[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews,
[00:00:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus came and stood in the midst and said to them,
[00:00:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Peace be with you.
[00:00:12] [SPEAKER_00]: When he had said this, he showed them his hands in his side, then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
[00:00:19] [SPEAKER_00]: So Jesus said to them again, Peace to you, as the Father has sent me, I also send you.
[00:00:25] [SPEAKER_00]: And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit.
[00:00:31] [SPEAKER_00]: If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.
[00:00:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Now Thomas called the twin one of the twelve was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him,
[00:00:43] [SPEAKER_00]: We have seen the Lord.
[00:00:46] [SPEAKER_00]: So he said to them unless I see
[00:00:49] [SPEAKER_00]: in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into his side
[00:00:55] [SPEAKER_00]: I will not believe.
[00:00:57] [SPEAKER_00]: And after eight days his disciples were again inside and Thomas with them.
[00:01:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus came the doors being shut and stood in the midst and said, Peace to you.
[00:01:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Then he said to Thomas, Reach your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side.
[00:01:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Do not be unbelieving but believing and
[00:01:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas answered and said to him my Lord and my God.
[00:01:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus said to him Thomas because you have seen me, you have believed.
[00:01:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed and
[00:01:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book
[00:01:39] [SPEAKER_00]: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing you may have life in his name.
[00:01:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Lord, thank you for
[00:01:49] [SPEAKER_00]: your miraculous resurrection
[00:01:52] [SPEAKER_00]: your incredible salvation and
[00:01:56] [SPEAKER_00]: for showing us in your word through the testimony of
[00:02:01] [SPEAKER_00]: the disciples and apostles who you appeared to that
[00:02:04] [SPEAKER_00]: You are risen that you are the Lord of all that you are King of Kings.
[00:02:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Holy Spirit be with us
[00:02:15] [SPEAKER_00]: help our
[00:02:16] [SPEAKER_00]: understanding
[00:02:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Help us to come to a greater knowledge of you a greater confidence in you
[00:02:24] [SPEAKER_00]: strengthen our faith
[00:02:25] [SPEAKER_00]: And give us all that we need for the days ahead. We love you Lord
[00:02:31] [SPEAKER_00]: We bless you and we praise you. We give you the highest honor and glory and
[00:02:37] [SPEAKER_00]: worship in Jesus name. Amen
[00:02:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Now when we see the stories of Jesus throughout the different synoptic
[00:02:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Gospels and here in the Gospel of John
[00:02:49] [SPEAKER_00]: one of the things that's extremely interesting is
[00:02:54] [SPEAKER_00]: just this notion that
[00:02:56] [SPEAKER_00]: What can be recorded?
[00:02:59] [SPEAKER_00]: efficiently what is written down in the Word of God as inspired by the Holy Spirit is
[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Completely sufficient for our understanding
[00:03:09] [SPEAKER_00]: It is all that is necessary for us to come
[00:03:13] [SPEAKER_00]: through the leading of the Holy Spirit
[00:03:15] [SPEAKER_00]: to a
[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_00]: saving faith to a knowledge of Jesus of what he did what he accomplished for us
[00:03:26] [SPEAKER_00]: but the fullness of these scenes the dynamics the emotions the
[00:03:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Turmoil that is going on is sometimes difficult to
[00:03:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Understand from the plain language of the text
[00:03:42] [SPEAKER_00]: here you have
[00:03:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus's disciples in
[00:03:47] [SPEAKER_00]: this
[00:03:49] [SPEAKER_00]: unbelievably
[00:03:51] [SPEAKER_00]: complex and
[00:03:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Dynamic moment they have just gone through a series of
[00:04:00] [SPEAKER_00]: traumas
[00:04:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Seeing what happened to Jesus abandoning him themselves fleeing for horror. They are fleeing for their lives
[00:04:09] [SPEAKER_00]: They are not just outcast, but they are now associated with
[00:04:15] [SPEAKER_00]: someone who greater society views as a blasphemer as a false Messiah as a
[00:04:24] [SPEAKER_00]: usurper a
[00:04:26] [SPEAKER_00]: religious leader who was a false prophet
[00:04:30] [SPEAKER_00]: We of course know that that's not the case
[00:04:32] [SPEAKER_00]: but this is the environment that they're in and
[00:04:36] [SPEAKER_00]: I think reading at this back through the lens of Christian history and from our own context
[00:04:42] [SPEAKER_00]: I think we can miss the
[00:04:46] [SPEAKER_00]: severity of what
[00:04:48] [SPEAKER_00]: The disciples were going through in these moments
[00:04:53] [SPEAKER_00]: sheer levels of
[00:04:55] [SPEAKER_00]: panic of terror of doubt of confusion of consternation
[00:05:01] [SPEAKER_00]: is only the work of the ministry of the Holy Spirit that then
[00:05:07] [SPEAKER_00]: afterwards after they see the consummation of the resurrection and
[00:05:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus's appearances to them that they begin to be reminded of what Jesus said about how all this must come to pass
[00:05:22] [SPEAKER_00]: They went into that Passover week with completely different expectations and
[00:05:29] [SPEAKER_00]: They experienced a kind of loss a kind of dashing of hope that
[00:05:37] [SPEAKER_00]: would have been
[00:05:39] [SPEAKER_00]: almost unfathomable something
[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_00]: so
[00:05:44] [SPEAKER_00]: devastating so
[00:05:46] [SPEAKER_00]: distressing so confusing and
[00:05:50] [SPEAKER_00]: yet
[00:05:51] [SPEAKER_00]: when Jesus appears
[00:05:54] [SPEAKER_00]: there is
[00:05:56] [SPEAKER_00]: The peace that he brings with them this
[00:06:01] [SPEAKER_00]: catharsis this joy this triumph this
[00:06:07] [SPEAKER_00]: preposterous turnabout the ultimate story of redemption
[00:06:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Not just of one man
[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_00]: But for the sake of the whole human race. This is the center piece of
[00:06:21] [SPEAKER_00]: Human history. This is the turning point. This is the beginning of a completely
[00:06:28] [SPEAKER_00]: different framework. This is
[00:06:31] [SPEAKER_00]: Something new something that was prophesied but now in actuality
[00:06:37] [SPEAKER_00]: The ramifications of this are still
[00:06:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Being felt are still vibrant in the lives of so many
[00:06:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus is still mighty to save mighty to transform the Holy Spirit is still
[00:06:52] [SPEAKER_00]: ministering and Jesus still
[00:06:54] [SPEAKER_00]: arrives in people's lives and says peace be with you and
[00:07:01] [SPEAKER_00]: The Lord knows that that is
[00:07:04] [SPEAKER_00]: The first thing that they needed to hear
[00:07:08] [SPEAKER_00]: it would have been a moment of
[00:07:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Absolute stupefaction
[00:07:13] [SPEAKER_00]: you go from the
[00:07:16] [SPEAKER_00]: triumphal entry of Jesus to
[00:07:19] [SPEAKER_00]: The trial to the cross to the tomb and now
[00:07:26] [SPEAKER_00]: To seeing him again in a glorified state in a resurrected
[00:07:32] [SPEAKER_00]: State that Jesus says to Mary that he hasn't yet ascended to the father
[00:07:39] [SPEAKER_00]: But here he is in the midst there is a kind of transformation that is absolutely
[00:07:46] [SPEAKER_00]: unprecedented this isn't Lazarus who was
[00:07:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Dead and then made alive. This is Jesus who was resurrected and glorified the first fruits of
[00:07:59] [SPEAKER_00]: this promise of God that is suffused through all of scripture and
[00:08:05] [SPEAKER_00]: When we experience this moment with the disciples when we read
[00:08:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Through these passages it is worth taking the time
[00:08:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Taking a minute
[00:08:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Saying a prayer to ask the Holy Spirit
[00:08:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Lord show me what this was like
[00:08:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Help me to understand
[00:08:28] [SPEAKER_00]: What is going on here because?
[00:08:32] [SPEAKER_00]: It can reflect in our own
[00:08:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Lives it can reflect
[00:08:37] [SPEAKER_00]: This experience and brothers and sisters we have all in some ways
[00:08:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Experience the same thing when the reality of who Jesus is
[00:08:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Hits us and we understand that
[00:08:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Everything has changed everything is different
[00:08:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Everything has been turned upside down
[00:08:59] [SPEAKER_00]: Everything has been
[00:09:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Righted everything has been
[00:09:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Maneuvered into a different kingdom a new way of being there is hope again
[00:09:11] [SPEAKER_00]: There is faith. There is promise. There is power and
[00:09:18] [SPEAKER_00]: Then there is the call
[00:09:20] [SPEAKER_00]: There is the call to be sent forth into a world that does not fully understand
[00:09:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Where many are not just not actively seeking God but actively opposing him and
[00:09:35] [SPEAKER_00]: There is the responsibility
[00:09:37] [SPEAKER_00]: to
[00:09:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Say yes to that call and to act out in the overflow of this love
[00:09:44] [SPEAKER_00]: This joy this this ecstasy
[00:09:49] [SPEAKER_00]: That cannot be contained
[00:09:51] [SPEAKER_00]: knowing in confidence that
[00:09:54] [SPEAKER_00]: We will be able to overcome because of what Jesus has done
[00:10:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Bible says that we overcome by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our testimony and
[00:10:07] [SPEAKER_00]: What a testimony this is it is
[00:10:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Reliable it is true. It is an actual event and so
[00:10:18] [SPEAKER_00]: when we think of
[00:10:20] [SPEAKER_00]: The dichotomy here
[00:10:23] [SPEAKER_00]: Never would the disciples have felt more alone and
[00:10:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Then never would they have felt more whole
[00:10:34] [SPEAKER_00]: They didn't understand the fullness of everything. This was a moment in time
[00:10:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Absolutely unique a moment in time where
[00:10:47] [SPEAKER_00]: History not just in the lives of these men and women but all of history itself
[00:10:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Would be upended would be transformed would be redeemed and
[00:10:58] [SPEAKER_00]: When we examine this again just through the lines we have these precious words
[00:11:04] [SPEAKER_00]: But we also see and hopefully see in
[00:11:09] [SPEAKER_00]: ourselves this picture of
[00:11:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas who was not with them for that moment
[00:11:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Who is still?
[00:11:19] [SPEAKER_00]: many days later
[00:11:21] [SPEAKER_00]: many days later in a state of doubt and
[00:11:26] [SPEAKER_00]: questioning and confusion and it would have been
[00:11:32] [SPEAKER_00]: Extra difficult it would have been incredibly
[00:11:36] [SPEAKER_00]: just
[00:11:38] [SPEAKER_00]: devastating for
[00:11:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas to see
[00:11:43] [SPEAKER_00]: That Jesus had shown himself
[00:11:46] [SPEAKER_00]: to the other disciples but not yet to him and
[00:11:52] [SPEAKER_00]: It provides a picture
[00:11:55] [SPEAKER_00]: For us like Jesus could have if he wanted to he could have waited until everyone was together
[00:12:01] [SPEAKER_00]: But he chose to appear to the group of disciples to
[00:12:06] [SPEAKER_00]: commission them and then only later to appear to Thomas as well and
[00:12:14] [SPEAKER_00]: We don't have
[00:12:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Direct word on why that's the case
[00:12:20] [SPEAKER_00]: but
[00:12:21] [SPEAKER_00]: There is something from the Holy Spirit for all of us here
[00:12:27] [SPEAKER_00]: We all whether in the process of our seeking God or even now in the process of walking with him
[00:12:33] [SPEAKER_00]: We have questions. We have doubts even though we know were instructed and commanded not to fear
[00:12:42] [SPEAKER_00]: their fears that can creep in if
[00:12:45] [SPEAKER_00]: We go through a season where it feels like our prayers are being neglected and it feels like we are distant from God
[00:12:52] [SPEAKER_00]: Even when we're trying to seek for him even when we would want so desperately
[00:12:58] [SPEAKER_00]: To be near him and to be in his presence
[00:13:01] [SPEAKER_00]: those seasons can happen these these dry spells and
[00:13:07] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas is in in that same situation
[00:13:10] [SPEAKER_00]: This is before Pentecost
[00:13:13] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas does not necessarily have the Holy Spirit and to the same degree that the other
[00:13:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Disciples did when Jesus saw the others he breathed on them and said receive the Holy Spirit and
[00:13:28] [SPEAKER_00]: so they had a measure of
[00:13:30] [SPEAKER_00]: The witness of the Spirit that Thomas did not have at the point where he was still doubting and
[00:13:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Saying these things to them and
[00:13:41] [SPEAKER_00]: You have to imagine Thomas in verse 25 when he says
[00:13:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails and put my finger into the print of the nails and put my hand into his side
[00:13:51] [SPEAKER_00]: I will not believe there is
[00:13:54] [SPEAKER_00]: anguish there there is this ferocious
[00:14:00] [SPEAKER_00]: determination this
[00:14:02] [SPEAKER_00]: entrenched
[00:14:04] [SPEAKER_00]: doubt these
[00:14:06] [SPEAKER_00]: ongoing questions it's a it's a stubborn refusal, but it's a stubborn refusal that hopefully all of us should be able to understand
[00:14:16] [SPEAKER_00]: because we should we should know what that's like and
[00:14:21] [SPEAKER_00]: We should recognize that when our fellow brothers and sisters are experiencing similar moments
[00:14:28] [SPEAKER_00]: similar
[00:14:30] [SPEAKER_00]: times and seasons where
[00:14:33] [SPEAKER_00]: They simply say I need to I need something I need to see something or else. I will not believe and
[00:14:41] [SPEAKER_00]: We need to be there for brothers and sisters in that situation
[00:14:46] [SPEAKER_00]: And if you're in that position if you are struggling with something if you are
[00:14:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Questioning something if you have doubts about something
[00:14:54] [SPEAKER_00]: I pray that the Lord would station people around you to encourage you to lift you up and that most importantly
[00:15:02] [SPEAKER_00]: He would bring all of these things to God himself in
[00:15:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas's case Jesus of course radically meets him where he is
[00:15:12] [SPEAKER_00]: declares peace over him and
[00:15:15] [SPEAKER_00]: indulges his request
[00:15:18] [SPEAKER_00]: To see his wounds and
[00:15:22] [SPEAKER_00]: He commands Thomas to not be unbelieving but believing and this is
[00:15:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Certainly enough for Thomas. We would all imagine ourselves in these situations and say well if that happened to me then
[00:15:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Surely I would believe surely my questions would be answered
[00:15:40] [SPEAKER_00]: but keep in mind that
[00:15:43] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus doesn't necessarily although we don't we don't have this
[00:15:48] [SPEAKER_00]: We don't have an extended dialogue between
[00:15:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Thomas and Jesus where Thomas is asking all of these questions and Jesus is providing all of these elaborate answers the
[00:16:01] [SPEAKER_00]: questions are
[00:16:02] [SPEAKER_00]: answered at a higher level by his presence by his
[00:16:07] [SPEAKER_00]: declaration and
[00:16:10] [SPEAKER_00]: his blessing and
[00:16:13] [SPEAKER_00]: That is the case for us as well
[00:16:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Not that God will not lead us into
[00:16:20] [SPEAKER_00]: Answers to the questions that we have
[00:16:23] [SPEAKER_00]: not that God will not
[00:16:26] [SPEAKER_00]: resolve our doubts our
[00:16:28] [SPEAKER_00]: Confusions our concerns and all these things he wants us to have
[00:16:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Stable sober-minded hearts. He wants us to be of a sound mind with respect to
[00:16:40] [SPEAKER_00]: theological and doctrinal matters he wants our questions to be answered and
[00:16:45] [SPEAKER_00]: At certain points we can come to these places and simply
[00:16:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Cry out to him knowing that the presence of God
[00:16:57] [SPEAKER_00]: will itself
[00:17:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Provide the answers that we need even if we don't see a
[00:17:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Memo being printed out even if we don't have a full document a full contract a full
[00:17:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Declaration from on high with every jot and tittle accounted for every scenario
[00:17:17] [SPEAKER_00]: plan for every set of instructions
[00:17:21] [SPEAKER_00]: given
[00:17:22] [SPEAKER_00]: But if we have his presence if we have that
[00:17:27] [SPEAKER_00]: security made
[00:17:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Manifest and made tangible in our lives and in our spirits if we have that faith and we experience his presence
[00:17:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Then we have what we need
[00:17:40] [SPEAKER_00]: The answers to our questions are
[00:17:45] [SPEAKER_00]: In the form of the person of Jesus. He is the answer. He is the truth
[00:17:52] [SPEAKER_00]: He is our hope. He is our Lord. He is our king and
[00:17:58] [SPEAKER_00]: It is sufficient or it should be sufficient for all of us
[00:18:03] [SPEAKER_00]: To know that we can come to the presence of the King that he has not
[00:18:09] [SPEAKER_00]: Left us that he is for us and that he loves us
[00:18:13] [SPEAKER_00]: So many are in situations where
[00:18:17] [SPEAKER_00]: They don't feel like those declarations are true
[00:18:22] [SPEAKER_00]: but know this
[00:18:23] [SPEAKER_00]: when Jesus
[00:18:25] [SPEAKER_00]: calls to Thomas
[00:18:27] [SPEAKER_00]: When he shows him his glorified body and the marks of the crucifixion still on him
[00:18:35] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus says Thomas because you have seen me you have believed and fair enough
[00:18:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Hopefully, hopefully everyone in their right minds would be in that same situation
[00:18:44] [SPEAKER_00]: but then Jesus goes on and
[00:18:48] [SPEAKER_00]: speaking to
[00:18:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Everyone who is to come including us brothers and sisters. He said blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed
[00:18:57] [SPEAKER_00]: Have you not seen in the way that Thomas has?
[00:19:01] [SPEAKER_00]: Have you believed if so?
[00:19:03] [SPEAKER_00]: You are blessed
[00:19:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus blesses you and if you feel like your belief is
[00:19:12] [SPEAKER_00]: struggling if your faith is
[00:19:14] [SPEAKER_00]: Flagging if you can't put yourself and
[00:19:18] [SPEAKER_00]: In that situation and say yes this blessing really does apply to me
[00:19:23] [SPEAKER_00]: I know that I know that I know it and I have
[00:19:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Grappled with it and I understand it at least in part
[00:19:30] [SPEAKER_00]: I have faith that it is true and I am moving forward
[00:19:33] [SPEAKER_00]: Then that is something that needs to be resolved. It needs to be attended to it is an urgent priority
[00:19:43] [SPEAKER_00]: And something unfortunately that can ultimately end up getting pushed to the back of the line with all the other things
[00:19:49] [SPEAKER_00]: We have going on in our lives
[00:19:51] [SPEAKER_00]: But if we brothers and sisters are being honest with ourselves and we can't put ourselves in verse 29 here of
[00:19:59] [SPEAKER_00]: John chapter 20 and say this blessing is
[00:20:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Mine this blessing of the risen Jesus blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed if
[00:20:12] [SPEAKER_00]: we do not have
[00:20:15] [SPEAKER_00]: the
[00:20:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Impact of that blessing in our hearts if that is not something that is actively being carried with us then
[00:20:24] [SPEAKER_00]: We are missing out on something so grounding so foundational so tremendous so powerful
[00:20:32] [SPEAKER_00]: that we are short changing ourselves and
[00:20:36] [SPEAKER_00]: So I would urge you brothers and sisters that if there's something that
[00:20:42] [SPEAKER_00]: Needs to get resolved if there is a question that you have if there is a concern if there is something that is
[00:20:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Holding you back from this blessing
[00:20:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Then the answer to it is to draw near to God
[00:20:59] [SPEAKER_00]: It's in those times and those seasons that the faithfulness of God will be on display
[00:21:05] [SPEAKER_00]: His disciples the people who he loved and he cared for and he walked with and he showed them all these tremendous things
[00:21:12] [SPEAKER_00]: All these miracles that they saw it was ripped away from them for a short season in
[00:21:20] [SPEAKER_00]: a
[00:21:21] [SPEAKER_00]: dramatic trauma and
[00:21:24] [SPEAKER_00]: a complete
[00:21:27] [SPEAKER_00]: situation of disarray only for this
[00:21:32] [SPEAKER_00]: redemption only for this
[00:21:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Incredible resolution that to them was
[00:21:41] [SPEAKER_00]: Unexpected or even impossible and yet has been part of the foundation of the word of God and of the
[00:21:47] [SPEAKER_00]: prophecies since the beginning of human history and so
[00:21:52] [SPEAKER_00]: When we examine these things and we examine our own hearts
[00:21:57] [SPEAKER_00]: We should invite the Holy Spirit into these questions any doubts that we have
[00:22:04] [SPEAKER_00]: Even if we can say God I feel like these disciples. I feel
[00:22:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Scared I feel like I'm on the run. I feel like I'm alone. I feel like
[00:22:16] [SPEAKER_00]: There is nothing for me. I feel like my entire world is collapsing
[00:22:21] [SPEAKER_00]: The the disciples put all their eggs in Jesus's basket
[00:22:26] [SPEAKER_00]: They were attached to him
[00:22:28] [SPEAKER_00]: they had beliefs about what they were going to do and who they were going to be and
[00:22:35] [SPEAKER_00]: They were right about the magnitude of those beliefs and the importance of what they were going to accomplish in the
[00:22:43] [SPEAKER_00]: In the call that God placed on their lives
[00:22:46] [SPEAKER_00]: But it's difficult to imagine that they knew or anticipated that they would have to go through
[00:22:53] [SPEAKER_00]: a time I'll be at a short time but a time of
[00:22:58] [SPEAKER_00]: the kind of emotional strain that is known by
[00:23:03] [SPEAKER_00]: relatively few
[00:23:05] [SPEAKER_00]: this is
[00:23:07] [SPEAKER_00]: something
[00:23:08] [SPEAKER_00]: incomprehensible to to most of us and
[00:23:13] [SPEAKER_00]: This is why
[00:23:15] [SPEAKER_00]: When Jesus appears and he speaks peace
[00:23:19] [SPEAKER_00]: that word the the healing power of the peace that can be that can only be
[00:23:26] [SPEAKER_00]: provided by God is
[00:23:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Something so completely transformative when we look and understand things about how
[00:23:36] [SPEAKER_00]: people manage and deal with
[00:23:38] [SPEAKER_00]: trauma using secular tools psychological tools
[00:23:44] [SPEAKER_00]: Pharmaceutical tools all of these things the process is
[00:23:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Long it's drawn out. It's difficult. It's torturous. It is
[00:23:54] [SPEAKER_00]: extraordinarily challenging
[00:23:56] [SPEAKER_00]: But this one word from Jesus
[00:23:58] [SPEAKER_00]: writes all of it when he says peace and
[00:24:03] [SPEAKER_00]: So if we find ourselves brothers and sisters
[00:24:06] [SPEAKER_00]: Outside of that peace outside feeling outside of this
[00:24:10] [SPEAKER_00]: blessing that Jesus places over those who have not seen and yet have believed then that
[00:24:17] [SPEAKER_00]: Needs to be a top priority to get resolved. We can't move on we can't go further
[00:24:24] [SPEAKER_00]: We can't do anything else
[00:24:26] [SPEAKER_00]: To great effect until this is resolved
[00:24:30] [SPEAKER_00]: So if you have questions, don't put them aside anymore if you have doubts don't try to bury them anymore
[00:24:38] [SPEAKER_00]: Get them sorted go to the Lord until you have that peace
[00:24:45] [SPEAKER_00]: rely on other brothers and sisters and if you don't have that kind of person in your life
[00:24:51] [SPEAKER_00]: Try to reach out try to get counsel
[00:24:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Pray that the Lord would bring the necessary people around you to answer to encourage to come alongside you in a season of
[00:25:03] [SPEAKER_00]: damage or mourning or trauma even
[00:25:08] [SPEAKER_00]: but God forbid brothers and sisters that we
[00:25:11] [SPEAKER_00]: Recognize through the ministry of the Holy Spirit that there is something in us that is not
[00:25:18] [SPEAKER_00]: With the peace of God that we are
[00:25:21] [SPEAKER_00]: in a state of distance in a state of removal that we feel
[00:25:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Isolated and alone that we don't feel like we have this blessing that Jesus is providing if that is
[00:25:34] [SPEAKER_00]: Even remotely true or resonant with your life then make it a point today
[00:25:41] [SPEAKER_00]: To get that settled. God is there. He is here. He is
[00:25:47] [SPEAKER_00]: Waiting he is ready. He wants to hear your questions. He wants to put you
[00:25:55] [SPEAKER_00]: Into his presence. He wants you to draw near to him and he wants to draw near to you
[00:26:01] [SPEAKER_00]: He loves you. He loves you more than you could ever
[00:26:05] [SPEAKER_00]: Imagine he wants you to be at peace. He wants you to experience this blessing
[00:26:11] [SPEAKER_00]: He wants you to be quickened in your faith. He wants you to be transformed. He desperately wants it
[00:26:19] [SPEAKER_00]: He desperately does
[00:26:22] [SPEAKER_00]: He wants you to seek him. He wants you to come to him
[00:26:27] [SPEAKER_00]: He wants you to receive from him
[00:26:29] [SPEAKER_00]: It is to his glory and to his honor to give these good gifts to his children and
[00:26:37] [SPEAKER_00]: so as
[00:26:38] [SPEAKER_00]: you read these words as you listen to these as you contemplate them
[00:26:43] [SPEAKER_00]: read this chapter over John 20 and
[00:26:48] [SPEAKER_00]: Imagine the turmoil the inner hurt the pain the confusion this
[00:26:54] [SPEAKER_00]: Maelstrom of negative emotion that would have been going on in the disciples minds
[00:26:59] [SPEAKER_00]: probably many sleepless nights many sleepless nights between
[00:27:04] [SPEAKER_00]: The cross and these appearances
[00:27:09] [SPEAKER_00]: This doubt presiding Thomas is so distraught that even with the testimony of
[00:27:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Those who he had walked alongside
[00:27:19] [SPEAKER_00]: following Jesus even with their
[00:27:22] [SPEAKER_00]: clear
[00:27:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Understanding of this completely new kind of event this completely new situation
[00:27:31] [SPEAKER_00]: He is not there yet. He needs to see it for himself and
[00:27:36] [SPEAKER_00]: God will do something similar to us not necessarily Jesus appearing in physical glorified form
[00:27:43] [SPEAKER_00]: To us in the same way, but the presence of God the Holy Spirit the ministry of the Lord
[00:27:51] [SPEAKER_00]: this
[00:27:53] [SPEAKER_00]: Can provide the exact same
[00:27:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Transformation this exact same move from turmoil to peace this move from
[00:28:04] [SPEAKER_00]: isolation to the presence of God this move from
[00:28:09] [SPEAKER_00]: radical doubt to supernatural blessing of faith and
[00:28:15] [SPEAKER_00]: if we are to move forward if we are to be
[00:28:19] [SPEAKER_00]: Effective in this generation for the glory of God and to see his name lifted up
[00:28:24] [SPEAKER_00]: We have to handle that business
[00:28:27] [SPEAKER_00]: We have to allow the Lord through his grace and mercy and the love that he has for us to
[00:28:35] [SPEAKER_00]: reach in and
[00:28:37] [SPEAKER_00]: Touch every aspect of our lives and again
[00:28:41] [SPEAKER_00]: It's not necessarily going to mean that all of our questions immediately evaporate that we're going to get a
[00:28:47] [SPEAKER_00]: 500-point program that answers
[00:28:50] [SPEAKER_00]: Everything that we've ever dealt with and everything that we will ever have to handle
[00:28:57] [SPEAKER_00]: But it does mean that if we have the presence of God that that is
[00:29:03] [SPEAKER_00]: Absolutely more than sufficient that is our foundation that is our hope. He is our rock
[00:29:10] [SPEAKER_00]: He is our Savior and if you find yourself in this situation
[00:29:15] [SPEAKER_00]: Where you feel more like Thomas even then you'd like to admit
[00:29:20] [SPEAKER_00]: call out to him
[00:29:22] [SPEAKER_00]: Cry out to him
[00:29:24] [SPEAKER_00]: Say Lord I want this blessing. I need your peace. I
[00:29:29] [SPEAKER_00]: Need the faith that only you can give me and he is just and faithful
[00:29:34] [SPEAKER_00]: To meet you where you are
[00:29:36] [SPEAKER_00]: Even with your questions and your doubts
[00:29:40] [SPEAKER_00]: He wants you
[00:29:41] [SPEAKER_00]: He loves you. He will say peace to you
[00:29:46] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus, thank you for your peace
[00:29:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you for your resurrection. Thank you for the healing power that is in your word and your presence
[00:29:58] [SPEAKER_00]: We glorify you Lord we worship you
[00:30:02] [SPEAKER_00]: We humble ourselves before you Lord. We bring our questions to you. We bring our doubts to you and we pray for
[00:30:10] [SPEAKER_00]: Reconciliation we pray for peace
[00:30:13] [SPEAKER_00]: We pray Lord that you would equip us
[00:30:16] [SPEAKER_00]: Holy Spirit that you would overshadow us that you would search our hearts and help us to clear out
[00:30:23] [SPEAKER_00]: The things that are holding us back
[00:30:26] [SPEAKER_00]: Lord your presence is
[00:30:29] [SPEAKER_00]: More than enough we want your glory. We want you to receive honor
[00:30:37] [SPEAKER_00]: We want your name to be high and lifted up to help us today Lord
[00:30:42] [SPEAKER_00]: I lift up my brothers and sisters to you who are struggling and God I pray that you would meet them
[00:30:49] [SPEAKER_00]: Just as radically as you met Thomas where he was. I pray that you would resolve
[00:30:56] [SPEAKER_00]: Traumas that you would heal that you would restore the years that have been taken that you would replenish that you would pour out
[00:31:04] [SPEAKER_00]: your spirit
[00:31:06] [SPEAKER_00]: on us all
[00:31:07] [SPEAKER_00]: God help us
[00:31:09] [SPEAKER_00]: help us to be in
[00:31:12] [SPEAKER_00]: Good standing and a firm foundation Lord in you as we face the call of going forth into this world that is
[00:31:21] [SPEAKER_00]: damaged and bruised and beaten and
[00:31:24] [SPEAKER_00]: traumatized and
[00:31:26] [SPEAKER_00]: hostile to you and to your people but Lord you will equip us
[00:31:32] [SPEAKER_00]: You have blessed us
[00:31:35] [SPEAKER_00]: You will strengthen us give us the faith that we need Lord in this moment
[00:31:40] [SPEAKER_00]: Be with us and speak peace into our souls in
[00:31:45] [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus name. Amen