Winter Camp 2023 • We Wish To See Jesus • John 20:24-29

Review & Overview

1. Introduction

Well good morning everyone!

Well with that let’s get right into our study for this morning, turn w/ me to John 20:24-29

2. Brief Survey of John

 The Gospel of John is a very intentional piece of work - Scholars say that about 93% of John’s material is not in the other 3 Synoptic Gospels.

The purpose for this Gospel is clear as day and found in...

John 20:31 NKJV

31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

That is the key theme of the Gospel of John, presenting Jesus Christ’s divinity as the Son of God.

It centers on and revolves around the divine person and the divine work of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

John 1:34= (John the Baptist said) I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.

John 1:49= Nathanael answered and said to Him, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God…

Over 10 times Jesus is referred to as the Son of God in this Gospel.

So that is the key theme of this Gospel - Defining who Jesus is as the Son of God.

Now, leading up to chapter 20, obviously a lot has happened we are at the end of the book.

John begins this Gospel by introducing Jesus through His incarnation.

Then we see the Presentation of the Son of God - As John the baptist introduces Jesus to the world, Jesus is under careful examination and scrutiny by Israel.

Then we see the Opposition to the Son of God - Where we see a series of growing confrontations after every miracle done by Jesus.

In Chapters 13-17 we see The Preparation of the Disciples - Here the writer dedicates 5 chapters to paint a picture of one very significant night. Where the Lord downloads very intimate details into the disciples.

Now, that brings us to the section we are in today: Chapters 18-21, dealing with the Crucifixion & Resurrection of the Son of God.

Leading up to our text, the Lord has been beaten, humiliated, tortured, crucified.

He died, was buried, and rose to life on the 3rd day, and has been presenting His resurrected self to His disciples.

3. Current Study’s Overview

Look at Vs. 1 Read…

As you can see in our quick reading of today’s scripture, Jesus is appearing to His disciples after His death, burial, and resurrection.

And what we are going to be looking at in Vs. 24-29 is: Jesus appearing to Thomas or for the sake of our Camp Theme - Thomas Seeing Jesus.

If you are taking notes, we want to look at 3 things that involves Thomas Seeing Jesus...

Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves Doubt Vs. 24-25

Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves Discovery Vs. 26-27

Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves A Declaration Vs. 28-29

1. Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves Doubt Vs. 24-25

Why Thomas was not with the disciples we’re not told… But there in the beginning of Vs. 25 where it says...

The disciples said to him - The word said is a verb that is in the imperfect tense.

Meaning, it was an action that was repeated over and over in the past.

They kept on saying, they saw the Lord.

Thomas! We saw Jesus! Physically, we saw His wounds.

Thomas you don’t get it! We saw Him.

But Thomas refused to believe…    he wanted proof…    he wanted to see the evidence… He doubted. (Pause)

I’m here in front of you guys today as a person, who has also doubted various components of our faith.

ILLUSTRATION: I remember early on in my Christian walk… Muslim roommates stumping me - If Jesus is God who was He praying for?

And i’m sure many of us here have grappled with doubt, and it happens to the best of us, regardless of our spiritual maturity.

We see here the Apostle Thomas doubted.

One who spent years being discipled by Jesus.

One who was surrounded by fellow believers that gave their lives to following Jesus.

And here we see Him doubting.

John the Baptist who was the forerunner of Jesus, was a mighty prophet who prepared the way for the coming Messiah.

He boldly preached repentance and he was certain of Jesus' identity when he declared in,

John 1:29 "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

However, in Matthew 11, we find John imprisoned and plagued by doubt.

Matthew 11:3 NKJV

3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?”

John's question reveals that even he, the prophet who recognized Jesus as the Messiah, experienced doubt. (Pause)

Doubt is like an unwelcome guest that just pops up.

ILLUSTRATION: You ever have people come to your door and try to sell you stuff?

APPLICATION: Maybe someone here today is doubting? After everything we heard and saw at this camp, maybe some of us are still struggling w/ doubt?

Friday Night Pastor Joel - passionately shared that, “The Lord see’s you”.

Maybe your here today, and you can’t wrap your mind around the fact that The Lord loves you so much,

that He is so intimately acquainted w/ your ways?

And He see’s you - Yet, for whatever reason, we may doubt that.

Saturday Morning Pastor Jason - shared a powerful message reminding us about the power of God.

And how, “the Bible teaches us to believe Jesus can heal”.

Whether it’s spiritually or physically the Lord can heal you.

But some of us for whatever reason, may have doubt.

Session #3 Pastor Mark - With all conviction, preached that we need to go deeper w/ God.

God wants us to know Him on a more intimate level.

Like, do we believe that when we pray, we are actually talking to someone that actually can hear us?

Listen, this is why the world thinks we are crazy! This is why the world thinks we are weird and should be in a mental institute!

My family who are non believers thinks im crazy when I tell them that I have a relationship w/ the creator of the Universe.

Do we believe that? (Pause) I’m sure some here, still doubt.

But here is the good news: I’d like to encourage you, because doubt can be an avenue to deepen your faith and trust in God.

Doubt can be an avenue to see Jesus.

And if your taking notes, i’d like to give you 4 reasons how doubt can cause you to see Jesus in a more intimate way:

1. Doubt prompts us to ask questions - When we face doubt, we are encouraged to ask questions and seek understanding.

This process helps us to gain clarity about our beliefs and the nature of God.

By engaging with our doubts head on, we are more likely to strengthen our faith, as we find answers in Scripture, prayer, and the wisdom of our Christian mentors.

So don’t run away from your doubt, don’t be afraid of your doubt, don’t be ashamed of your doubt.

Use the doubt to bring you closer to God.

2. Doubt fosters growth - Spiritual growth often occurs during times of uncertainty and struggle.

When we experience doubt, we are challenged to confront our beliefs and reassess our understanding of God.

This process leads to growth and maturity in our faith, as we develop a more profound understanding of God's character and His work in our lives.

3. Doubt encourages us to walk by faith - As we encounter doubt, we learn to depend on God's guidance and wisdom, rather than relying on our understanding.

And as we depend on God that helps us to develop a more intimate relationship with God and trust in His sovereign plan for our lives.

4. Doubt can lead to a strong testimony - When we work through our doubts and find answers, our testimony of God's faithfulness and love becomes more powerful.

We can then share our experiences with others, encouraging them to seek answers to their doubts and deepen their faith.

We in return can be that mentor to others who begin to doubt.

APPLICATION: So if you are here today and there is doubt use it to your advantage.

Do your due diligence and seek the Lord, seek the answers.

Luke 11:9–10 NKJV

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

NUMBER 1 THOMAS SEEING JESUS INVOLVES DOUBT...

2. Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves Discovery Vs. 26-27

Here Thomas discovers two things:

2.1 Thomas Discovers True Peace Vs. 26

Now, notice carefully. It seems as though The Lord in a miraculous way appears to the disciples out of thin air.

It says that Jesus came and the doors being shut, He stood in the midst of them.

ESV Translation - ...Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them...

LOOK! Jesus is on Resurrection Mode - He is super sayain ultra instinct

Walking through doors, appearing and disappearing.

Imagine that! I would love it, I would literally do it all the time. I would suddenly appear to people and say Boo!

Naw, im JP! Peace to you my son.

But here Thomas and the disciples discover true peace, the peace of God - And they needed it!

Its been 8 days now since the tomb has been opened and empty, so the fact that the tomb was empty was probably known to a lot of people…

in Matt.28:11-15 the Jews paid the guards to lie and say that the disciples came and stole the body…

So its no wonder they fearfully locked themselves in a room… In fact in...  

Luke 24:37 they were terrified & frightened… 

Luke 24:37 NKJV

37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.

So here Jesus comforts them:   by saying Peace to you…    This is what Jesus promised them by the way, in John 14:27…

John 14:27 NKJV

27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

ILLUSTRATION: About video podcast...

They were explaining what peace meant to them.

They would say things like, “I am at peace when i do, this or that”

So to them peace is conditional, and that’s the peace the world gives. It’s based on our life events.

But the peace that the Lord gives is unconditional, so it’s not dependent on our life events.

God gives us His peace not because of us, but in spite of us

APPLICATION: Point:  only Jesus Christ can bring true Peace in our lives…  no matter how fearful or frightened we are.  

Eph.2:14 Christ is our Peace…                

Isa.9:6 He is the Prince of Peace…

Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

STINGER: True Peace never comes from a life event, because true peace only God can supplement

THE SECOND THING THOMAS DISCOVERS IS...

2.2 Thomas Discovers The Resurrection Vs. 27

Here the Lord deals gently & patiently with Thomas’ doubts.

Thomas you want tangible evidence? Here it is. Reach into my wounds, touch me.

Thomas gets proof that Jesus resurrected, and notice when Jesus rose from the dead He rose physically. It wasn’t a spiritual body.

Luke 24:43 - It says that Jesus ate food.

I bring this up because unfortunately, many people deny and don’t believe the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And this is fitting, because as many of you already know, next Sunday is Resurrection Sunday, it’s Easter Sunday.

And for us Christians, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is thee single most important event.

According to 1 Cor 15 the Gospel Message 100% hinges on the resurrection of Christ - Without the resurrection of Jesus there is no Gospel Message.

In fact, 1 Corinthians 15:14-17 The Bible says if Jesus did not rise from the dead our preaching is empty, our faith is empty.

We might as well close up shop. If Jesus did not rise from the dead we are still in our sins

And again, like Thomas, there are many people today who doubt that Jesus rose from the dead and still is alive. (Pause)

Though there are many strong arguments for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If your taking notes I want to give you 2 very strong arguments that support the historicity of the resurrection.

1. We have the empty tomb - All 4 Gospels report that after Jesus was crucified, his body was placed in a tomb, and a large stone weighing thousands of pounds was was rolled in front of it.

But when the disciples went to the tomb three days later, they found it empty.

This is a powerful piece of evidence that is difficult to explain, if the resurrection did not happen.

Because according to the Gospel of Matthew the religious leaders were concerned that Jesus’ followers might steal His body.

So what did they do? They asked the Roman Authorities to guard the tomb and seal it with cords and a wax roman image.

Now follow me here: Because this is important. If Jesus did not rise from the dead.

The only thing the Romans & Religious leaders had to do to prove that Jesus did not rise from the dead is to: Simply open the correct tomb and show everyone the dead body of Jesus.

If the tomb was not empty, it would have been easy for the Jewish authorities to produce the body and disprove the resurrection. (pause)

And look, there is not one single record in history telling us that someone contested the fact that the tomb was empty.

2. We have the transformation of the disciples - The resurrection of Jesus had a huge impact on the disciples.

They went from being fearful and defeated to being bold and courageous.

They were willing to endure persecution and even death for their faith.

Look, this transformation is difficult to explain, if they did not actually witness the risen Christ - The disciples claimed they saw Jesus resurrected.

And this is significant because there are those who say well the disciples were lying. They didn’t see Jesus resurrected.

And I understand that there are many people from different religious groups who have died for their faith as well.

Like the kamakazi’s and the jihadi’s all the different religious terrorists.

So yes, it’s true that people have died for lies. But here is the difference: No one dies for a lie, they know is a lie.

Why would anyone do that? If you knew you were going to die for a lie you knew was a lie, what would you do?

Tell the truth! Actually, you know I was lying.

That’s all that the disciples needed to do to not die for their faith: Is to say that all of this never happened.

But the reality is: The disciples did see Jesus rise from the dead so much so, that it costed them their lives.

Peter: Peter was crucified upside down in Rome under the Emperor Nero.

Andrew: Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross in Greece.

James, son of Zebedee: Was beheaded by Herod Agrippa I in Jerusalem (Acts 12:1-2).

John: Was poisoned and then exiled to the island of Patmos.

Philip: Preached in Greece and was crucified.

Bartholomew: Preached in Armenia and was flayed alive and then beheaded.

Thomas: Preached in India and was speared to death.

Matthew: Preached in Ethiopia and was beheading.

James, son of Alphaeus: Preached in Syria and they stoned him to death.

Thaddaeus: Preached in Syria as well, and was beaten to death with a club.

Simon the Zealot: Preached in Persia and was crucified.

All because they know what they saw - Jesus Christ risen from the dead.

NUMBER 1 THOMAS SEEING JESUS INVOLVES DOUBT...

NUMBER 2 THOMAS SEEING JESUS INVOLVES DISCOVERY...

3. Thomas Seeing Jesus Involves A Declaration Vs. 28-29

Here we have two declarations, the first declaration is...

3.1 The Declaration of Thomas Vs. 28

Understand! when you truly see Jesus, you see Him for who He really is, Lord and God!

Look God is a lot of things to us: He is our love, our saviour , our friend, our safe haven.

But listen! He is also our Lord and God!

And people don’t like that! They like to make Jesus their savior but not their Lord.

Lord Greek - koo'-ree-os; It speaks of having supreme power & ultimate authority. It speaks of being an owner.

And many people do not like that because when you make Jesus your Lord, what you are saying is:

Jesus, you have the ultimate authority over my life, Jesus you own me.

Jesus you are my Master and I am your willing slave and servant.

APPLICATION: Guys’ listen closely! Many of us here today, have made Jesus your savior at this camp.

But understand you also have to make Him your Lord, the master of your life, your owner.

1 Corinthians 6:20 NKJV

20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

You have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus Christ - You belong to Him now!

But unfortunately, many today, the world is their Lord.

Social Media is their Lord - Self is their Lord.

Luke 6:46

And notice, when you truly see Jesus, not only do you see Him as your Lord but as your God.

Guys, this is important. Because again, many people don’t like this either.

People from different religious groups consider Jesus:

as a moral teacher,

the spirit brother of lucifer,

the incarnation of michael the arch angel

All sorts of silly things, but not God.

Here Thomas calls Jesus, God and notice Jesus does not correct him…    Why? because the bible teaches that Jesus is God Almighty…

John 10:30 Father & I are one…     

2 Peter 1:1 ...by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope & glorious appearing...   

Rom.9:5 blessed God…       

1 John 5:20 true God…        

Isa.9:6 Mighty God…         

Heb.1:8 The father saying to the Son: Thy throne O God is forever and ever.

Make no mistake about it…       Jesus Christ is God Almighty in the flesh… Can I get an Amen or hallelujah???

Now, one more thing I’d like to mention in this verse.

There in the beginning of Vs. 28 it says, “and Thomas answered...”

The word “answered” is a verb that is in the passive voice.

Which means this is an action that is received not an action that is accomplished.

In other words, Thomas answering Jesus the way he did, did not come from his own capacity or adequacy.

It was given to him, it was a work of God.

In Matt 16 Jesus asked His disciples who do they say that I am?

The disciples responded by saying: some say you are elijah, others, reincarnation of John the Baptist, others say a prophet.

Then Jesus asked them the single most important question that faces all of humanity today: But who do you say that I Am?

And Peter of course, always ready to pop off! Says, “You are the Son of the Living God… and in...

Matthew 16:17 NKJV

17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

APPLICATION:

3.2 The Declaration of Jesus Vs. 29

Now, notice Thomas’s faith was not the kind that pleases the Lord, not the Jesus was angry, but it doesn’t please the Lord because Thomas’ faith was based on sight.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

As The Worship Team Comes Back Up.

Illustration: I went evangelizing and witnessed to a group of kids and one of their friends came very aggressive saying, “Prove to me God exists! where is He at! Prove to me He exist!

So I said, prove to me He doesn’t exist! Come on!

And He said where is He at? I told him...

God can reveal Himself to everyone right now if He wanted to!

But here’s the problem with that: Everyone is going to see that He is real and they are going say, well if He’s real the hell is also real.

and now everyone will bow down out of fear! They will worship God with the wrong motive, with the wrong heart.

APPLICATION: But that is not the case with us. We worship Him with Hope, with faith, because we love Him.

1 Peter 1:8 NKJV

8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,

That is the blessing we get. We don’t have to worship Him, we get to Worship Him!

This isn’t religion, we get to have a relationship with God.

it’s not a have to but a get to, we get to have faith in Him, we get to trust in Him, and we get to put our eternal security in His hands.

COMMUNION TIME

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (NKJV)

23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

Hebrews 4:15 NKJV

15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

1 Corinthians 11:25 NKJV

25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

ENDING......