"Peace Be With You!"

“PEACE BE WITH YOU” (Outline)

May 1, 2011 -

Easter 2 -

JOHN 20:19-31

INTRO: War and peace are opposites. Good times and bad times are opposites. We are living in times that are filled with wars and troubles. We hear of one disaster after another. Will it ever end? With such bad news always filling our lives we might forget the goodness and greatness of our almighty God. Our loving Lord finds it necessary to encourage believers to pursue peace. "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry" (PSALM 34:14, 15). In what seemed the worst of times, at least in the lives of the disciples, becomes the best of times by the peace of Jesus. May each of us take to heart these precious words of our Savior Jesus Christ.

“PEACE BE WITH YOU”.

I. Look at Jesus’ wounds.

II. Believe in Jesus’ words.

I. LOOK AT JESUS’ WOUNDS

A. Verse 19. Jesus’ disciples are locked behind closed doors on that Sunday of Jesus’ resurrection.

1. The disciples did not know if they would be in trouble for following Jesus.

2. Jesus’ disciples were still trying to understand all of the events that had just happened.

3. Jesus appears on that Sunday to his disciples with divine comfort, “Peace be with you!”

B. Verse 20. Jesus reassures his disciples with his words. Jesus also shows them his wounds.

C. Verse 21. Again the power of Jesus’ words is what the disciples truly needed to hear and believe.

1. Verse 22. Breath and Spirit are the same Greek words. Jesus gives spirit / breath to them.

2. Verse 23. The forgiveness of God is given to them to reassure the penitent sinner.

D. God sent his Son, Jesus to this world for us. We are sinners. We cannot save ourselves. We do not ever deserve eternal life. Rather, our entire lives of wickedness, rebellion, and sin only earn for us eternal punishment. In spite of our sinful rejections of God, God does not reject us. Jesus offered himself as the perfect sacrifice. "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" (ISAIAH 53:6). Look at Jesus’ wounds. The marks on Jesus’ hands and feet and side are the marks made for our forgiveness.

E. Jesus does not make any distinctions among sinners. Any sinner and every sinner need the holy and precious blood of Jesus to cleanse from all unrighteousness. What is a miracle of Easter is the fact that Jesus so willingly went to the cross for undeserving sinners. Another miraculous Easter event is the fact that we are also saved. Jesus came for the salvation of all those once considered outside God’s kingdom – Gentiles. "He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (EPHESIANS 2:17, 18). By grace through faith every believer has become spiritual children of Abraham and heirs of eternal life.

F. The sinless sacrifice of Jesus changes our lives – forever. We might not always consciously stop and think of how much Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection means in our daily lives. This is not a bad practice to do when we begin our day. We ought to stop and consider the depth of the love God daily shows us by the unselfish sacrifice of Christ, our Savior. Thinking of Jesus’ great love for us will move us to live loves which reflect God’s great love for all of humanity. "Our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ…gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, ea-ger to do what is good" (TITUS 2:14). Believers can live lives that reflect what is right in God’s sight. In our wicked world we will stand as shining lights as we live lives that are “eager to do what is good”.

“PEACE BE WITH YOU” As Jesus’ disciples we are blessed and privileged to look at the wounds of Jesus. Then like the first disciples we are overjoyed because of God’s free forgiveness.

II. BELIEVE IN JESUS’ WORDS

A. Verse 24. Thomas, the twin (Didymus), was not with the disciples on that first Sunday.

1. Verse 25a. The disciples joyfully tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” Go and tell.

2. Verse 25b. Thomas wants to see the physical proof of Jesus’ body. He had no peace.

B. Verse 26a. The disciples were meeting again on Sunday. Sunday worship recalls resurrection.

1. Verse 26b. Jesus appears to the disciples. Jesus’ comforts with words, “Peace be with you!”