Attitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings

What is this series about? An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy A look at the condition of those who lack these qualities

Outline (John 20:24-31) Doubting Thomas Believing is seeing The blessing of believing without seeing The cursed life: the seeing unbelievers The challenge for us: believe the testimony

Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-29) One of the 12 apostles, a witness of His works Not present when Jesus appeared alive to the others Refused to believe what he could not see & touch Do we struggle with that too? Don’t be too hard on Thomas though… When He saw Jesus, the evidence was undeniable He believed, He worshipped But Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who believe without seeing “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed”

Believing is seeing (not the other way around) Faith is the conviction of things not seen (Heb. 11:1) We walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7) Faith in the identity of Jesus Faith in His atonement on the cross Faith in His resurrection Faith in His authority Faith in His commands/teachings Faith in His second-coming Faith in the testimony of the many witnesses Faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17) Believing is seeing: spiritual sight of God at work, His plan unfolding through the ages and in our own lives

The blessing of believing without seeing Those who believe the testimony will overcome the world (1 John 5:5-11) Believing without seeing leads to salvation (1 Pet. 1:8-9) Faith gives us hope (Rom. 8:24-25; 2 Cor. 4:18) “A faithful man will abound with blessings” (Prov. 28:20)

The cursed life: the seeing unbelievers John 6:36 – they saw Christ, but did not believe John 15:24 – they saw Him and hated Him 2 Cor. 4:4 – they are blinded John 9:39-41 – they remain in their sins 3 John 11 – they do evil Heb. 11:6 – they cannot please God Unbelievers today are those who refuse to believe the evidence of testimony…they continue in the curse of spiritual blindness

The challenge for us: to believe the testimony Our faith is not built on ignorance…there is evidence! John the baptizer testified (John 1:15,34) Jesus’ works testified (John 5:36) The Father testified (John 5:37) The Old Testament Scriptures testified (John 5:39) Disciples testified (John 12:17) Holy Spirit testified (John 15:26) 12 Apostles testified (Acts 4:33) Apostle Paul testified (Acts 18:5) Be not ashamed of believing the testimony (2 Tim. 1:8) “He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the L ORD ” (Prov. 16:20)

Summary Thomas refused to believe what he could not see…let us learn from his example Faith is sight: Belief enables us to see God The cursed life: unbelievers are those who reject the evidence, and they cannot please God Our challenge: to believe the evidence and live accordingly, holy and faithful until death “Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed”

Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34) That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9) Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12) Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32) Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37) Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12) Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27) Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21) Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9) Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36

Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly