Untitled Sermon (18)

Jesus Appears,

Summit’s 6 PM Interactive Bible Study, John 20:11–31

I. The appearance before Mary Magdalene (20:11–18)

A. Is it normal to mourn at a grave? John 20:11

John 20:11 ESV

11 But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.

B. The Angels Appear (20:12–13)

1. What sacred item from the OT does this remind you of? John 20:12

John 20:12 ESV

12 And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

2. What is more normal, the question or answer? John 20:13

John 20:13 ESV

13 They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.”

C. The Christ Appears (20:14–18)

1. What was Mary’s mistake, John 20:14–15

John 20:14–15 ESV

14 Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

2. Mary’s ecstasy (20:16–18)

a) How emotional was this reunion? John 20:16

John 20:16 ESV

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).

b) What is the new relationship between Jesus and the disciples? John 20:17

John 20:17 ESV

17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”

c) How different do you think Mary’s disposition is from verse 11: John 20:18

John 20:18 ESV

18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her.

II. The appearance before the ten (20:19–23)

A. Why do we lock our doors at night? How is that different from this? John 20:19

John 20:19 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.”

B. Why does Jesus use the term “peace” three times? (20:19, 21, 26)

C. Jesus show & tell enhances peace (20:20-21)

1. How did this “show” enhance their peace? John 20:20 (εἶδον=saw=see w perception)

John 20:20 ESV

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

2. How did this “tell” enhance their peace? John 20:21-23

John 20:21–23 ESV

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.”

III. The appearance before Thomas (20:24–29)

A. The reluctance by Thomas (20:24–25)

1. What was Thomas reluctant to believe? John 20:24

John 20:24 ESV

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

2. What was the evidence Thomas needed? John 20:25

John 20:25 ESV

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.”

B. The recognition by Thomas (20:26–29)

1. What was the manifestation? John 20:26

John 20:26 ESV

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.”

2. What was the invitation? John 20:27

John 20:27 ESV

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.”

3. What form did the adoration take? John 20:28

John 20:28 ESV

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

4. What was Christ’s observation and how does it affect us? John 20:29

John 20:29 ESV

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

IV. The purpose of John’s Gospel, John 20:30-31

John 20:30–31 ESV

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.

V. My Story Questions

A. Billy Herald – When you have spiritual doubts, what does that indicate?

B. Daryl Denham – What kind of spiritual “proof” do you need?

C. Tom Painter – If you could ask God one question about your own faith, what would it be?

D. Chris Guin – What have you found helpful in times of doubt?

E. Steve Proctor – What evidence of “life” have you seen as a result of believing in Jesus Christ?