2.13.18. 4.1.2018 John 20.19-31 Where no King has Gone Before (Easter Sunday)

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 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.

Entice: It is not secret what John had in mind when he told the story of his friend, his teacher, His Lord Jesus. We know what He intended because the whole book is written with the end in mind. His goal is ever before him. And this morning his purpose confronts each of us.

Engage: It sure must have been a crowded room. Because as far as I can tell all humanity was represented on easter evening in that dark, locked room. You were there. Me too. Each with trembling hands and knocking knees waiting for a rap on the door or a presence in our midst.

When the risen one appears

When Jesus is in our midst

The Church is visible

The Kingdom is present

Expand: In his version John was strategic and selective. Like a parent or preacher or teacher or boss he did not tell us everything he knew, everything Jesus did or said. We know this because He told us. He told us what He did and why. He tells the story of Jesus…ending with His resurrection to bring us eternal life by creating saving faith.

Excite: So with respect to Jesus; the resurrection substantiates His claims, validates our faith, eliminates our doubt, consolidates His Church. However this sermon is not just about what happened then. It’s about what happens now.

Resurrection is Gods act In Jesus-faith is our Reaction.

Explain: Every person ever who came to faith in Christ follows the same path....

Each us of must move

▾ Body of Sermon:

1 From Fear to Focus

John 20.19-23

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.”

"Group Hug!"

• 1.1 Neutralizes threats against us.

1.1 The Living Christ

Neutralizes threats against us.

• 1.2 /////There is one way to peace through the power of the cross////

There is one way to peace through the power of the cross

1.2 The Living Christ

Validates His sacrifice for us.

He is known by the scars

1.3 The Living Christ

Mediates His presence among us.

here he gives the indwelling Spirit to be supplemented by miraculous gifts on Pentecost

1.4 The Living Christ

Facilitates His mission through us.

It is through the Spirit-inspired proclamation of the facts of the Gospel that sins are forgiven

and lives restored

2 From Doubt to Devotion.

John 20:24–29 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Outlier

2.1 Asking for proof….is an act of integrity.

2.2 Assessing the proof…is an act of faith.

2.2 Assessing the proof…is the act of faith.

2.3 Admitting the proof…is an act of worship.

End with the beginning in mind...

John 20:31 ESV

31 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.

We all followed this path. Fear gave way to a focused faith. Questioning doubt became a certainty, a conviction. We’ve all stood there trembling.

Each of us…at least in our own minds extend our finger into the nail-prints, reach our hands into His side and then fall down to worship our Risen Lord.