John 20:24-29

John 20:24-29

Too Good to Be True

Hook ~ Let’s go back to that dreadful time in history…

· It's Friday. Jesus is praying. Peter is

sleeping. Judas is betraying. But Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. Pilate's struggling. The council is conspiring. The crowd is vilifying. They don't even know that Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. The disciples are running like sheep without a shepherd. Mary's crying. Peter is denying. But they don't know that Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. The Romans beat my Jesus. They robe him in scarlet. They crown him with thorns. But they don't know that Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. See Jesus walking to Calvary. His blood dripping. His body stumbling. And his spirit's burdened. But you see, it's only Friday. Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. The world's winning. People are sinning. And evil's grinning. But Sundays’ comin’.

· It's Friday. The soldiers nail my Savior's hands to the cross. They nail my Savior's feet to the cross. And then they raise him up next to criminals. It's Friday. But let me tell you something, Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. The disciples are questioning. What has happened to their King. And the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved. But they don't know it's only Friday. Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. He's hanging on the cross. Feeling forsaken by his Father. Left alone and dying. Can nobody save him? Ooooh It's Friday. But Sunday's comin'.

· It's Friday. The earth trembles. The sky grows dark. My King yields his spirit.

· It's Friday. Hope is lost. Death has won. Sin has conquered and Satan's just a laughin'.

· It's Friday. Jesus is buried. A soldier stands guard. And a rock is rolled into place. But it's Friday. It is only Friday. Sunday is comin'!

The fact is – Sunday has come! Jesus has risen from the dead just as he said.

Introduction

The disciples have run and vanished into hiding behind closed doors. And while they are in hiding Jesus, the resurrected Lord, shows up!

We will find out before the sermon is up that Jesus issues two declarations regarding two kinds of faith: 1) faith based on sight, and 2) faith not based on sight. However, with the second faith that wasn’t based on sight, it comes with a blessing!

I. The Reluctance by Thomas(20:24–25)

A. The reason (20:24): Thomas was absent when Jesus first appeared to the disciples and can’t believe their wonderful report.

1. He was missed, and missed.

2. What if he had seen Jesus twice.

B. The requirements (20:25): Thomas says he will not believe unless he sees and touches the wounds of Jesus.

1. Because Thomas was not there, he was full of doubt!

2. Some have declared they will not believe unless they see. – You should be able to take someone else’s word.

II. The Recognition by Thomas(20:26–29)

A. The manifestation (20:26): Jesus suddenly appears!

1. My head cannot explain it, but I believe it.

2. Jesus still can come through closed doors.

3. Jesus can appear in unexpected ways and times.

4. God has a way of showing up at unexpected times and unexpected ways!

B. The invitation (20:27): Thomas is invited to feel Jesus’ wounds.

C. The adoration (20:28): Thomas falls to his knees and worships – My Lord and My God!

D. The observation (20:29): Jesus says:

1. “You believe because you have seen me” (20:29a).

2. “Blessed are those who haven’t seen me and believe anyway” (20:29b)[1]

Conclusion

· The late CAW Clark, celebrates being in possession of what he calls the AND YET FAITH…he says:

o I have not seen the hands that He gave to the nail, AYIB it.

o I have not seen the feet that he gave to the nails, AYIB it.

o I have not seen His head that he gave to the crown of thorns, AYIB it.

o I have not seen the side that He gave to the spear, AYIB it.

o I have not seen the end of the world, and yet I believe (AYIB) it’s going to take place

o …the Master coming on the cloud, AYIB…

o …holy city with 12 foundations representing the 12 tribes of the children of Israel, AYIB

o …the pure river of the water of proceeding under the throne of God, AYIB

o …that tree that bears 12 manner of fruit and the leaves are good for the healing of the nation, AYIB

o …the great white throne upon which Jehovah sits, AYIB

o …the four and twenty elders, AYIB

o …the seats on which they sit, AYIB

o I have not heard the testimony of the Elders who will cry holy, holy, holy…AYIB

o …the holy city, AYIB

o …the 3 gates in the NSEW, AYIB

o …so things…AYIB

[1]Willmington, H. L. 1999. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.