Easter 2008 - Believing for Life

Reading: John 20:19-31
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:27 (NIV)

I.   Jesus Enters our fears

     A.  Huddled in Trepidation

           1.  Peter & John saw the empty tomb (3-9)

                 a.  But they didn’t understand (9)

                 b.  How could they?

           2.  They lock the door for fear of the Jews (19)

                 a.  Fear had gripped them since Friday afternoon

                 b.  Gathered on Easter evening

                 c.  Misery loves company; so does fear.

           3.  Fear too often calls/runs the meeting

                 a.  Fear is a great force in the world

                 b.  Too often fear calls the shot in churches

                 c.  “What if…” [insert gasp of panic here]

     B.  Fear turns to Joy

           1.  Nothing changed except Jesus is alive!

                 a.  The Jews/Romans hadn’t changed

                 b.  The world was still just as dangerous

                 c.  When Jesus enters, fear dissolves

           2.  Which means everything is changed!

                 a.  From this moment their faith increases

                 b.  The whole world is different

                 c.  1Cor. 15:14-19 [] 7 things… [see below]

           3.  Jesus always brings joy!

                 a.  Rejoice in the Lord: He is always with us

                 b.  Even in suffering, we rejoice because…

     C.  He Breathes the Holy Spirit

           1.  Hors d’oeuvres for the feast of Pentecost!

                 a.  Full release of the H.S. would be later

                 b.  As in Pentecost, the H.S. empowers to go

           2.  As in Gen 2:7 God breathes into dust

                 a.  Same word used in Greek O.T.!

                 b.  Resurrection is new life/new creation!

                 c.  Jesus’ resurrection gives us life (cf. 31!)

II.  Jesus Relieves our doubts

     A.  Understandable doubts

           1.  This just doesn’t happen!

                 a.  Who can blame him?

                 b.  Death doesn’t have a reverse gear

           2.  Tom not satisfied with others’ experience

                 a.  Thomas doubts the word of 10 friends

                 b.  Jewish law required 2 or 3 witnesses

                 c.  He needed his own experience of Jesus

           3.  Not an ultimatum, but a need

                 a.  He needed this to be true & undeniable

                 b.  He stands in for us in our doubting

     B.  No Chastisement!

           1.  Jesus doesn’t call him “doubting Thomas!”

                 a.  He meets him in his doubt

                 b.  He does not chastise or condemn

                 c.  How much more us, who can’t touch

           2.  He is not offended by reasonable doubt!

                 a.  He knows how we are formed…

                 b.  Honest doubt is better than fake belief!

                 c.  Have doubt? Go to Him with them.

     C.  He offers His Presence

           1.  He offers himself – even to be touched

                 a.  A very personal, intimate offer!

                 b.  Whatever it takes Thomas!

           2.  He knows our need to experience things

                 a.  There is no shame from Him on this!

                 b.  Instead He offers what Tom needs

           3.  If/when you doubt, ask to experience Him

                 a.  Judy’s daughter: 3 Psalms in advance!

                 b.  Us four years ago.

                 c.  What would convince you?

III. Believing Jesus gives Life

     A.  My Lord and my God

           1.  Tom’s encounter with Jesus overwhelms him

                 a.  An amazing statement!

                 b.  His experience of Jesus leads him to the highest statement of Jesus’ identity

           2.  To meet resurrected Jesus is to meet God

                 a.  Personal encounter=personal revelation

                 b.  Tom rose above all he knew that instant

     B.  Trust Him more than our Eyes

           1.  Blessed those that believe without seeing

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.  (1Pe 1:8-9)

           2.  We don’t see w/ our eyes, but we know Him

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Heb. 11:1)

           3.  His reality is greater than what is visible

                 a.  Many saw Him and didn’t see Him

                 b.  We don’t see with our physical eyes, but we know Him

     C.  In Him is life

           1.  In the beginning...the Word became flesh

In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (Jn 1:4-5)

                 a.  He came lived with the Life in Him

           2.  If He was light & life before, He is more so now

                 a.  Before He seemed like any other man

                 b.  Now His glory is clearly visible

                 c.  Life pours out of Him to all who meet Him

           3.  To find the risen Jesus is to find life

                 a.  Some would see in Christianity a religion tells us what life to give up!

                 b.  From Jesus we have an invitation to have more life than we can know!

                 c.  Come to Him: receive life!

The Bottom Line:

Notes:

7 things Christ’s resurrection gains for us:

14 And if Christ has not been raised,

1. our preaching is useless

[therefore, our preaching is useful]

2. and so is your faith. (cf. v.17)

[therefore our faith is useful]

15 More than that,

3. we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either.

[therefore we are not false witnesses and Christ is raised from the dead]

17 And if Christ has not been raised,

4. your faith is futile (cf. v.14); you are still in your sins.

[therefore are not still in our sins]

5. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.

[therefore those who have fallen asleep in Christ are not lost]

6. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ,

[therefore we have hope for the life to come.]

7. we are to be pitied more than all men.

[therefore we are to be admired/honored more than anyone]

1 Corinthians 15:14-19 (NIV)