Message Notes
Deconstruction vs. Reconstruction
7/4/2026
You’re not supposed to question God” or “You just have to have faith”
Matthew 11:3: “Are you the Messiah we’ve been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?”
Matthew 11:4- 5: “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen - the blind see the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”
John 20:25: “Unless I see… I will not believe.”
Luke 1:34: “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
DECONSTRUCTION
Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.”
The deconstruction process should lead to a reconstruction of a deeper and greater faith.
Mark 9:14-24: “When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. “What is all this arguing about?” Jesus asked. One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, “Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won’t let him talk. And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” Jesus said to them, “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father. He replied, “Since he was a little boy. The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.” The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
What are some healthy ways you can examine your faith?
Seek Truth rather than Leave It
John 16:13: “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
Walk in humility rather than in pride.
Luke 1:34- 35, 38: “How can this be, for I am a virgin.” “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God.” “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”
Luke 1:18-20. “Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I am an old man now and my wife is also well along in years.’” “Then the angel said, ‘I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.’”
Separate God from the church and human failure.
Don’t expect to resolve your questions over night.
Don’t confuse certainty with maturity.