Please take your Bibles and open them up to John chapter 20 this morning.
Our sermon text is going to be the whole chapter, John chapter 20.
If you didn't bring a Bible with you this morning, that's okay.
We have Bibles provided for you in the seat backs there in front of you.
And if you're using that Bible in front of you, you can find our passage on page 852.
Either way, I would encourage you to have a Bible open.
I don't want you just hearing my words this morning.
I want you to see with your own eyes the Word of God as we walk through this chapter together.
So when you found it, John chapter 20, let's stand in honor of the reading of God's Word.
Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early while it was still dark
and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.
So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved,
and said to them,
They have taken the Lord out of the tomb.
We do not know where they've laid him.
So Peter went out with the other disciple and they were going toward the tomb.
Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb.
He saw the linen cloths lying there, in the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head,
not lying with the linen cloths, but folded up in a place by itself.
Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in.
And he saw and believed.
For as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.
Then the disciples went back to their homes.
But Mary stood outside, weeping outside the tomb.
And as she wept, she stooped to look into the tomb.
And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain,
one at the head and one at the feet.
They said to her, Woman, why are you weeping?
She said to them, They've taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they've laid him.
Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing.
But she did not know that it was Jesus.
And Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping?
Whom are you seeking?
Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him,
Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.
Jesus said to her, Mary.
She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabbani, which means teacher.
Jesus said to her, Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.
But go to my brothers and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father.
To my God and your God.
Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, I have seen the Lord.
And that he had said these things to her.
On the evening of that day, the first of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews.
Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you.
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
And Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them.
If you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.
Now Thomas, one of the twelve called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came.
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.
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.
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.
Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God.
Jesus said to him, Have you believed because you have seen me?
Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples,
which are not 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 grass withers and the flower fades,
but the word of the Lord endures forever.
Let's pray once more.
Father, we pray that as we open up your word now,
as we look and consider the resurrection of Christ,
would you give us eyes to see the truth by faith this morning?
We pray in Jesus' name.
Amen.
You may be seated.
Thank you for standing for that entire chapter.
C.S. Lewis, you might know that name.
He's the well-known author of Mere Christianity
and the Chronicles of Narnia series
and many other books that he's written.
But you may not know that at one point in his life,
he was a convinced atheist.
At age 17, Lewis wrote a letter to his friend Arthur Greaves saying,
I believe in no religion.
There's absolutely no proof for any of them.
But just 15 years later, by the grace of God,
C.S. Lewis saw things differently
and he wrote another letter to his friend Arthur Greaves saying this.
He says,
Christianity is God expressing himself
through what we call real things.
Namely, the actual incarnation,
the crucifixion,
and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Somewhere along the way,
C.S. Lewis has experienced a shift in his belief.
He was given eyes to see,
not physically to see,
but eyes to spiritually see
and perceive
and understand
and believe
that the things that we read about in God's Word
are real things.
And if they are real things,
then according to C.S. Lewis,
these real things change everything.
C.S. Lewis would later write in his book,
Miracles,
the New Testament writers speak
as if Christ's achievement
in rising from the dead
was the first event of its kind
in the whole history of the universe.
He is the first fruits,
the pioneer of life.
He has forced open a door
that has been locked
ever since the death of that first man.
He has met,
fought,
and beaten the king of death.
Everything is different
because he has done so.
This is the beginning of a new creation.
A new chapter in cosmic history
has opened.
Everything is different
because of the resurrection of Christ.
Amen?
This is what C.S. Lewis claimed
for us this morning.
Everything is different
because of the resurrection of Jesus.
And I think John,
the beloved disciple,
in our passage this morning
would agree.
So what I want us to see this morning
as we walk through John chapter 20 together
is four ways the resurrection changes everything.
If you're a note taker
and if you're writing down to follow along,
this is our outline this morning.
It will help you to follow as I go along.
Four ways the resurrection changes everything
for us who believe.
Four ways the resurrection changes everything
for us who believe.
Way number one.
First,
because Jesus lives,
we can trust the Word of God.
Because Jesus lives,
we can trust the Word of God.
We've seen time and time and time again
as we've gone through this series
throughout the Gospel of John.
John is showing us that Jesus' life
and His death
and especially now His resurrection,
this isn't just accident,
what's happening.
This is fulfillment.
He is perfectly fulfilling the Word of God.
So look there with me starting in verse 1 of chapter 20.
John says that on the first day of the week,
Sunday morning,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb
and she saw in the dark of the early morning
that that stone had been rolled away.
And so she ran to Simon Peter
and the disciple whom Jesus loved,
who we know to be John,
and said,
they've taken the Lord out of the tomb.
And we don't know where they've laid Him.
Apparently grave robbing
was a common practice in this day.
And so Mary feared
that maybe that was what happened here
with the body of Jesus.
And so in a panic,
she goes and she bears witness
to the empty tomb.
Now we'll return to Mary here in just a moment
as we see her encounter with the risen Christ
who she thought was just the gardener.
But let me just point out really quickly here,
briefly,
the fact that the resurrection story
begins with a woman's testimony
ought to be shocking for us
as we read this account.
Especially if we realize and remember
that in this culture,
a woman's testimony,
according to Jewish law,
it wasn't even admissible in Jewish court
as a reliable piece of evidence.
Why in the world would John begin this story
with a woman's testimony?
Why in the world,
if he were simply trying to fabricate a story
and make up a believable story
about something that he wanted us
to think that happened,
why would he start with a woman's testimony?
Well, he wouldn't
unless he wasn't fabricating a story.
He was recording details
of what actually happened
that Sunday morning.
Well, eventually,
two men do arrive on the scene.
Apparently,
they raced there.
At least John thought so.
I'm not sure why he felt the need
to include this,
but verse 4 says,
Peter and John were running together
to the tomb,
but John,
make sure that we know
John outruns Peter.
He got there first.
And he stooped in
and looked inside.
He saw the linen cloths lying there,
but he did not go in.
Well, then Peter catches up eventually.
I imagine him huffing and puffing
and trying to catch his breath.
Maybe, maybe not.
But Peter, bold as ever,
he does.
He goes right inside the tomb.
And verse 6 says that
he saw the grave clothes,
he saw the face cloth neatly folded up,
but he did not see the body of Jesus.
I have to admit to you
that I am not well versed on proper etiquette.
Some of you have eaten a meal with me.
I do my best.
But apparently,
there are certain rules
that you're supposed to follow.
Where to put your knife,
where to put your fork,
where to put your spoon,
how to go about this process
of just getting food into your body.
That's what I'm concerned about
at a meal, right?
And with your napkin,
what you're supposed to do,
proper etiquette,
while you're eating your meal,
where does your napkin go?
It's on your lap.
Okay, good job.
When you're finished with your meal,
you take that napkin
and you fold it neatly
and you set it off
to the side of your plate.
Why?
Well, because you're finished.
You don't need it anymore.
You're done.
You have no use
for that napkin anymore.
So you fold it right up.
You set it off to the side.
In a similar way,
Jesus here,
as He rises from the grave,
He takes that grave cloth,
that face cloth
that He had use for
for a moment,
and He folds it up
and sets it off to the side.
Say,
I don't need this thing anymore.
You might remember
we've seen another resurrection
in John's Gospel.
This isn't the first time
someone's risen from the dead.
Right?
John chapter 11.
Lazarus was raised from the dead.
Just like Jesus,
Lazarus was truly dead.
Just like Jesus,
Lazarus was laid in a tomb.
And at the command
of the voice of Christ,
Lazarus came up out of the tomb.
But do you remember
how Lazarus came out of the tomb?
He was still wrapped up
in His grave clothes.
And He would need them again.
But here,
Jesus,
apparently,
He's raised with a different
kind of body.
He passes right through
those grave clothes.
He folds them up,
puts them to the side,
and says,
I won't be needing these anymore.
Well, verse 8
tells us that eventually
the other disciple
who had reached the tomb first,
just to make sure we're clear,
don't forget
that other disciple
who had reached the tomb first
also went in,
and listen to this,
He saw and He believed.
For as yet,
they did not understand
the Scripture
that He must rise from the dead.
Did you catch that?
The Scripture.
The empty tomb.
As John laid eyes
on the empty tomb,
that was key for John's
believing and understanding
the Scripture.
What Scripture?
It's not the New Testament.
That hasn't been written yet.
That's in progress right now.
He's talking about
the Scripture
of the Old Testament.
He saw the empty tomb
and He believed
the witness
of the Old Testament.
He believed
that all of God's Word
has been bubbling up
in anticipation
of this moment.
Which is why
what we read earlier
in 1 Corinthians 15,
Paul starts in verse 3.
He says,
I deliver to you
as of first importance
what I also receive.
That Christ died
for our sins
in accordance
with the Scripture.
That He was crucified.
That He was buried.
That He was raised
on the third day
in accordance
with the Scriptures.
Church,
if Jesus has not
actually risen
from the grave
as a real thing,
as a real event
in human history,
you can forget
the Scriptures.
Toss them right
in the trash
on your way
out the door
this morning.
If Jesus is not
raised from the dead,
the Scriptures
have lied to us
and they're not worth
trusting.
But if He is
risen from the grave,
as John professes
and as we profess
this morning,
then church,
all of God's Word
can be trusted.
The resurrection
is the central
fulfillment
and confirmation
of all of the promises
of God.
They fall flat
if He's not
actually raised.
That's a real thing
in human history.
What sort of promises?
What sort of promises
has God made?
What sort of promises
do we lose
if Jesus remains
in the grave?
I'll give you one.
this promise
of a new covenant.
Jeremiah chapter 31.
Let me read this to you.
The Lord says,
I will put My law
within them
and I will write it
on their hearts
and I will be their God
and they shall be
My people.
No longer shall each one
teach his neighbor
and each his brother
saying,
Know the Lord
for they shall all
know Me
from the least of them
to the greatest
declares the Lord.
For I will forgive
their iniquity
and I will remember
their sin
no more.
Church,
this promise
of forgiveness
of sins
and personal knowledge
of God
and personal relationship
where He's our God
and we're His people
that is kept
only
in the resurrection
of Christ.
Which leads us
to our second way
the resurrection
changes everything
this morning.
The second way.
Second,
because Jesus lives
sinners like you
and me
can enjoy
a personal
relationship
with God.
That sentence
ought to blow
our minds
church.
Because Jesus lives
because of the resurrection
we can enjoy
a relationship
with God.
To state the obvious
if all we have
is Jesus' death
if He remains
in the grave
we might have
a good example
of selflessness
maybe a motivating
example
of what
sacrificial
love
looks like
but what we don't
have
is forgiveness
of sins.
What we don't
have
is hope
of eternal life.
What we don't
have
is the possibility
of a personal
relationship
with a holy God.
If Jesus remains
in the grave
as Paul's written
our faith
is in vain
and we're still
in our sins.
Look there
to verse 11.
Mary hasn't
yet come
to the same
realization
as Peter
and John
and after
they went
back to their
homes
she stood
outside the
tomb
weeping
and it says
that she
stooped
to look
into the
tomb
and she
saw two
angels
there
in white
clothing
sitting
where the
body of
Jesus
had been
laying
one at
his head
and one
at his
feet
and the
angels
asked her
woman
why are
you
weeping
and she
said
I don't
know
where
the body
of my
Lord
is
they've
taken
his body
away
I don't
know
where
they've
laid
him
and John
says that
it was
then that
she turned
around
and she
sees
Jesus
again
notice
this
theme
of the
difference
between
physical
sight
and
spiritual
sight
throughout
this
chapter
she
sees
the
Lord
Jesus
with
her
eyes
but
she's
not
able
to
recognize
who
it
is
apparently
here
in
his
resurrected
state
Jesus
his
identity
is still
able
to be
veiled
she
didn't
recognize
him
right
away
she
thought
he
was
the
gardener
and so
she
speaks
with
him
Jesus
asks
her
woman
why
are
you
weeping
and whom
are you
seeking
and she
says
to him
sir
if you've
taken
away
his body
let me
know
where
he is
so I
can
take
him
away
she's
still
distraught
at this
possibility
that the
Lord's
body
has been
taken
away
but here
at this
point
John
says
Jesus
drops
the veil
and he
makes
himself
known
to
Mary
but how
does he
do it
look
there
with
me
how
does
he
do
it
simply
by
calling
out
her
personal
name
Mary
at that
moment
she
turns
and she
knows
it's
Jesus
it's
here
at this
personal
call
by name
that Mary
turns and
realizes
it's the
Lord
this is a
beautiful
picture
isn't it
of the
personal
relationship
between
the Lord
and his
people
between
the shepherd
and the
sheep
and we've
seen already
in John
chapter 10
haven't we
Jesus said
the sheep
hear the
shepherd's
voice
and he
calls his
own sheep
by name
and he
leads them
out
and he
says
my sheep
hear my
voice
and I
know
them
and they
follow
me
this is
personal
knowledge
it's amazing
isn't it
you know
to be
a Christian
what that
means is
more than
simply
knowing
a lot
about
Jesus
it's much
more than
simply
familiarity
with the
person of
Jesus
it's much
more than
just knowing
a lot
about
God's
word
a lot
about
who
he
is
and
what
he's
done
to be
a
Christian
is
to
know
him
and for
him
to
know
you
is one
thing
for you
to know
a lot
about
Jesus
it's
another
thing
entirely
to say
Jesus
Christ
the Lord
of heaven
and earth
the risen
king
knows
me
by name
many of
you know
that I
love
basketball
this is my
time of year
right now
and if you
watch enough
basketball
you begin to
recognize the
same players
you see them
over and
over again
you hear
stories from
the commentators
about their
lives
about what
they're up
to
is much
more than
just their
stats
you get
to know
their
personality
social media
has taken
this to a
whole other
level
it feels
like we
know
them
but the
reality is
of course
these public
figures have
no idea
who I am
I was
at a grocery
store in
Charlotte
and I
spotted a
player
and he
was easy
to spot
right
he was a
big athletic
looking man
and he
was in
the checkout
line
I figured
now was
as good
a time
as any
to embarrass
myself
and my
wife
and my
family
and so
I walked
right up
to him
and I
started talking
to him
like we
were old
friends
like I
knew him
back from
the day
and like
we were
buddies
like I'd
known him
forever
and he
was nice
enough
and he
put up
with me
he was
patient
but you
could tell
I was
really excited
to see
him
he had
no idea
who I
was
I felt
like I
knew him
but he
didn't
know
me
and the
truth was
I didn't
know him
either
I only
knew
about
him
I knew
the stats
and I knew
the stories
but I
didn't know
him
personally
in church
I think
there's a
lesson
here
for many
church
going
knowledgeable
self
professed
Christians
it is not
enough
to simply
know
about
Jesus
you must
know
him
and he
must
know
you
I think
it's easy
for us
to be
familiar
to be
comfortable
with
being
familiar
with
Jesus
when we're
called
to have
faith
in
Jesus
and this
is why
Jesus warns
those who are
simply familiar
with him
in Matthew
chapter 7
he says
on that
day
many will
say to
me
Lord
did we
not
prophesy
in your
name
and cast
out
demons
in your
name
and do
many
mighty
works
in your
name
and then
I
will
declare
to
them
I
never
knew
you
depart
from
me
workers
of
lawlessness
friend
genuine
faith
in the
resurrected
Christ
means you
don't just
know about
him
you know
him
and he
knows
you
and if
you know
him and he
knows you
the incredible
thing is it
doesn't just
stop there
if you know
him and he
knows you
you are now
brought into
relationship
with God
the Father
look there
to verse 17
it's hard to
miss the
personal language
here of what
he tells
Mary isn't
it
Mary had
apparently
wrapped
herself
around
Jesus
who can
blame her
and she
wasn't
letting him
go again
but Jesus
tells her
don't cling
to me
I'm here
I'm not
going
quite yet
but I
am
ascending
and then he
sends her
with a
message
listen to
this
message
go to
my
brothers
you hear
that
go to
my
brothers
and say
to them
I am
ascending
to my
father
and
what does
he say
your
father
my
God
and what
does he
say
help me
and to
your
God
do you
hear that
personal
language
because
of the
resurrection
of Jesus
from the
grave
he now
calls us
believers
his own
brothers
and sisters
how amazing
is that
his God
is our
God
his Lord
is our
Lord
he shares
what he
alone
has
right
of
with
us
who
have
earned
nothing
but
separation
what a
grace
is this
it says
John told us
all the way
back in
chapter 1
to all
who did
receive
him
who
believed
in his
name
he gave
the
right
to become
children
of God
who were
born not
of blood
nor of the
will of the
flesh
nor of
the will
of man
but of
God
that's a
right
that has
been earned
by Christ
alone
purchased
by his
life
death
and
resurrection
given
to us
simply
by faith
that's
appropriate
I think
for us
to pause
here before
we go on
to our
third point
this morning
and ask
ourselves
do we
know him
do you
know him
or do you
simply know
about him
does he
know
you
if so
we should
know that
being a part
of this
family of
God
it comes
with profound
dignity
and responsibility
Jesus sent
Mary on a
mission
he's a
go bear
witness
in verse
18
it says
that she
obeyed
she went
and announced
to the
disciples
I have
seen
the
Lord
and I
want us
to see
here in
our
third
point
that this
witness
bearing
mission
is the
responsibility
of every
member
of the
family
of God
if you
are a
member
of the
family
of God
if you've
been brought
into personal
relationship
with God
the Father
through faith
in Jesus
Christ
guess what
now you're
sent out
on a
witness
bearing
mission
to bear
witness
to the
real thing
of the
resurrection
which is
why
third
because
Jesus
lives
we join
the mission
of God
because
Jesus
lives
we join
the
mission
of God
look there
to verse
19
John
says that
on the
evening
of that
day
the first
day
of the
week
the
disciples
were
gathered
there
together
in a
room
with the
doors
locked
and you
can probably
just imagine
they were
thinking
what in the
world
do we
do now
our
teacher
has been
crucified
are they
going to
come for
us
next
they're
fearing
the
danger
that's
lying
out
there
against
them
and
John
says
Jesus
came
and he
stood
among
them
and he
said
to them
peace
be with
you
now
you'd love
a little
bit more
detail
about how
this
happened
wouldn't
you
I
know
I
would
doors
are
locked
they're
all
gathered
there
huddled
up
together
all of a
sudden
Jesus
is in
the
room
and he's
speaking
to them
peace
be with
you
and he
says
when he
said
this
he
showed
them
his
hands
and he
showed
them
his
side
and the
disciples
were
glad
when they
saw
the
Lord
and then
he
follows
up
this
pronouncement
of
peace
with
a
mission
look there
to verse
21
Jesus
said to
them
again
peace
be
with
you
as
the
father
has
sent
me
even
so
I
am
sending
you
and when
he said
this
he
breathed
on
them
and said
to
them
receive
the
Holy
Spirit
if
you
forgive
the
sins
of
any
they
are
forgiven
them
if
you
withhold
forgiveness
from
any
it
is
withheld
now
how
in the
world
do we
understand
this
is
somewhat
difficult
for us
to
wrap
our
minds
around
isn't
it
we
know
that
the
spirit
of
God
fell
upon
the
disciples
in
Acts
chapter
2
at
Pentecost
it
came
in
full
and
so
likely
what
we're
seeing
here
is a
sort
of
prophetic
sign
of
what's
to
come
that
after
Jesus
departs
he
will
send
another
helper
he's
promised
this
already
to
equip
them
for
the
mission
that
he's
about
to
send
them
to
accomplish
what
mission
what's
the
mission
of
the
church
as
the
father
has
sent
me
he
says
even
so
I
am
sending
you
as
the
father
has
sent
me
to
accomplish
salvation
in
my
life
my
death
my
resurrection
now
I'm
sending
you
to
proclaim
what
I
have
done
the
father
has
sent
me
to
do
it
now
I
send
you
to
proclaim
it
the
mission
of
the
church
is
gospel
proclamation
the
church
can
busy
itself
with
many
good
things
and
many
maybe
not
so
good
things
but
the
central
mission
of
the
church
at
the
very
core
of
why
we
do
what
we
do
is
to
bear
witness
to
the
real
things
of
the
life
death
resurrection
of
Jesus
to
preach
the
gospel
that
Jesus
has
borne
the
wrath
of
God
that
we
have
earned
so
that
by
faith
in
him
we
might
know
the
peace
of
God
that
he
has
earned
if
you
have
received
peace
with
God
your
mission
is to
extend
peace
with
God
to
others
that's
the
mission
we're
sent
out
as
messengers
of
the
risen
king
and
as
messengers
of
the
king
the
disciples
are
given
this
profound
responsibility
in
verse
23
he
says
if
you
forgive
the
sins
of
any
they're
forgiven
and
if
you
withhold
forgiveness
for
many
it
is
withheld
this
is
immense
responsibility
isn't
it
how do
we
understand
that
let
me
put
it
to
you
like
this
when
a
father
sends
a
child
outside
with
a
message
for
his
brothers
it
says
something
like
this
dad
says
come
inside
and
get
ready
for
dinner
the
authority
of
that
message
is
not
in
the
child
the
authority
in
that
message
is
in
the
one
who
sent
the
child
to
deliver
the
message
and
if
the
brothers
disregard
the
child
if
they
disregard
the
message
ultimately
they're
not
disregarding
the
child
are
they
they're
disregarding
the
father
who
sent
the
child
out
with
the
message
now
let's
imagine
there's
a reward
for
obedience
and a
punishment
for
disobedience
come
inside
get
ready
for
dinner
and
you
will
receive
dessert
you
will
get
some
ice
cream
and if
you
don't
come
inside
if
you
refuse
to
listen
to
this
message
you
go
straight
to
bed
again
the
brothers
may
scoff
at
the
messenger
but
the
fact
is
the
same
the
child
is
pronouncing
blessing
and
consequence
on
behalf
of
the
father
well
church
the
same
is
true
for
us
but
on
a
much
larger
more
significant
on
an
eternal
scale
we
are
commissioned
to go
out
with a
message
from
the
king
of
kings
repent
and
believe
the
gospel
the
blessing
for
belief
that we
hold
out
to
sinners
is
eternal
life
and the
punishment
for
rejection
is
eternal
death
condemnation
and when
that message
is received
guess what
it's not
about you
it's not
because of
you
it's not
for
you
and when
that message
is rejected
guess what
it's not
about you
it's not
because of
you
it's not
for you
Jesus
says in
John 13
truly
I say
to you
whoever
receives
the one
I send
receives
me
and whoever
receives
me
receives
him
who sent
me
but even
so
even though
it's not
about us
ultimately
church
we have
been given
a tremendous
responsibility
have we
not
we
pronounce
forgiveness
on behalf
of the
king
what does
that look
like
well say
you
you share
the gospel
with a
friend
you leave
here this
morning
you're fired
up about
the resurrection
of Jesus
you just
you want
to share
it with
somebody
over lunch
you go
talk about
the good
news
of Jesus
and your
friend
says yes
I want
that
I want
to believe
that message
I'm willing
to repent
of my sins
and trust
fully
in Christ
I want
that
and your
friend
believes
praise God
you are
well within
your rights
to proclaim
on behalf
of the risen
Christ
friend
your sins
are forgiven
they come
and they
enter into
the church
and over time
their testimony
is confirmed
by the church
community
they're baptized
into the church
what is that
that's the church
community
saying your sins
are forgiven
we see the grace
of God
at work
in you
we see it
the opposite
side of that
situation
you share
that same
gospel message
and your
friend says
the resurrection
of Jesus
and get out
of here
with that
I don't
believe that
I don't
want any
part of that
you are
well within
your rights
to say
with tears
than friend
if
response to
this message
you're still
in your sins
forgiveness
is withheld
from you
church
we don't
ultimately
forgive sins
of course not
that's God's
job
but we've
been given
the responsibility
to pronounce
what God
has done
in Christ
that's our
mission
Paul says
that we are
entrusted
with the
message
of reconciliation
therefore we
are ambassadors
for Christ
God making
his appeal
through us
we implore
you on behalf
of Christ
be reconciled
to God
what's the
result of that
reconciliation
when a sinner
believes the
message of the
gospel and
they're made
right with God
what's the
result
what's the
fruit of that
acceptance of
what Christ
has done
fourth
because Jesus
lives
we who
believe
share
in the
very
life
of God
because
Jesus
lives
we who
believe
share
in the
life
of God
look there
to verse
24
John says
that Thomas
one of the
twelve
called the
twin
was not
with them
when Jesus
came
I don't know
where he was
but he gets
back and
everyone's
talking about
seeing Jesus
and I can't
blame him
can you
he's a little
skeptical
of this
I would think
maybe they're
pulling some
practical joke
on me
what are the
odds that as
soon as I
leave Jesus
shows up in
the room
starts talking
to everybody
else but me
but obviously
they were genuine
they believed
what they were
telling him
and so he
says well
unless I
see it
unless I
see the
marks on
his hands
unless I
put my
own hand
in his
wound
in his
side
I will
never
believe
hence the
nickname
that he's
earned for
himself
fairly or
unfairly
you decide
doubting
Thomas
well church
it's for our
benefit that
Thomas wasn't
there that
day because
what happens
next is one
of the most
beautiful
proclamations
of the
identity
of Jesus
in all
of the
scripture
verse 26
says eight
days later
the disciples
were inside
again now
Thomas was
with them
right no
more running
off the
doors again
were locked
they're still
on lockdown
and John
says although
the doors
were locked
Jesus again
just like
before came
and stood
among them
and again
just like
before he
makes his
pronouncement
peace be
with you
and then he
looks at
Thomas
he tells
him put
your finger
here
see my
hands
and put
out your
hand and
place it
in my
side
he says
to Thomas
do not
disbelieve
but believe
Thomas no
doubt shocked
to see Jesus
and probably
even more
shocked that
Jesus had
heard his
doubts
he answered
with his
beautiful
declaration
of who
Jesus is
my Lord
and my
God
now churches
we've walked
through the
gospel of
John
together
we've asked
the question
over and
over again
who is
Jesus
who is
Jesus
Colossians
chapter 1
tells us
that he's
the image
of the
invisible
God
the first
all
creation
and he's
the first
born from
among the
dead
that in
everything
he might
be
preeminent
Hebrews
1 says
that he's
the radiance
of the
glory of
God
and the
exact
imprint
of his
nature
John
1 as we
began this
series
said
in the
beginning
was the
word
and the
word
was with
God
and the
word
was
what
was
God
he was
in the
beginning
with
God
all things
were made
through
him
and without
him
was not
anything
made
that was
made
and here
in the
aftermath
of the
resurrection
Thomas
sees
the
resurrected
Jesus
with his
own
eyes
and he
gets it
right
my
Lord
and my
God
friend
who do
you say
that Jesus
is
who do
you say
that Jesus
is
who do
you believe
that Jesus
is
John
says in
verse 30
that he's
written this
book so
that we
may believe
that Jesus
is the
Christ
the son
of God
and that by
believing
look at the
result
that you
may have
life
in his
name
church the
good news
of the
gospel
what we
proclaim here
on Easter
Sunday
and every
Sunday
is that
the wages
of sin
is death
but the
free gift
of God
is eternal
life
in Christ
Jesus
our Lord
that's what
we celebrate
with the
resurrection
of Jesus
this morning
that if
he's
your
Lord
and if
he's
your
God
then his
death
is your
death
and his
life
is your
life
you are
buried
with him
in baptism
and raised
to walk
in newness
of life
therefore
if anyone
is in
Christ
he is a
new creation
the old
is gone
the new
has come
that we
share in
the very
life of
God
by faith
in him
you know
I have
no doubt
this morning
that in a
room
this size
there are
some here
this morning
who need
to hear
Jesus'
command
to Thomas
do not
disbelieve
but believe
love
and I
want you
to know
that if
you're
wrestling
this morning
with doubt
Jesus has
seen it
before
your
questions
are not
new to
him
your
doubts
are not
new to
him
your
hesitations
are not
new to
him
but John
has shown
us who
he is
and our
response
to him
this morning
ought to
be to
believe
do not
disbelieve
but believe
and by
believing
you may
have
life
in his
name
Thomas
was blessed
to see
the risen
Lord
face to
face
he wasn't
the only
one
we know
1 Corinthians
15
he appeared
to more
than 500
witnesses
visibly
physically
real people
who saw
Jesus
with their
own eyes
none of
us have
ever seen
Jesus
with our
own
physical
eyes
but we
believe
by faith
by the
grace of
God
who gave
us eyes
to see
not physically
but spiritually
to see
we believe
like John
by faith
on the
strength
of an
empty
tomb
and the
witness
of the
scriptures
that Jesus
Christ
is Lord
and that
he lives
today
to offer
eternal life
to any
who believe
in him
by faith
Jesus
pronounces a
benediction
here in
verse 29
for those
of us
who have
never
seen
and yet
believe
Jesus
said to
him
have you
believed
because you
have seen
me
blessed are
those who
have not
seen
and yet
have
believed
as Peter
says in
first Peter
8
1 8
9
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
and filled
with glory
if that's you
this morning
Jesus says
you are
blessed
you
know for
some
what we
talk about
here on
Good Friday
and on Easter
Sunday morning
for some
of us
the death
of Jesus
and his
resurrection
from the
grave
are
just
religious
things
and not
real
things
for some
of us
they are
familiar
things
but not
foundational
things
they are
familiar
things
but not
things
of
genuine
faith
but John
has shown
us
this morning
that the
resurrection
of Jesus
Christ
from the
dead
his actual
resurrection
as a
real
thing
changes
everything
central
to our
faith
it's central
to our
relationship
with God
it's central
to our
purpose
in this
life
and our
hope
in the
life
to come
so as
we close
this morning
I just
want to
ask you
one more
time
as we
close
is everything
different
for you
because of
the resurrection
of Christ
what has
the resurrection
changed
in your
life
do you
believe
in the
risen Lord
Jesus
by faith
and if
you do
what has
it
changed
in you
we're
going to
stand
and sing
in just
a moment
as we
close
in Christ
alone
my hope
is found
is that
true of
you
as he
stands
in victory
since curse
has lost
his grip
on me
is that
true
of you
for I
am his
and he
is mine
bought
with the
precious
blood
of Christ
is that
true
of you
if it's
not
friend
if you
don't
believe
these
words
that we're
about to
sing
don't
sing
it
in fact
I would
encourage
you
use
this
time
as we
respond
in
worship
to pray
and to
ask
the
Lord
to give
you
eyes
to see
the risen
Lord
Jesus
not
physically
but
spiritually
to receive
him
by faith
but if
that is
you
and if
that does
describe
you
if you
can say
with confidence
this morning
in Christ
alone
my hope
is found
in church
let's
respond
joyfully
in worship
as we
close this
morning
amen
let's
pray
Lord
we
praise
you
for the
resurrection
of Jesus
Christ
from the
dead
apart
from which
we have
no hope
Christ
if you
are not
actually
raised
our faith
is void
and futile
we're still
in our
sins
our preaching
is worthless
our life
is empty
but father
because
Jesus
lives
and reigns
in resurrection
this morning
God
we may
know
you
and share
in your
very life
we pray
if there's
any here
who don't
know you
God
would you
draw them
to yourself
even this
moment
give them
eyes to
see
this
moment
Lord
give them
a spirit
desire
to call
out to
you
in faith
and father
we pray
Lord
that we
would leave
here joyful
in the good
news of the
gospel
and eager
to share
it
with all
who might
listen to
us
we pray
this in
Jesus name
amen
church
let's stand
and respond
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of the
richten
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