally means “double standing” implying an uncertainty on which way to take. The disciples, and us, are, for now, stuck in a world of double standing:

 

2CO 4:8

perplexed, but not despairing …

 

It is not healthy to deny our doubt. The great news of the Great Commission is that Jesus is going to use these worshiping doubting disciples.

 

2. Learning by obeying:

 

JOH 7:17

“If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself.”

 

Academic knowledge of God is necessary, but to know the Person of God, you have to do what He tells you. “Go and make disciples…”

 

Obedience to the will of God (found in His Word) is the way to the knowledge of God. 

 

JOH 17:3

“This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

 

1JO 2:3

 By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.

 

John Calvin said that “all true knowledge of God is born out of obedience.”

 

C.S. Lewis said, “Obedience is the key that opens every door.”

 

But how do we obey without falling into legalism? Through love. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (JOH 14:15). Just as Jesus’ love for the Father was expressed in his obedience, so our love for Jesus is expressed in our obedience (JOH 14:31; 15:9-10).

 

John Stott once said, “the test of love is obedience and the reward of love is the self-manifestation of Christ.”

 

I can love and trust and obey while doubt arises and falls.

 

2a. Faith about the size of a mustard seed:

 

Jesus therefore taught us to expect great things from our very ordinary, common faith. It is enough. 

 

The mustard seed, the faith in the infant church, was ready to sprout and become the big tree. It did, rapidly. 

 

Conclusion:

 

In prayerful meditation upon Jesus’ words, let us ask the Spirit to teach us and transform us more and more into his image.

 

There has never been a worshiper of Jesus who did not doubt Him.

 

God welcomes honest cries from struggling believers (e.g., Psalms of lament, “I believe; help my unbelief!” in MAR 9:24, Gideon’s fleece, Thomas).

 

Another implication to the doubting worshiper is that they must not be perfectionists nor expect others to be.

 

The “little-faith” strengthens and we doubt less as we mature, but perfect faith is not on this side of heaven.

 

ROM 8:24-25

who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

 

Faith is not being a Christian superman, but one who loves the Lord enough to go and do despite having a mind split between fear and confidence.

 

If we had perfect faith, why would He tell us that He would always be with us?

 

JOS 1:9

Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."