OPENING STATEMENT:

Resurrection Hangover is the Sunday after Resurrection Sunday…we forget that Christ is alive. We forget that Jesus lives inside of you and I. We fear. We doubt. The disciples were no different. The Bible tells us that they went into hiding, full of fear and doubt. That was their Resurrection Hangover.

OPENING SCRIPTURE:

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!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20 NIV)

• All the disciples were there except for one: Thomas.
• Thomas struggled with: Doubt .
• He struggled with the fact that Jesus, the son of God, who choose the cross over a throne.

Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 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.” (John 20:24-25 NIV)

• Thomas was wired differently. He needed to experience to believe. He needed to see to believe.
• God wants you to have an experience with Him rather than hearing a story about Him.
• God can change your doubt into a believable experience.

#1: LOYATLY: THOMAS WAS LOYAL

“Let us also go, that we may die with him.” (John 11:16 NIV)

• Thomas was loyal to Jesus. He did not care about his own life.
• Loyalty leads to intimacy and fellowship with God. Loyalty to God leads to boldness!

#2 HONESTY: THOMAS WAS HONEST

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1-4 NIV)

Thomas reacted:

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5 NIV)

• Thomas was honest enough to admit that he did not understand.

Out of Thomas’ honesty we get an anchor to our Christian faith.

Jesus answered, “I AM THE WAY AND THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)

Honesty with God leads to truth. Honesty leads to freedom!
Thomas was honest about his doubts. He did not hide it.

But he (Thomas) 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.” (John 20:25 NIV)

• Thomas’ predisposition: People don’t come back from the dead.
• Doubt is not the same as unbelief. Unbelief is when you just don’t care to know. But Doubt is when you are looking for answers.
• Thomas was searching for answers.

As long as you keep searching for answers, God will answer them.

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!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side.” (John 20:26-27 NIV)

• Jesus was so gracious with Thomas. He stooped down to Thomas’ level of understanding.

When you look for God, He will find you!

Jesus challenged Thomas:

STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE.” Thomas said to him, “MY LORD AND MY GOD!” (John 20:27-28 NIV)

• Jesus had a plan for Thomas’ life and his doubts were not going to hinder him.

CONCLUSION:

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?