Easter at Church of the Highlands 2021 - Believing Thomas

Romans 8:11

English Standard Version

11 If the Spirit (Breath)  of him (God) who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus[a] from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

 

Easter is not an event to celebrate, but a power to experience.  Jesus said...

 

John 11:26

English Standard Version

26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

 

But some of us struggle with belief.  Here's story in the Bible about a father who struggled in his faith.  

 

Mark 9:17-24

English Standard Version

17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 

18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” 

19 And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” 

20 And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 

21 And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 

22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” 

23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” 

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

We sometimes doubt that God will come through for us.  We've tried to believe in the past, but it didn't work out.  

We've struggled because we've hung out with people who struggled with doubt.    

The great thing about God is that He helps people even in their doubts.  Here is another story about Jesus helping someone in their doubts.

John 20:24-28

English Standard Version

Jesus and 

24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 

25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although 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, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.   

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

 

1.  We must realize that Jesus helps us in our doubts.  Doubts will never keep Jesus away.

2. We must take a step to Jesus, and discover who He really is.  Belief won't come to you.  You must go to it.  

3. We must give our lives to Jesus who gave His life for us.  Belief is not faith in something.  It is faith in someone. Jesus. 

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