My Lord And My God (Easter 2025) Series

He is risen! [He is risen indeed]. Please open your Bibles to John chapter 20. [mention pew Bibles]

Today, we celebrate the risen Christ. Jesus, who died for our sins, rose from the grave three days later, ascended into heaven forty days later, and is now seated at the right hand of God the Father. And we are here to worship him and give him glory. Amen?

How many of you had a nickname when you were a kid? How many of you still go by a nickname?

George Herman Ruth’s nickname was so famous that many of you probably don’t even know who I’m talking about. Anyone know George Herman Ruth? What about Babe Ruth? Ring any bells?

And it didn’t stop there. Babe Ruth was also known as the Great Bambino— a nickname of a nickname.

Now, some people get a nickname during childhood that sticks with them into adulthood.

There was a man named Paul who grew up in Arkansas. Once when the carnival was in town, the manager of the carnival offered to pay $1 to anyone brave enough to wrestle a (muzzled, declawed) bear. Paul, who was 13 years old at the time, took the challenge.

And I imagine his mother Mrs Bryant was horrified. Nevertheless, from that point on her son Paul would be nicknamed Bear. Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Today we are going to talk about someone else who earned a nickname because of one thing that happened one time. The Apostle Thomas. You know him better as “Doubting Thomas.” His story is told in John 20. The first half of the chapter deals with Resurrection morning. But what we are going to read together happened on Resurrection evening and the following week. Let’s look at it together. John 20:19-29

Let’s pray together.

This morning I just want to talk about two big ideas that we get from this passage. The first is, How do I obtain life in Christ? How do I become a Christian. And the second is, How do I sustain life in Christ? How do I keep from falling away? Let’s start by answering the first question. How does someone obtain new life in Christ?

Obtaining new life in Christ

First, Overcome your barriers (v. 19, 24-27) Thomas wanted to believe. But something was standing in the way. His doubts. He told his friends that if he didn’t see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands and put his own finger into the wound in his side, he wouldn’t believe.

I’m wondering if any of you have barriers that are keeping you from believing.

Three types of atheists:

Intellectual: I don’t believe.

Rebellious: I won’t believe.

Wounded: I can’t believe.

No matter what your barrier, I want you to know that Jesus is more bigger than your barrier. Did you notice that twice the passage points out that doors were locked?

Verse 19: On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

And again in John 20:26

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

Locked doors don’t seem to bother Jesus. He won’t force Himself on anyone that doesn’t want Him, but He will meet you on your side of the barrier if you will let Him.

Revelation 3:8

ESV

8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Revelation 3:20

ESV

20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Revelation 4:1

ESV

1 After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

See, you don’t have to overcome your barriers all by yourself.

One time a father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus. He pleads with Jesus, saying, “If you can do anything, please help him.” Jesus looks at him and says “If? All things are possible for one who believes.” And the father cries out, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” (see Mark 9:14-29).

Maybe for some of you that’s the most faith you can muster. That’s ok. Because when we cry out to Jesus to help our unbelief, He will answer that prayer.