The Cry For Truth

Welcome, Intro, Honor

HOOK: Intro

Today we continue our series on ‘Imperfect Disciples’

Recap of Series: The price, process, and the promise of being a disciple of God (Matthew 16:24 - Deny and Follow)

These were simple people… Could have been any of us

Two Week Ago - Bishop preached on Peter and his cry for validation, who through his zealousness and fumbles were just longing to prove that he mattered

Today our focus is Thomas, better known as ‘Doubting Thomas’

Imagine being one of the 11 and having the title ‘Doubting…’

Peter doubted in Matt 14:31. Look at how people label others

Thomas is not alone because we can all relate

The great thing is that Christianity is not a religion without truth

Introduce Sermon title

Pray in for sermon

BOOK: Main Scripture - John 20:24-29

Jesus Appears to Thomas

John 20:24–29 (ESV)

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

LOOK: Sermon Core

Exegete The Text

Thomas was not with them

As one of the 11, he should have been with them

Had he known Jesus would appear, maybe he would have been in attendance

But as we do not know when good will come, we should always be in our place

Thomas had doubt

He was there for the miracles and the journey, but was dealing with feelings of the crucifixion.

“I will not believe” - There is an internal battle. This is hyperbole.

He was not satisfied with the testimony of the others.

Thomas was not willing to take for granted that which he hoped for, but doubted could truly be.

Jesus Appears To Thomas

Jesus did not condemn Thomas for his doubt.

There may be reproach here, but there is far more sympathy. He spoke sincerely to a sincere disciple, whose faith was weak, not as to one who hath an evil heart of unbelief.

“A wicked and adulterous generation,” He was wont to say in such a case, “seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it but the sign of the Prophet Jonas.”

“My Lord and my God!” is not the exclamation of one who is forced reluctantly to admit a fact he would rather deny.

In the first part, he recognizes that He who was dead is alive: My Lord, my beloved Master!

In the second part, he acknowledges Christ’s divinity with a knowing he did not have before.

Dealing With Doubt

There are things that we struggle with regarding God or doubt

Can Jesus truly be God and man?

If Jesus has power over death, why would he allow himself to be subject to death?

How could Jesus be raised after being killed and buried?

There is hope for the skeptic and doubter

Thomas went on to be a witness to India and a martyr for the faith

Faith does not have to be the absence of doubt, but the means to overcome doubt

Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

We will overcome by the Blood of the lamb and word of our testimony

Isaac and Miriam

Why is it important to voice doubts? If you aren’t convinced, how will you witness and convince others?

Read The Word

GOD IS ABOVE ALL - Isa 40:22 “It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;”

GOD IS AWARE - Lk 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

GOD IS PURPOSEFUL - Eph 1:11 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”

GOD IS INTENTIONAL - Rev 4:11 ““Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.””

GOD IS ETERNAL - God existed before Gen 1:1. God is not caught off guard and is not surprised by current events.

GOD IS LOVE - John 3:16–17 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

TOOK: Close

PRAYER AND WORSHIP

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.