Faith, Sight, and the Word of God

Introduction

We may not all be familiar with the story of Thomas, but we’re all more like him than we might admit. And when it comes to the resurrection of Christ, we might even say to ourselves that this is the ONE miracle that is the hardest to actually believe.

Yet, every year, at this time, we gather in our Sunday best, and head to church to hear the story. Some of us might believe it, that’s possible. But, at the risk of offending most of us here this morning, most of us here do not believe it. We might accept it as some sort of fairy tale, but we don’t accept it as a fact that will change the way we live, the things we do, or even how we view our world. I’ll explain what I mean more at the end of the message. Please hang on.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that to offend you, but to tell you the truth - because the truth will set you free. That’s not my opinion, it’s what the Lord says (John 8:32). I truly want you to be free of your sin and everything that might keep you from experiencing the fullness of Christ.

As I said, most here today are very much like the disciple named Thomas. Let’s see how. Open your Bibles to John 20:24-29. This passage is the basis for our message. Let’s read it.

[Read and Pray]

Unless I See, I will Not Believe (v. 25)

I’m sure you’ve been known to say things a lot like Thomas.

“I’ll believe it when I see it!” I’ve said it myself. But I usually leave that saying to mere mortals. For instance, when a politician promises something, I usually doubt I’ll ever see it happen. Or when ANYONE for that matter makes an outlandish promise.

But faith is not truly faith if we have to see it first to believe it. When we see it first, it seems more real to us. We’re excited, we saw it with our own eyes. Some, however, still, even seeing, won’t believe. Old timers today will tell you that when the TV showed video of men landing and walking on the moon, there were plenty who saw it, but thought it to be staged, and wouldn’t believe it!

Now, when it comes to the resurrection, today we are a lot like those watching the TV rather than sitting in that room with Thomas. Before Jesus showed up, his friends said they saw Jesus. But Thomas didn’t believe it. Video wouldn’t work. He needed his five sense (touch and sight, especially) to verify it. The claim that Jesus rose from the dead was outlandish. I’ll daresay that most of you wouldn’t believe it, either.

Do Not Be Unbelieving, but Believing (v. 27)

But this Jesus we worship today, commands us to cast aside our unbelief, and put on our belief. To Thomas, He said, “Reach your finger here, look at my hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas was challenged to test Jesus, to see if it were so.

This is exactly what we all should do. We should take Jesus’ words, and obey. We must obey not because they MIGHT be true, but because we know they ARE true. In our world where everything changes all the time, faster and faster, the only thing left that can be counted on throughout the ages is the Word of God. And it says that Jesus is risen!

The New King James Version Chapter 10

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The same thing is true when we hear the truth. There are a lot of people out there trying to convince us of things that aren’t true. It comes from everywhere. But as surely as the world changes, so the world lies to bring about those changes. And we need something that not only doesn’t change, it also is true when nothing else is. That’s your Bible - the Word of God. And when it says that Jesus is risen, believe it. You see it there in front of you. Believe it! Your heart tells you it’s true. Believe it. Don’t believe anything anyone else tells you if you won’t believe the Word of God. The way to heaven is through belief.

The New King James Version Chapter 6

40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Everlasting life comes by believing in Him. Resurrections comes by believing in Him. For Thomas, believing in Him meant experiencing Him. For us today, believing in Him means trusting Him. Sometimes that means we need to trust Him when it makes no sense, or we can’t understand how Jesus would find a way - for there seems to be no way.

Blessing Comes When Belief PRECEDES Sight (v. 29)

Yet, Thomas saw and fell on his face, proclaiming Jesus to be His Lord and His God! As should we.

But we haven’t seen the risen Savior with our eyes. We haven’t touched His wounds. Our senses - sight, touch, smell, taste, or hearing - have not experienced Jesus. It just can’t be true!? How can we order our lives around that which we haven’t seen, felt, smelt, tasted, or touched? Those things are real. They can kill or they can heal. They are “tangible!”

And they are all temporary!!! But Jesus is alive - forever!

And Jesus says that those who have not seen and believed anyway are truly blessed. In fact, this is the Christian life. Jesus would ascend to heaven and send His Holy Spirit to earth to lead and guide us. Through His Spirit, He gives us His Word, and He illuminates it.

The Apostle Paul instructs us to walk by faith - trusting the Word of God and the Spirit of God - rather than by sight.

The New King James Version Chapter 5

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight

What does that mean?

It means we trust that God’s Word will never lead us wrong, even if it leads us counter-culturally. God can provide.

It means we trust that God’s Word will always be fulfilled, even when the promises of men may not. God can do the impossible - even conquer the grave for us. “I am the Resurrection and the Life. If anyone believes in me, though shall he die, yet shall he live.” And then Jesus proved He had this power, first by raising Lazarus, but then by His OWN resurrection!

It means that we face death with confidence in Christ just as we face life with confidence in Christ. We can call Jesus our Lord; not just our God.

Conclusion

As I said at the beginning of this message, most of you don’t really believe the Bible. Let me show you now how I know.

I know that many say they are believers, but have never told a soul about their “beloved Savior and Lord.”

Many pray for health, wealth, family and all the material needs we have to live this life, but don’t ask for spiritual strength to face trials with grace, poise, and above all, the opportunity to honor and glorify the Lord. We just want OUT of them.

We are willing to do anything - I mean ANYTHING - to stay alive. We don’t believe that Jesus has prepared for us a place that is far, far better than anything this life affords. And we certainly don’t look forward to His resurrection.

There are far more examples of ways we don’t believe, but I’ll close with this one - too many are unwilling to discipline their lives daily by reading His Word and in prayer. They’re not expecting that we’ll hear His still, small voice, see Him working, or be willing to order their lives around His Will - yet they call Him “Lord” with their lips.

If you are think yourself to be a believer, but find you’ve been a hypocritical believer this way, it’s time for a change. The Lord is calling you out, just as He did Thomas. Do not be unbelieving, but believing. Trust the Word of God, walk by faith and not by sight. Cry out to Jesus for forgiveness.

If you have never done so, today is the day for you, too! There’s not a day ahead of any of us that should pass whereby we put ourselves, our habits, and our desires above those of Him who died to pay for our sin, who rose again to bring us all to Him forever and ever! We can’t let another day go by where we say we believe, but we don’t act like we do. We need to repent. We need to return to Him. This world will put the pressure on us - and we may be found to deny Him. Let us instead be found to be faithful to Him who is called Faithful!