Believing Without Seeing

Believing Without Seeing

[John 20:24-31]

John 20:24-25 24

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.

25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

John 20:26-27 26

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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 see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe."

John 20:28-29 28

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my 29 God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

John 20:30-31 30

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not 31 written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

“The worst thing that a man can do when disbelief, or doubt, or coldness shrouds his sky, and blots out the stars, is to go away alone and shut himself up with his own, disturbing thoughts.

The best thing that he can do is to go amongst his [church] family. If the sermon does not do him any good, the prayers and the praises and the sense of brotherhood will help him.�

Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910)

John 20:25a So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord."

Believing is Not Seeing • Jesus must be received individually

(v. 24-25)

John 20:25b But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."

Believing is Not Seeing • Jesus must be received individually

(v. 24-25)

* your response doesn’t change what Truth is * your response does determine if Truth applies to you

John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

Believing is Not Seeing • Jesus must be received individually • God reveals Himself to doubters

(v. 24-25)

(v. 26)

John 20:26 26

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you."

John 18:9 "Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one."

Believing is Not Seeing • Jesus must be received individually • God reveals Himself to doubters

(v. 24-25)

(v. 26)

• God commands us to repent & believe 27-28)

(v.

John 20:27 27

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.

Do not disbelieve, but believe."

28

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Psalm 48:1 Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, His holy mountain.

Hebrew -- Yahweh Greek (LXX) -- Kurios

Elohim Theos

John 20:27 28

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!“

Kurios

Theos

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,

John 20:31 31

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:27 27

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.

Do not disbelieve, but believe."

28

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

John 20:31 31

but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20:27 27

Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side.

Do not disbelieve, but believe."

28

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

John 20:29 29

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Believing is Not Seeing • Jesus must be received individually • God reveals Himself to doubters

(v. 24-25)

(v. 26)

• God commands us to repent & believe

(v.

27-28)

• Believing is best done without seeing

(v. 29)

John 4:48 So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

John 20:29b Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him.

Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Romans 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Believing without Seeing • Jesus must be received individually • God reveals Himself to doubters

(v. 24-25)

(v. 26)

• God commands us to repent & believe

(v.

27-28)

• Believing is best done without seeing

(v. 29)

• Faith leads to life (from start to end)

(v. 30-31)

John 20:30-31 30

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not 31 written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.