"I Will Never Believe!"
Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of a Friend! • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsThe Story of Doubting Thomas
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Introduction
Thomas was on of the Twelve Disciples/Apostles
His nickname was Twin (Didymus). Why was he given this nickname?
Thomas was absent when Jesus showed up to the disciples for the first time.
Verse 25
The other disciples could not contain themselves and when Thomas showed up, they told Him everything.
Thomas was a negative guy (See 11:16; )
His initial response was that of doubt. And not just any doubt, but an adamant doubt. A prove it to me kinda doubt.
He wanted to see, touch the wounds inflicted on Jesus during the crucifixion.
He said that unless he does these things he will NEVER believe! Those are very strong words.
He fails to take the testimony of all those disciples. Their word of witness simply wasn’t good enough for Thomas.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
his statement expresses lack of confidence in his fellow disciples’ judgment as much as skepticism regarding the possibility of Jesus having risen from the dead.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
Just as in the case of the incarnation (1:14), John takes pains to affirm that Jesus “came in the flesh” (a major concern in John’s epistles; cf. 1 John 4:2–3; 2 John 7), which entails also that his resurrection body was not merely that of a phantom or spirit apparition but a “fleshy” (albeit glorified) body.
Eight days go by. One week after easter. I’m not sure what they have been doing during that period of time, but they are inside the upper room again, this time with Thomas.
Sounds like a familiar situation - Doors were locked meaning the disciples’ fears of the Jewish leadership had not completely subsided even though they saw the resurrected Christ just a week ago.
There continued fear of the Lord suggests that Jesus’ breathing on them was a symbolic breathing anticipating the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Otherwise, they, by the ministry of the indwelling of the holy Spirit.
and Jesus popped in and wished them peace. “Peace be with you.”
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
Now that the Feast of Unleavened Bread was over, the disciples soon would be returning home to Galilee (barring instructions to the contrary).
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 20
Thomas has already been portrayed as loyal but pessimistic. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for his failure, but instead compassionately offered him proof of His resurrection. Jesus lovingly met him at the point of His weakness (2 Tim. 2:13).
Verse 27
Jesus directly addresses Thomas and asks him to use his eyes and his fingers to verify that He is indeed the Jesus who hung on the cross.
Jesus then challenges him to “not disbelieve, but believe”
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
As he had done previously, by showing awareness of the disciple’s objection, Jesus displays supernatural knowledge (see commentary at 2:24). “Stop doubting and believe” (TNIV) reads, more literally, “Stop being faithless [ἄπιστος, apistos] and believe [πιστός, pistos].”
Verse 28
Thomas’ response was powerful! He refers to Jesus as Lord and God.
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 20
Thomas’s statement is in fact a clear confession of his newly found faith in Jesus as his Lord and God. John’s entire purpose in writing this book is that all readers come to confess Jesus as their Lord and God in the same way that Thomas did.
Verse 29
Seeing belief is still belief.
But there are those who didn’t have the opportunity to see Jesus prior to this moment and after this moment who have not had the privilege to see and yet the did have eyes of faith to see very Christ that Jesus is Lord. The blind (in this sense) are blessed.
Verse 30
Verse 31
Textual Main Idea - Believe the Testimony of the Apostles!
Textual Main Idea - Believe the Testimony of the Apostles!
Textual Main Idea - Believe the Testimony of the Apostles!
Thomas Missed Out on Seeing Jesus (vs. 24-25) - Because Thomas didn’t see, he didn’t believe
Thomas Refuses to believe the Testimony of the Apostles (vs. 24-27) - Because Thomas didn’t believe, Jesus gave him reason to believe
Jesus Says that those who do believe the Testimony of the Apostles will be blessed (vs. 28-29) - Thomas believes because he sees!
Jesus Says these particular Signs are written down so that his audience may believe! (vs. 30-31)
Introduction
Greet everyone (be in front of the pulpit)
Attention (Why should they listen to you?) Crossing a very busy road when I was a kid. I doubted and ended up almost dead...
We hear many voices these days telling us what to believe and why. News, Fake News. Propaganda designed to sway thinking in one direction to another. The division in our land has become so great that various ideologies feels justified in lying / dishonest for the “greater good”. So now dishonsty is honorable because the ends justify the means.
What do we believe? What should we believe? What voices are true and trustworthy. It is getting harder and harder to tell.
But we do have a source of truth that has stood the test of time. A source of truth that is controversial, powerful, frustrating, sweet, harsh and yet exceedingly gracious. A truth that cannot be ignored. A truth, the truth that will change your life!
The question for you this morning is will you believe this truth or will you allow the voices of this world to drown out its sweet veracity and cause you to live in perpetual doubt and skepticism?
There was a man in the scriptures that struggled with doubt. There are many things we can learn from this man, Thomas regarding doubt, belief and TRUE path to eternal life...
Main Textual Idea: Thomas refused to believe the testimony of the Apostels.
Main Idea: Don’t Be A Doubter - Your Life Depends On It!
So doubt can lead to death? Well, you remember the old saying, “He who hesitates is lost” It was actually an adaptation of a line in a 1712 play written by Joseph Addison, an English essayist. “A Woman who hesitates is lost.”
"Swift and resolute action leads to success; self-doubt is a prelude to disaster. The proverb goes back to 'Cato' by English essayist and poet Joseph Addison.
It means - "Swift and resolute action leads to success; self-doubt is a prelude to disaster.”
And while we may be sympathetic to Thomas’ situation, his doubt was revealing his heart. He had a heart, lacking faith!
Body (Satisfaction)
1. Don’t Doubt the Testimony of the Apostles (vs. 24-27)
Lead in…
The last time we were together we talked through that amazing event in the upper room.
The disciples were hiding for their lives because they were convinced that because Jesus was dead, there was a pretty strong possibility that the Jewish leadership would like them dead a well.
So they locked the doors, worried for their lives - and then Jesus pops in!
The Apostles, those chosen by Jesus to become the official leadership of the soon to be church, got to see and talk with the resurrected Christ!
Well, all of the Apostels but one. Take a look at the text...
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.”
John 20:
Explanation -
Verse 24
Thomas was on of the Twelve Disciples/Apostles
His nickname was Twin (Didymus). Obviously from the text we learn that he was a twin. The scriptures are silent on who His twin is but he had one and this was his nickname as a result.
John sets the scene for us. Thomas was absent when Jesus showed up to the disciples for the first time. This is very important for the complete understanding of the text...
Verse 25
The other disciples could not contain themselves and when Thomas showed up, they told Him everything...
Unfortunately, Thomas was a negative and pessimistic guy. Here some other examples...
16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
16 So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”
This was just before one of the greatest miracles in the bible. The raising of Lazarus.
5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
These verses give us a glimpse of the character of Thomas. He was a man whose thoughts and ideas were rooted in this life. And as a result, He was a pessimistic man!
Principle - When our thoughts are rooted in this life alone, doubts and hopelessness soon become our natural way of thinking.
Principle - When our thoughts are rooted in the Scriptures, we will be unflappably optimistic!
Thomas listened to the testimonies of his trusted friends, his fellow Apostles. And his response was that of doubt. And not just any doubt, but an adamant doubt. A prove it to me kinda doubt. A doubt that was a result of earthly, not godly thinking.
Now remember, according to there must be 2 or 3 witnesses for the truth to be established. Thomas had a room full...
He made a bold demand! He wanted to see and touch the wounds inflicted on Jesus during the crucifixion.
In order to believe, he believed he needed to see the Christ with the wounds Thomas knew he bore.
Remember, the other Apostles had this glorious privilege, Thomas did not!
But here are some very sad words that come from the mouth of this disciple of Jesus. He said that unless “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.”
Those are very strong words.
Those are very strong words.
Have you ever said something that later you really regretted? Then you can relate to Thomas...
But here is the significance of his exchange with his fellow Apostles.
He fails to believe the testimony of all the Apostles. Their word of witness simply wasn’t good enough for Thomas.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
his statement expresses lack of confidence in his fellow disciples’ judgment as much as skepticism regarding the possibility of Jesus having risen from the dead.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
Just as in the case of the incarnation (1:14), John takes pains to affirm that Jesus “came in the flesh” (a major concern in John’s epistles; cf. 1 John 4:2–3; 2 John 7), which entails also that his resurrection body was not merely that of a phantom or spirit apparition but a “fleshy” (albeit glorified) body.
Verse 26
Eight days go by. One week after easter. I’m not sure what they have been doing during that period of time, but they are inside the upper room again, this time with Thomas...
Sounds like a familiar situation - Doors were locked meaning the disciples’ fears of the Jewish leadership had not completely subsided even though they saw the resurrected Christ just a week ago.
And you do remember what happened a week ago?
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.
Jesus, just eight days ago commissioned the Apostels to be sent out as the Father sent the Son, as humble servants armed with a life changing message. The message of redemption.
However, they would not have the strength in and of themselves to perform such a monumental job. So the Spirit of God would indwell and empower them to accomplish great things.
Jesus breathed on them to symbolize the soon to come Spirit of God - This would happen at the day of Pentecost. And the fearful disciples would be transformed from fearful, timid and frightened followers to bold, courageous, soldiers for Jesus!
It’s obvious from this text that Jesus’ breathing was just a symbol because they, a week later they were still as frightened as before.
And then?Jesus popped in and wished them shalom. “Peace be with you,” he said.
and Jesus popped in and wished them peace. “Peace be with you.”
The reason for His second visit? It was specifically for Thomas.
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
Now that the Feast of Unleavened Bread was over, the disciples soon would be returning home to Galilee (barring instructions to the contrary).
He, after all, was an Apostle. And to be officially called to the office of apostle, one must see the resurrected Christ.
Everyone had seen Christ resurrected except for Thomas. So Jesus needed to make this happen.
But there is more to it than this. Jesus knew Thomas’ heart. He knew Thomas doubted His resurrection. And this too, needed to be resolved.
Now, I want you to notice how Jesus handles this. He could have showed up angry and frustrated with Thomas and read him the riot act and said, “How dare you disbelieve the fact that I would and did rise from the dead!”
Not at all! He wishes these hapless crew (including Thomas), peace! After all, He is the Prince of Peace!
Just because they were faithless, doesn’t mean He would’t be faithful!
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
And I believe He then turns lovingly to Thomas and faithfully honors his previous demand. Look at verse 27...
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 20
Thomas has already been portrayed as loyal but pessimistic. Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for his failure, but instead compassionately offered him proof of His resurrection. Jesus lovingly met him at the point of His weakness (2 Tim. 2:13).
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.”
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.
Verse 27
Jesus does exactly as Thomas had previously requested. I don’t believe out of anger or frustration, but rather from love.
Thomas now had the same experience that the other Apostles enjoyed. He had a direct encounter with the resurrected Christ! And then Jesus challenges him to do something life-changing...
Jesus then challenges him to “not disbelieve, but believe”
Jesus then appeals to him to “not disbelieve, but believe”
(TNIV) reads, more literally, “Stop being faithless [ἄπιστος, apistos] and believe [πιστός, pistos].”
Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: John Exegesis and Exposition
As he had done previously, by showing awareness of the disciple’s objection, Jesus displays supernatural knowledge (see commentary at 2:24). “Stop doubting and believe” (TNIV) reads, more literally, “Stop being faithless [ἄπιστος, apistos] and believe [πιστός, pistos].”
Thomas’ main issue is something that all of us must come to terms with in our own lives. He did not believe the apostolic proclamation that Jesus was resurrected from the dead. He didn’t believe the words of the Apostles.
Can you imagine how frustrating that must have been for the Apostles? When I tell my wife or kids something and they don’t believe me...
Did you know that the only way you can be a follower of Jesus is if you believe the words of the Apostles?
Hold your bible up in the air. Did you know the New Testament writings are written by the apostles or under the authority of the Apostles?
This is one of the reasons that when the Apostles died, so did the office of apostle. We no longer need the office of apostle because God has gloriously preserved their words, His Word for generations!
Argumentation -
Thomas didn’t believe their powerful testimony that Jesus had risen from the dead. Do you?
Application -
What Happens if you do not believe their testimony?
By the way, it was not wrong for Thomas to ask for proof. After all we do not have a blind faith. We in fact have a faith that is substantial, rooted in history, and corroborated by history.
But what happens if we live in perpetual doubt? What happens if we come to the end of our lives never believing the testimony of the Apostles especially regarding the resurrection?
17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.
If you do not believe that the resurrection is a reality you face a Christ-less eternity in Hell!
Review - Don’t Be A Doubter - Your Life Depends On It!
1. Don’t Doubt the Testimony of the Apostles
2. Don’t Doubt that Jesus is God (vs. 28-29)
Lead in…Talk about a special delivery! Jesus shows up in His glorified body, still bearing the scars of the brutal crucifixion, for the sole reason to help Thomas believe. After all, he didn’t see what the other Apostles got to see one week prior. Jesus took care that and popped in one more time. And the results were amazing. Take a look at the text...
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.”
John 20:
Explanation -
Verse 28
There is no indication that Thomas fully inspected Christ or that he touched the wounds like he said he needed to do in order to believe...
But his response was clear and humble. “My Lord and my God!”
The ESV Study Bible Chapter 20
Thomas’s statement is in fact a clear confession of his newly found faith in Jesus as his Lord and God. John’s entire purpose in writing this book is that all readers come to confess Jesus as their Lord and God in the same way that Thomas did.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Verse 29
Seeing belief is still belief...
But there would be those who would, in the future, believe that Jesus Christ died, was buried and had risen from the dead. And for that belief, they are blessed.
Jesus’ plan did not include showing up to everyone throughout the course of history and show them His wounds so they might believe. No, He had a different plan.
This plan was through the power of the written Word of God, penned by these Apostles.
This is why the bible is so precious to us! Because it witnesses to Jesus!
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
We have not had the privilege of seeing the resurrected Christ. We have faith in the sight the Apostles had. And we walk according to their sight.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Illustration -
And how did they see Jesus? Well, just as Thomas said, As Lord and as God!
Jesus accepts this from Thomas. He doesn’t rebuke Him and say, “hold on pal, I know I’m pretty amazing, but let’s not go that far!” I mean, “God” is a pretty big title that I really don’t deserve.”
No! He accepts these titles and act of worship from Thomas.
And everyone of us in this room and within the sound of my voice has to come to the same conclusion as some point in this short life we are given.
Jesus Christ is LORD and GOD! He is!
16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Let me be as blunt as I can be. Jesus is not A god. He is GOD VERY GOD and if you do not believe and confess this you are not saved and you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.
But if you do? The
Do you believe that Jesus is the Lord and that He is God?
Review - Don’t Be A Doubter - Your Life Depends On It!
1. Don’t Doubt the Testimony of the Apostles
2. Don’t Doubt that Jesus is God
3. Don’t Doubt the Reason for this Book (vs. 30-31)
Lead in…This vignette of Thomas and Jesus is much bigger than doubting whether Jesus was alive or not. After John records this story, he makes one of the most powerful truth claims in all of Scripture! Take a look for yourself...
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.
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.” 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.” 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.
Explanation -
Explanation -
Verse 30
“Jesus did many other signs which are not written in this book;” - Jesus was a miracle worker. Take a look at some texts just from the gospel of John...
Black’s New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Saint John (iv) The Purpose of the Narrative (20:30–1)
2:23; 3:2; 6:2, 26; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47; 12:37
23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
“which are not written in this book;” -
2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick.
26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
31 Yet many of the people believed in him. They said, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”
16 Some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” And there was a division among them.
47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs.
37 Though he had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him,
John
What was the point of all these signs? To validate that He was the promised Messiah! That He, Jesus was God in the flesh!
Dr. Bookman’s article, “Why did Jesus Perform Miracles?” https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/miracles/why-did-jesus-perform-miracles.html
Familiarity has dulled our amazement. We know about the water becoming wine, Christ striding on the waves, the blind soaking in new light, the wind obeying, and even Lazarus living again. Compared to the reaction of those who saw Jesus's miracles firsthand, our response is much more tepid. Some people back then followed, some snarled, some condemned, but none ignored.
To get at the reason why Jesus performed His miracles, we need to unearth the expectations of those who lived at that time. From our perspective, we know who Jesus claimed to be—the Messiah and God in sandals. But the people of ancient Israel had no New Testament to study. They had the Old Testament, the teachings of the respected rabbis, and hope.
Jesus strode into the midst of their hope—hope to be free of oppression from distant Rome—with a bold claim. The prophecies were fulfilled in Him. The Messiah had come to draw people to the Kingdom of God. While He had no sword that they could see, they could see Him healing their friends and relatives. They could see the power of God moving through the hills. They'd read about the great miracles of Moses and Joshua, Daniel and Elijah, but seeing them was another matter.
The miracles themselves were not ways for Jesus to show off His power, especially since He had given up His former glory to come to earth and do the will of the Father in heaven. Instead, the miracles vindicated His claims about Himself and His teaching. Although He didn't need to perform any miracles and refused to perform them on demand, they came so that others might believe ().
Black’s New Testament Commentary: The Gospel according to Saint John (iv) The Purpose of the Narrative (20:30–1)
2:23; 3:2; 6:2, 26; 7:31; 9:16; 11:47; 12:37
37 If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”
With all the healings and weather control, however, it's easy to forget the greatest miracle Jesus performed. Being dead and in the grave, Jesus took His life back and delivered a confirmation of His Kingship that no one could ignore.
And, according to verse 30, there were many more signs that Jesus performed that were not recorded in his gospel. The certainly were written in the other gospels as a witness to who Christ was..
But John recorded the signs and wonders he thought pertinent for a specific reason. Look at verse 31....
Verse 31
“but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” - The signs / miracles of Jesus were performed for a specific reason. They were not given as a frivolous party trick! They were given for the express purpose to PROVE and VALIDATE that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God”.
Remember the word “Christ” is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament word, “Messiah”, which means KING!
Jesus did signs / miracles to prove He was King! To prove He was the Son of God. He gave corroborative evidence through these signs and wonders thus showing unequivocally that He was who he claimed to be...
Scholars count at least thirty-seven specific miracles attributed to Jesus in the gospels—twenty in Mark, twenty-two in Matthew, twenty-one in Luke and only eight in John (where they are called “signs”). https://www.google.com/searchq=How+many+signs+that+Jesus+did+are+recorded+in+the+gospels&oq=How+many+signs+that+Jesus+did+are+recorded+in+the+gospels&aqs=chrome..69i57.27096j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
And the greatest of these signs / miracles was His resurrection from the dead!
Jesus isn’t walking around doing signs today. He doesn’t need to! The signs that he did are recorded in His eternal Word as a lasting record for all to read and believe.
Principle - The only signs / miracles we need today are found recorded in God’s Holy Word.
So what is the value of believing that Jesus is the King, the Son of God? John tells us...
“and that by believing you may have life in his name.” - This is the purpose of this book! To get those who read it to believe so that they may have eternal life!
This is John’s overarching purpose in life. In another letter He writes, he unashamedly declares this to be his purpose for writing!
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
John wanted all who read his gospel and other writings to believe that Jesus was who he said so that they would have eternal life. He wanted you to believe as well.
Abraham, the rich man and Lazarus
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
27-
27 And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”
So many people travel through this life with so many ideas regarding life and what happens after we die. We come up with all kinds of fanciful ideas. Some seem plausible and some do not.
So many people travel through this life with so many ideas regarding life and what happens after we die. We come up with all kinds of fanciful ideas. Some seem plausible and some do not.
Yet we intrinsically know there is something beyond our life on this earth. We know because virtually everyone talks about it. When there is a death and a funeral we assume they are in heaven. It is our hard wired default to believe in life after death...
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
We all know there is something beyond death. John cuts away all the fanciful ideas and notions. He writes an entire Gospel dedicated to one proposition. “…and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John wants you, God wants you to believe that Jesus in the glorious King of kings and Lord of Lords so that you will have everlasting life! He wants you to be saved from the wrath of God.
Just because you believe there is life after death does not mean you will have that life.
Explain the gospel…Faith and repentance...
Would you, right now answer these questions in your own heart? Do I truly believe what has been written about Jesus Christ. Do I believe that He is the Christ, Messiah, King? Do I believe that He is who He in His Word, claims to be?
Review - Don’t Be A Doubter - Your Life Depends On It!
1. Don’t Doubt the Testimony of the Apostles
2. Don’t Doubt that Jesus is God
3. Don’t Doubt the Reason for this Book
Conclusion (Visualization)
Reiteration - Crossing the road when I was a kid…I doubted the counsel of my parents and I almost died!
Do not doubt the counsel of John, Jesus’ beloved disciple! If you do, you will lose your life.
Instead, like Thomas, look to Jesus / to the living Word of God and believe.
It is my hope that many today would see the risen Christ in the Holy Scriptures and declare...
“My LORD and MY GOD!
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
After sermon is written, ask these three questions to edit
What do my hearers NEED to know?
What is NICE for them to know?
Where CAN they go (if they would like to know more)?
Keep it at 45min which is 3000 words (Murder the Darlings)
What is the “Elevator Speech”?
Make sure you have a compelling hook!
Why should they listen to you?
Invitation
Connection Group Questions / Reflection Questions
What stands out to you from this Scripture?
Why do you think Thomas doubted his fellow apostles?
How would have you handled this if your were Thomas? or if you were the other Apostles?
Thomas made the bold proclamation that Jesus was his “Lord” and his “God”! What is so important about this declaration?
Does someone need to believe Jesus is God in order to be saved? Why or why not?
What do you think the reason is for John’s letter (and the entire bible)? Why is this so important?
How should this passage influence the way you live your life? What will you do about it?