1. ICEL Jesus meets us in our fears and doubts John 20: 19-31

2. ICEL Context God’s plan for salvation was completedGod’s plan for salvation was completed Old testamentOld testament Explaining the need for a SaviourExplaining the need for a Saviour Detailed propheciesDetailed prophecies New TestamentNew Testament GospelsGospels His incarnation – ChristmasHis incarnation – Christmas Jesus’ ministryJesus’ ministry The crucifixion - Good FridayThe crucifixion - Good Friday The resurrection - EasterThe resurrection - Easter Account and letters to the early churchAccount and letters to the early church Prophecy about a new Heaven and EarthProphecy about a new Heaven and Earth

3. ICEL What preceded Time between resurrection and ascension: purpose and message of this ministry extension ?Time between resurrection and ascension: purpose and message of this ministry extension ? Jesus appeared to Mary MagdaleneJesus appeared to Mary Magdalene Jesus had appeared to two disciples on their way to EmmausJesus had appeared to two disciples on their way to Emmaus Now Jesus appears to his 11 eleven disciples, except ThomasNow Jesus appears to his 11 eleven disciples, except Thomas

4. ICEL John 20: 19-31 (New International Version) 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’

5. ICEL John 20: 19-31 (New International Version) 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So 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.’ 26 A 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!’ 27 Then 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.’ 28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

6. ICEL John 20: 19-31 (New International Version) 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

7. ICEL 19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ 1. 1. Jesus meets us in our fears

8. ICEL Fear!Fear! Jesus’ reaction:Jesus’ reaction: Jesus appears to his disciplesJesus appears to his disciples Jesus meets his disciples in their fearJesus meets his disciples in their fear  Emotions 1. 1. Jesus meets us in our fears

9. ICEL Fear!Fear! Jesus’ reaction;Jesus’ reaction; Jesus appears to his disciplesJesus appears to his disciples Jesus meets his disciples in their fearJesus meets his disciples in their fear  Emotions  God’s emotions  Grief  Anger  Rejoicing  Compassion  Sadness  What makes us fearful today? 1. 1. Jesus meets us in our fears

10. ICEL Fear!Fear! Jesus’ reaction;Jesus’ reaction; Jesus appears to his disciplesJesus appears to his disciples Jesus meets his disciples in their fearJesus meets his disciples in their fear Jesus addresses them in their fearJesus addresses them in their fear Peace be with you!’ … ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ … Receive the Holy Spirit: if you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’Peace be with you!’ … ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ … Receive the Holy Spirit: if you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ PEACEPEACE MISSIONMISSION EMPOWERMENT – with the Holy SpiritEMPOWERMENT – with the Holy Spirit 1. 1. Jesus meets us in our fears

11. ICEL 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So 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.’ 26 A 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!’ 27 Then 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.’ 28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 2. 2. Jesus meets us in our doubts

12. ICEL Thomas – the embodiment of doubtThomas – the embodiment of doubt Jesus’ reactionJesus’ reaction Jesus does not …Jesus does not … Jesus does …Jesus does … Thomas’ response: My Lord and my God !Thomas’ response: My Lord and my God ! Our doubts ?Our doubts ? John the BaptistJohn the Baptist Jude 1:21 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.Jude 1:21 22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Shall we be encouraged to doubt ? Cultivate doubt ?Shall we be encouraged to doubt ? Cultivate doubt ? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 2. 2. Jesus meets us in our doubts

13. ICEL 3. 3. A scared world needs a fearless church A fear-stricken church cannot help a scared world. We who are in the secret place of safety must begin to talk and act like it. We, above all who dwell upon the earth, should be calm, hopeful, buoyant and cheerful. We'll never convince the scared world that there is peace at the Cross if we continue to exhibit the same fears as those who make no profession of Christianity. -- Aiden Wilson Tozer, The World: Playground or Battleground ? --

14. ICEL 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. We have a relational; powerful, merciful and accessible God, who understands our every weaknessunderstands our every weakness understands our fears, our emotions and our doubtsunderstands our fears, our emotions and our doubts wants us to bring them to his thronewants us to bring them to his throne responds to them in granting us peace, giving us his Spiritresponds to them in granting us peace, giving us his Spirit with the mission to be an effective churchwith the mission to be an effective church Faith that produces peace and joy: not only the belief that Jesus died and rose again; but that He did so for each of us. 4. 4. Conclusion