Gripped by Fear & Doubt, Freed by Faith in Christ

INTRODUCTION

He is risen!

Turn to John 20

Picking up where we left off from our sunrise service.

Mary and several ladies went to the tomb with spices early in the morning

The body of Jesus was not there!

Mary informed Peter and John

Jesus appeared to Mary, who told the disciples

The disciples did not believe her or the others who had seen the risen Jesus

Mark 16:10–13 She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.

The day has been full of suspense and confusion.

Verse 20 tells us that it is the evening (8-10 hours later?) and…

The Disciples Were Gripped By Fear & Doubt

Read John 20:19-23

The doors were locked

Afraid of the Jewish leaders (chief priests and Pharisees) who put Jesus to death

Don’t know where Jesus’ body is

Being blamed for Jesus’ missing body

Matthew 28:11–15 some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.

The disciples are afraid for their lives.

Things change when Jesus shows up...

Jesus came

Out of nowhere, Jesus shows up and shows them His wounds

Luke 24:37–39 they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

They did not believe the reports… this provided irrefutable proof!

Everybody would love to have the opportunity to see the Risen Christ.

It was not all love and comfort at first.

Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen.

Jesus brings a greeting of peace

On the one hand, it is a greeting reflective of the Hebrew shalom.

It is also what these fearful and doubting disciples need.

This proclamation of peace (v. 19 & 21) would have called to remembrance what Jesus had said to them a mere 3 days prior:

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

What kind of peace is Jesus offering?

There are two kinds of peace that are offered in Jesus.

He is offering peace with God through His resurrection, which is His victory over sin and death

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus died on the cross to pay our penalty for sin, which is death (Romans 6:23), and provides peace with God through our faith in His sacrifice.

He is offering the peace of God, which brings comfort in the time of distress, when we trust Him

Philippians 4:6–7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The disciples needed this peace in their current state of mind. They needed the peace that God is in control and they have nothing to worry about.

Jesus is sending them out

Jesus was sent into the world to preach a message of repentance and to show the love of God.

With the same purpose, Jesus is sending out His disciples into the world

He equips them to do it with the Holy Spirit

Read John 20:24-29 - “Doubting Thomas”

Thomas receives a bad wrap in the minds of Christians.

Doubted, like the rest

Would not believe the reports, like the rest of them

Wanted the physical proof, like the rest of them

blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed

These are the ones that Jesus prayed for in John 17:20, I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.

The disciples’ faithful proclamation of the Gospel would lead to people coming to faith in Jesus.

Faith In Jesus Brings Deliverance and Life

Read John 20:30-31

John’s purpose in writing this gospel account is so that people will believe.

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God

That belief leads to having eternal life, which shows that belief is not mere intellectual ascent to the facts of the gospel

John 17:3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

To know God is to be transformed, and thus to be introduced to a life that could not otherwise be experienced.

Deuteronomy 30:19–20 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days.

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence

CONCLUSION

Many people have a hard time receiving the truth of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Far-fetched and hard to believe someone comes back from the dead

Those people are not alone in their skepticism

Jesus’ own followers had a hard time believing…until they saw the risen Christ

The fact that most of the Apostles died a violent death is a solid proof that Jesus did in fact rise from the dead.

Beheaded, crucified, stoned, beaten, speared

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, they would have known it full well and would not have gone to their death preaching a lie

I challenge you to consider the fact that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and raised again on the third day so that you can have forgiveness of sins

Call on Him to save you, trusting in His sacrifice alone

Change your mind (repent) about the sinful life you are living, and live for righteousness

We have a lot to celebrate and be thankful for, because He is risen!