JOHN 20: 24-29 "JUST BELIEVE!"

(Chapter 20) - THOMAS SEES AND BELIEVES

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

THE PURPOSE OF THIS GOSPEL

30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God,, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

BIG IDEA: BELIEVE THE REPORT.

HOW DO WE TRANSITION FROM VISION TO FULFILLMENT? I MEAN REALLY. HOW DOES ONE GET TO THE PLACE WHERE SOMETHING THAT IS UNFULFILLED IS STILL REAL?

IT’S BELIEF. IT’S FAITH. WE’VE HEARD FOR YEARS THAT SEEING IS BELIEVING. THEREFORE, IF I SEE IF, THEN I CAN VALIDATE THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER...

I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT BELIEVING, IS IN FACT, SEEING. BECAUSE BELIEVING ALLOWS US TO SEE IT, EVEN IF WE CANNOT TOUCH IT.

JESUS’ RESURRECTED BODY HAS BEEN BUSY. HE’S APPEARED TO THOSE WONDERFUL WOMEN. HE’S SHARED WITH HIS DISCIPLES IN BOTH FELLOWSHIP AND TEACHING...

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 20) THE DISCIPLES COMMISSIONED

19 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

JESUS APPEARS (STOOD AMONG THEM) JESUS SPEAKS - “Peace be with you.”

JESUS REVEALS - 20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.

JESUS COMMISSIONS - AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, I ALSO SEND YOU...

JESUS BREATHES - THIS IS A SPECIAL (PRE- PENTECOSTAL) COMMISSIONING

CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS SCENE?

THE RESURRECTED MESSIAH IN THEIR VERY PRESENCE.

THESE DISCIPLES HAVE GONE FROM BEING LOCKED UP WITH FEAR TO EXPERIENCING “FIRST-HAND” FELLOWSHIP WITH THE LORD.

JESUS HAS DONE WHAT HE SAID HE WOULD. WHICH MEANS HE IS WHO HE SAID HE IS.

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD!

((((BUT THOMAS.))))

BELOVED, WHEN VISION IS BEING FULFILLED.

WHEN PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED...

WHEN ANXIETY IS BEING ADDRESSED...

WHEN HOPE IS BEING MANIFESTED...

THERE WILL ALWAYS ARISE FROM WITHIN THE VOICE OF DOUBT...

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

THOMAS: IF I DON’T SEE IT OR TOUCH IT, THEN I WILL NOT BELIEVE IT!

YOUR WITNESS IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE.

YOUR TESTIMONY DOES NOT MATTER.

26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”

THERE’S ROOM FOR DOUBTERS!

THOMAS WAS STILL WITH THEM IN THE HOUSE.

WE DON’T PUT DOUBTERS OUT - WE LOVE THEM INTO BELIEF!

DOUBTERS NEED TIME.

DOUBTERS NEED MORE EVIDENCE.

DOUBTERS NEED TO BE REMINDED.

DOUBTERS CAN STILL BE WON FOR THE KINGDOM!

29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

WE DON’T GET TO SEE OR TOUCH JESUS (IN THE FLESH)! AND YET, JESUS CONFERS A BLESSING UPON THOSE OF US WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET BELIEVE!!!

WE GET A SPECIAL BLESSING FAM...

Christian Standard Bible (Chapter 1) 1 PETER 1

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

AREN’T YOU GLAD WE GET TO BELIEVE...

WE GET TO...

IT’S A PRIVILEGE...

IT’S A GIFT...

IT’S A BLESSING...