How can Christians face doubt, maintain assurance in their faith, and grow spiritually through intentional community and perseverance?

This message addresses the natural experience of doubt among Christians and emphasizes that doubt itself is not wrong. What matters is how one deals with doubt—whether one faces it, seeks answers, and allows it to strengthen faith or lets it weaken assurance. Drawing on the example of Francis Schaeffer, the speaker shows that even radical doubters can emerge with a radical faith when they confront their questions head-on.

The message exhorts believers to “draw near to God” and “hold fast” to the hope and promises of the Christian faith, especially amid the pressures and challenges of everyday life. It warns against a lukewarm, half-assured faith that holds back full commitment.

The speaker highlights the vital role of Christian community in this process. True spiritual growth happens not just in isolated worship but in regular gatherings where believers encourage, stimulate, challenge, and hold one another accountable. The Christian assembly is characterized by consideration, stimulation (even irritation), and encouragement, all aimed at producing love and good deeds.

Without this intimate fellowship, spiritual life becomes impaired, and the subtlety of sin can harden the heart. Finally, the message calls listeners to examine their lives, seek assurance through Christ, and commit to both a personal and communal expression of their faith.

1. Acknowledging Doubt in the Christian Life

   • Doubts are normal and common

   • Importance of addressing doubts rather than ignoring them

   • Example of Francis Schaeffer’s journey through doubt to assurance

2. Assurance of Faith and Holding Fast

   • The necessity of full assurance to live confidently in faith

   • The promises of God and the pressures of the world

   • The call to “draw near” and “hold fast” to God and His promises

3. Christian Community: Meeting to Minister

   • The purpose of Christian assemblies: consideration, stimulation, encouragement

   • The dangers of isolated faith and superficial meetings

   • The role of accountability, intimacy, and mutual challenge

   • The balance between loving encouragement and necessary correction

4. Application and Challenge

   • Are you meeting regularly in meaningful fellowship?

   • Are you allowing others to stimulate and encourage you?

   • Reflect on your assurance and relationship with God

   • Invitation to accept Christ and enter confidently into God’s presence

• Doubt is natural, but must be confronted to avoid spiritual stagnation or erosion of faith.

• Full assurance in God’s promises is crucial to living a confident and committed Christian life.

• Christianity is either true and effective or it is not; believers must test their faith honestly.

• Holding fast means tenaciously clinging to God’s promises despite worldly pressures.

• Regular, intimate Christian fellowship is essential for spiritual health, accountability, and growth.

• Christian meetings are not just routine gatherings, but opportunities to stimulate and encourage each other toward love and good deeds.

• Spiritual growth requires both encouragement and challenge within community, not just passive attendance.

• If you haven’t accepted Christ or feel unsure, the way to assurance is through faith in Jesus’ work on the cross.

• Hebrews 10:22-25 (drawing near to God, holding fast the confession of hope, meeting together to encourage)

• Psalm (implied reference to worship in nature)

• Various references to the promises of God (forgiveness, power, new purpose)

• Hebrews 3:13 (encouragement to encourage one another daily, lest any be hardened by sin)

Recorded 12/07/80

How can we cultivate true humility in our lives to experience God’s peace, grace, and blessing, especially when faced with the pressures of having things “our way”?

This sermon explores the struggle of pride and self-will, highlighting how trying to have life “our way” leads to weariness, conflict, and emptiness. It presents the biblical principle of humility as a solution, focusing on Peter’s teaching in 1 Peter 5:5-7. The message unfolds the three-fold process for developing humility: bowing under God’s mighty hand, resting by casting our anxieties on Him, and expecting God’s blessing at the proper time. Through this process, believers learn to surrender control, trust God’s timing, and live in harmony with others and the Holy Spirit, leading to spiritual growth and unity.

Outline:

1. The Problem of Pride and Self-Will

   • The weariness of insisting on “my way”

   • How pride causes tension in personal and church relationships

   • The danger of a competitive, self-focused mindset

2. Peter’s Call to Humility (1 Peter 5:5-7)

   • Clothe yourself with humility of mind

   • Humility as cooperating with God’s will, not pushing our own

3. The Three-Fold Process of Humility

   • Bow: Submit your will to God’s plan and purpose

   • Rest: Cast all anxieties and worries on God because He cares

   • Expect: Trust in God’s perfect timing for blessing and exaltation

4. Living the Process

   • The struggle with “what if” fears after deciding to humble ourselves

   • God’s care and desire for us to respond rightly

   • The importance of patience and faith in God’s “proper time”

   • Illustration of the man who found someone to worry for him (God)

5. Encouragement and Invitation

   • God’s promise to exalt those who humble themselves

   • A call to surrender and experience true rest

   • Prayer for unity and love within the church

• Pride and insisting on having things “our way” leads to conflict, weariness, and spiritual emptiness.

• True humility involves a deliberate process: bowing our will to God, resting in His care by casting anxieties on Him, and expecting blessing at His appointed time.

• God cares deeply about our struggles and wants us to respond rightly, even when life is difficult.

• Trusting God’s timing requires faith and patience; blessings and changes may take time to appear.

• Humility fosters harmony in personal relationships and within the church, reflecting Christ’s character.

• Casting our worries on God frees us from burdens and empowers us to live peaceably and faithfully.

• 1 Peter 5:5-7 — The core passage teaching humility: bowing under God’s mighty hand, casting anxieties on Him, and trusting His care.

• James 4:6 — “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Implied in the sermon’s theme)

• Philippians 2:3-4 — Valuing others above ourselves, putting others’ needs before our own (supporting the humility and unity message)

• Matthew 11:28-30 — Jesus invites the weary to find rest in Him, echoing the rest theme.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 — Trust in the Lord and submit to His way, supporting the bowing process.

Recorded 11/23/80

What does biblical leadership look like, and how should elders in the church lead with the right spirit, motivation, and manner?

This message explores the nature of spiritual leadership as taught in the New Testament, particularly focusing on the role of elders in the church. It warns against common corruptions of leadership—seeking power, privilege, and recognition—and contrasts these with the humble, servant-hearted leadership exemplified by Jesus Christ.

The sermon unfolds in several parts:

1. The Perils of False Leadership Motivations

   • Leaders tempted by personal power, privilege, and recognition

   • Jesus’ strong condemnation of such attitudes in Matthew 23

2. The Proper Motivation for Eldership

   • A genuine eagerness to serve others, not to exalt self

   • Caring, guiding, admonishing with a servant’s heart

3. The Right Manner of Leadership

   • Leading by example, not intimidation or coercion

   • Authority is earned through godly living worthy of imitation

4. The Role of the Senior Pastor

   • Jesus Christ as the ultimate Senior Pastor

   • Elders as His associates fulfilling His commands

5. The Responsibility of Those Led

   • To know, appreciate, and imitate their leaders

   • To follow with trust and confidence in their godly example

6. Encouragement for Leaders and Congregation

   • Leaders humbly seeking God’s strength

   • Congregation embracing their role in supporting leadership

• Leadership is not about personal gain: The desire for power, privilege, or recognition perverts the office of elder.

• Servant leadership is essential: Elders must lead with a heart to serve others eagerly and selflessly.

• Authority comes from example: Elders lead by living lives worthy of respect and imitation, not by demanding obedience.

• Jesus is the true Senior Pastor: All church leaders are His representatives, serving under His authority.

• Followers must respond rightly: Christians are called to know their leaders, respect them, and follow them with faith and trust.

• Leadership requires humility and dependence on God: Leaders should recognize their own insufficiency and rely on God’s strength.

• Matthew 23:1-12 — Jesus’ rebuke of leaders who seek power, privilege, and recognition, and His call to humility.

• 1 Peter 5:1-4 — Instructions to elders to shepherd the flock willingly, not lording over, and leading by example.

• 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 — Call to know and appreciate those who labor in leadership.

• Hebrews 13:7, 17 — Remember and imitate leaders’ faith; obey them with confidence and joy.

Recorded 11/9/80

Guiding Question: What will you choose in the defining moments of your life—mediocrity or a life of courageous adventure?

1. Every man faces defining moments. These are sacred, solitary times where a man decides:

• Who he will be,

• What he will give his life to,

• And how hard he’s willing to fight before he quits.

These moments don’t come often, but they shape your entire life—toward mediocrity or greatness.

2. You can be given everything… but only you can choose the adventure. Robert Lewis reminds us that no one—not a pastor, mentor, or friend—can make you live the adventure. It's a personal choice, and no amount of teaching will substitute for your own courageous step forward.

3. You must prepare before the moment. Like athletes in a locker room before the big game, men need to:

• Reflect deeply on their design, wiring, and destiny.

• Prioritize their battles—marriage, wounds, addictions, dreams.

• Assemble a plan—not too much at once, but the most urgent priorities.

• Talk with safe people—trusted friends or mentors who help you sharpen your plan.

• Move forward with courage and clarity, choosing the high and noble path.

4. Use tools like “life wiring” and “life compass.”

• Wiring shows where you're strong and where you're blocked (past, present, future).

• Compass asks: Before I die, I want to be, do, have, help, and leave… These tools help define and direct your journey.

5. Great adventures are built with clarity and courage. Start small. Tackle the top three priorities in your life. These will often be:

• Your job and whether it aligns with your design.

• Your marriage and its vitality.

• Your spiritual life and connection with God.

• Your wounds and whether they still define you.

• Your sense of fun, purpose, or noble cause.

If you're stuck, start with the one thing you know is holding you back.

6. The “locker room” moment is now. You’re not on the field yet—you’re in the moments before. The real adventure begins when you step out the door and take the field, willing to fight for a life that matters.

7. Caleb's Prayer: A Model for Bold Living End with this courageous declaration:

“Give me the land and give me the high ground.” Like Caleb, may your faith grow bolder as you grow older.

• Joshua 24:15 – “Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve… but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

• Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death… choose life so that you and your descendants may live.”

• 1 Corinthians 9:26–27 – “I run in such a way, as not without aim… I discipline my body so that I may not be disqualified.”

• Psalm 92:12–14 – “They will still bear fruit in old age…”

• Caleb’s example (Joshua 14) – A man with a different spirit who followed the Lord fully and asked for the hill country at 85.

Guiding Question: How do you live a full and faithful life—both early and late—that reflects God's great adventure for men?

1. Life is a two-half game. Robert Lewis frames life like a sports game:

• Warmups (0–20): Getting started.

• First Half (20–40): Warrior phase—building, striving, competing.

• Halftime (40–50): Reevaluating and healing.

• Second Half (50+): King and friend phase—ruling wisely and giving back.

Each phase has its own battles, blessings, and purpose. Playing both halves well is rare but possible.

2. Courage is essential in both halves. Like Caleb, real adventurers exhibit courage:

• In the first half: Raw faith to enter God’s “promised land” for your life, even when giants (challenges) loom large.

• In the second half: Fresh faith to take the high ground—to use your wisdom, influence, and resources for God’s purposes, not just comfort.

3. Most men do well in only one half. Many men peak early and coast later. Others struggle early but finish strong. Few, like Caleb, remain faithful and courageous from start to finish.

4. Caleb is a model for a life well-lived.

• Caleb was the only one (along with Joshua) to believe God could deliver the promised land—at 40.

• At 85, he still believed—and asked for the hardest challenge, the hill country.

• His life proves that background doesn’t determine destiny—faith does.

• His courage empowered the next generation, especially his son-in-law Othniel, who later delivered Israel.

5. Practical advice for the two halves of life:

For the First Half (Younger Men):

• Invest in your marriage—make your wife your best friend.

• Know who you are (and aren’t).

• Live within your means and practice generosity.

• Seek experiences, not just stuff.

• Know God personally.

• Fight for purity and integrity.

• Learn to ask forgiveness.

• Build strong male friendships.

• Start forming a life vision.

For the Second Half (Older Men):

• Don’t retire—refocus.

• Build on your strengths.

• Clean up unfinished business and reconcile broken relationships.

• Discover your noble cause and invest in it.

• Mentor younger men.

• Get to know God if you’ve neglected Him.

• Plan meaningful experiences with your wife.

• Keep refining your long-range vision.

• Take the high ground—the best of life is still ahead.

• Numbers 13–14 – Caleb’s courage and faith in spying out the promised land.

• Joshua 14–15 – Caleb, at 85, asking to take the hill country.

• Judges 3:9–11 – Othniel, Caleb’s son-in-law, leads Israel to peace for 40 years.

• Numbers 14:24 – “But My servant Caleb… has followed Me fully…”

• Psalm 92:12–14 – “They will still bear fruit in old age…”

Guiding Question: What hidden enemies can sabotage a man's pursuit of God's adventure—and how do we fight back?

1. “Adventure Busters” are common to all men. Just like bombs that penetrate deep into enemy territory, these five "adventure busters" can sabotage the journey God intends for every man:

• The Double Life – When what a man says no longer matches what he does.

• Sexual Shortcuts – Choosing short-term pleasure over long-term purpose.

• Life-Draining Marriage Problems – Conflicts with a spouse that go unresolved and lead to bitterness.

• Life-Defining Wounds – Past traumas (especially from parents) that still shape the present.

• Life-Paralyzing Addictions – Behaviors once thought manageable that now dominate.

• Marriage was meant to be a source of joy and partnership, but can become a battleground.

• Wrong Responses:

  • Withdrawal: Trying to fix the problem alone.

  • Intimidation: Using power or anger to control.

• Right Responses:

  1. Keep learning about marriage and your spouse.

  2. Strive to understand even if you disagree.

  3. Be willing to say “I’m sorry” sincerely.

  4. Seek outside help early.

  5. Keep short accounts—don’t let bitterness grow.

• Definition: An unresolved issue from the past that harms the present.

• Types of Wounds:

  • Father Wound: Absence, abuse, or disapproval from dad.

  • Overcontrolling Mother Wound: A mother’s overreach stunts a boy’s manhood.

  • Trauma Wounds: Abuse, divorce, death, or spiritual trauma.

• Healing Steps:

  1. Name the wound.

  2. Seek help and make a plan.

  3. Face the wound with courage.

• Healing leads to freedom, forward movement, and deeper connection with others.

• Addictions begin with pleasure or escape and evolve into slavery.

• Common Addictions in Men:

  1. Sexual (especially internet pornography)

  2. Drug

  3. Alcohol

  4. Anger

  5. Gambling

• Break Free By:

  • Getting honest—listen to what others are saying.

  • Getting real—freedom requires a team: God, counseling, support groups.

• Beating a buster makes you a hero—not just in this life, but in God's kingdom.

• God turns negatives into positives. He redeems wounds and uses them to bless others.

• The great adventure isn’t lived without a fight, but it is worth it.

• Proverbs 16:25 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

• 1 Peter 3:7 – “Husbands… be considerate… treat them with respect as the weaker partner.”

• Colossians 3:19 – “Husbands, love your wives and do not become embittered against them.”

• 1 Peter 3:7 – “Live with your wives in an understanding way.”

• Luke 21:34 – “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life.”

What are the hidden dangers that sabotage a man's adventure—and are you letting any of them define you?

• Beware the “Adventure Busters”: Robert Lewis introduces the concept of “Adventure Busters”—internal and external forces that derail a man’s pursuit of a meaningful life. These include secret sins, unresolved wounds, or culturally normalized behaviors that quietly erode a man’s soul and impact.

• The Double Life: One of the most common and destructive adventure busters. Many men compartmentalize their lives, presenting a polished exterior while hiding secret struggles. This leads to fragmentation, isolation, and eventual collapse.

  • Living two lives is exhausting.

  • It robs men of authenticity, joy, and real intimacy.

  • The only solution is courageous honesty—first with God, then with safe others.

• Sexual Shortcuts: Robert Lewis directly confronts the destructive influence of pornography and casual sexual behavior.

  • These “shortcuts” promise intimacy and excitement, but deliver shame and disconnection.

  • Pornography is not just a private issue—it affects how men see women, relationships, and themselves.

  • Sexual purity is not about repression but restoration—recovering God’s good design for sex.

• God’s Design for Sex:

  • It is good, powerful, and purposeful.

  • Meant to be expressed in covenantal love—marriage.

  • Misuse leads to wounds, while rightly ordered sex brings deep joy and unity.

• Shame Is a Lie: Lewis makes clear: the goal is not to heap guilt, but to extend grace and freedom. Every man has struggles. What matters is whether you stay stuck in silence or step forward into healing.

• Five Practical Tools for Restoration:

  1. Personal honesty – Acknowledge the problem without rationalizing it.

  2. Accountability – Regular check-ins with trustworthy men.

  3. Boundaries – Proactively avoid triggers and access points.

  4. Spiritual renewal – Prayer, Scripture, and surrender.

  5. Vision – See purity not as avoidance but as a greater “yes” to joy and impact.

• Setting Up for Part 2: This is part one of a two-part teaching. Lewis hints that next week will cover more adventure busters—wounds, lies, and unresolved issues from a man’s past that continue to shape his present.

• Ephesians 5:11–14 – Exposing deeds of darkness and walking in light.

• Matthew 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

• Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

• 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5 – God’s will: sanctification and sexual purity.

• James 5:16 – Confess your sins to one another and be healed.

• Romans 12:1–2 – Present your bodies as a living sacrifice; be transformed by renewing your mind.

What’s your North Star—and do you have a clear vision of what you want to be, do, and leave behind before you die?

• Living with the End in Mind, Practically: Robert Lewis introduces a practical life tool called the “North Star”—a simple but profound exercise to help men clarify their life purpose. It’s a personal vision statement built around this prompt: “Before I die, I want to…” Completing that phrase across several categories helps a man live with intentionality.

• Key Categories for the North Star Tool:

  1. Be – Who do you want to become?

  2. Do – What do you want to accomplish?

  3. Have – What experiences or possessions do you desire?

  4. Help – Who do you want to serve or impact?

  5. Enjoy – What brings you joy that you want to prioritize?

  6. Leave – What legacy do you want to leave behind?

• The Danger of Drift: Many men go through life burdened and bent by responsibilities, pressures, and comparison—Robert calls this the “reactive life.” It leads to burnout and purposelessness. Instead, he urges men to live a “proactive life,” guided by purpose, conviction, and vision.

• Two Ways to Live:

  1. Comparing and Competing – Living based on what others do or have, leading to exhaustion and envy.

  2. Envisioning and Enjoying – Living by looking forward, anchored in a personal vision, leading to clarity and joy.

• Personal Vulnerability and Modeling: Robert shares his own “before I die” goals—ranging from coaching football again to writing a screenplay and helping plant 100 transformational churches. He models how this exercise applies at any age, affirming that it's never too late to start dreaming—or start over.

• Encouragement by Age:

  • For Older Men: It’s not too late. Reclaim your second half.

  • For Younger Men: Start now. Your dreams can be purer, bigger, and more long-lasting if formed early.

  • For Everyone: This tool is your compass, your GPS, and your life’s alignment check.

• Final Charge: Robert emphasizes that crafting this North Star vision may be the most important thing a man ever does as an adventurer. It shapes not just what he does, but who he becomes and how deeply he lives.

• Ecclesiastes 4:4 – Rivalry and comparison as vanity.

• Ephesians 5:15–16 – Walk wisely and make the most of your time.

• Proverbs 16:9 – A man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

• Genesis 1:28 – God’s design for man and his purposes.

• Proverbs 20:5 – Drawing out the deep purposes of a person’s heart.