2. People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. Tim Keller People who blithely go through life too busy or indifferent to ask hard questions about why they believe as they do will find themselves defenseless against either the experience of tragedy or the probing questions of a smart skeptic. Tim Keller Doubts are like spiritual antibodies

3. [God] so regulates the knowledge of Himself that He has given signs of Himself, visible to those who seek Him, and not to those who seek Him not (cont.) God gives enough facts to produce faith, if you’re seeking him.

4. There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition. Blaise Pascal French mathematician There is enough light for those who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition. Blaise Pascal French mathematician

5. If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn't rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said? Resurrection is the greatest fact our faith is built on. our faith is built on. Resurrection is the greatest fact our faith is built on. our faith is built on.

6. The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead. Timothy Keller The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead. Timothy Keller

7. Intro to this story – John 20 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

8. But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” John 20.24-25 But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” John 20.24-25

9. The question: what will it take for me to believe? What are my conditions? The question: what will it take for me to believe? What are my conditions? Is faith believing with no reference to facts? No

10. The most significant resurrection story: Jesus comes to Thomas. The entire book of John covers about 20 days in Jesus’ life. Why did John pick this story?

11. He’s called doubting Thomas but that’s unfair. Thomas responded to Jesus with the greatest statement of faith in the Bible. It’s one we must make as Christians.

12. Thomas get a personal appearance, and we don’t, because he is an Apostle, entrusted to take this good news to the world. Thomas get a personal appearance, and we don’t, because he is an Apostle, entrusted to take this good news to the world.

13. An apostle had to see the risen Lord. [John] We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. (1 John 1.b) [Paul] Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him [although] I am the least of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15.8-9 An apostle had to see the risen Lord. [John] We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. (1 John 1.b) [Paul] Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him [although] I am the least of all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15.8-9

14. They were to bear witness to Jesus to all the nations. For Thomas, that meant India.

15. The apostles didn’t offer good philosophy or good teachings. They brought good news. It’s not about us but about Jesus, his miracle birth, his miracles, his bloody death, his resurrection The apostles didn’t offer good philosophy or good teachings. They brought good news. It’s not about us but about Jesus, his miracle birth, his miracles, his bloody death, his resurrection

16. John is saying, you can trust us. We got the royal treatment. During the forty days after Jesus suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1.3) John is saying, you can trust us. We got the royal treatment. During the forty days after Jesus suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1.3)

17. The good news affects our past everything is forgiven our present a 24/7 Companion our future a rehab body and universe The good news affects our past everything is forgiven our present a 24/7 Companion our future a rehab body and universe

18. 2) The appearance of Thomas is important because he’s such a great believer.

19. The appearance of Thomas is important because he’s such a great believer. He gets the theme of John, what Jesus had communicated all along. The appearance of Thomas is important because he’s such a great believer. He gets the theme of John, what Jesus had communicated all along.

20. ...before Abraham was even born, I AM. (John 8.58) Jesus is the uncreated, uncaused, beginningless, self-existent, self-sustaining Being...before Abraham was even born, I AM. (John 8.58) Jesus is the uncreated, uncaused, beginningless, self-existent, self-sustaining Being

21. Thomas distills the story: My Lord and my God! John 20.28 Thomas distills the story: My Lord and my God! John 20.28 Thomas gets it.

22. It’s an objective truth: Jesus is Lord of the universe and God Almighty It’s an objective truth: Jesus is Lord of the universe and God Almighty It’s a personal declaration: He is my Lord He is my God It’s a personal declaration: He is my Lord He is my God

23. How should we respond? Listen to the apostles They [kept telling] Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” (John 20.25) Get into the Gospels and let them persuade you. Listen to the apostles They [kept telling] Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” (John 20.25) Get into the Gospels and let them persuade you.

24. Appreciate Jesus’ patience with you Then Jesus said to Thomas, "...Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20.27) He knows you totally, intimately. He loves you passionately. Respond to him! Appreciate Jesus’ patience with you Then Jesus said to Thomas, "...Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20.27) He knows you totally, intimately. He loves you passionately. Respond to him! How should we respond?

25. Look at Jesus’ wounds Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side... (John 20.27) Only a wounded God will remove your fears and awaken your love. Look at Jesus’ wounds Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side... (John 20.27) Only a wounded God will remove your fears and awaken your love. How should we respond?

27. Drop your conditions Thomas didn’t reach out and touch. We say I’ll believe in you if... That “if” is more important to us than Jesus. Drop your conditions Thomas didn’t reach out and touch. We say I’ll believe in you if... That “if” is more important to us than Jesus. How should we respond?

28. Become a “Thomas” to others Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you’ve seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20.29) That’s us and our friends who hear the good news from us. You’re the 5 th Gospel Become a “Thomas” to others Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you’ve seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20.29) That’s us and our friends who hear the good news from us. You’re the 5 th Gospel How should we respond?