Doubt
Mercy, 17 November 2024, Jude
18 11 24 Filed in: Sermons | Little Letters
Mercy
Little Letters: Jude, part 2
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 17, 2024
Jude 17-25
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Mercy begets mercy so we are to experience and share God’s mercy.
Scripture Reading: Jude 17-23
When I was a kid, we used to place this two-person game called Mercy. Essentially, you would try to torture the other person with your hands until they yell, “Mercy!”
Mercy is one of those words people use, but don’t always understand. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We all deserve God’s wrath, but praise the LORD Jesus came and died to offer forgiveness and mercy.
Today we conclude our series on Little Letters, finishing the short book of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible before Revelation. Last week we read the first part of this letter written by Jesus’ half-brother to the early church, likely Messianic Jews. He warned about false teachers and said some harsh things about their destructive actions. Now we pick up with verse 17.
A Call to Persevere
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 17-19)
Remember what the apostles—the true teachers—said (and forget the words of the false teachers who scoff, live ungodly lives, and divide.
We live in a divided culture, a divided country, a divided world. This is hardly news to any of us. It has been this way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. What is harder for me to grasp is how divided the Church, the Bride of Christ, has become.
In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for unity, that we would be one—not divided. We can all find differences if we look hard enough, but we have more in common than not. We’re all united at the foot of the cross. Only pride and ego keep us from truly loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.
Jude says these leaders “do not have the Spirit.” This is an important remark. There’s a big difference between gifting and anointing. It’s possible to have talents and abilities, but it’s another thing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, utilizing spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
I’m not here to impress or entertain you, but simply to point you to Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill me every time I preach and that you hear from God, not me. I also pray that I would always practice what I preach. This was hardly the case with the false teachers Jude critiques.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)
He says to build themselves up in the faith. Grow!
He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Align your will and desires with God’s.
He says to remain in God’s love. Develop your relationship with Jesus.
He says to wait. Don’t you love waiting? Ugh! People have been waiting for two thousand years for Christ to return. Next month we’ll enter the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, a season of anticipation.
I’m sure there was an expectation then—as there is today—that Jesus’ return was close at hand. He’s coming back, family! Soon! Get ready! Get your friends and family ready! Followers of Jesus will experience mercy on Judgment Day, not getting what we deserve.
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
This is a beautiful phrase. One translation states, “Be compassionate to those mentally wavering.”
Doubt isn’t sin. I don’t think it’s even a lack of faith, depending upon your definition. It is a struggle, a wrestling. The Bible is filled with godly people who wrestled with God, with faith, with belief. They need compassion, support, and understanding…never condemnation.
This past week I read an article about a woman who struggled with doubt for two decades. Michelle DeRusha offered these four suggestions in the midst of doubt:
1. Acknowledge it. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is from a man whose son was possessed by a spirit. While seeking healing from Jesus, he exclaimed,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b)
We all have our moments of doubt. There’s no need for shame or embarrassment, but tragically many suffer in silence thinking they’re the only one. Family, we need to get real and share what’s really going on inside. Chances are, those around you are experiencing or have experienced the very same thing. When we hide, things can only get worse. I have questions. There are things about the Bible I don’t understand. In fact certainty can actually be an obstacle to faith rather than evidence of it. Jesus’ disciple Thomas was famous for doubting, yet God used him in powerful ways. Most likely his doubts tested and strengthened his faith over time.
2. Connect with Your Community. Henri Nouwen wrote, “In times of doubt or unbelief, the community can ‘carry you along,’ so to speak…It can even offer on your behalf what you yourself overlook and can be the context in which you may recognize the Lord again.”
3. Lean into Your Practice. Spiritual rhythms or habits can keep us going even when we don’t “feel” like it. Prayer, Bible study, small group, and Sunday mornings are just a few ways to feed your faith. Sometimes it feels like you’re just going through the motions, but don’t give up. Author Kathleen Norris writes, “It is in acts of repetition that seem senseless to the rational mind that belief comes, doubts are put to rest, religious conversion takes hold and feels at home in a community of faith.” One of the best spiritual practices is to serve others, getting the focus off of yourself.
4. Live the Questions. Catholic priests during Eucharist say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” If we fully understood God, we would be God! Paul wrote to a church in Greece:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
We need to embrace our limitations, the questions, the doubt, and take them to the LORD. He can handle anything we throw at Him. Anything!
I want to declare today this is a safe community where questions are welcome. I love questions, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I want to do whatever I can to help you on your journey. Doubt is a ladder to climb, says writer Brad East, not a home. Questions and discussions and prayer can deepen our faith and trust in God.
Returning to our text in Jude,
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
You may be tempted to judge, condemn, teach, shame, or preach to doubters, but they need prayer, a listening ear, an encouraging friend, and empathy. Jesus himself said,
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
I hope this is always a safe place to doubt, to ask questions, to wrestle with faith. Let’s give one another “the benefit of the doubt.”
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 23)
There’s another likely reference to hell which we mentioned last Sunday. We need to redirect people from harmful behaviors which will burn them, but do it lovingly and wisely. No one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet fear because the teaching of false teachers is contagious and corrupt.
Jude closes with a doxology.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
This is a beautiful expression of praise to God. He is able to keep us from being deceived by false teachers. He can lead us away from the lies of our culture. He is our firm foundation. He is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve, which is great news! He forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and loves us unconditionally. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the Father “without fault and with great joy.” That’s amazing!
He has all glory, majesty, power, and authority. I love that this declaration is timeless, too, reaching all the way to 2024! Our God is awesome and worthy of praise! Hallelujah!
So What?
Mercy is more than a painful game played with friends. It’s a gift from God we are to receive, experience, and share with others. The merciful are slow to judge. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They relieve the burdens of others, serving, often out of the limelight.
Our community is filled with desperate people in need of mercy. While some gloat about the election results, others are scared about the future. We have dozens of unhoused people in our city, albeit some by choice. Hunger is real for some of our neighbors. My wife was hospitalized for a day last week and I was reminded of the sick around us. One writer (Johnathan K. Dodson) defined mercy as “expressing God’s kindness to someone with a name.”
Can you do that? Can we do that? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
Little Letters: Jude, part 2
Kirk Schneemann
College First Church of God
November 17, 2024
Jude 17-25
Series Big Idea: Little letters can contain big lessons.
Big Idea: Mercy begets mercy so we are to experience and share God’s mercy.
Scripture Reading: Jude 17-23
When I was a kid, we used to place this two-person game called Mercy. Essentially, you would try to torture the other person with your hands until they yell, “Mercy!”
Mercy is one of those words people use, but don’t always understand. Mercy is compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. We all deserve God’s wrath, but praise the LORD Jesus came and died to offer forgiveness and mercy.
Today we conclude our series on Little Letters, finishing the short book of Jude, the second-to-last book of the Bible before Revelation. Last week we read the first part of this letter written by Jesus’ half-brother to the early church, likely Messianic Jews. He warned about false teachers and said some harsh things about their destructive actions. Now we pick up with verse 17.
A Call to Persevere
But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” 19 These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. (Jude 17-19)
Remember what the apostles—the true teachers—said (and forget the words of the false teachers who scoff, live ungodly lives, and divide.
We live in a divided culture, a divided country, a divided world. This is hardly news to any of us. It has been this way since Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. What is harder for me to grasp is how divided the Church, the Bride of Christ, has become.
In the book of John chapter 17, Jesus prayed for unity, that we would be one—not divided. We can all find differences if we look hard enough, but we have more in common than not. We’re all united at the foot of the cross. Only pride and ego keep us from truly loving one another as Jesus commanded us to do.
Jude says these leaders “do not have the Spirit.” This is an important remark. There’s a big difference between gifting and anointing. It’s possible to have talents and abilities, but it’s another thing to be filled with the Holy Spirit, utilizing spiritual gifts for God’s glory.
I’m not here to impress or entertain you, but simply to point you to Jesus. I pray that the Holy Spirit would fill me every time I preach and that you hear from God, not me. I also pray that I would always practice what I preach. This was hardly the case with the false teachers Jude critiques.
But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. (Jude 20-21)
He says to build themselves up in the faith. Grow!
He says to pray in the Holy Spirit. Align your will and desires with God’s.
He says to remain in God’s love. Develop your relationship with Jesus.
He says to wait. Don’t you love waiting? Ugh! People have been waiting for two thousand years for Christ to return. Next month we’ll enter the season of Advent, which means coming or arrival, a season of anticipation.
I’m sure there was an expectation then—as there is today—that Jesus’ return was close at hand. He’s coming back, family! Soon! Get ready! Get your friends and family ready! Followers of Jesus will experience mercy on Judgment Day, not getting what we deserve.
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
This is a beautiful phrase. One translation states, “Be compassionate to those mentally wavering.”
Doubt isn’t sin. I don’t think it’s even a lack of faith, depending upon your definition. It is a struggle, a wrestling. The Bible is filled with godly people who wrestled with God, with faith, with belief. They need compassion, support, and understanding…never condemnation.
This past week I read an article about a woman who struggled with doubt for two decades. Michelle DeRusha offered these four suggestions in the midst of doubt:
1. Acknowledge it. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is from a man whose son was possessed by a spirit. While seeking healing from Jesus, he exclaimed,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24b)
We all have our moments of doubt. There’s no need for shame or embarrassment, but tragically many suffer in silence thinking they’re the only one. Family, we need to get real and share what’s really going on inside. Chances are, those around you are experiencing or have experienced the very same thing. When we hide, things can only get worse. I have questions. There are things about the Bible I don’t understand. In fact certainty can actually be an obstacle to faith rather than evidence of it. Jesus’ disciple Thomas was famous for doubting, yet God used him in powerful ways. Most likely his doubts tested and strengthened his faith over time.
2. Connect with Your Community. Henri Nouwen wrote, “In times of doubt or unbelief, the community can ‘carry you along,’ so to speak…It can even offer on your behalf what you yourself overlook and can be the context in which you may recognize the Lord again.”
3. Lean into Your Practice. Spiritual rhythms or habits can keep us going even when we don’t “feel” like it. Prayer, Bible study, small group, and Sunday mornings are just a few ways to feed your faith. Sometimes it feels like you’re just going through the motions, but don’t give up. Author Kathleen Norris writes, “It is in acts of repetition that seem senseless to the rational mind that belief comes, doubts are put to rest, religious conversion takes hold and feels at home in a community of faith.” One of the best spiritual practices is to serve others, getting the focus off of yourself.
4. Live the Questions. Catholic priests during Eucharist say, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” If we fully understood God, we would be God! Paul wrote to a church in Greece:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
We need to embrace our limitations, the questions, the doubt, and take them to the LORD. He can handle anything we throw at Him. Anything!
I want to declare today this is a safe community where questions are welcome. I love questions, and while I don’t claim to have all the answers, I want to do whatever I can to help you on your journey. Doubt is a ladder to climb, says writer Brad East, not a home. Questions and discussions and prayer can deepen our faith and trust in God.
Returning to our text in Jude,
Be merciful to those who doubt; (Jude 22)
You may be tempted to judge, condemn, teach, shame, or preach to doubters, but they need prayer, a listening ear, an encouraging friend, and empathy. Jesus himself said,
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
I hope this is always a safe place to doubt, to ask questions, to wrestle with faith. Let’s give one another “the benefit of the doubt.”
23 save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 23)
There’s another likely reference to hell which we mentioned last Sunday. We need to redirect people from harmful behaviors which will burn them, but do it lovingly and wisely. No one is beyond God’s mercy and forgiveness, yet fear because the teaching of false teachers is contagious and corrupt.
Jude closes with a doxology.
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
This is a beautiful expression of praise to God. He is able to keep us from being deceived by false teachers. He can lead us away from the lies of our culture. He is our firm foundation. He is merciful. We don’t get what we deserve, which is great news! He forgives all our sins, heals our diseases, and loves us unconditionally. Because of Jesus, we can stand before the Father “without fault and with great joy.” That’s amazing!
He has all glory, majesty, power, and authority. I love that this declaration is timeless, too, reaching all the way to 2024! Our God is awesome and worthy of praise! Hallelujah!
So What?
Mercy is more than a painful game played with friends. It’s a gift from God we are to receive, experience, and share with others. The merciful are slow to judge. They give others the benefit of the doubt. They relieve the burdens of others, serving, often out of the limelight.
Our community is filled with desperate people in need of mercy. While some gloat about the election results, others are scared about the future. We have dozens of unhoused people in our city, albeit some by choice. Hunger is real for some of our neighbors. My wife was hospitalized for a day last week and I was reminded of the sick around us. One writer (Johnathan K. Dodson) defined mercy as “expressing God’s kindness to someone with a name.”
Can you do that? Can we do that? To whom much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).
“Be merciful, even as your heavenly Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. (Jude 24-25)
Belief & Doubt, John 20:24-31, 17 November 2013
Big Idea: Belief and doubt are not opposites, but rather related components of faith.
Introduction
Jesus asks one thing of us…believe. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. Just ask Thomas.
And what does it mean to believe? It’s one thing to intellectually agree with propositional statements, but it’s another to take actions that prove belief.
It reminds of the old story of ham and eggs. The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed!
Thomas heard his friends talk about a risen Christ, but he needed to see for himself. He even stated that unless he saw, he would not believe.
Does that sound familiar? “Prove it,” shouts the skeptic. “If I could see Jesus, I would believe,” says the agnostic.
Yet here we are, two thousand years later with at least an element of belief in someone we have never seen. Yet questions remain. Doubts appear. What does that say about our faith?
As we continue to celebrate Easter in November, we’re going to look at this tension between doubt and belief.
John 20:24ff
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. (John 20:24)
Didymus means “the Twin.”
Where was he? We don’t know, but he missed the miraculous appearance of Jesus in a locked room, a passage (John 20:19-23) we examined last week.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (20:25)
One writer said, “Hardheaded skepticism can scarcely go further than this.”
Have you ever been skeptical or even obstinate about a situation?
Why did Thomas doubt? Sure, he spent time with Jesus, but He also watched Him slaughtered. Imagine someone tells you they saw your friend that was buried days earlier. You’d think they were crazy! They saw a ghost or a vision, but dead people don’t walk—except in zombie movies, right?
Thomas gets a bad rap for his skepticism, but don’t be fooled. The other ten disciples were just as surprised a week earlier. Remember it was John himself who wrote at the empty tomb, “He saw and believed.” (20:8b)
Jesus knows the human heart like no other. He said to the Capernaum official back in 4:48
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” (John 4:48)
Why did Thomas doubt? Why do we doubt?
Faith contains an element of mystery because, by definition, you can’t prove it. Sure, Thomas was able to see Jesus, but what faith is required of something that you can prove? As Paul said, “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (26)
Does this sound familiar? Last week we looked at the same people in the same house with the same doors locked with the same Jesus suddenly appearing among them saying, “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.” (27)
Stop doubting and believe. Jesus says, “Bring it on!” If you need proof, I’ll give you proof. We don’t know if Thomas moved his finger and hand, but his response is legendary.
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (28)
It has been said that “the most outrageous doubter of the resurrection of Jesus utters the greatest confession of the Lord who rose from the dead.” (Beasley-Murray)
Notice how Thomas’ response is not merely, “My Savior” but “My Lord and my God.” He is the first person in John to call Jesus “God.” Many want Jesus as good teacher or even Savior, but Lord and God is something entirely different.
John began his Gospel by announcing that
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
Now as John approaches the finish line of his biography, the deity of Christ as God is crystal clear.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (29)
This is the climax of the passage. It is Thomas’ seeing that is credited with his faith. He sees and believes.
Not everyone that saw Jesus believed. Many saw Jesus perform miracles and refused to believe. Nevertheless, Thomas’ faith is connected to his sight.
I love that Jesus speaks here about us! We have not seen Jesus or His wounds, but we’ve heard the story. We have been reading the eyewitness account from John.
Doubt
Do you doubt? Do you believe? Perhaps your answer to both is “yes.” You’re in good company, not only with Thomas, but countless men, women and children through the centuries that struggle with faith. Many agnostics want to believe but have lingering questions that hold them back. I read this week about a man who believed, then renounced his faith, then returned to it.
Faith is a gift. I can’t force it upon you. I can’t make you believe. I can only pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal the truth of Jesus to you. But even Jesus-followers have doubts.
When do people seem to doubt their faith? During trials and tragedies.
Matthew 28:16 is in intriguing passage as Jesus prepares to ascend:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)
So much could be said about the doubts of believers, but perhaps the best thing I can share with you is a short interview between John Ortberg and Dallas Willard, two of my favorite authors. Ortberg asks Willard, who died earlier this year after decades of teaching at USC, about doubt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiOIyP4VHOk
Doubt is okay. Questions are okay. If we’re honest, we all have them, which is why we need one another. We need to be able to ask, discuss, probe, and be challenged. Personally, I welcome your questions. I don’t promise answers since God is both knowable and mysterious. I’d love to serve you in any way possible, however, and guide you to people and resources that can help you on your journey.
This is especially true if you are listening via podcast or blog. I’d love to hear from you at kirk@sciocommunity.org.
Again, I don’t promise to have all of the answers, but I’d love to encourage you on your faith adventure.
Conclusion
Finally, John concludes this chapter with the following:
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (30-31)
Jesus did many other signs or miracles.
Jesus is the Christ (Greek: Christos, Hebrew Mashiach, the “anointed one”)
Do you believe in Jesus? Faith is more about relationship than creed. Perhaps the question should be asked, “Do you know Jesus?” He wants you to know Him, and we have the Bible and prayer as tools to develop that relationship.
Scholars have debated whether John intended to write to bring people to faith or to deepen the faith of Christians, one leading to evangelism and the other encouragement. In either case, he wrote that we may know Christ, the Good Shepherd who not only takes care of His sheep but lays down His life for them.
John tells us throughout His biography that Jesus is under trial. The religious leaders, high priest and Pilate made judgments about Jesus, but ultimately you and I must decide—who is Jesus? As C.S. Lewis stated, Jesus is a lunatic, a liar, or LORD? He is “Mad, Bad, or God.” John’s answer is crystal clear, and he should know. Jesus was his best friend. He was discipled for three years under the rabbi. As we saw a few weeks ago,
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (John 20:8)
His faith was tested. He ultimately suffered for his faith in Christ, thrown in a vat of boiling oil.
The twentieth chapter of John provides us with four examples of faith:
Peter and John who race to the empty tomb
Mary Magdalene who is the first to encounter the risen Christ
The ten disciples who huddle in a locked room only to find Jesus in their midst
Thomas, a man like most of us who demands evidence
You either believe Jesus is God or you don’t. Even if you do believe, faith can be fragile. One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is in Mark 9. A man’s son is possessed by an evil spirit.
“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)
I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. That is one of my most common prayers.
I believe there are two types of faith—theoretical and tested. I can believe a chair will hold me, but until I sit in it, I’m not certain that the object of my faith is true.
I can believe someone will catch me when I fall, but the real test of my faith is my leaning back.
It’s possible to intellectual believe in an historical Jesus that lived, died, and rose but if I live my life as a practical atheist—filled with worry, selfishness, idolatry, and pride—is my faith actualized?
Jesus is not an idea or a religion, but an historical Person who walked the earth and will return soon.
Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. (John 11:25-26a)
Do you believe this? John wrote so that we may believe.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29b)
N.T. Wright says, “The resurrection is not an alien power breaking into God’s world; it is what happens when the creator himself comes to heal and restore his world, and bring it to its appointed goal. The resurrection is not only new creation; it is new creation.”
John never uses the noun “faith,” but rather the verb “believe” almost a hundred times. Faith is more about relationship than creed. Jesus wants to know you. He wants to be not only Savior but Lord and King and God.
And He can be trusted.
Do you believe?
You can listen to this message and others at the Scio podcast here. You can also subscribe to our podcast here.
Introduction
Jesus asks one thing of us…believe. It sounds simple, but it’s not always easy. Just ask Thomas.
And what does it mean to believe? It’s one thing to intellectually agree with propositional statements, but it’s another to take actions that prove belief.
It reminds of the old story of ham and eggs. The chicken is involved, but the pig is committed!
Thomas heard his friends talk about a risen Christ, but he needed to see for himself. He even stated that unless he saw, he would not believe.
Does that sound familiar? “Prove it,” shouts the skeptic. “If I could see Jesus, I would believe,” says the agnostic.
Yet here we are, two thousand years later with at least an element of belief in someone we have never seen. Yet questions remain. Doubts appear. What does that say about our faith?
As we continue to celebrate Easter in November, we’re going to look at this tension between doubt and belief.
John 20:24ff
Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. (John 20:24)
Didymus means “the Twin.”
Where was he? We don’t know, but he missed the miraculous appearance of Jesus in a locked room, a passage (John 20:19-23) we examined last week.
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” (20:25)
One writer said, “Hardheaded skepticism can scarcely go further than this.”
Have you ever been skeptical or even obstinate about a situation?
Why did Thomas doubt? Sure, he spent time with Jesus, but He also watched Him slaughtered. Imagine someone tells you they saw your friend that was buried days earlier. You’d think they were crazy! They saw a ghost or a vision, but dead people don’t walk—except in zombie movies, right?
Thomas gets a bad rap for his skepticism, but don’t be fooled. The other ten disciples were just as surprised a week earlier. Remember it was John himself who wrote at the empty tomb, “He saw and believed.” (20:8b)
Jesus knows the human heart like no other. He said to the Capernaum official back in 4:48
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” (John 4:48)
Why did Thomas doubt? Why do we doubt?
Faith contains an element of mystery because, by definition, you can’t prove it. Sure, Thomas was able to see Jesus, but what faith is required of something that you can prove? As Paul said, “We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (26)
Does this sound familiar? Last week we looked at the same people in the same house with the same doors locked with the same Jesus suddenly appearing among them saying, “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.” (27)
Stop doubting and believe. Jesus says, “Bring it on!” If you need proof, I’ll give you proof. We don’t know if Thomas moved his finger and hand, but his response is legendary.
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” (28)
It has been said that “the most outrageous doubter of the resurrection of Jesus utters the greatest confession of the Lord who rose from the dead.” (Beasley-Murray)
Notice how Thomas’ response is not merely, “My Savior” but “My Lord and my God.” He is the first person in John to call Jesus “God.” Many want Jesus as good teacher or even Savior, but Lord and God is something entirely different.
John began his Gospel by announcing that
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
Now as John approaches the finish line of his biography, the deity of Christ as God is crystal clear.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (29)
This is the climax of the passage. It is Thomas’ seeing that is credited with his faith. He sees and believes.
Not everyone that saw Jesus believed. Many saw Jesus perform miracles and refused to believe. Nevertheless, Thomas’ faith is connected to his sight.
I love that Jesus speaks here about us! We have not seen Jesus or His wounds, but we’ve heard the story. We have been reading the eyewitness account from John.
Doubt
Do you doubt? Do you believe? Perhaps your answer to both is “yes.” You’re in good company, not only with Thomas, but countless men, women and children through the centuries that struggle with faith. Many agnostics want to believe but have lingering questions that hold them back. I read this week about a man who believed, then renounced his faith, then returned to it.
Faith is a gift. I can’t force it upon you. I can’t make you believe. I can only pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal the truth of Jesus to you. But even Jesus-followers have doubts.
When do people seem to doubt their faith? During trials and tragedies.
Matthew 28:16 is in intriguing passage as Jesus prepares to ascend:
Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)
So much could be said about the doubts of believers, but perhaps the best thing I can share with you is a short interview between John Ortberg and Dallas Willard, two of my favorite authors. Ortberg asks Willard, who died earlier this year after decades of teaching at USC, about doubt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiOIyP4VHOk
Doubt is okay. Questions are okay. If we’re honest, we all have them, which is why we need one another. We need to be able to ask, discuss, probe, and be challenged. Personally, I welcome your questions. I don’t promise answers since God is both knowable and mysterious. I’d love to serve you in any way possible, however, and guide you to people and resources that can help you on your journey.
This is especially true if you are listening via podcast or blog. I’d love to hear from you at kirk@sciocommunity.org.
Again, I don’t promise to have all of the answers, but I’d love to encourage you on your faith adventure.
Conclusion
Finally, John concludes this chapter with the following:
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (30-31)
Jesus did many other signs or miracles.
Jesus is the Christ (Greek: Christos, Hebrew Mashiach, the “anointed one”)
Do you believe in Jesus? Faith is more about relationship than creed. Perhaps the question should be asked, “Do you know Jesus?” He wants you to know Him, and we have the Bible and prayer as tools to develop that relationship.
Scholars have debated whether John intended to write to bring people to faith or to deepen the faith of Christians, one leading to evangelism and the other encouragement. In either case, he wrote that we may know Christ, the Good Shepherd who not only takes care of His sheep but lays down His life for them.
John tells us throughout His biography that Jesus is under trial. The religious leaders, high priest and Pilate made judgments about Jesus, but ultimately you and I must decide—who is Jesus? As C.S. Lewis stated, Jesus is a lunatic, a liar, or LORD? He is “Mad, Bad, or God.” John’s answer is crystal clear, and he should know. Jesus was his best friend. He was discipled for three years under the rabbi. As we saw a few weeks ago,
Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (John 20:8)
His faith was tested. He ultimately suffered for his faith in Christ, thrown in a vat of boiling oil.
The twentieth chapter of John provides us with four examples of faith:
Peter and John who race to the empty tomb
Mary Magdalene who is the first to encounter the risen Christ
The ten disciples who huddle in a locked room only to find Jesus in their midst
Thomas, a man like most of us who demands evidence
You either believe Jesus is God or you don’t. Even if you do believe, faith can be fragile. One of my favorite verses in the entire Bible is in Mark 9. A man’s son is possessed by an evil spirit.
“It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:22-24)
I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief. That is one of my most common prayers.
I believe there are two types of faith—theoretical and tested. I can believe a chair will hold me, but until I sit in it, I’m not certain that the object of my faith is true.
I can believe someone will catch me when I fall, but the real test of my faith is my leaning back.
It’s possible to intellectual believe in an historical Jesus that lived, died, and rose but if I live my life as a practical atheist—filled with worry, selfishness, idolatry, and pride—is my faith actualized?
Jesus is not an idea or a religion, but an historical Person who walked the earth and will return soon.
Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. (John 11:25-26a)
Do you believe this? John wrote so that we may believe.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29b)
N.T. Wright says, “The resurrection is not an alien power breaking into God’s world; it is what happens when the creator himself comes to heal and restore his world, and bring it to its appointed goal. The resurrection is not only new creation; it is new creation.”
John never uses the noun “faith,” but rather the verb “believe” almost a hundred times. Faith is more about relationship than creed. Jesus wants to know you. He wants to be not only Savior but Lord and King and God.
And He can be trusted.
Do you believe?
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