John 20: Thomas 24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!” 29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 21: Peter 15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs.” 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep.” 17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

John 21: Peter 18I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!” 20Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") 21When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?”

John 21: John 22Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23Because of this, the rumour spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” 24This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true. 25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Sharing Faith……. like Jesus' Flawed Disciples

Question from a seeker Why did Jesus choose such an unimpressive group of followers?

“Plaster saints”

The reality Thomas -the twin -the shopper -the doubter

The reality Thomas -the twin -the shopper -the doubter -the believer -the proclaimer -the missionary -the martyr

The reality Peter -the fisherman -the impetuous -the braggard -the denier

The reality

John 21: Peter 15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs.” 16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep.” 17The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

The reality Peter -the fisherman -the impetuous -the braggard -the denier -the penitent and humble -the shepherd -the fisher of men -the martyr

The reality John -the youngster -the “son of thunder” -the ambitious

The reality John -the youngster -the “son of thunder” -the ambitious -the sleeper -the beloved -the lover -the writer -the exile

The reality John -the youngster -the “son of thunder” -the ambitious -the beloved -the lover -the writer -the exile

What are our flaws? Doubt? Bravado? Ambition? …….or something else?

How will Jesus handle our flaws? with reassurance – expecting a response with forgiveness – if we are honest with love ….and always with a call to follow and serve

How did they share their faith? Thomas - personal statement Peter – proclamation and leadership John – writing …and being prepared to suffer….. How about us?

Question from a seeker Why did Jesus choose such an unimpressive group of followers? Answer They’re just like you and me

“Plaster saints”?

Or real saints?

We’ll walk the land We’ll walk the land with hearts on fire And every step will be a prayer Hope is rising, new day dawning Sound of singing fills the air Two thousand years and still the flame Is burning bright across the land Hearts are waiting, longing, aching For awakening once again

We’ll walk the land Let the flame burn brighter In the heart of darkness Turning night to glorious day Let the song grow louder As our love grow stronger Let it shine! Let it shine! We’ll walk for truth, speak out for love In Jesus’ name we shall be strong To lift the fallen, to save the children To fill the nation with Your song

Invitation to Communion Come, If you have much faith and if you have little, Come, if you have been here often and if you have not been for a long time, Come, if you have tried to follow and if you have failed. Come, old and young, if you desire to love the Lord, to meet with Him

Quietly think of the things you may have done wrong, or the wrong thoughts you may have had this week. Have there been times when we have thought “Oops!, I shouldn’t have done that or thought that” Tell God all about it. God is good and loving and will forgive us if we say sorry. Quietly say sorry to God. You may need to say sorry to some-one you have hurt this week too. And ALWAYS remember that GOD LOVES YOU

Thank you, God, for Jesus

Jesus stand among us Jesus, stand among us At the meeting of our lives Be our sweet agreement At the meeting of our eyes O Jesus, we love You, so we gather here Join our hearts in unity and take away our fear

Jesus stand among us So to You we're gathering Out of each and every land Christ the love between us At the joining of our hands O Jesus, we love You, so we gather here Join our hearts in unity and take away our fear

Jesus stand among us Jesus, stand among us At the breaking of the bread Join us as one body As we worship You, our Head O Jesus, we love You, so we gather here Join our hearts in unity and take away our fear

We remember… Paul said that he received this teaching from the Lord: On the night when the Lord Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread and gave thanks for it. Then he broke the bread and said “This is my body; it is for you. Do this to remember me.” In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, “This cup is the new agreement that is sealed with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me.” Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are telling others about the Lord’s death until he comes. All who desire to love the Lord Jesus and meet with him are welcome to take the bread and a cup. Please eat the bread when it is offered to you; please retain the cup, so that we may drink all together as one body

In Christ alone In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid Ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm. What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease! My Comforter, my All in All, here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone In Christ alone! who took on flesh Fulness of God in helpless babe! This gift of love and righteousness Scorned by the ones he came to save: Till on that cross as Jesus died, The wrath of God was satisfied - For every sin on Him was laid; Here in the death of Christ I live.

In Christ alone There in the ground His body lay Light of the world by darkness slain: Then bursting forth in glorious Day Up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory Sin's curse has lost its grip on me, For I am His and He is mine - Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

In Christ alone No guilt in life, no fear in death, This is the power of Christ in me; From life's first cry to final breath. Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck me from His hand; Till He returns or calls me home, Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.

Heavenly Father Thank you for giving Jesus to us. As we give ourselves to you Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Christ has Died – Christ is Risen & Christ will come again.

The Grace The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen. Our Gathered Worship is Ended – Our Worship continues Our Service begins