00:00:00 --> 00:00:06 As we read from John chapter 20, during the very first Easter, about a week after Jesus resurrected,
00:00:07 --> 00:00:14 Jesus appeared among his disciples in a house behind a locked door, and he singled out Thomas.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 It reads in verse 26 to 27,
00:00:18 --> 00:00:24 A week later, his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.
00:00:24 --> 00:00:30 Though the door were locked, Thomas called. Jesus came and stood among them and said,
00:00:31 --> 00:00:37 Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here. See my hands.
00:00:38 --> 00:00:43 Wish out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:49 Why did Jesus single out Thomas? What can we learn from this man?
00:00:50 --> 00:00:54 We had celebrated Good Friday and Easter just about two weeks ago.
00:00:55 --> 00:00:59 I hope you still remember from those sermons of the true meaning of Easter,
00:01:00 --> 00:01:07 how the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ had dealt with the ultimate problem of human,
00:01:08 --> 00:01:14 the human ultimate problem of sin, and given us the hope of being right with God,
00:01:14 --> 00:01:18 being accepted by God as his children once again.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:26 It's easy for us in this modern day to sit around eating our chocolate eggs and point on the meaning of the Easter event.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 I don't think it's as easy for those people at the very first Easter.
00:01:31 --> 00:01:39 John chapter 20, 19 tell us that on that day of Jesus' resurrection, that evening,
00:01:39 --> 00:01:44 the disciples were together behind closed doors for fear of the Jews.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:48 They were fearful that they may be next on the list to be crucified,
00:01:49 --> 00:01:51 just like what happened to the teacher Jesus.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:55 They had just lost someone very close to them,
00:01:55 --> 00:02:02 the person they thought may be the promised Messiah that would help them to overturn their government.
00:02:02 --> 00:02:07 Then Jesus came and stood among them and said,
00:02:07 --> 00:02:09 Peace be with you.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:14 And he showed them his hand and his side and gave them their blessing.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:19 I'm sure if we were there, it would be such a mixed feeling.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:24 John in his gospel tells us that the disciples were overjoyed,
00:02:25 --> 00:02:29 but Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tells us that the disciples were still doubting,
00:02:30 --> 00:02:32 filled with unbelief.
00:02:32 --> 00:02:34 Some thought they were seeing ghosts.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:39 However, there was one man that did not experience any of this feeling.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:42 He missed all the commotion.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 John tells us in verse 24,
00:02:45 --> 00:02:49 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.
00:02:52 --> 00:02:53 Why wasn't he there?
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 What would he possibly have gone to?
00:02:57 --> 00:03:00 The Bible didn't tell us that, where he went,
00:03:00 --> 00:03:04 but it tells us that the overjoyed and excited disciples
00:03:04 --> 00:03:08 were trying to convince Thomas that Jesus is alive and had resurrected.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:14 It must be terrible to have missed the chance to see the resurrected Christ,
00:03:14 --> 00:03:19 but it would be worse to be reminded over and over again that he has missed out.
00:03:20 --> 00:03:23 And so Thomas stubbornly replied to the others,
00:03:24 --> 00:03:26 maybe also as a way to shut them up.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 He laid down a condition for him to believe.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 Unless I see the nail marks in his hands
00:03:32 --> 00:03:34 and put my fingers where the nails were
00:03:34 --> 00:03:36 and put my hand into his side,
00:03:37 --> 00:03:38 I will not believe it.
00:03:40 --> 00:03:42 Jesus singled out Thomas after about a week
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 to answer this exact request.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:48 He almost repeated what Thomas had said.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:50 Put your finger here, see my hand.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 Reach out your hand and put it into my side.
00:03:53 --> 00:03:55 Stop doubting and believe.
00:03:55 --> 00:04:01 Jesus singled out Thomas because he knew what was going on within Thomas.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:06 Jesus wanted to restore Thomas' faith in him and in his resurrection.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:12 It was important for Thomas to stop being an unbeliever
00:04:12 --> 00:04:16 because if one of the twelve apostles had remained a doubter,
00:04:16 --> 00:04:23 it would have cast disbelief on the integrity of other disciples and witnesses
00:04:23 --> 00:04:27 and the ripple effect would have passed down through history.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:33 It was also very important for Thomas to come to terms with what is happening
00:04:33 --> 00:04:38 so he can fulfill Jesus' plan for him and for us.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:43 Let's take a closer look of who Thomas really is
00:04:43 --> 00:04:45 and how Jesus interacts with him.
00:04:46 --> 00:04:51 The method that Jesus used with Thomas is not unusual in his dealing with us
00:04:51 --> 00:04:55 because just like Thomas, we often have questions and doubts.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:01 All four Gospels tell us that Jesus carefully chose his disciples
00:05:01 --> 00:05:03 to come and learn from him,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 to bring the good news of the kingdom to everyone.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:11 Thomas was chosen and appointed by the Lord Jesus
00:05:11 --> 00:05:13 to be one of his followers.
00:05:14 --> 00:05:17 They will follow Jesus through all the ups and downs,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:20 through all the glories and shames,
00:05:20 --> 00:05:23 through all the acceptance and rejections.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:29 On many occasions, Jesus had to face the possibility to be stoned to death
00:05:29 --> 00:05:31 for what he claims and preached.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:35 And Thomas was there with Jesus.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:38 And he did not back down or run away.
00:05:38 --> 00:05:40 He stayed right by Jesus' side.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:44 John in chapter 11 tells us that
00:05:44 --> 00:05:47 after Jesus had stayed away from Jerusalem for a while,
00:05:48 --> 00:05:51 words of the health of his friend Lazarus reached Jesus.
00:05:52 --> 00:05:55 And he intended to go back to Judea to see him.
00:05:56 --> 00:05:57 And his disciples replied,
00:05:58 --> 00:06:00 But teacher, a short while ago,
00:06:00 --> 00:06:03 the Jews are there trying to stone you.
00:06:04 --> 00:06:05 And why are you going back?
00:06:05 --> 00:06:12 Thomas was there with Jesus
00:06:12 --> 00:06:15 when Jesus told them that Lazarus was already dead.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 In verse 14 to 16, Jesus said,
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 Lazarus is dead, and for your sake,
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 I am glad I was not there,
00:06:24 --> 00:06:26 so that you may believe.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 But let's go to him.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:31 Then Thomas said to the rest of the disciples,
00:06:31 --> 00:06:35 let's also go that we may die with him.
00:06:37 --> 00:06:40 Thomas is willing to go back to Jerusalem with Jesus,
00:06:40 --> 00:06:41 to die with him there.
00:06:42 --> 00:06:45 He knew perfectly well of the attitude and intention
00:06:45 --> 00:06:47 of the religious leader at that time.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:50 There was every possibility
00:06:50 --> 00:06:53 that they would arrest Jesus and put him to death.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:57 Thomas was concerned about Jesus' death,
00:06:57 --> 00:06:59 but Jesus was more concerned
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 that his disciples would believe in him.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 Jesus said,
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 I am glad I was not there,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 so that you may believe.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:10 Thomas was with Jesus
00:07:10 --> 00:07:12 when Jesus raised Lazarus from death.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:16 He came to Jerusalem to die with Jesus,
00:07:17 --> 00:07:19 and witness the master of death
00:07:19 --> 00:07:21 called the dead man back to life.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 Thomas was just as prepared as the other disciples
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 to believe in the resurrection.
00:07:27 --> 00:07:30 But along with the other disciples,
00:07:31 --> 00:07:32 he never really understood
00:07:32 --> 00:07:34 Jesus was talking about his resurrection
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 when he said,
00:07:35 --> 00:07:37 I am the resurrection and the life.
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 Thomas was with Jesus
00:07:41 --> 00:07:42 the night before Jesus' death,
00:07:43 --> 00:07:44 as Jesus prepared his disciples
00:07:44 --> 00:07:46 for his crucifixion.
00:07:47 --> 00:07:49 John chapter 13 to 17 tell us
00:07:49 --> 00:07:52 that Jesus demonstrates his love
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 for his disciples by washing
00:07:53 --> 00:07:55 and drying their feet.
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 And with many words,
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 he encourages them.
00:07:59 --> 00:08:01 Chapter 13, verse 19,
00:08:02 --> 00:08:02 Jesus said,
00:08:03 --> 00:08:05 I am telling you now before it happens,
00:08:05 --> 00:08:07 so that when it does happen,
00:08:07 --> 00:08:09 you will believe that I am who I am.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:11 Very truly I tell you,
00:08:12 --> 00:08:14 whoever accepts anyone I send
00:08:14 --> 00:08:14 accepts me,
00:08:15 --> 00:08:16 and whoever accepts me
00:08:16 --> 00:08:18 accepts the one who sends me.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 Later, Jesus said again,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:24 I have told you now before it happens,
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 so that when it does happen,
00:08:26 --> 00:08:26 you will believe.
00:08:28 --> 00:08:30 As Thomas listened to the encouraging words
00:08:30 --> 00:08:32 of Jesus about heaven,
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 that Jesus is going there
00:08:35 --> 00:08:37 to prepare a place for them,
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 Jesus said,
00:08:38 --> 00:08:40 You know the way to the place
00:08:40 --> 00:08:40 where I am going.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 Thomas said to Jesus,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 Lord, we don't know where you are going,
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 so how can we know the way?
00:08:47 --> 00:08:49 This allowed Jesus to reply,
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 I am the way,
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 the truth,
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 and the life.
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 No one comes to the Father
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 except through me.
00:08:58 --> 00:09:00 Thomas listened intensely,
00:09:00 --> 00:09:02 who reflected on his own knowledge,
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 and quickly acknowledged
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 it is not where Jesus said it was.
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 This allowed Jesus to explain
00:09:08 --> 00:09:10 his teaching further,
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 and it is a good,
00:09:11 --> 00:09:13 healthy way of interruption.
00:09:13 --> 00:09:16 To this point,
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 the Thomas that Jesus has chosen
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 seems a great guide,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 bold,
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 honest,
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 ready to have a go,
00:09:23 --> 00:09:25 ready to follow Jesus
00:09:25 --> 00:09:27 to the end,
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 even to death.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:30 But it comes to chapter 20,
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 as we have read.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 Thomas missed
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 his chance
00:09:34 --> 00:09:36 at the first appearance of Jesus
00:09:36 --> 00:09:37 after his resurrection.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:40 And when other people
00:09:40 --> 00:09:40 want him to experience
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 that same sense of
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 emotional relief
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 and peace,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:44 knowing that
00:09:44 --> 00:09:46 his Savior was alive,
00:09:47 --> 00:09:47 he demanded
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 more evidence.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 Just like any one of us,
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 often when in our unbelief,
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 we take pride
00:09:55 --> 00:09:55 in demanding
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 more evidence
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 than that was given
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 by a group of
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 creditable,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 faithful friends.
00:10:00 --> 00:10:03 As Jesus said earlier
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 in 1320,
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 whoever accepts
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 anyone I send
00:10:07 --> 00:10:09 accepts me,
00:10:09 --> 00:10:11 and whoever accepts me
00:10:11 --> 00:10:11 accepts the one
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 who sends me.
00:10:13 --> 00:10:13 Thomas,
00:10:14 --> 00:10:14 in his arrogance,
00:10:15 --> 00:10:15 had refused
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 the testimony
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 by his friends,
00:10:18 --> 00:10:19 which in fact
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 was rejecting
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 Jesus and God.
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 What had happened
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 to the chosen
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 Thomas the Apostle?
00:10:27 --> 00:10:28 Why wasn't he there
00:10:28 --> 00:10:29 the first night
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 after Jesus' resurrection?
00:10:30 --> 00:10:33 To his defense,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:34 maybe,
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 perhaps it was
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 his emotional reaction
00:10:36 --> 00:10:38 to the outcome
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 of his agony
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 and disappointment.
00:10:41 --> 00:10:43 Death was very real
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 to Thomas.
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 He had been filled
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 with the horror
00:10:47 --> 00:10:48 at the sight
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 of the beating
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 ruins of Jesus.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 The person
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 that he could touch
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 and feel,
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 the person
00:10:55 --> 00:10:55 that he ran
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 while they
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 dodged
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 all the throwing stones,
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 no longer
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 there.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 The person
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 of his focus,
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 the reference
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 of his life,
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 that person
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 he can rely on
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 is no longer
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 in his sight.
00:11:11 --> 00:11:12 And he did not
00:11:12 --> 00:11:13 want to be
00:11:13 --> 00:11:13 with anyone.
00:11:14 --> 00:11:15 He just wanted
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 to be alone
00:11:15 --> 00:11:17 to face all the pain
00:11:17 --> 00:11:17 and suffering
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 by himself.
00:11:20 --> 00:11:21 What Thomas
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 had asked for
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 when he got back
00:11:23 --> 00:11:24 with the disciples
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 seems arrogant
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 because he rather
00:11:26 --> 00:11:27 trust his own eyes,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:28 ears,
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 and hand
00:11:29 --> 00:11:30 than the combined
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 testimony
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 of more than
00:11:32 --> 00:11:32 ten men
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 who had seen
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 with their eyes,
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 heard with their ears,
00:11:36 --> 00:11:36 and touched
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 with their hand.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 But it was
00:11:39 --> 00:11:40 an honest request
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 of his heart
00:11:41 --> 00:11:42 at that moment.
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 He wanted to see
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 his Jesus,
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 hear his Jesus,
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 touch his Jesus
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 again.
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 He needed
00:11:51 --> 00:11:52 something to deal
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 with his emotional
00:11:53 --> 00:11:53 state.
00:11:55 --> 00:11:55 And he was
00:11:55 --> 00:11:56 simply asking
00:11:56 --> 00:11:57 for the same
00:11:57 --> 00:11:58 thing that
00:11:58 --> 00:11:58 those disciples
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 say they have
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 experienced.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:04 They are unbelievers.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 They thrive
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 on doubt.
00:12:07 --> 00:12:07 They like it,
00:12:08 --> 00:12:09 enjoy it,
00:12:09 --> 00:12:10 live by it.
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 They nurture
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 the evil heart
00:12:12 --> 00:12:12 of unbelief.
00:12:13 --> 00:12:14 They have a deep
00:12:14 --> 00:12:15 sense of
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 reluctance
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 to be convinced
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 by the objective
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 truth.
00:12:20 --> 00:12:20 They are more
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 irritated
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 when they are
00:12:22 --> 00:12:22 faced,
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 when they are
00:12:24 --> 00:12:26 faced to the
00:12:26 --> 00:12:26 facts,
00:12:27 --> 00:12:27 sorry,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:28 they are more
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 irritated when
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 they are faced
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 to the facts,
00:12:31 --> 00:12:32 forced to the
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 facts,
00:12:33 --> 00:12:33 forced to face
00:12:33 --> 00:12:34 the facts,
00:12:34 --> 00:12:34 sorry.
00:12:37 --> 00:12:38 They are
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 preoccupied
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 with their own
00:12:39 --> 00:12:40 views.
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 They get
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 provoked
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 instead of
00:12:43 --> 00:12:43 being thankful
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 when any
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 doubt is
00:12:45 --> 00:12:45 removed.
00:12:47 --> 00:12:48 It doesn't
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 seem to be
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 the Thomas
00:12:49 --> 00:12:49 that we're
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 saying here.
00:12:51 --> 00:12:52 An honest
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 doubter
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 will expressly,
00:12:55 --> 00:12:55 honestly
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 seek the
00:12:56 --> 00:12:56 truth
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 regardless of
00:12:57 --> 00:12:58 the outcome.
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 They will
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 not eagerly
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 cease on a
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 new objection
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 when the
00:13:04 --> 00:13:04 outcome is
00:13:04 --> 00:13:05 not what
00:13:05 --> 00:13:05 they were
00:13:05 --> 00:13:05 expecting.
00:13:07 --> 00:13:07 In fact,
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 I would say
00:13:08 --> 00:13:09 if someone
00:13:09 --> 00:13:09 is honest
00:13:09 --> 00:13:10 with their
00:13:10 --> 00:13:10 doubt,
00:13:10 --> 00:13:11 they will
00:13:11 --> 00:13:12 not remain
00:13:12 --> 00:13:12 a doubter
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 for too
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 long.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 They are
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 not very
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 far from
00:13:15 --> 00:13:16 becoming a
00:13:16 --> 00:13:16 believer.
00:13:16 --> 00:13:19 Jesus
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 let Thomas
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 reflect on
00:13:21 --> 00:13:21 what the
00:13:21 --> 00:13:22 disciples
00:13:22 --> 00:13:22 had testified
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 to him
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 for a
00:13:24 --> 00:13:24 whole week
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 before he
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 appeared to
00:13:26 --> 00:13:27 them again.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 He let
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 those haunting
00:13:30 --> 00:13:30 words of the
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 eyes'
00:13:31 --> 00:13:31 witnesses
00:13:31 --> 00:13:32 sink deep
00:13:32 --> 00:13:33 into Thomas'
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 heart.
00:13:35 --> 00:13:36 I'm sure
00:13:36 --> 00:13:36 Jesus was
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 observing the
00:13:37 --> 00:13:38 interaction of
00:13:38 --> 00:13:38 the disciples
00:13:38 --> 00:13:40 because he
00:13:40 --> 00:13:41 told them at
00:13:41 --> 00:13:41 his first
00:13:41 --> 00:13:42 appearance that
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 if you
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 forgive anyone's
00:13:44 --> 00:13:44 sins,
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 their sins
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 are forgiven.
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 If you
00:13:47 --> 00:13:47 do not
00:13:47 --> 00:13:48 forgive them,
00:13:48 --> 00:13:48 they are
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 not forgiven.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 I could
00:13:51 --> 00:13:51 imagine the
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 reaction of
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 the other
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 disciples when
00:13:54 --> 00:13:55 Thomas rejected
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 their testimony.
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 There may
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 be cutting
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 words of
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 blame for
00:14:01 --> 00:14:01 Thomas'
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 disappearance.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:03 They might
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 say to him,
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 if you have
00:14:05 --> 00:14:05 not run
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 away, we
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 don't have
00:14:06 --> 00:14:07 to try so
00:14:07 --> 00:14:07 hard to
00:14:07 --> 00:14:08 convince you.
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 They may
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 even start
00:14:13 --> 00:14:13 to challenge
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 his stubbornness
00:14:14 --> 00:14:16 and disbelief.
00:14:16 --> 00:14:16 believe.
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 I'm sure
00:14:18 --> 00:14:19 the overjoyed
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 disciples was
00:14:20 --> 00:14:20 not very
00:14:20 --> 00:14:21 helpful to
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 Thomas.
00:14:22 --> 00:14:23 They have
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 all the
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 good intention
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 but most
00:14:25 --> 00:14:25 likely using
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 the wrong
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 method to
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 convince him.
00:14:28 --> 00:14:29 But that
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 was not
00:14:29 --> 00:14:29 the good
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 excuse for
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 Thomas to
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 remain stubborn
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 and refuse
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 to believe.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 Jesus
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 suddenly appealed
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 among them
00:14:37 --> 00:14:37 and provided
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 Thomas with
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 exactly what
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 he has asked
00:14:40 --> 00:14:40 for.
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 Jesus did
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 not scold
00:14:43 --> 00:14:43 him.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:44 He swore
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 breathed
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 forgiveness
00:14:46 --> 00:14:46 and encouragement
00:14:46 --> 00:14:47 to Thomas'
00:14:47 --> 00:14:47 faith.
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 He brought
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 Thomas to
00:14:50 --> 00:14:51 assurance,
00:14:51 --> 00:14:52 just as he
00:14:52 --> 00:14:53 did to the
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 other
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 disciples.
00:14:57 --> 00:14:57 Thomas'
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 faith was
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 restored with
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 the appearance
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 of his
00:15:00 --> 00:15:00 recent Lord.
00:15:02 --> 00:15:02 At this
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 point,
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 Thomas said
00:15:04 --> 00:15:04 to Jesus,
00:15:05 --> 00:15:05 my Lord
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 and my
00:15:06 --> 00:15:06 God.
00:15:08 --> 00:15:08 Then Jesus
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 told him,
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 because you
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 have seen
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 me,
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 you have
00:15:12 --> 00:15:13 believed it.
00:15:14 --> 00:15:14 Blessed are
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 those who
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 have not
00:15:15 --> 00:15:15 seen and
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 yet have
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 believed.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:19 Jesus
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 agreed
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 exactly to
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 Thomas'
00:15:22 --> 00:15:22 demand for
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 evidence.
00:15:24 --> 00:15:24 Jesus met
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 every one of
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 the outrageous
00:15:26 --> 00:15:26 demands of
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 Thomas to
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 the letter.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 And not
00:15:29 --> 00:15:30 just Thomas,
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 but all
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 eleven
00:15:32 --> 00:15:32 apostles.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 He also
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 offered many
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 convincing
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 proof that
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 he was
00:15:36 --> 00:15:36 alive.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 In the
00:15:38 --> 00:15:38 book of
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 Acts,
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 chapter 1,
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 verse 3,
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 it reads,
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 After his
00:15:42 --> 00:15:42 suffering,
00:15:43 --> 00:15:43 he presented
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 himself to
00:15:44 --> 00:15:45 them and
00:15:45 --> 00:15:45 gave them
00:15:45 --> 00:15:46 many convincing
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 proof that
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 he was
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 alive.
00:15:48 --> 00:15:49 He appeared
00:15:49 --> 00:15:49 to them
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 over a
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 period of
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 forty days
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 and spoke
00:15:52 --> 00:15:52 about the
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 kingdom of
00:15:53 --> 00:15:53 God.
00:15:57 --> 00:15:57 Jesus not
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 only answered
00:15:58 --> 00:15:58 Thomas'
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 doubts,
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 but every
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 Thomas in
00:16:01 --> 00:16:01 the future.
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 There will
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 be many
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 more
00:16:04 --> 00:16:04 Thomases
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 done
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 through
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 history
00:16:05 --> 00:16:06 who
00:16:06 --> 00:16:07 wrestled
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 with the
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 same
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 question
00:16:08 --> 00:16:08 of the
00:16:08 --> 00:16:09 resurrection
00:16:09 --> 00:16:10 and who
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 Jesus
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 really is.
00:16:12 --> 00:16:12 Jesus
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 had given
00:16:13 --> 00:16:14 a decisive
00:16:14 --> 00:16:14 bow to
00:16:14 --> 00:16:15 all doubt
00:16:15 --> 00:16:15 and unbelief.
00:16:17 --> 00:16:17 We should
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 be thankful
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 that Thomas
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 expressed his
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 doubt about
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 the resurrection
00:16:21 --> 00:16:21 of Jesus
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 because in
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 answering his
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 question,
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 Jesus
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 answered ours
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 too.
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 When Thomas
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 confessed and
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 declared,
00:16:30 --> 00:16:30 my Lord and
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 my God,
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 it tells us
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 who Jesus
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 really is.
00:16:33 --> 00:16:34 Jesus
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 truly is
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 both
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 Lord and
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 God,
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 and he
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 speaks of
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 us when
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 he says,
00:16:40 --> 00:16:41 blessed are
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 those who
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 have not
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 seen and
00:16:43 --> 00:16:43 yet have
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 believed.
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 Whoever at
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 any time,
00:16:48 --> 00:16:48 past,
00:16:48 --> 00:16:49 present,
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 or future,
00:16:50 --> 00:16:50 believed
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 without seeing
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 is pronounced
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 blessed.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 We are called
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 to walk by
00:16:55 --> 00:16:56 faith and
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 not by sight,
00:16:57 --> 00:16:58 but our
00:16:58 --> 00:16:58 faith has
00:16:58 --> 00:17:00 solid creditable
00:17:00 --> 00:17:01 historical
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 evidence of
00:17:02 --> 00:17:02 the recent
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 savior.
00:17:06 --> 00:17:06 So,
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 who is
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 Thomas,
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 and what
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 can we
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 learn from
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 him?
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 Thomas
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 lost an
00:17:12 --> 00:17:12 opportunity.
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 Thomas was
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 chosen by
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 God to
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 be his
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 witness,
00:17:17 --> 00:17:19 and his
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 biggest mistake
00:17:20 --> 00:17:20 was he
00:17:20 --> 00:17:22 withdrew from
00:17:22 --> 00:17:22 Christian
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 fellowship at
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 the site of
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 Jesus'
00:17:24 --> 00:17:25 suffering and
00:17:25 --> 00:17:25 crucifixion.
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 In his
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 isolation,
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 he missed
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 the site of
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 Christ.
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 He wanted
00:17:31 --> 00:17:31 to be by
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 himself in
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 his own
00:17:33 --> 00:17:33 suffering and
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 pain.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 As a loyal
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 disciple, he
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 was willing to
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 die with
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 Jesus.
00:17:39 --> 00:17:40 His intentions
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 were good,
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 however, his
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 action didn't
00:17:43 --> 00:17:43 follow.
00:17:44 --> 00:17:46 Thomas fled
00:17:46 --> 00:17:46 with the rest
00:17:46 --> 00:17:47 of the
00:17:47 --> 00:17:48 disciples and
00:17:48 --> 00:17:48 left Jesus
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 there, all
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 by himself,
00:17:51 --> 00:17:51 in the hands
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 of his
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 oppressors.
00:17:54 --> 00:17:55 He was
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 probably full
00:17:56 --> 00:17:57 of guilt and
00:17:57 --> 00:17:57 remorse.
00:17:59 --> 00:17:59 and he
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 did the
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 worst
00:18:00 --> 00:18:00 things.
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 But also
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 a very
00:18:02 --> 00:18:02 common thing
00:18:02 --> 00:18:04 that he
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 could have
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 done is
00:18:05 --> 00:18:05 to be
00:18:05 --> 00:18:06 alone by
00:18:06 --> 00:18:06 himself,
00:18:07 --> 00:18:07 hugging and
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 nurturing his
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 unbelief.
00:18:11 --> 00:18:11 How many
00:18:11 --> 00:18:12 of you
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 try to go
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 alone when
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 God has
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 provided others
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 who have
00:18:16 --> 00:18:17 made the
00:18:17 --> 00:18:18 same difficult
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 journey through
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 hurt, grief,
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 and suffering?
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 That is the
00:18:23 --> 00:18:25 exact time when
00:18:25 --> 00:18:25 we should be in
00:18:25 --> 00:18:26 the company of
00:18:26 --> 00:18:27 our fellow
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 believers.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 believers.
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 Thomas would
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 have been
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 better off if
00:18:31 --> 00:18:31 he had been
00:18:31 --> 00:18:32 in the company
00:18:32 --> 00:18:33 of the other
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 disciples and
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 would not miss
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 the blessing of
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 the resurrected
00:18:37 --> 00:18:38 Christ and
00:18:38 --> 00:18:39 spend eight
00:18:39 --> 00:18:39 more days
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 wallowing in
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 his unbelief.
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 Does that
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 mean Thomas
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 is a failure?
00:18:46 --> 00:18:47 Or are there
00:18:47 --> 00:18:47 things we can
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 still learn from
00:18:48 --> 00:18:48 him?
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 Thomas was a
00:18:51 --> 00:18:51 practical
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 disciple of
00:18:52 --> 00:18:54 Jesus and
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 he is
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 intellectually
00:18:55 --> 00:18:55 honest.
00:18:55 --> 00:18:58 He calculated
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 the situation
00:18:59 --> 00:18:59 carefully.
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 He was not
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 going to
00:19:02 --> 00:19:02 pretend to
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 understand
00:19:03 --> 00:19:05 something that
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 does not
00:19:05 --> 00:19:05 make sense
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 to him.
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 There are a
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 lot of things
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 in our life
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 that we must
00:19:10 --> 00:19:11 ponder and
00:19:11 --> 00:19:11 think through
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 for ourselves,
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 especially when
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 it is about
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 our relationship
00:19:15 --> 00:19:16 with God.
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 Jesus
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 patiently
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 worked with
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 Thomas and
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 strengthened him
00:19:22 --> 00:19:23 at the point
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 of his
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 weaknesses.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:25 Jesus will
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 patiently
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 wait and
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 guide us
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 in our
00:19:28 --> 00:19:29 life to
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 a full
00:19:30 --> 00:19:30 acceptance of
00:19:30 --> 00:19:32 God because
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 he is the
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 way, the
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 truth, and
00:19:34 --> 00:19:35 the life.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:36 And no one
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 comes to the
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 Father except
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 through Jesus.
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 If you truly
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 want to be a
00:19:43 --> 00:19:43 follower of
00:19:43 --> 00:19:45 Jesus, if you
00:19:45 --> 00:19:45 really want to
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 have a close
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 relationship with
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 God, be bold
00:19:48 --> 00:19:50 and stay your
00:19:50 --> 00:19:50 case with God
00:19:50 --> 00:19:51 in your prayer.
00:19:51 --> 00:19:53 ask God to
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 show him to
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 you in the
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 most practical
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 way you can
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 think of.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 Be honest with
00:19:59 --> 00:19:59 your questions
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 and doubts
00:20:00 --> 00:20:02 and be prepared
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 to have Jesus
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 call on you
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 to put your
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 finger into
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 his hand.
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 Thomas looked
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 carefully into
00:20:10 --> 00:20:12 things determined
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 to inquire as
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 their deepest
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 meaning.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 He refused to
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 say he understood
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 something when he
00:20:18 --> 00:20:18 did not.
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 He refused to
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 say he believed
00:20:21 --> 00:20:22 something that
00:20:22 --> 00:20:22 he really
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 didn't.
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 A yes from
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 Thomas is
00:20:26 --> 00:20:26 always a yes.
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 A no is
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 always a no.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 And when
00:20:31 --> 00:20:31 Thomas was
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 sure, he
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 went the
00:20:33 --> 00:20:33 whole way.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 He declared
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 my Lord and
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 my God and
00:20:36 --> 00:20:37 he meant
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 every word of
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 it.
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 And by that
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 declaration, he
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 put his faith
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 into what he
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 believes.
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 So why are we
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 talking about
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 Thomas this
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 morning?
00:20:47 --> 00:20:49 Thomas was
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 the last of
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 the twelve
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 apostles to
00:20:52 --> 00:20:52 believe in the
00:20:52 --> 00:20:53 resurrection of
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 Jesus because
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 he was not
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 there on the
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 Sunday evening
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 that Christ
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 rose from the
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 dead.
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 So he had to
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 wait for a
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 full week.
00:21:03 --> 00:21:03 When he saw
00:21:03 --> 00:21:04 Jesus, there
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 was no need
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 for pulping
00:21:06 --> 00:21:06 fingers.
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 He declared,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 you are my
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 Lord and my
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 God, and he
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 worshipped the
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 resurrected Jesus.
00:21:12 --> 00:21:17 He has the
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 courage to
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 admit his
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 weaknesses and
00:21:19 --> 00:21:21 admit that he
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 has been
00:21:21 --> 00:21:22 preoccupied by
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 himself and
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 his own
00:21:23 --> 00:21:23 view.
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 And he was
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 willing to
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 face the
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 facts and
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 change his
00:21:27 --> 00:21:27 view.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:29 He courageously
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 accepted the
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 absolute truth
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 that Jesus is
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 the Lord and
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 God.
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 When Jesus
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 told Thomas,
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 because you
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 have seen
00:21:38 --> 00:21:38 me, you
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 have believed.
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 Blessed are
00:21:40 --> 00:21:41 those who
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 have not
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 seen and yet
00:21:42 --> 00:21:42 have believed.
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 Jesus is
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 also talking
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 to you and
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 me.
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 Believing is
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 directing your
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 heart's attention
00:21:51 --> 00:21:51 to Jesus.
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 Unbelief, put
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 yourself where
00:21:55 --> 00:21:56 God should be.
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 Jesus helped
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 Thomas to get
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 his eyes off
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 himself and
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 look upon
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 him.
00:22:04 --> 00:22:05 Jesus wants
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 you to do
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 the same, to
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 look upon
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 him and
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 worship him
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 as your
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 Lord and
00:22:11 --> 00:22:11 your God.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 God's
00:22:13 --> 00:22:15 peace will
00:22:15 --> 00:22:15 be with
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 you and
00:22:16 --> 00:22:16 you are
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 blessed.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 As you
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 direct your
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 heart's
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 attention to
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 Jesus, you
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 will see all
00:22:22 --> 00:22:22 the awesome
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 blessings that
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 God has set
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 aside and
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 prepared for
00:22:25 --> 00:22:25 you.
00:22:26 --> 00:22:27 Don't be
00:22:27 --> 00:22:27 unbelieving,
00:22:27 --> 00:22:29 believe.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:29 Believe.
00:22:29 --> 00:22:30 Believe.
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 Amen.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 Believe.
00:22:31 --> 00:22:31 Believe.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 Believe.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:32 Believe.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Believe.
00:22:33 --> 00:22:35 Believe.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 Believe.
00:22:36 --> 00:22:49 Believe.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:50 Oh.