WHAT DID THOMAS MISS? John 20
A Special Day Jesus arose from the dead that morning Luke 24:1,13,21 He appeared to Mary John 20:11-18, Mark 16:9-11 He appeared to Peter 1 Cor. 15:5, Luke 24:35 He appeared to two disciples Mark 16:12-13, Luke 24:13-35 He appeared to ten apostles John 20:19-23
Other Appearances He appeared to all apostles John 20:24-29, 1 Cor. 15:5 He appeared to over 500 at one time 1 Cor. 15:6 He appeared to James 1 Cor. 15:7 He appeared to seven disciples John 21 He appeared to all the apostles and others 1 Cor. 15:7, Acts 1:4-11, 21-22
John 20:19-29 Thomas was not there when Jesus appeared to the disciples v.24 Jesus gave the Great Commission v.20-23, Acts 1:2 He ate in front of them to prove it was He Luke 24:36-43 The disciples rejoiced v.23
What Thomas Missed A chance to see Jesus A chance to be with Jesus A joyful occasion The other disciples A chance for his faith to be strengthened The Great Commission (the Lord’s instruction) Regardless of the reason, Thomas missed the occasion
We Are to Assemble Regardless of the reason, we miss something when we are not at the assembly Hebrews 10:25 is not only a command to keep God commands it for our spiritual good v.24 It is a sin to forsake the assembly “disorderly” = those who will not be here 1 Thess. 5:14 “weak” = those who can not be here It is not a sin to be absent from the assembly
What We Miss Regardless of the reason, if we are absent from the assembly, we miss some important things: A chance to see Jesus 2 Cor. 3:18 A chance to be with Jesus Matthew 18:20, 26:29, 1 Cor. 10:16-17 A joyful occasion John 15:11, Psalm 122:1 Fellowship with other Christians Psalm 133:1 A chance for our faith to be edified Heb.10:24- 25, 1 Cor. 14:26, Ephesians 5:18-19 The Lord’s instruction Hosea 4:6, John 12:48