Finding Peace and Hope in Uncertainty
Summary
This morning, we gathered as a community in the midst of change, transition, and uncertainty, both in our church and in our personal lives. We lifted up those in need of healing, comfort, and guidance, remembering that God knows our needs before we even speak them. As we prayed for our friends, leaders, and nation, we acknowledged the deep longing in every heart for peace, restoration, and hope that only God can provide.
Reflecting on the days after Easter, we considered the disciples’ fear and doubt as they hid behind locked doors, paralyzed by grief and uncertainty after Jesus’ crucifixion. Their world had fallen apart, and even the news of the empty tomb could not break through their despair. Yet, it was in that place of hopelessness that Jesus appeared, offering them peace and breathing the Holy Spirit upon them. This peace—shalom—is not just the absence of conflict, but a holistic blessing that touches every part of our being.
We explored the story of Thomas, who could not believe until he encountered the risen Christ for himself. His journey from faith to doubt and back again is a mirror for our own spiritual struggles. Like Thomas, we often need the personal touch of Jesus to restore our hope and faith, especially when life’s storms leave us feeling isolated and uncertain. The resurrection is not just an event to be celebrated, but a reality to be lived out daily, as we move from fear to faith, from hiding to boldness.
Faith is not always about seeing first, but about believing and then seeing. The testimony of those who have gone before us, the witness of the Gospels, and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit invite us to trust in what is unseen and eternal. Jesus calls us out from behind our “storm windows,” inviting us to receive his peace, forgiveness, and the breath of new life. As we are transformed by his love, we are sent into the world to be witnesses of his grace, shining light into darkness and offering hope to others.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus meets us in our locked rooms of fear and doubt, offering peace and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit. No matter how closed off or hopeless we feel, Christ enters our lives, not waiting for us to have it all together, but coming to us in our need and breathing new life into us. [31:02]
- The journey of Thomas reminds us that doubt is not the enemy of faith, but often its companion. God is not threatened by our questions or struggles; instead, he invites us to seek his real presence, knowing that authentic faith is forged in the crucible of honest wrestling and personal encounter. [36:01]
- Faith is not about demanding proof before belief, but about trusting in the unseen reality of God’s promises. As Paul writes, “what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Believing is seeing, and it is through faith that we begin to perceive the deeper truths of God’s kingdom and our place within it. [28:26]
- The peace Jesus gives is more than a feeling of calm; it is shalom—a wholeness that encompasses mind, body, soul, and spirit. This peace empowers us to move beyond our fears, to be still and know God, and to live as people who are sent into the world with hope, courage, and love. [38:36]
- God uses our seasons of loss, disappointment, and uncertainty to draw us to himself, stripping away our reliance on lesser things so that we might seek nothing less than his manifest presence. In these moments, he restores our faith, renews our hope, and calls us to step out boldly, shining his light into the darkness around us. [41:58]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:08] - Announcements and Community Updates
[03:32] - Prayers for Healing and Intercession
[04:52] - Prayers for Leaders and the World
[07:29] - Call to Worship and Opening Prayers
[15:49] - Confession and Blessing of the Children
[26:13] - Personal Story: Storm Windows and Isolation
[27:17] - Living Out the Resurrection
[28:26] - The Disciples’ Fear and Jesus’ Appearance
[29:50] - Locked Doors and the Gift of Peace
[31:02] - Jesus Enters Our Closed Lives
[36:01] - The Journey of Thomas and Honest Doubt
[37:15] - The Power of Testimony and Faith
[38:36] - The Meaning of Shalom and Stillness
[39:46] - The Breath of the Holy Spirit
[41:58] - Stepping Out in Boldness and Renewal
[43:05] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
[44:14] - Confession, Creed, and Communion
[56:50] - The Lord’s Table and Sending Forth
[01:02:42] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Jesus Meets Us in Our Doubt and Fear
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### Bible Reading
John 20:19-29
_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!” ... 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.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” ... Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”_
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
_Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal._
Psalm 46:10
_Be still, and know that I am God._
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 20, what were the disciples doing when Jesus first appeared to them after the resurrection? What was their emotional state? ([28:26])
2. How did Jesus greet the disciples when he entered the locked room, and what did he do for them? ([29:50])
3. What was Thomas’s reaction when the other disciples told him they had seen Jesus? What did he say he needed in order to believe? ([36:01])
4. According to 2 Corinthians 4, what does Paul say about the difference between what is seen and what is unseen? ([36:01])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, even after hearing the news of the empty tomb? What does this say about their faith and their fears? ([28:26])
2. Jesus offers the disciples “peace” (shalom) when he appears. What is the significance of this word, and how is it different from just feeling calm? ([38:36])
3. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas.” How does his journey from doubt to faith reflect the spiritual struggles many people face? ([36:01])
4. Paul writes that “what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” How does this perspective help us when we are facing uncertainty or loss? ([36:01])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about “locked rooms” and “storm windows”—places where we hide because of fear, doubt, or pain. What are some “locked rooms” in your own life right now? What are you hiding from? ([31:02])
2. Jesus didn’t wait for the disciples to have it all together before he came to them. He met them in their fear and doubt. How does this truth encourage you in your current struggles? ([31:02])
3. Thomas needed a personal encounter with Jesus to move from doubt to faith. When have you needed a personal touch from God to restore your hope? What did that look like? ([36:01])
4. The peace Jesus gives is described as “shalom”—wholeness in every part of life. Where do you most need this kind of peace right now? How can you make space to “be still and know that He is God” this week? ([38:36])
5. The sermon said that God uses our seasons of loss and disappointment to draw us closer to Him, stripping away our reliance on lesser things. Can you think of a time when a hard season led you to seek God more deeply? What changed in you? ([41:58])
6. Jesus sends the disciples out after giving them peace and the Holy Spirit. What would it look like for you to “step out boldly” this week, even if you still have doubts or fears? ([41:58])
7. The resurrection is not just an event to celebrate, but a reality to live out daily. What is one practical way you can live out the hope of the resurrection in your relationships, work, or community this week? ([27:17])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for one another, especially for those who feel stuck behind “locked doors” of fear or doubt, asking Jesus to breathe his peace and new life into each heart.
Devotional
Day 1: Christ’s Peace Breaks Through Our Locked Doors
Jesus meets us in the most closed-off places of our lives—those rooms of fear, doubt, and despair where we feel isolated and hopeless. He does not wait for us to fix ourselves or have everything figured out before entering. Instead, Christ comes directly into our need, offering a peace that is more than just calmness; it is a transforming presence that breathes new life into our weary souls. This peace invites us to stop hiding and begin to trust that God’s Spirit is actively working within us, even when we cannot yet see it.
No matter how paralyzed or shut in you feel today, remember that Jesus’ appearance to the disciples behind locked doors is a powerful reminder that He is present in your struggles. His peace—shalom—encompasses every part of your being, healing and restoring you from the inside out. Let this truth encourage you to open your heart to His presence and receive the breath of new life He offers. [31:02]
Bible passage:
“Then Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” — John 20:19-20 (ESV)
Reflection:
What is one fear or doubt you have been hiding behind “locked doors” in your life? Can you invite Jesus to enter that space today and receive His peace, even if you don’t yet feel ready?
Day 2: Doubt as a Pathway to Deeper Faith
The story of Thomas reveals that doubt is not the enemy of faith but often its companion. Honest questioning and wrestling with uncertainty are part of the journey toward authentic belief. God is not threatened by your doubts or struggles; rather, He invites you to seek His real presence through them. Like Thomas, you may need a personal encounter with Jesus to move from skepticism to trust. This process is not a failure but a vital part of spiritual growth, where faith is forged in the crucible of honest wrestling and personal experience.
Embracing doubt allows you to move beyond superficial belief and encounter the risen Christ in a way that transforms your heart. It is in this space of vulnerability and honesty that God’s grace meets you most powerfully, renewing your hope and strengthening your faith for the challenges ahead. [36:01]
Bible passage:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” — John 20:29 (ESV)
Reflection:
Is there a specific doubt or question you have been afraid to bring before God? How might you honestly bring that doubt into prayer and ask God to reveal His presence in that struggle?
Day 3: Faith Sees What Is Unseen and Eternal
Faith is not about demanding visible proof before believing; it is about trusting in the unseen reality of God’s promises. The temporary things we see around us are fleeting, but the eternal truths of God’s kingdom are constant and unchanging. When you choose to believe first, you open your eyes to perceive deeper spiritual realities that shape your identity and purpose. This kind of faith invites you to live in the tension between what is visible and invisible, trusting that God’s unseen work is always at hand.
Living by faith means embracing the mystery of God’s kingdom and allowing His promises to guide your daily decisions and hope. It is through this trust that you begin to see the world and yourself in a new light, grounded in the eternal rather than the temporary. [28:26]
Bible passage:
“For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” — 2 Corinthians 4:18 (ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area in your life where you are relying too much on what you can see or control? How can you practice trusting God’s unseen promises in that area today?
Day 4: Shalom—Wholeness Beyond Calm
The peace Jesus offers is not merely a feeling of calm or absence of conflict; it is shalom—a holistic wholeness that touches mind, body, soul, and spirit. This peace empowers you to move beyond fear and anxiety, to be still and know God deeply, and to live courageously as a person sent into the world with hope and love. Shalom is a blessing that restores brokenness and equips you to shine light into darkness, even amid life’s storms.
Receiving this peace means allowing God to heal every part of your being and to send you out renewed and strengthened. It is a peace that sustains you through uncertainty and calls you to be an agent of hope and restoration in your community. [38:36]
Bible passage:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” — John 14:27 (ESV)
Reflection:
In what ways do you need God’s shalom—complete wholeness—in your life today? How can you invite His peace to transform not just your emotions but your whole being?
Day 5: Loss and Uncertainty Draw Us to God’s Presence
Seasons of loss, disappointment, and uncertainty are not wasted moments but opportunities for God to draw you closer to Himself. These difficult times strip away reliance on lesser things and awaken a deeper hunger for God’s manifest presence. In these moments, faith is restored, hope is renewed, and you are called to step out boldly, shining God’s light into the darkness around you. God uses your brokenness to prepare you for a greater witness and a more courageous life.
Rather than resisting or fearing these seasons, you can embrace them as part of God’s refining work. Trust that He is at work even when the path is unclear, and allow Him to lead you into new boldness and renewal. [41:58]
Bible passage:
“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.” — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV)
Reflection:
What loss or uncertainty are you currently facing that feels overwhelming? How can you invite God to use this season to deepen your faith and prepare you to shine His light more boldly?
Quotes
They are at the low point, crushed by despair, grief and doubt, paralyzed by a sense of hopelessness. Jesus' tomb is open and empty, but the disciples' house is locked tight. Disciples are bound by fear and separated completely from Jesus' resurrection. Then he appears to them giving his peace. He transforms them as he breathes on them the power of the Holy Spirit. Some days it seems safer just to lock the doors of our house and hide behind our storm windows, trying to escape the reality of life. [00:29:57] (46 seconds)
What in your life are you hiding from? Is it fear? Questions about your faith? Unbelief? Is it sorrow? Loss? Anger? Or resentment? Whatever. That's when Jesus comes to our door. Unexpected, uninvited, and sometimes unwanted. And he steps into those closed lives and hearts and minds of ours. When misery overwhelms hope, fear replaces courage, doubt shakes our faith. Bitterness and loneliness consume us. When we fail to recognize him, our faith wavers or can even disappear. [00:30:43] (50 seconds)
He did see that Jesus was gone, but sometimes profound uncertainty perceives life -changing faith. Now, faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see. We need to be sure that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead. We rely on firsthand accounts of those who were there, the Gospels. On their testimony concerning Jesus, John tells us that those who believe will have life in his name, that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life who died on the cross for our sins. [00:36:47] (43 seconds)
When he rose on the third day, he conquered death, and having faith that Jesus did this thing is what gives us life, new life in his precious name. Twice Jesus comes to the disciples, both times he forgives them and offers them peace. Jesus uses an interesting word to communicate the peace he's offering. And true in one sense, it means what we think, an inner calmness and serenity. But in the Hebrew, the word would be shalom, a holistic blessing that covers every facet of life, mind, body, soul, spirit. It suggests faith, and courage, and hope, and joy, peace. [00:37:31] (58 seconds)
Be still and know, know it inside of you, and then be still in his presence. Peace be with you, the sound so calming to our ears. And as the Father has sent me, I'm sending you. Go into the world, share my life, my words, and my way. And with that, he breathed on them just a breath, the same breath that he breathed into Adam, the breath of life. Jesus' breath is more powerful than any force in the universe. Just his breath transformed the disciples into apostles. [00:39:27] (43 seconds)
By the giving of the Holy Spirit, he enables them to come out from... behind those closed doors. And when we receive that breath of life, his Holy Spirit, we can leave behind our fear and our doubt and our hangups, and we can begin a new life, a life filled with the hope of the resurrection, empowering us to become witnesses of Christ to the world, transformed to be the people through whom God offers his love and his mercy and his grace to those around us. [00:40:09] (41 seconds)
Now, like Thomas, we end up in a place of fear and doubt, but God has purposefully placed Thomas in this position, and I dare say us as well, because he wants us to stop looking for the Messiah and other people and other things. His desire and purpose is to get us to the place where we demand nothing short of the very real manifest presence of God. We need Christ himself, and God will spare no pain to get us into that place where nothing else will do. [00:40:49] (42 seconds)
Jesus provides us a way to the very presence of God, and there God will restore our hopes and our dreams, renew our faith, and just as Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit on the disciples, he breathes on us. He forgives us our fears, our doubts, our unbelief. It's time to remove the storm windows, to roll away the stone, to come out being bold and unafraid, to shine your light into this dark world, a time of repentance, renewal, and revival. [00:41:33] (41 seconds)
The peace of Jesus is powerful. There's no pain he can't touch, no fear he can't calm, no problem he can't solve, and no sin he can't forgive. He transforms us into what we were meant to be, a people who love him as he loved us. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet come to believe. [00:42:14] (30 seconds)
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