Sermon Nuggets Fri. Jan 2
Theme- Doubts
Verses- John 20:28 Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"
29 Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
30 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.
31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
(NIV)
Doubts Replaced
I am thinking the opposite of doubt is belief or trust. The opposite of refusing to do something is obedience and obeying in spite of doubts. For Thomas there was a complete commitment.
He knew Jesus to be “My Lord.” He was back in the presence of Jesus whom he loved. Jesus was more than the son of God He was personal to Thomas. He was a personal Lord. He wanted Jesus to be his master. He referred to Jesus as “My God”. He worshiped Jesus for who He was God incarnate- God in the flesh. Jehovah Witnesses try to say this was an expression of surprise we too often hear when people use God’s name in vain. “Oh, My God”. They do not believe Jesus was God. Yet Jesus now was Thomas’ object of complete worship and devotion. Other things didn’t make much difference. He didn’t ask about details. He made a commitment.
Jesus responded, “Because you have seen me you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” He replaced doubt with belief. He believed Jesus. Jesus showed that people are accepted by believing, not by seeing. Those who do not see will be especially blessed. Thomas experience was no different than yours or mine, only he saw Jesus with his eyes. Both he and you must believe in Him. Both he and you have hope and happiness. It isn’t sight that is important it is faith.
I am glad that a skeptic refused to believe without evidence. I am glad this is recorded in the Bible. But for many Thomas’ testimony is no different than what the other disciples were to Thomas. Just because others had seen Him and believed wasn’t good enough for him. He needed to see for himself. Jesus isn’t any more alive after Thomas saw Him than before. Jesus isn’t any more alive now if you see Him or you do not.
As we see in other parts of the Bible, it doesn’t take much faith to believe that God is God when a person is healed. But it does take a great deal of faith to believe and trust Him completed when we don’t’ get healed. Men like to praise those as having great faith when miracles occur in their lives. They like to point to people as having more faith because of healing or because of a miracle. But that is not the case. It is in faith that we are assured of blessing. For the purpose of Christ signs were to convince them that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Do you believe that? Then don’t worry about the signs. Pray for healing, pray for miracles but don’t confuse what God chooses to do with faith or lack of it. There are incidents in the Bible when faith was the avenue for great works and other illustrations when people experienced God’s miracles even when they had no faith. For that isn’t what is important in God’s eyes. What will convince people to trust Him as Lord and God?
The rich man who died thought his brothers would believe if he could resurrect Lazarus from the dead and pay them a visit. "'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
"He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'" Luke 16:30-31
The Gospels are not just biographies of Jesus. It isn’t important just to know about His life on earth. But the Gospels are to give us a revelation of Jesus as Messiah. The purpose of these writings are not historical primarily, although they pass the historical tests repeated. The purpose is that we might believe in the one whom God has sent to be savior of our souls. It is to reveal Himself. It is to call us for a personal response.
To believe in Jesus is just the beginning not the end of the story. It is helpful to remember Thomas when you have doubts. Don’t be troubled with doubting. Doubting can be health to encourage more Bible reading and meditation. Jesus didn’t’ rebuke John the Baptist when his disciple came to Jesus and asked Johns’ question. “Are you really the one?” What did Jesus tell them? God tell John the blind see, the lame walk, the sins are forgiven.” Then He praised John the Baptist. He met him for reassurance and He reassured Thomas. Wait and let Christ reassure your doubts. Be a seeker. Not like one who throws in the towel like Judas. Let time pass. But like Thomas be with people. Pray and spend time with them and ask the questions with an openness to change.
When a person handles doubts properly his faith will be strengthened. Many a great saint can testify that they have had a similar experience, a period of questioning that is later followed by a renewed and deeper faith. That was Thomas’ experience. He met the lord. Look at eh fats to encourage faith, and also the confession of them to Christ. Then trust. Even when you doubt trust and the eyes of faith will show your Jesus who wants to be your savior, friend and God.
These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ and that believing you might have life in His name.
Pastor Dale
