Blind Faith -

Bind Faith

There have been events in every generation that have changed the world. We are currently going through one of those shifts. In some ways, I feel like I did on September 11, 2001. In other ways it is completely different. For those who were around on the Bombing of Pearl Harbor I can imagine you are reliving some of those same feelings as well. The big difference is the fact that a virus is an enemy we cannot see nor understand. It is human nature to fear that which we cannot see and do not understand.

It may be easy right now to wonder where God is in all of this. Does he know what we are going through? Why is he allowing people to die? Why is he allowing people to lose their jobs? Why is he allowing the world economy to crash?

God does not always tell us what he is up to.

  For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. 9  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  

It is our place to open our eyes with faith and be part of what he is doing around us.

READ/PRAY

Why Thomas Didn’t Believe

Thomas was Left Out (24)

ILL- Kid who didn’t go to camp- experiences and inside jokes.

Most likely it was his fault- maybe because he was more than one day’s walk away from Jerusalem.

Maybe because he didn’t believe the rumors that brought all the disciples together when Jesus appeared to them first.

Remember- the other disciples didn’t believe until they had seen Jesus as well.

Thomas was Spiritually Blind (25)

Still stuck in the physical.

We cannot understand without opening spiritual eyes. Only God’s Spirit can help us understand the spiritual.

 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 

Thomas was Stubborn (25b)

“I will never believe”

spoke this with boldness- but his heart was not yet hard.

What Jesus’ Bring to Us

Peace (26)

God’s Presence brings Rest

In Moses had just been betrayed by the people of Israel while he was on the mountain with God. Moses cries out to God to show him favor as he leads them to the promised land. God did not promise him great warriors. He didn’t promise him a might angelic army. He offered his presence and peace.

Peace

These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 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.

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. 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.” 

Conviction (27-28)

Conviction for Thomas comes through a intimate, one-on-one conversation with Jesus.

Our evidence is different than his

vs 28

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— 2 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— 3 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.

I can share with you what Jesus has done in my life beginning when I was 8 years old in a small church in Wetumka Oklahoma.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

How does the unseen convict-- faith. Faith given through Holy Spirit.

We receive conviction through the Holy Spirit.

And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:

Peter’s sermon on Pentecost

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 

Thomas’ response- it doesn’t say he touched them. He just looked Jesus face-to-face. He knew he messed up.

Thomas cried out “My Lord and my God!”

How do we respond from the conviction of testimony?

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. 

Grace (29)

Condemned because he didn’t believe the testimony of Jesus’ messengers.

Yet, even though he was guilty of unbelief God showed him grace by appearing to him.

Grace- He didn’t deserve it. He had enough from eye witnesses.

We are all condemned because of our sin.

He brought life (30)

Theme verse of all of John. Spiritual Life through Jesus.

- Nicodemus- religion isn’t enough. You must be born again.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life

- Woman at the well - never thirst again.

CONCLUSION

We understand in such a time in history that we are not in control.

We understand that physical death is certain.

- But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

What we must do is be prepared spiritually.

Have you accepted Jesus by faith?

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.

If you need to put your faith and trust in Jesus today will you confess this prayer...

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