God Shows Up
Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 33:13
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Mary Magdalene had told the disciples about the angel
Jesus was going to meet them in Galilee
One week later…
One week later…
They came together to tell the others what they saw
They came together to tell the others what they saw
They locked the doors, afraid of the religious leaders wanting to kill them
They locked the doors, afraid of the religious leaders wanting to kill them
A meeting of the select few
Drawing together in closeness
Huddled together in the dark
The locked door was meant to keep people out in fear
The locked door was meant to keep people out in fear
Jesus showed up with evidence of what he suffered
Jesus showed up with evidence of what he suffered
They did not believe until they saw him
They did not believe until they saw him
Thomas was not with them, but they told him that they had seen Jesus
Thomas was not with them, but they told him that they had seen Jesus
So, Thomas demanded physical proof
So, Thomas demanded physical proof
They knew Jesus died and needed to see for themselves.
They knew Jesus died and needed to see for themselves.
We often need to see something for ourselves before we believe it to be true
We often need to see something for ourselves before we believe it to be true
“Seeing is believing”
Our eyes can deceive us, and many witnesses can mislead or even spread lies
So, we ask to examine it, to touch it, if possible; concretely, physically, bodily
So, we ask to examine it, to touch it, if possible; concretely, physically, bodily
To know a thing’s true shape and form, with our senses
We get to know them intimately as we draw closer to them; mentally, spiritually, and physically
To know about a person is one thing, to really know a person is to experience them.
To know about a person is one thing, to really know a person is to experience them.
Skepticism or Cynicism blind us from knowing something/someone
Skepticism or Cynicism blind us from knowing something/someone
Blindness of unbelief = darkness
Even when there is an abundance of evidence, our own prejudices keep us from seeing correctly
Even when there is an abundance of evidence, our own prejudices keep us from seeing correctly
We often say that we don’t know a person anymore when we hear a secret about them
We need to feel some certainty in our bodies before we can say we truly know them
We need to feel some certainty in our bodies before we can say we truly know them
GITT: Jesus shows himself to his disciples.
Notes:
If a large stone was not going to stop Jesus, a locked door wasn’t going to either
If a large stone was not going to stop Jesus, a locked door wasn’t going to either
Jesus gave a standard middle eastern greeting,
“Peace Be With You!”
“Peace Be With You!”
But because he was supposed to be dead, it meant his promises would be fulfilled!
Jesus was determined to be with them and extend his salvation and restoration to all people to his peace
Jesus was determined to breath new life of his Spirit on them, that they would be empowered to speak of him
Another week goes by…and again, they met and locked the door
Another week goes by…and again, they met and locked the door
Jesus shows up again for Thomas, extending peace to him
Jesus shows up again for Thomas, extending peace to him
Jesus doesn’t berate or judge Thomas for not believing
He simply provides what was necessary for Thomas to believe; the wounds in his hands and his side.
His Resurrection did not erase his scars, reminders of his love.
His Resurrection did not erase his scars, reminders of his love.
Jesus doesn’t leave anyone out of receiving his grace, not even those who doubt him.
Everyone doubted, until he showed up right in front of them.
Everyone doubted, until he showed up right in front of them.
If a stone and a locked door, or his own death wasn’t going to stop him, neither was their unbelief!
If a stone and a locked door, or his own death wasn’t going to stop him, neither was their unbelief!
While unbelief retains our judgment, belief frees us from it.
Jesus said, “Stop doubting and believe.”
Jesus said, “Stop doubting and believe.”
Surprisingly, Thomas doesn’t touch Jesus after all this
He just needed to see him, just like the others did
He just needed to see him, just like the others did
Thomas goes further; he was the first to call Jesus, “My Lord and My God”
Thomas goes further; he was the first to call Jesus, “My Lord and My God”
This is not “blind faith” of the zealous, but faith literally confirmed in bodily form.
This was one of many signs that Jesus is Lord and God
This was one of many signs that Jesus is Lord and God
This is the reason the Gospel John was written, that all might believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, having life in his name.
John later confirmed that this message is the one Jesus’ disciples proclaimed
They did it all because of what they saw and heard, living and learning from Jesus.
They did it all because of what they saw and heard, living and learning from Jesus.
Believing what Jesus’ disciples proclaimed brings all into fellowship/partnership with Jesus and his disciples
Believing what Jesus’ disciples proclaimed brings all into fellowship/partnership with Jesus and his disciples
God shows up again and again
God shows up again and again
God does not keep himself hidden
God shows up among doubters
God is not stopped by the haters
God will not be stopped
God will not be stopped
By sharing the Good News of God who reveals himself, we bring the light of God in darkened lives.
By sharing the Good News of God who reveals himself, we bring the light of God in darkened lives.
Walking in the light of God’s goodness, we live out the truth and we are purified from all sin.
Even when darkness threatens to block our vision, we tell him our doubts, fears and failures, and Jesus shows up again to show us the light of the kingdom of God.
Once we are free from doubt of God’s goodness and effectiveness, we are free from the fear of other’s judgments
Being truly free in the light, we can live a life of overflowing joy of his Spirit
Being truly free in the light, we can live a life of overflowing joy of his Spirit
Then, we will be known by the love we have for all as Jesus has shown to us.
Then, we will be known by the love we have for all as Jesus has shown to us.