John 20:24-31 power to change doubt to belief

John 20:24-31
Physical resurrections aren’t common I don’t blame Thomas for doubting the reality of Jesus conquest. We have seen the Lord they told him. You can almost hear the wheels turning in Thomas’ mind as the others ramble on excitedly about seeing Jesus. Dead people stay dead. The stress of the last couple days has certainly gotten to them. I can understand they want to see Him again. I realize they want it to be a bad dream, but… Dead people stay dead. So Thomas retorts: Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe!
Yet let’s give him full credit when Jesus appeared to him, Thomas uttered the greatest affirmation about Jesus in all of Scripture: My Lord and My God!
Doubts, questions uncertainties, skepticisms face everyone who searches for truth. The ability to doubt is one of God’s great gifts to us. Without doubt there would be no discovery, or progress; we would all accept what we’re told, and live comfortably with the status quo.
There is a difference in the types of doubt we have though. Negative doubt is cynical not wanting to know the truth. Constructive doubt can lead to faith. Doubt is not the opposite of faith unbelief is. Doubt is can’t believe; unbelief is won’t believe. Doubt is honest; unbelief is obstinate. Doubt is the search for light; unbelief is content with darkness.
It is with negative doubt/unbelief that we will deal with today.
Reality is we all will struggle with doubt at some point in life. In Matthew 28:17 we are told “when they saw Him they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.” This is just before the ascension…
Doubts are normal. They come from multiple places.
Worldy Wisdom (constant attack of world on God) Judas paper
Satan (whisper of doubt did God really say?)
Sin (We don’t want to deal with God’s claims so we doubt.)
Crises (Crushing moments can cause us to question)
Poor Biblical Understanding Wrong thoughts about God (When we have wrong thoughts we develop wrong expectations. Name it and Claim it, Never sick, life will always be grand)
Disbelief of others
The Flesh which lends itself to insecurity (negative thinking and inferiority complexes can cause us to question everything acting like we are smarter than we are. Or we use doubt as a cover up for guilt), instability (Not growing up to think like an adult) and integrity in thought (There is more genuine faith in the person who insists on being sure, than in the one who has never thought out their beliefs. It is not wrong or sinful, to doubt. Nothing is too sacred for honest analysis, doubt which springs from integrity is healthy.).
If doubts are harmful how do I overcome them?
John 20:30,31
Read the Word and deal with the facts of Christian evidence. Christianity is not based on a blind leap of faith, but upon specific evidences of truth like the empty tomb, eye-witnesses of the resurrected Jesus Christ, and more.
Prayer: Not the Sunday School answer. But sincere question and dealing with God.
In prayer admit your doubts to God. If your doubts are real it’s silly to deny them. They won’t run away. They’ll continue to lurk in the shadows of your mind. When we honestly face our doubts, often they’re not terrible; examined in the light of day they turn out to be harmless shadows.
Examine your doubts: Examine why you think that way. God may be working to bring a truer understanding of Himself to you.
Discuss your doubts with a believer who can help you think through your doubts. Don’t fight your battle alone.
Suspend them. If, after your efforts nagging doubts remain, put them in a little compartment at the back of your mind labeled to be investigated later. If you’re honest, you won’t be bogged down in what you can’t believe, but will act on what you can believe.
Overcome them in relationship. The fact is He invades history with evidences of His reality. To the Israelites he revealed himself in miraculous works. To us he comes in the reality of Jesus, who lived, told us what God is like, died was buried, and came alive again.
When Jesus said to Thomas “Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have come to believe” he was not putting Thomas down for wanting solid evidence. He was saying, when the Holy Spirit comes, His work in our lives and minds will be different. We can have inner assurance that is different than Thomas’ need for concrete reality.

Real Power for Real Life as Jesus provides Peace

Funny how life often does not work out how we plan it. You would think we would see reality and adjust our thinking to the fact that life doesn’t match our plans. Dreams are dreamed plans are set, hopes are lifted and then wham! Everything changes instantly.
The disciples were certain they were headed to power, rule and an easy life. Then Jesus ends up on a cross dies and is buried in a borrowed tomb. And now it looks like the religious leaders are out for them as well. Hopes and dreams are crushed, Jesus is dead.
It happens to us as well. Life is planned then… Doctors say cancer, terrorist blow up buildings, gas goes to $3 plus a gallon, kids…, careers end suddenly, life is highly unpredictable. Often it is fun, but… when a crushing blow happens what do you do?
The disciples stress out and hide. Hiding behind a locked door in a room is where we find them. The weight of grief hinders their steps, frustrates their thinking and captivates them with fear. What do they do? They hide!
We hide as well. Our hiding might not be behind locked doors. At 9/11 there was a run on duct tape and rolls of plastic so people could be protected from terrorist gasses. People were hiding in their fortresses we call homes. We hide as well stuffing grief and pain faking like we have no problems or pain in our lives. We deny reality and act like it’s all perfect. Inside we’re stressed. Grief requires action; crushed dreams and hopes require a response and hiding isn’t it. So we cover it with busyness, drugs, alcohol, TV, Radios, noise, and various other things. We do our best to eliminate any chance of facing reality. Instinctively we know we need more, but we don’t know what so we hide from it, cover it up, and deny it exists.
What’s God’s response to all of this is?
John 20:16 and 19
God’s response? Peace in grief and turmoil! The solution for Mary and disciples grief happens in relationship with Jesus. The reality of meeting Jesus is more important than the riddle of the tomb for Mary. The tomb for her is history; it is a cave left for others as an example, what matters is the living Jesus. When Jesus utters Mary’s name; she recognizes Him. Grief is thwarted and hope returns.
The disciples hide behind closed doors, fear and grief ruling their hearts, when Jesus enters in and speaks, “Peace be with you.” They are four simple words with incredible depth. They are for Peace, in the middle of crisis.
God is the master of the come from behind victory. All seems lost for the disciples and then Jesus… Peace, Hope, Understanding of God’s plan. Their plans are changed to join God’s plans. They get what God is doing.
Life gets the best of us as well. There’s no way to avoid it. Crisis and grief will come, what do you do with it? Jesus offers peace in crisis – Peace comes from relationship with Jesus. We have forfeited peace and chosen grief, pain, fear and hurt by not entering into relationship with Jesus. Jesus will come alongside of us in the middle of crisis like He did for Mary and the disciples and bring His peace. It is who He is and what He does.
Conclusion: Jesus changes the hopeless to hopeful, the out of control to under His control. In deep grief and chaos the disciples find the truth of Jesus. He is not a hoped for military or political savior, rather He is the God who gave His life for us. God meets people at the point of grief and loss of hope to give what we need. Peace!
The disciples were crushed; despair defined their lives. Fear gripped their hearts. Then Jesus… He provided them His Peace.
It is a question of trust. Are we willing to trust Him even when life falls apart? Are we willing to risk crushed dreams, lost hope, and deep grief for the promise of peace? It is the offer of Jesus! Or do we choose to hide, deny, stress out or cover up reality?
Do we believe He can give us peace? Are we willing to risk fear, pain, grief and chaos for His Peace? He offers Himself to us. Will you place your trust in Him and receive His peace?