July 19, 2015
Series: Discovering the Life Changing Gospel
When Jesus Shows Up, It Changes Everything
John 20:19–31 (HCSB)
19 In the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to 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 to 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.” 24 But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have 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 After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”
28 Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.” 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 Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.
1. HAVING PEACE WITH GOD PRECEDES OUR ASSIGNMENT FROM HIM (vv 20:19-21)
• The pronouncement of peace brings courage to the troubled.
• Serving a risen Savior makes the assignment possible.
2. RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT GIVES US THE POWER TO PROCLAIM (vv 20:22-23)
• The picture of Jesus breathing on them the Holy Spirit is reminiscent of God’s creation.
• Jesus gives them the Holy Spirit in advance of the Pentecost manifestation.
• Jesus gives them power to announce heaven’s terms regarding the forgiveness of sins.
3. SEEING IS BELIEVING AND DEMANDS PROOF, BUT BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING REQUIRES GREATER FAITH. (vv 20:24-29)
• Some people will not believe without proof.
• Jesus removed all doubt with the scars of His resurrected body.
• Those who believe without having physical proof are even more blessed.
4. UNDERSTANDING THE BIG PICTURE OF THE GOSPELS ALLOW US TO LIVE OUT OUR PURPOSE. (vv 20:30-31)
• The gospel accounts represent only a fraction of the work of Jesus.
• The visible signs of Jesus’ resurrection were recorded for future generations to believe that He is the Messiah.
• It is our faith that allows us to connect to our purpose.
Many claim to have a relationship with Jesus,
but a real relationship with Jesus is going to marked
with peace, power, proof and purpose.
All we have to do then, is live it out.
