From Doubt to Faith: Embracing God's Kingdom
Summary
In John 20, we encounter the story of Thomas, often labeled as "Doubting Thomas," but this passage offers a deeper insight into the journey of faith. Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, was not present when Jesus first appeared to the others after His resurrection. When told about the encounter, Thomas expressed a desire to see and touch Jesus' wounds to believe. This narrative is not just about doubt but about the journey from seeing to believing, a journey that mirrors our own spiritual paths.
The essence of this story is about the transformation from being mere image bearers of God to becoming His sons and daughters. Our initial encounter with Jesus is as our Savior, opening our spiritual eyes to see Him. This is the beginning of our journey, not the end. Salvation is the doorway, and beyond it lies the kingdom of God, where Jesus is not only our Savior but also our King. This transition is crucial as it shapes our understanding and experience of God's kingdom.
Thomas' story is a reminder that faith is not static. It evolves as we encounter Jesus in new ways. Jesus' invitation to Thomas to touch His wounds was an invitation to deeper belief. Similarly, our faith grows as we experience Jesus' presence in our lives, even when we cannot see Him physically. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in this journey, guiding us to experience the kingdom's reality and empowering us to do greater works.
This journey is not without challenges. We often reduce our understanding of God to our circumstances, but God is bigger than our current situations. We are called to trust in His greater plan and to believe in His promises, even when we cannot see them. As we walk this path, we are invited to experience the fullness of God's kingdom, where His presence transforms our lives and the world around us.
Key Takeaways:
- Transformation from Image Bearers to Children of God: Our journey with Jesus begins with seeing Him as our Savior, but it doesn't end there. We are called to move beyond the foyer of atonement into the kingdom, where we recognize Jesus as our King and ourselves as His children. This transformation is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's kingdom. [06:29]
- Faith Beyond Sight: Thomas' desire to see Jesus' wounds before believing highlights a common struggle in faith. Yet, Jesus invites us to believe even when we cannot see. This faith is not blind but is rooted in the experiences and encounters we have with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. [19:35]
- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is the anchor leg in our spiritual race, empowering us to experience and participate in the kingdom of God. Through the Spirit, we are able to do greater works and witness the reality of God's presence in our lives. [29:04]
- God's Kingdom is Bigger than Our Circumstances: We often limit our understanding of God to our current situations, but God is greater than our circumstances. We are called to trust in His greater plan and to believe in His promises, even when we cannot see them. [23:45]
- Experiencing the Kingdom's Ecosystem: As we grow in our faith, we are invited to experience the kingdom's ecosystem, where God's presence transforms our lives and the world around us. This journey involves seeing Jesus as our King and participating in His kingdom work. [30:58]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - Introduction to Thomas and Jesus
- [03:39] - Seeing and Believing
- [05:17] - Image Bearers to Children of God
- [06:29] - Spiritual Eyes Opened
- [08:01] - Journey of Salvation
- [10:22] - Recognizing Jesus as King
- [11:33] - Kingdom Implications
- [13:04] - Jesus' Post-Resurrection Appearance
- [15:23] - Thomas' Desire to Believe
- [17:33] - Thomas' Commitment to Jesus
- [19:35] - Faith Beyond Sight
- [20:31] - Jesus' Invitation to Believe
- [23:45] - God's Greater Plan
- [29:04] - Role of the Holy Spirit
- [30:58] - Experiencing the Kingdom's Ecosystem
- [33:08] - Call to Action and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 20:24-29
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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Thomas's initial reaction when the other disciples told him they had seen the Lord? How did he express his doubt? [01:13]
2. Describe the interaction between Jesus and Thomas when Jesus appeared to the disciples again. What did Jesus invite Thomas to do? [19:35]
3. How did Thomas respond to Jesus after he was invited to touch Jesus' wounds? What does this reveal about his faith? [23:45]
4. What blessing did Jesus pronounce on those who believe without seeing? How does this relate to the broader message of faith in the passage? [24:46]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Thomas's journey from doubt to belief reflect the spiritual journey many believers experience? What does this suggest about the nature of faith? [03:39]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that seeing Jesus as King is different from seeing Him as Savior? How does this transition impact a believer's life? [10:22]
3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping believers experience the kingdom of God, according to the sermon? [29:04]
4. How does the sermon challenge the idea of reducing our understanding of God to our current circumstances? What does it mean to trust in God's greater plan? [23:45]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with doubt in your faith journey. How did you overcome it, and what role did community or personal encounters with God play in that process? [01:13]
2. The sermon emphasizes the transition from seeing Jesus as Savior to recognizing Him as King. How can you actively acknowledge Jesus as King in your daily life? What changes might this require? [10:22]
3. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in your life. How can you become more attuned to the Spirit's guidance and empowerment in experiencing God's kingdom? [29:04]
4. Think about a current situation where you might be limiting your understanding of God to your circumstances. How can you shift your perspective to trust in God's greater plan and promises? [23:45]
5. The sermon invites believers to experience the kingdom's ecosystem. What practical steps can you take to engage more deeply with God's kingdom work in your community or church? [30:58]
6. How can you cultivate a faith that believes without seeing, as Jesus commended? What practices or habits might help strengthen this kind of faith in your life? [24:46]
7. Reflect on the idea of transformation from image bearers to children of God. How does this transformation manifest in your life, and what areas might need further growth or change? [06:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Transformation from Image Bearers to Children of God
The journey of faith is a transformative process, moving from being mere image bearers of God to becoming His sons and daughters. This transformation begins with recognizing Jesus as our Savior, which opens our spiritual eyes to His presence. However, this is just the beginning. As we grow in our faith, we are called to move beyond the initial encounter with Jesus and enter into the fullness of God's kingdom, where Jesus is not only our Savior but also our King. This transition is crucial as it shapes our understanding and experience of God's kingdom, inviting us to live as His children and participate in His divine work. [06:29]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively embrace your identity as a child of God today, moving beyond just being an image bearer?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Sight
Thomas' story highlights a common struggle in faith: the desire to see before believing. When Thomas expressed his need to see Jesus' wounds to believe, Jesus invited him to a deeper faith that goes beyond physical sight. This invitation extends to us as well. Our faith is not blind but is rooted in the experiences and encounters we have with Jesus through the Holy Spirit. As we grow in our spiritual journey, we learn to trust in Jesus' presence and promises, even when we cannot see them with our physical eyes. This faith is dynamic and evolves as we continue to encounter Jesus in new ways. [19:35]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you struggle to believe without seeing? How can you invite Jesus into that struggle today?
Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our spiritual journey, acting as the anchor leg in our race of faith. Through the Spirit, we are empowered to experience and participate in the kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit guides us to witness the reality of God's presence in our lives and enables us to do greater works. As we rely on the Spirit, we are equipped to live out our faith in tangible ways, experiencing the transformative power of God's kingdom in our daily lives. This empowerment is essential for our growth and participation in God's divine work. [29:04]
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in a specific area of your life today?
Day 4: God's Kingdom is Bigger than Our Circumstances
We often limit our understanding of God to our current situations, but God is greater than our circumstances. We are called to trust in His greater plan and to believe in His promises, even when we cannot see them. This requires a shift in perspective, recognizing that God's kingdom is vast and encompasses more than our immediate experiences. As we trust in God's greater plan, we are invited to experience the fullness of His kingdom, where His presence transforms our lives and the world around us. This trust is essential for navigating the challenges of life with faith and hope. [23:45]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one circumstance in your life where you need to trust in God's greater plan? How can you begin to do that today?
Day 5: Experiencing the Kingdom's Ecosystem
As we grow in our faith, we are invited to experience the kingdom's ecosystem, where God's presence transforms our lives and the world around us. This journey involves seeing Jesus as our King and participating in His kingdom work. It is an invitation to live in the reality of God's kingdom, where His presence is tangible and transformative. As we engage with this ecosystem, we are called to be active participants in God's work, allowing His presence to shape our lives and impact the world around us. This participation is a vital aspect of our spiritual journey and growth. [30:58]
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's kingdom work today, allowing His presence to transform your life and the world around you?
Quotes
"Because he doesn't want his image bearers to stay image bearers. He wants his image bearers, those created in his image, to become sons and daughters, to be part of the God family. How many want to be part of the God family? We all do. And so our first introduction to Jesus is as Savior. Because he opens blind eyes. He opens our spiritual eyes to see." [00:05:58] (40 seconds)
"And when we saw, all of a sudden, everything in us wanted to align ourselves with Jesus. And at that point, our stories are wide and varied as to where we first saw the light. Huh? Some of us saw him first right here in Mount Olivet Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. James Martin." [00:07:17] (36 seconds)
"Salvation is the front door. It is the beginning of our journey. If it wasn't, when we got saved, he'd take us immediately. Salvation is the beginning of our journey. He said, It is now that you have walked through the door of atonement. You've been born again. Now you call me Lord." [00:10:47] (25 seconds)
"Jesus walks through the door. Now he's in his resurrected body. Post-resurrection. And he appears to them. And he shows himself to them. And they touch him. And then he looks at the disciples and he blows on them. And he says, Receive. and he says, Receive. the Holy Spirit it's right there in the text." [00:13:37] (34 seconds)
"Because all through the New Testament, most of the things Jesus did, he wanted people to see that they might believe. He wanted people to see that they might believe. I believe. Thomas says, I will not believe, but I really want to. And after eight days, his disciples were again, same room, inside, and Thomas was with them this time." [00:19:14] (39 seconds)
"like I did them I will show you who I am I will do that and he's still doing that today he is he's still doing it today I just had some folk come up here for the sole purpose that you might see and bear witness that he's still doing it today he's visiting us and he's in our dreams he's returning to us the joy of our salvation he's healing our physical bodies that is what happens when you're introduced to the kingdom that is what happens when you're introduced to the king oh it's a it's a whole new world out there" [00:20:53] (48 seconds)
"it's a whole new world it's a whole new world yes yes yes I know we get distracted and we get stuck on our current situation like that's all we can see and we don't see God moving like we want to see God moving or like we think we should see him moving and we reduce our theology to our circumstances are you with me we reduce our theology to our circumstances because we don't Хотя see it or haven't seen it then we reduce our theology to our current circumstances that must be like how it works that must be God how you do what you do but let me tell you you cannot reduce your theology the way in which you understand God to your present circumstances he's bigger than that he's bigger than that we don't know why he does what he does we don't know how he does what he does we just know all things are possible" [00:21:45] (73 seconds)
"And there is enough interpretation of this passage to suggest that what he's saying is that there will come a people. Not long from now. Too present. There will come a people who have not had the benefit of seeing me in the flesh. They won't have the benefit like you have of seeing me in the flesh. They'll encounter me. They'll experience me. They'll experience my ways. They'll experience. My kingdom, but they won't have the benefit of seeing me as you see me. Blessed are those. Blessed are those." [00:25:09] (60 seconds)
"Because now the Holy Spirit is here. And now the Holy Spirit. Who came to take over. Like a good old country four by one relay. The Holy Spirit is running anchor leg. The Holy Spirit is running anchor leg. man Jesus hit that that that mark and the Holy Spirit just took off the perfect exchange Jesus said stick and the Holy Spirit's hand went back and man when he got that baton the next thing that happened pastor Ed is that knee went up and he just started just reaching right he's running in that race right now that's what he's doing he is the one that's allowing us by faith to experience the wonderful things that Jesus is doing and he's going to continue to do it in greater and greater measure" [00:28:34] (72 seconds)
"this might sound really foreign to you but you got to get in your word and look you can just do a word search how many times did jesus mention the kingdom how many times and in what context was he talking about look carefully because as he exposes you to the ecosystem of the kingdom of heaven you're going to find you encountering god in beautiful ways as your king as your lord he's already your savior for most of us if not all of us in this building but as your lord as your king" [00:31:15] (52 seconds)
"this is what happens when you get introduced to the king because the kingdom has its own ecosystem it has its own way he has his own way of operating his ways are not our ways his thoughts are not our thoughts you're going to get a sense of compassion beyond belief if your marriage is rocky he's going to begin to reconcile reconcile oh won't he do it he's going to reactivate many of you you know who've who've sat out in this season he's going to say it's time to get back in it's just time to get back in don't worry about where just get on back in get on back in get in where you fit in some of us have sat down on giving he's going to reactivate that he's saying it's time to give again to him to the local church to this church and other charities it's time to give again some he's they're already giving he says i i need more because we operate under grace giving" [00:33:08] (68 seconds)
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