Believe

Series

He was Raised for Us, We Live for Him

First Reading

1 John 1:1–2:2 ESV

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

CONTEXT

It is the first Easter Sunday. The events of Jesus death still fresh. He was betrayed on Thursday night. Crucified on Friday. Dead in the tomb on Saturday. Sunday morning, the women discovered that the tomb was empty.

It is now evening of that day…

TEXT

John 20:19–31 ESV

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 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.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

INTRODUCTION

I’ve never doubted the gospel. I’ve never disbelieved in the resurrection. I’ve never doubted the Bible.

False. I’ve had to struggle.

Any other Christian in the room had to struggle…I’ve had to struggle.

This is why Iike the story of Thomas. Jesus helping a disciple struggling with disbelief.

ANCIENT PROBLEM

On Sunday evening all the disciples gathered together, except Thomas. We don’t know where he was. Perhaps since all had scattered, he had just not yet made his way back to the safe-house…maybe he just went out on an errand.

Jesus appears. The gathered disciples are astonished, but Jesus sets them at ease with his words “peace”. And he shows them his hands and his side. The one who had been killed, who had been buried. Alive!

More than alive. Resurrected. Beyond the touch of death. Immortal.

Then he was gone. Disappeared, just as suddenly as he had appeared.

All the disciples, now knew and believed: He is risen! He is risen indeed! (Mary, see!!)

Except Thomas.

He was not there. He did not see. He did not touch. He did not hear Jesus words.

The disciples tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord.”

They were all beaming with amazement and joy, oriented in ministry of being sent, of having the Holy Spirit…

Should Thomas have believed? Based on their combined testimony?

Thomas says, Unless I see and touch him,…I will never. I will not.

A statement of will. Chooses NO.

Could have been prompted by hurt.

He had been called to follow.

He saw Jesus turn water into wine and placed his faith in Jesus

He himself had gone out with a partner and worked miracles to prepare towns for Jesus’ visit.

He was there in the Garden. He fled like they ALL did.

He was just as much a disciple as any of them, right?

Why should more be asked of him than them?

Maybe some rigidity of spirit that needed to be fixed. The occasion of Jesus and Lazarus.

John 11. Lazarus had died. Jesus’ disciples warned him against going to Bethany where Lazarus died, because the Jewish leadership there was looking to kill him. Jesus tells his disciples that he is going to raise up Lazarus. Thomas’ response: let’s go with him let us also go with him that we might die with him. (John 11:16)

In other words, did not believe in the resurrection, then…seems to be sticking to that perspective.

A long week unfolded for Thomas. The question loomed: Would Jesus appear again? Would Jesus ever show himself to Thomas? Would Thomas EVER believe?

CURRENT PROBLEM

We’ve all struggled with doubts in the spiritual life. Everyone else seems to be doing better at it..

Other people understand the Bible, chapter and verse, ...I don’t

Other people seem to have a great capacity for prayer, “God told me”, …I just don’t.

Filled with the Spirit: I accepted Jesus on this day at this time…ever since then intimate with him. ….my faith seems weak.

God is doing important things through him or her...but I don’t seem that useful.

Other people belong in church….I feel uncomfortable.

Is Jesus appearing to everyone except me?

Common questions, we are not all the same. Different challenges, gifts, stages in faith.

The dangerous situation is when we start choosing to not believe in the risen Lord.

I WILL NOT believe.

That is an act of the will.

ruts in road.

Defiance.

Do your chores. I will not. Do this task. I will not.

apologize to your spouse. I will not.

Believe the good news…I will not. Or at least, not until this condition is met: Thou shalt not test the Lord your God.

Where does that leave us? Stalemate. The danger is not toward Christ, but it is toward our own souls.

HINGE

But in this story we see that Jesus and Thomas make a powerful connection...

Thanks to Jesus.

ANCIENT SOLUTION

A week later all the disciples are together again. Thomas is with them.

Thomas did not stop meeting with the disciples.

Talking, praying. Wondering if Jesus would come. Wondering if Thomas would soften his heart.

A week goes by. Nothing.

Then one evening, Jesus appears.

To all of them. Specially to Thomas.

Jesus invites him...Put your finger in the nail print...your hand in my side.

A direct answer to Thomas’ statement. I will not believe unless…

Jesus was listening. Jesus could always see Thomas, even if Thomas could not see Jesus.

Jesus says: Stop DISBELIEVING and BELIEVE.

Stop DISBELIEVING that the power of God includes resurrection.

Stop doubting the testimony of people you know are trustworthy.

Stop doubting…ME.

A loving rebuke. An exhortation.

I’ve started a new life, you need to start a new life.

do not disbelieve, but believe.

Stop disbelieving, be believing.

Be a believer. Exercise the power of belief!

The text does not say that Thomas did in fact touch Jesus, examine Jesus.

It says instead that he exclaimed: my Lord and my God!

The first affirmation of the total deity of Jesus from any of the disciples.

All the disciples said, Jesus is Risen. Thomas says, Jesus is God!

Thomas responded.

Doubt is removed and the reservoir of faith is unleashed! Thomas BELIEVED.

Jesus makes Thomas’ experience a teaching moment, for Thomas, though heard by all.

You believe because you have seen. I’m giving you that.

But not all will.

In the future, people will believe without seeing and touching.

they are going to be blessed. Approved by God. Approved by Jesus.

Good to believe because you have seen. Better to believe by faith.

John the writer of the gospel own this fact: This has been written down so that you - the reader, who has not seen and heard Jesus directly -- may believe in Jesus and have life in his name. (1 John 1:1-3)

The history of the NT many people did believe in Jesus.

Thomas, of them all, could sympathize with any hearer of the gospel who would say…but how can I believe? I haven’t seen! Yes, I’ve been there. Yet Jesus promises that you can believe…and you will be blessed if you do!

CURRENT SOLUTION

Out task today is to believe in the risen Lord.

DISBELIEVING Thomas. Apostle to the DISBELIEVING.

What would he say to us?

#1: Don’t let disbelief become a way of life.

We are all realistic and reasonable people.

It is hard to believe in resurrection…But is it impossible? Or it in act of the will?

Harden not your heart!

I believe, help my unbelief! (Mark 9:24)

#2: Encourage: Keep showing up.

We can show up at church. (I don’t believe so I won’t go, maybe that is the BEST time to go!)

Faith comes through hearing, through proclamation. (Romans 10:17)

Christ is in the community, even if we can’t see him.

Wherever 2 or 3 are gathered…I am in the spirit with them.

Jesus knows the doubts, he sees, even if we can’t see him. He who has begun a good work in you is faithful. He will complete it. (Phil. 1:6)

For a week...a month...as long as it takes.

1 John, so you may be in fellowship. Our fellowship is with God.

#3: When you believe, know that you are blessed.

It is pleasing to God and Jesus when you believe without seeing.

You have life in his name.

his gift and we are grateful to have a Lord and God!

What could be more blessed than to say of Jesus, My Lord and My God!

CONCLUSION

Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to women on the morning, to the disciples in the evening, to Thomas the next week. To us today.

Command and invitation: Stop disbelieving, and start believing. Say to each other: start believing!

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

Holy One, you have made us and redeemed us through Christ to be your kingdom and your priests, serving you and your dominion forever and ever. Help us to be wounded healers who bring your peace into the world.

As you sent Christ, now send us.

We pray for the church around the world in all its local expressions, that we and our leaders may truly be your kingdom and your priests, serving not ourselves but your glory and your dominion. As you sent Christ, now send us.

We pray for those who cannot see you and yet desire to believe. As you sent Christ, now send us.

We pray for religious and secular authorities who speak truth to power. As you sent Christ, now send us.

We pray for those who need healing and hope, who cannot see the possibility of new life. As you sent Christ, now send us.

We pray for those in our world who are wounded, those who suffer from war, oppression, famine, and disease. As you sent Christ, now send us.

God who is and was and is to be, be for us the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the Almighty. Grant that we might be your forgiveness, your peace, and your resurrecting good news, through Jesus Christ, your faithful witness and our Lord, the firstborn of the dead and the ruler of all the kings of the earth. Amen.