1. Do Not Be Unbeliving
John 20:24-31

2. Reasons to Believe
Men offer experiences, logic and human wisdom as a basis for faith
They reject the truth of the gospel
These do not establish genuine faith
Isa 55:8-9; Rom 1:21-22; 1 Cor 1:21

3. Reasons to Believe
God and His Christ teach us who will truly know and believe, Jno 7:16-18
John 20:24-31:
What you should believe
Why you should believe

4. THE DILEMMA (Jno 20:24-25) “I was not there”!
We were not there when Jesus arose and appeared, 20:24, 19-20
Doubt lingered after Peter and John saw the empty tomb, Jno 20:8-10
Apostles’ initially rejected the eyewitnesses, Mark 16:11-13
Absence does not eliminate accurate faith, Job 38:4; Psa 19:1; Rom 1:20

5. THE DILEMMA (Jno 20:24-25) “I was not there”!
Why should we believe eyewitness testimony?
Jesus rebuked the rejection of credible, eyewitness testimony, Mk 16:14
Credibility of the witnesses must first be established

6. THE DILEMMA (Jno 20:24-25) “I was not there”!
God-defined reasons to believe
Faith is not built on superstition or on blind fanatical emotion
Faith is reasonable and based on rational evidence

7. THE DILEMMA (Jno 20:24-25) “I was not there”!
Evidence for faith, Jno 14:7-11
Words (teaching, testimony), 14:10; 3:11, 31-32
Works (miracles), 14:11; 10:25, 37-38

8. THE DILEMMA (Jno 20:24-25) “I was not there”!
Evidence to believe Jesus is the Christ, Jno 5:31-47
Testimony of John, 5:33 (1:29-34)
Miracles (Father’s testimony), 5:36-37; 11:42
The Scriptures, 5:39; Acts 10:43 (Prophecy)
Moses, 5:46; Acts 3:22-23
Words of Jesus, 5:47; 8:43-47
His resurrection, Matt 12:39-40; Rom 1:4

9. Jesus Makes it Possible to Believe (John 20:26-27)
Thomas wanted to examine the evidence that Jesus was alive, 20:25 (19-20)
Doubt would turn into certain faith
Thomas: His apostleship, Acts 1:22
All people: Words and confirming miracles, Mark 16:15-20
An inspired record, 1 Jno 1:1-4
Confident faith is possible, Eph 3:1-5

10. Jesus Makes it Possible to Believe (John 20:26-27)
We must “reach out” and see the credibility of the witnesses (apostles) and their testimony (NT), 1 Cor 2:13; Cor 4:7-15
Luke: Eyewitness testimony plus Luke’s “perfect understanding” produced a record by which Theophilus could “know the certainty” of the gospel! Luke 1:1-4

11. The Confession of Faith
(John 20:28)
“My Lord and My God”
Jesus accepted this confession
Testimony of His deity, 1:1-3; 5:17-18; 8:58; 10:30-36
This is the good confession of faith, Acts 8:36-37

12. The Blessing of Faith (John 20:29-31)
Christ will bless faith, Heb 11:6
Not blind faith
Open hearts to assess the testimony given by credible witnesses
Open hearts to believe, Acts 17:2-4, 10-12
Genuine faith rests on evidence and is blessed, 1 Pet 1:6-9

13. The Blessing of Faith (John 20:29-31)
That you may believe, Jno 20:30-31
Written testimony from credible witnesses, 20:31; Acts 1:8
The object of faith: Life in His name, 20:31 (1 Jno 1:1-4)

14. Do not be Unbelieving, but Believing
There is fullness of joy in faith because it produces eternal life
Faith rests on the solid ground of evidence, Heb 11:1
Jesus was raised -- the tomb was empty
Apostles saw Him alive (Acts 1:3)
Gospel is certified by mighty miracles
No escape if we neglect so great a salvation! Heb 2:3-4