Sermon 2

Sermon 2: Found People, Find People

Series: Sent & Rooted: Living the Gospel Together Primary Text: John 20:19–23.

This sermon moves us forward:

Week 1: God seeks the lost

Week 2: God sends the found

Introduction

Fear has a way of shrinking our focus.

That’s what has happened to the disciples in John 20—behind locked doors, confused, anxious, unsure of what comes next. Jesus has risen, but they are still in hiding.

And into that fear, Jesus does not bring rebuke. He brings peace. And then—purpose!

John 20:19–23 ESV

19 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.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”

Big Idea

Being found by Jesus always leads to being sent by Jesus.

Salvation is never the finish line—it is the starting point.

I. Peace Must Come Before Purpose

John 20:19 “19 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.””

Key Observations

The disciples are paralyzed by fear

Jesus initiates the encounter… for the lost

Peace is spoken before any command is given

Jesus does not send anxious people into mission without first grounding them in grace.

Theological Insight

Peace here is not merely emotional calm—it is reconciliation with God.

Cross References

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

– We have peace with God through Christ

Isaiah 53:5 “5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

– Peace secured through the cross

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.”

– God’s peace guards hearts and minds

Illustration

A soldier is not sent into battle until they know which side they’re on. Peace establishes identity before assignment.

If you are His you are victorious

If you are His you are secure

If you are His you are HIS

II. The Cross Turns Confusion Into Confidence

John 20:20 “20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.”

Jesus anchors their future mission in His finished work.

Key Truth

The wounds are proof:

The debt is paid

The enemy is defeated

The mission is secure

The disciples rejoice—not because circumstances changed, but because their understanding changed.

Cross References

Colossians 2:13–15 “13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”

– The cross disarms the powers

Hebrews 12:2 “2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

– Jesus endured the cross for joy

Luke 24:36–40 “36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 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.” 40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet.”

– Peace and proof together

Illustration

Scars don’t weaken a rescue mission—they validate it. The cross is not something we move past; it is where we start from.

III. Being Sent Is Part of Being Saved

John 20:21 “21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.””

This is not a suggestion ! It is a definition.

What Jesus Is Saying

Mission flows from relationship

The pattern of Jesus becomes the pattern of the church

To be saved is to be commissioned!!

Key Insight

The church does not have a mission—the mission has a church.

Cross References

Matthew 28:18–20 “18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

– The Great Commission

Acts 1:8 “8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

– Witnesses empowered by the Spirit

2 Corinthians 5:17–20 “17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

– Ambassadors for Christ

Illustration

A lifeboat that never launches eventually forgets why it exists.

The church exists to be sent.

IV. The Spirit Empowers Ordinary People

John 20:22–23 “22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.””

Jesus does not assign a mission without providing power.

Key Observations

This echoes God breathing life into Adam (Genesis 2:7)

Mission is spiritual work, requiring spiritual power

Forgiveness is central to the message we carry

Theological Note

This anticipates Pentecost and emphasizes that the church’s mission is impossible apart from God’s Spirit.

Cross References

Ezekiel 37:9–10 “9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.”

– Breath brings life

Zechariah 4:6 “6 Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

– Not by might, but by Spirit

Romans 8:11 “11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

– The Spirit who raised Jesus empowers us

Illustration

God does not outsource His mission without sharing His power.

V. What This Means for Us

Personal Application

Have you embraced peace but resisted purpose?

Do you see yourself as sent—or settled?

Who has God placed in your life that you are uniquely positioned to reach?

Corporate Application

Is our church structured to equip sent people—or to support spectators?

Do we celebrate comfort or obedience?

Are we forming disciples who know they are missionaries where they live, work, and serve?

Series Tie-In

This sermon moves us forward:

Week 1: God seeks the lost

Week 2: God sends the found

Week 3: How Jesus calls people to follow

Weeks 4–6: How disciples grow deep and strong

Weeks 7–8: How a rooted church bears lasting fruit together

Before we talk about how to disciple others, we must first accept that we are sent.

Closing Invitation

Jesus is still stepping into locked rooms.

Still speaking peace. Still showing scars. Still sending ordinary people into a hurting world.

The only question is not if you are sent— but whether you will live like it.

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Fear locked the doors. Jesus stepped in anyway.

In John 20, the risen Jesus meets fearful disciples, speaks peace, shows His scars—and then sends them. Salvation wasn’t the end of the story. It was the beginning of the mission.

This Sunday we’ll explore what it means to be a people who are found by Jesus and sent by Jesus—not in our own strength, but by His Spirit.

📖 John 20:19–23 🕥 Sunday at 10:30am 📍 412 Sherman St, Allegan, MI 💻 Livestream available: https://alleganbiblechurch.com/watch-live

If you’ve ever felt stuck, fearful, or unsure of your purpose—this message is for you. Jesus is still speaking peace. Jesus is still sending His people.

👉 Join us this Sunday.

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Group Questions

The disciples were hiding behind locked doors when Jesus appeared. What fears tend to “lock the doors” in your own life right now? How do you hear Jesus’ words, “Peace be with you,” speaking into that fear?

Jesus speaks peace twice before sending the disciples. Why do you think peace must come before purpose in the Christian life? What happens when we reverse that order?

Jesus showed His wounds to the disciples. How does remembering the cross change the way you see your calling, your failures, or your confidence in God’s mission?

The disciples rejoiced even though their situation had not changed. Can you share a time when your understanding of Jesus changed even though your circumstances didn’t? How did that affect you?

Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” What does it mean to see yourself as “sent” in your everyday life (home, work, school, neighborhood)?

The sermon says, “To be saved is to be commissioned.” How does that statement challenge or reshape how you think about salvation and discipleship?

Jesus breathes on the disciples and gives them the Holy Spirit. Where do you feel most aware of your need for the Spirit’s power in order to live on mission?

Forgiveness is central to the mission Jesus gives. Why do you think forgiveness is such a vital part of what we are sent to proclaim and demonstrate?

The sermon asks whether the church celebrates comfort or obedience. Where do you personally feel that tension? What might obedience look like in a practical way right now?

The closing challenge asks whether we will live like we are sent. What is one specific step you can take this week to live more intentionally as someone sent by Jesus?