Empowered by the Resurrection: Peace, Purpose, and Belief
Summary
As we gather today, we are reminded of the profound reality of the resurrection and its ongoing impact in our lives. Many of us can recall a time when we knew about Jesus, but did not truly know Him—when faith was more of a tradition than a relationship. Yet, through the simple and powerful message of the gospel, everything changes. The resurrection is not just a historical event to be celebrated once a year; it is the very foundation of our hope, our peace, and our purpose.
The resurrection brings peace into the midst of our fears and anxieties. Just as Jesus appeared to His disciples in their darkest hour, offering them peace, He offers the same to us today. This peace is not a fleeting feeling, but the deep assurance that Christ has overcome the world and all its troubles. Even when our circumstances are uncertain or even tragic, the peace of Christ remains steadfast, anchoring us in His victory.
Beyond peace, the resurrection ushers in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus breathes His Spirit upon His followers, empowering them to continue His ministry. This is not a distant promise, but a present reality for all who trust in Him. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now dwells in us, equipping us to serve, to witness, and to live boldly in the power of God. The challenge before us is to let the resurrection move from being a mere event to a daily source of empowerment and mission.
Finally, the resurrection calls us to belief. Like Thomas, we may wrestle with doubt or need tangible evidence of God’s work. Yet, Jesus meets us in our doubts, offering mercy and revealing Himself in ways we can understand. Faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting in the One who has conquered sin and death. As we believe, we are invited into true life—life marked by hope, purpose, and the abiding presence of Christ.
May we not keep this hope to ourselves, but testify to others of the peace, power, and belief that the resurrection brings. Whether we are strong in faith or seeking assurance, Jesus invites us to see His wounds, to know His love, and to live in the fullness of His resurrection every day.
Key Takeaways
- The Resurrection Brings Real Peace: In a world filled with anxiety and fear, the peace Jesus offers is not just a comforting word but a transformative reality. Even when circumstances are dire, as with the disciples after the crucifixion, Christ’s presence brings a peace that surpasses understanding. This peace is rooted in His victory over sin and death, and it is available to us right now, regardless of what we face. [08:45]
- The Holy Spirit Empowers Us for Ministry: The resurrection is not the end, but the beginning of a new era where the Holy Spirit is given to all believers. Jesus breathes His Spirit upon His followers, equipping them to continue His work in the world. This same Spirit dwells in us, inviting us to step into the ministry and calling God has for each of us, not just as a Sunday experience but as a daily reality. [15:30]
- Faith Is Strengthened Through Both Doubt and Encounter: Thomas’s story reminds us that doubt is not the enemy of faith, but often a pathway to deeper belief. Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for his need to see, but graciously meets him where he is, offering tangible evidence of His resurrection. God is patient with our doubts and continues to reveal Himself, inviting us to trust even when we cannot see the whole picture. [22:10]
- Belief Leads to True Life: The purpose of the resurrection is not just to inspire belief, but to impart life—life in the name of Jesus. As we trust in Christ, we are not only assured of eternal life, but are invited to experience the fullness of life here and now. This life is marked by hope, purpose, and the ongoing presence of God, transforming every aspect of our existence. [28:45]
- Testimony Is Essential to the Spread of the Gospel: None of us comes to faith in isolation; we are here because someone shared the hope of Christ with us. We are called to do the same, empowered by the Holy Spirit to testify of God’s goodness and the reality of the resurrection. Our stories and our witness are vital in helping others encounter the peace, power, and belief that only Jesus can bring. [30:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:35] - Opening Prayer
[01:30] - Personal Story: Knowing About vs. Knowing Jesus
[03:45] - The Power of the Gospel Message
[05:20] - Why Are We Here? The Role of Invitation
[07:10] - The Turning Point: The Cross and Resurrection
[08:45] - The Resurrection Brings Peace
[12:00] - Peace in the Midst of Anxiety
[15:30] - The Gift of the Holy Spirit
[18:20] - Empowered for Ministry
[20:10] - Living in the Reality of the Resurrection
[22:10] - The Resurrection Brings Belief
[25:00] - Thomas: Doubt and Encounter
[28:45] - Belief and True Life
[30:10] - The Call to Testify
[31:02] - Closing and Hymn
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living in the Power of the Resurrection
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### Bible Reading
John 20:19-31
*(This passage is the main text for the sermon and covers Jesus’ appearance to the disciples after the resurrection, His gift of peace, the giving of the Holy Spirit, and Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ.)*
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### Observation Questions
1. When Jesus first appears to the disciples after His resurrection, what are the first words He says to them? Why might this greeting be significant? [08:45]
2. According to John 20:22, what does Jesus do for His disciples after speaking peace to them? What does this action symbolize? [15:30]
3. How does Thomas respond when the other disciples tell him they have seen the risen Lord? What does he say he needs in order to believe? [22:10]
4. What is the stated purpose for the signs recorded in John’s Gospel, according to John 20:30-31? [28:45]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon mentions that Jesus’ greeting of “Peace be with you” is more than just a polite hello. What does this peace mean for the disciples in their moment of fear, and what does it mean for us today? [08:45]
2. The act of Jesus breathing on His disciples and saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” is described as a turning point. How does this moment change the disciples’ mission and identity? [15:30]
3. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas,” but the sermon suggests his doubt led to a deeper encounter with Jesus. What does Thomas’s story teach us about the role of doubt in faith? [22:10]
4. The sermon says the resurrection is not just a past event but a present reality. What does it look like to live in the reality of the resurrection every day, rather than just remembering it once a year? [20:10]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon shared that Jesus brings peace even in the midst of anxiety and fear. What is one area of your life right now where you need to experience the peace of Christ? How can you invite Him into that situation this week? [08:45]
2. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to empower His followers for ministry. What is one way you sense God might be calling you to serve or witness to others—not just on Sundays, but in your daily life? [15:30]
3. The pastor shared a personal story about coming to know Jesus not just as a tradition, but as a relationship. Can you relate to a time when your faith shifted from “knowing about” Jesus to truly “knowing” Him? What helped make that change? [01:30]
4. Thomas needed to see and touch Jesus’ wounds before he could believe. Are there areas in your faith where you struggle with doubt or need reassurance? How can you bring those doubts honestly to Jesus, and what would it look like for Him to meet you there? [22:10]
5. The sermon challenges us not to keep the hope of the resurrection to ourselves. Who is one person in your life who needs to hear about the peace, power, or hope you have found in Jesus? What is a practical step you can take to share your story or encourage them this week? [30:10]
6. The disciples’ lives were transformed by the resurrection, even in the face of suffering. Is there a difficult circumstance you are facing where you need to remember the victory and hope of the resurrection? How can this truth anchor you right now? [08:45]
7. The pastor asked, “Where is God calling you right now? Who is He calling you to minister to?” Take a moment to reflect: What gifts or opportunities has God given you to serve others, and how might you step out in faith this week? [18:20]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, asking God to make the reality of the resurrection alive in each person’s life—bringing peace, empowering by the Holy Spirit, strengthening faith, and opening doors to share the hope of Jesus with others.
Devotional
Day 1: Peace Rooted in Resurrection Victory
The resurrection of Christ is not merely a historical event but a living source of peace that transcends all fear and anxiety. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He offered them peace in the midst of their confusion and despair. This peace is not a temporary relief but a deep, abiding assurance grounded in the reality that Christ has overcome sin, death, and every trouble the world can bring. No matter how uncertain or difficult your circumstances may be, the peace of the risen Christ is available to anchor your soul and calm your heart.
This peace invites you to rest in the victory of Jesus rather than the shifting circumstances around you. It is a peace that surpasses understanding because it is rooted in the unchanging truth of the resurrection. As you face your fears and anxieties today, remember that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in you, offering a peace that will not fail. [08:45]
Psalm 4:7-8 (ESV)
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Reflection: What specific fear or anxiety can you bring to Jesus today, trusting that His resurrection power offers you peace beyond your understanding? How can you remind yourself of this peace throughout your day?
Day 2: Empowered by the Breath of the Holy Spirit
The resurrection marks the beginning of a new era where believers are not left to carry on Jesus’ mission in their own strength but are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus breathed His Spirit upon His followers, equipping them to serve, witness, and live boldly in God’s power. This gift is not reserved for a select few or a distant promise but is a present reality for all who trust in Him. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells within you, inviting you to step into the ministry and calling God has for your life.
Living in the reality of the resurrection means embracing the Spirit’s empowerment daily, not just on Sundays or special occasions. It means allowing the Spirit to guide your actions, embolden your witness, and transform your heart. As you yield to the Spirit’s work, you become a living testimony of the resurrection’s power, carrying Christ’s presence into every corner of your world. [15:30]
Ezekiel 37:9-10 (ESV)
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.”
Reflection: In what area of your life or ministry do you need to invite the Holy Spirit’s breath and power today? How can you practically open yourself to His guidance and strength in the next 24 hours?
Day 3: Doubt as a Pathway to Deeper Faith
Faith is not the absence of doubt but often grows through it. The story of Thomas shows that Jesus does not condemn those who wrestle with uncertainty but meets them with mercy and tangible evidence. Doubt can be a sacred space where God reveals Himself more fully, inviting you to trust even when you cannot see the whole picture. This grace-filled encounter encourages you to bring your questions and hesitations honestly before God, knowing He is patient and loving.
Rather than fearing doubt, embrace it as an opportunity for growth. Jesus’ response to Thomas reminds you that faith is a journey marked by encounters with the living Christ, who meets you where you are. Trusting God amid uncertainty leads to a faith that is resilient, authentic, and deeply rooted in the reality of the resurrection. [22:10]
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Reflection: What doubts or questions are you currently hesitant to bring before God? Can you invite Jesus to meet you in those doubts and reveal Himself in a new way today?
Day 4: Resurrection Faith Brings Fullness of Life
The resurrection is not only about believing in eternal life but also about experiencing the fullness of life here and now. Trusting in Christ invites you into a life marked by hope, purpose, and the abiding presence of God that transforms every aspect of your existence. This true life is vibrant and ongoing, shaped by the power of the resurrection to overcome despair and bring renewal.
As you walk in this resurrection life, you are called to live with confidence and joy, knowing that your faith is not just a future promise but a present reality. This life is a testimony to the world of God’s transformative power, inviting others to experience the hope and purpose found in Jesus. [28:45]
Colossians 3:1-4 (ESV)
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
Reflection: What does living the “fullness of life” in Christ look like in your daily routine? What is one practical step you can take today to align your life more closely with this resurrection reality?
Day 5: Sharing the Resurrection Through Personal Testimony
Faith is never meant to be kept private; it flourishes when shared. The hope, peace, and power of the resurrection are gifts to be testified to others. Just as you came to faith because someone shared the gospel with you, you are called to be a witness empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim God’s goodness. Your personal story and witness are vital tools in helping others encounter the reality of Jesus’ resurrection.
Testimony is an act of obedience and love, inviting others into the same peace and power you have received. It is not about having perfect words but about sharing honestly how Christ has transformed your life. As you step out in faith to testify, you participate in the ongoing mission of God to bring hope and life to a world in need. [30:10]
Zechariah 8:16-17 (ESV)
“These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these are things that I hate, declares the Lord.”
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear your story of resurrection hope today? What is one way you can share your testimony with them in the coming week?
Quotes
As a young man, I knew of Jesus But I did not know Jesus I knew that at Christmas and Easter We were supposed to celebrate important moments And after those very important moments We got to have a really good meal I did not know Jesus personally Nor did I have any relationship with him And truthfully, I found myself Anxious Alone With no plan Or purpose And I feel like there are many of us that have probably felt those same feelings And some that might feel that today That all changed for me When one of my close friends invited me to church I was a sophomore in high school And it was there that I came for the very first time And while I had plenty of times heard the gospel I actually really did hear it for the very first time I came to know it I heard of a man named Jesus Who came down and lived a perfect life He was holy God and holy man And out of his great love for me He bore my sins and he died for me And on Easter Sunday He rose from the grave And in his resurrection He was victorious over the power of death and sin And it was through this simple message that is so familiar to many of us That my life was completely changed You may be able to say the same Through the simple message of the gospel Through the resurrection Your life was changed Why are you here? [00:17:50]
Why do you choose to be sitting here in this place Worshipping the risen Lord? And I would say That is because someone probably did the same for you as they did for me For some, it may be your parents That placed you in a church Maybe out of your own will To hear the message at some point Because you stayed consistent And because your parents brought you to this place You came to believe that very message that was taught There are some of you that are like me That you came here later Because someone invited you They saw you They wanted to see you come to know Jesus So they invited you into this place And you heard the hope Hope only found in the gospel And you were saved These are simple truths for us But they're profound statements The turning point for so many of us And it was the case for me Was the mighty sacrifice on the cross And the mighty victory found in the resurrection And it is so easy for us to diminish the power of the resurrection in our lives This profound event that you and I are celebrating It changes everything for us But sometimes it doesn't feel like that change happens Because we experience it year after year And moment after moment And that's because we're living in the reality that Christ has bought and purchased for us Resurrection, life Today in our gospel In our gospel passage We see three things the resurrection brings The resurrection brings peace The resurrection brings the Holy Spirit The resurrection brings belief But first, the resurrection brings peace [00:20:20]
There are many moments in my life In which I have been captured with fear And I feel like there is no way out But I cannot imagine the fear The disciples had the moment that they watched Christ take his last breath The man they had followed had just died The man that had performed miracles That they had put their trust in And had actually said that he would die Actually did die And still being in Jerusalem Sitting in the darkness They were waiting for something to happen And just like in Genesis And just like at the very beginning of the Gospel of John Out of the darkness The light overcomes Jesus Appears to them Despite the door being locked Despite them being hidden away He appears to them And notice this He does not say, I'm here It's really me He looks at them And he says Peace be with you The disciples look at him They see his hands They see the wounds on his body And they see that he is really Jesus And what does Jesus do? He says again Peace be with you This is a phrase that we can simply just read over and say it's just a greeting But it's actually a very powerful statement It is the summation of the work and presence of Christ Jesus came to bring peace to this world And when he defeated the grave, he not only brought peace to our sin He gave us a hope of eternal peace ahead So what this means is that because of the resurrection Friends, you and I can have peace right now [00:28:41]
We live in a world and a culture that wants to produce anxiety and fear from us I know for a fact that in September, I will turn on the Weather Channel And I will see Jim Cantore in front of a puddle And I will think that a Category 5 hurricane is going to blow my house away And what do you know, it's a light breeze on a Tuesday I mean, if I'm truthful, I even had anxiety over the NFL draft last night And those are light examples of a larger reality We have an enemy who seeks to distract us From the Savior who seeks to calm us You may have fear over a bill that is unpaid right now Jesus says for you to be at peace You may have fear over a diagnosis or health concerns Jesus says to be at peace You may have fear of the future and what lies ahead Jesus says for you to be at peace I can see that this peace is real Because the same disciples that heard this peace that Jesus spoke to them Experience tragic circumstances So Jesus speaks this peace to them and then commissions them And those same disciples faced tragic circumstances Peter, hung on the cross upside down Was at peace John, who spent the rest of his life in exile Was at peace Despite their circumstances Christ brought them peace [00:31:47]
After Jesus speaks peace He then gives peace Through the gift of the Holy Spirit If you want to look at the verse with me in John chapter 20 Verse 21 As the Father has sent me Even so I am sending you And when he said this He breathed on them And said to them Receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive the sins of any They are forgiven them And if you withhold the forgiveness from any It is withheld The resurrection brings the Holy Spirit This is a physical picture of Jesus telling his disciples That their grief will be turned into joy Not only will they see Jesus perform the miraculous Not only will they walk with the living Son of God They will have the same power of Christ within them And because of the resurrection We have that same power within us If we put our trust in Christ We have the gift of the very presence of God Upon us through the power of the Holy Spirit [00:34:07]
This passage is a foretaste of what will happen in Acts chapter 2 On Pentecost The great outpouring of the Holy Spirit But what we see right here is Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit Onto the disciples Here in the upper room In the place in which Jesus shared his last supper He breathes the Holy Spirit upon them Friends, let Jesus bring life into you Let him breathe his Holy Spirit upon you The Gospels are the beginning of the New Testament The resurrection does not mark the last moments But truly the beginning of the church Easter is not our last celebration It is our great celebration that we get to live in Right here and right now The church, the beginning of the followers of Jesus Are empowered to do the ministry of Jesus The followers of Jesus are empowered to do the ministry of Jesus The challenge for us in this post -Easter reality Is if whether we are going to let the resurrection be another event in our life Or are we going to let the Holy Spirit Empower us into the ministry that God is opening for us I am going to say that one more time The challenge for us in this post -Easter reality Is whether we are going to let the resurrection Be another event in our life Or are we going to let the Holy Spirit Empower us into the ministry that God is opening for us Where is God calling you right now? [00:36:01]
Because we have the peace that is promised to us And because we have the gift of the Holy Spirit We can witness the resurrection with boldness And with confidence We don't have to just hold it to Sunday We cannot simply relegate the celebration of Easter to a single Sunday in April But we must live in the celebration of the resurrection every single day Our Christian faith hinges on the very resurrection that we celebrate It is because of the resurrection we believe The resurrection itself brings about belief into believers For Thomas, he had to see it for himself to believe it How many of us are like that? I remember as a high school student I walked out of the house to get in the car to go to school And I walk out and I see that all the doors of my car are open And that my wallet has gone from my car In a panic, I run inside and tell my dad He looks at me, he shrugs, and often says that I leave my car door open all the time And I have probably lost my wallet And to his credit, I do leave my car doors open all the time And I lose my wallet quite often It wasn't until I back up out of the driveway of our house And see the back of my dad's SUV broken into And his golf club stolen And I casually, and I say casually, I walked slowly Back into the house and said, Dad, I don't think I lost my wallet I also think that our cars were robbed And your golf clubs were stolen out of our car And my dad shouts, my golf clubs! It moves faster than I've ever seen it move before [00:38:34]
My dad had to see it to believe it that it actually happened For Thomas, for whatever reason, he was not there On the first encounter that the disciples have with Jesus He did not see Jesus He had to see Jesus for him to feel it and to know it See, this event is a mirror of what the disciples had faced just a week ago Jesus appears to the disciples behind a locked door He appears to them bringing peace And Thomas gets to have this very unique encounter In which he feels the wounds of Christ And Jesus responds to him in verse 28 He says this Have you believed because you have seen me? [00:41:11]
Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed There are two realities that we see here The obvious one, blessed are those who believe Who do not need to see Jesus in order to believe That is the very principle of faith Though we may not fully understand, though we may not see the full picture We put our trust in the one who resurrected The resurrection brings belief because it is the very testament That Jesus has accomplished everything that he said that he would The resurrection brings belief because it compels us to put our trust In the one who has died for our sins And rose from the grave in order to conquer those sins So that those sins may stay buried in the ground And while we may not have been there 2 ,000 years ago We sit here today in the place of believing the power and work of Christ That allows us to live with hopeful anticipation It is because of the resurrection that we can have hope That we can look forward to a day that our sins will be no more And the pain of those sins won't afflict us any longer [00:41:42]
The second reality is this Though Thomas doubted Though Thomas needed to place his hands in his wounds Jesus allowed him to He did not discredit him He did not remove him as a disciple And even though Thomas should not have had to see the wounds In order to believe Jesus showed him And truthfully That is a mercy Even though we have everything that we may need to put our trust in God He still shows up in our lives He still gives us evidence Of his hands He makes himself known to us And gives us testimonies of his goodness towards us I don't know where you sit today Maybe you are sitting in a deep well of faith And you trust God has good plans for you That he has good things for you My prayer for you is that you don't keep that in I encourage you to testify of your goodness Of his goodness towards others Don't keep it to yourself Because I wouldn't be here if someone hadn't done that for me And many of us wouldn't be here if someone hadn't done that for you Because God is testifying and making himself known And he allows us to testify to others Be empowered by the Holy Spirit To share the peace that only Jesus can bring [00:44:22]
And here is the flip side of it Maybe you are like Thomas right now And you need to see some evidence My prayer is that God will deepen your sense of trust But also that he will make himself known to you That as you look back in your life You can see how God has testified to you But as you look forward You can clearly see the evident hand of God in your life That he is making himself known to you That we have eyes to see it And that you may truly know him in every moment My favorite ending to any of the Gospels Is John's ending It's a testimony of what we have just heard about from Thomas It closes like this starting in verse 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples Which are not written in this book But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ The Son of God And that by believing you may have life in his name [00:47:18]
While every other sign and wonder is not stated in the book It is written so that we may believe And not just believe But by believing we may truly live Our best life comes with believing in Christ Friends, the resurrection brings peace to our anxieties It gives us the very presence of Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit And it gives us an unshakable belief in the very Son of God Who died for you and me I pray that today You may see the wounds on his hands and his sides And like Thomas You believe in the resurrected Jesus Amen [00:48:38]
And because your parents brought you to this place You came to believe that very message that was taught There are some of you that are like me That you came here later Because someone invited you They saw you They wanted to see you come to know Jesus So they invited you into this place And you heard the hope Hope only found in the gospel And you were saved These are simple truths for us But they're profound statements The turning point for so many of us And it was the case for me Was the mighty sacrifice on the cross And the mighty victory found in the resurrection And it is so easy for us to diminish the power of the resurrection in our lives This profound event that you and I are celebrating It changes everything for us But sometimes it doesn't feel like that change happens Because we experience it year after year And moment after moment And that's because we're living in the reality that Christ has bought and purchased for us Resurrection, life [00:20:54]
Jesus Appears to them Despite the door being locked Despite them being hidden away He appears to them And notice this He does not say, I'm here It's really me He looks at them And he says Peace be with you The disciples look at him They see his hands They see the wounds on his body And they see that he is really Jesus And what does Jesus do? He says again Peace be with you This is a phrase that we can simply just read over and say it's just a greeting But it's actually a very powerful statement It is the summation of the work and presence of Christ Jesus came to bring peace to this world And when he defeated the grave, he not only brought peace to our sin He gave us a hope of eternal peace ahead So what this means is that because of the resurrection Friends, you and I can have peace right now [00:29:23]
We have an enemy who seeks to distract us From the Savior who seeks to calm us You may have fear over a bill that is unpaid right now Jesus says for you to be at peace You may have fear over a diagnosis or health concerns Jesus says to be at peace You may have fear of the future and what lies ahead Jesus says for you to be at peace I can see that this peace is real Because the same disciples that heard this peace that Jesus spoke to them Experience tragic circumstances So Jesus speaks this peace to them and then commissions them And those same disciples faced tragic circumstances Peter, hung on the cross upside down Was at peace John, who spent the rest of his life in exile Was at peace Despite their circumstances Christ brought them peace [00:32:32]
If you want to look at the verse with me in John chapter 20 Verse 21 As the Father has sent me Even so I am sending you And when he said this He breathed on them And said to them Receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive the sins of any They are forgiven them And if you withhold the forgiveness from any It is withheld The resurrection brings the Holy Spirit This is a physical picture of Jesus telling his disciples That their grief will be turned into joy Not only will they see Jesus perform the miraculous Not only will they walk with the living Son of God They will have the same power of Christ within them And because of the resurrection We have that same power within us If we put our trust in Christ We have the gift of the very presence of God Upon us through the power of the Holy Spirit [00:34:41]
The Gospels are the beginning of the New Testament The resurrection does not mark the last moments But truly the beginning of the church Easter is not our last celebration It is our great celebration that we get to live in Right here and right now The church, the beginning of the followers of Jesus Are empowered to do the ministry of Jesus The followers of Jesus are empowered to do the ministry of Jesus The challenge for us in this post -Easter reality Is if whether we are going to let the resurrection be another event in our life Or are we going to let the Holy Spirit Empower us into the ministry that God is opening for us I am going to say that one more time The challenge for us in this post -Easter reality Is whether we are going to let the resurrection Be another event in our life Or are we going to let the Holy Spirit Empower us into the ministry that God is opening for us Where is God calling you right now? [00:36:35]
We can witness the resurrection with boldness And with confidence We don't have to just hold it to Sunday We cannot simply relegate the celebration of Easter to a single Sunday in April But we must live in the celebration of the resurrection every single day Our Christian faith hinges on the very resurrection that we celebrate It is because of the resurrection we believe The resurrection itself brings about belief into believers For Thomas, he had to see it for himself to believe it How many of us are like that? I remember as a high school student I walked out of the house to get in the car to go to school And I walk out and I see that all the doors of my car are open And that my wallet has gone from my car In a panic, I run inside and tell my dad He looks at me, he shrugs, and often says that I leave my car door open all the time And I have probably lost my wallet And to his credit, I do leave my car doors open all the time And I lose my wallet quite often [00:38:59]
For Thomas, for whatever reason, he was not there On the first encounter that the disciples have with Jesus He did not see Jesus He had to see Jesus for him to feel it and to know it See, this event is a mirror of what the disciples had faced just a week ago Jesus appears to the disciples behind a locked door He appears to them bringing peace And Thomas gets to have this very unique encounter In which he feels the wounds of Christ And Jesus responds to him in verse 28 He says this Have you believed because you have seen me? [00:41:36]
There are two realities that we see here The obvious one, blessed are those who believe Who do not need to see Jesus in order to believe That is the very principle of faith Though we may not fully understand, though we may not see the full picture We put our trust in the one who resurrected The resurrection brings belief because it is the very testament That Jesus has accomplished everything that he said that he would The resurrection brings belief because it compels us to put our trust In the one who has died for our sins And rose from the grave in order to conquer those sins So that those sins may stay buried in the ground And while we may not have been there 2 ,000 years ago We sit here today in the place of believing the power and work of Christ That allows us to live with hopeful anticipation It is because of the resurrection that we can have hope That we can look forward to a day that our sins will be no more And the pain of those sins won't afflict us any longer [00:42:08]
Though Thomas doubted Though Thomas needed to place his hands in his wounds Jesus allowed him to He did not discredit him He did not remove him as a disciple And even though Thomas should not have had to see the wounds In order to believe Jesus showed him And truthfully That is a mercy Even though we have everything that we may need to put our trust in God He still shows up in our lives He still gives us evidence Of his hands He makes himself known to us And gives us testimonies of his goodness towards us I don't know where you sit today Maybe you are sitting in a deep well of faith And you trust God has good plans for you That he has good things for you My prayer for you is that you don't keep that in I encourage you to testify of your goodness Of his goodness towards others Don't keep it to yourself Because I wouldn't be here if someone hadn't done that for me And many of us wouldn't be here if someone hadn't done that for you Because God is testifying and making himself known And he allows us to testify to others Be empowered by the Holy Spirit To share the peace that only Jesus can bring [00:44:47]
Maybe you are like Thomas right now And you need to see some evidence My prayer is that God will deepen your sense of trust But also that he will make himself known to you That as you look back in your life You can see how God has testified to you But as you look forward You can clearly see the evident hand of God in your life That he is making himself known to you That we have eyes to see it And that you may truly know him in every moment My favorite ending to any of the Gospels Is John's ending It's a testimony of what we have just heard about from Thomas It closes like this starting in verse 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples Which are not written in this book But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ The Son of God And that by believing you may have life in his name [00:47:43]
It is written so that we may believe And not just believe But by believing we may truly live Our best life comes with believing in Christ Friends, the resurrection brings peace to our anxieties It gives us the very presence of Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit And it gives us an unshakable belief in the very Son of God Who died for you and me I pray that today You may see the wounds on his hands and his sides And like Thomas You believe in the resurrected Jesus Amen [00:48:59]
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