“DO NOT BE UNBELIEVING”
“Low Sunday”
John 20:24-29
Fr. Christopher M. Nerreau
Introduction: (Read passage)
• If you look closely at just about any Red Sox T-Shirt or bumper sticker you will find a single word written on top - “BELIEVE!” We are called to believe that the Red Sox can and will win the series (which is sometimes a great leap of faith. )
• The word - “believe” is different from the word – “know” in that believing means we receive as truth something that we have no absolute knowledge of.
Proposition: We “CAN” believe in Christ to help us through the difficult circumstances of our lives but unfortnately not all of us “WILL”.
Interrogative sentence: What are the circumstances in your life where you are experiencing doubt that Christ will show up?
Sermon Preview:
In our sermon time today I want to discuss the unbelief of Thomas and how it relates to us, as we see:
1. THE CAUSE OF HIS UNBELIEF (20:25)
2. THE COMMANDMENT TO BE BELIEVING (20:27)
3. THE CONFESSION OF HIS RENEWED BELIEF (20:28)
Transitional Sentence: Let first look at …
I. THE CAUSE OF HIS UNBELIEF (20:25)
Explanation: The disciples having witnessed Jesus resurrection plead with Thomas to believe them that Christ is indeed RISEN.
THE BIBLE SAYS: (John 20:25) “So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe.”
• Thomas was a strong willed, pragmatic guy but was very faithful to Christ. **Note: it was Thomas who voted to go to Jerusalem with Christ even though it was probable that it could cost them their lives. (John 11:16)
• But his response in this situation earned him the nickname “doubting Thomas” for all eternity! In his response we see two key components to the cause of his unbelief –
A. On His Terms:
• Saint Thomas’s response to the disciples begins with the word – “Unless I See [and] touch”. Here we find a key component to unbelief.
• Thomas was unable to trust in the witness of the other disciples. Rather he demands that Christ meet him on his terms.
• Because Thomas was one of the original disciples and it was important for them to have a strong witness Jesus does eventually do as Thomas demands but He does it out of mercy and not compulsion.
• The bible strictly commands we do not do this - Deuteronomy 6:16 - “You shall not put the LORD your God to the test”
• THE BIBLE SAYS – (v.25) “Unless I see” and “put my fingers” for Thomas real proof is physical proof. But many things are real that we cannot see or touch. (Love, Patriotism ect…)
B. According To Our Will:
• Secondly Saint Thomas says – “I will not” believe. Note he never said – “I cannot” believe only that I “will not” believe. This shows his disbelief as a component his free will.
• There is no mention of the ability of Thomas to believe only that by his own will he has decided that apart from his terms being met, he “will not” believe. He could have taken hold of the testimony of the disciple, but wanted more.
• Romans (1:18) St. Paul speaks of “suppress[ion of] the truth…”
Illustration: When a person is struck with Cancer doctors tell us that one of the most important components to getting well is believing you can get well. This principle is true in the spiritual realm as well (NOT FAITH IN OURSELVES WHICH IS SIMPLY POSITIVE THINKING BUT FAITH IN CHRIST WHICH IS ETERNAL LIFE!)
• The BIBLE SAYS – Matthew 17:20 “if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain…”
Application:
• Unbelief is not so much a matter of inability as it is a matter of indecision. If you want to believe you CAN believe.
• Secondly, unbelief always applies terms and tests the Lord – “If God will xyz… Then I will believe.” Putting no value on that which can’t be see or touched (ie The Spiritual). This is sinful! We are testing not trusting!
• The question that you need to ask yourself is twofold – “Have you decided you won’t believe?” and secondly “Have you set terms and conditions on your belief ?
Transitional Sentence: If you answer “YES” to these questions then listen to …
II. THE COMMANDMENT TO BE BELIEVING (John 20:27)
Explanation: Jesus then appears in the upper room demonstrating His power to Thomas, allowing his request and giving the following commandment…
THE BIBLE SAYS – (John 20:27) “do not be…”
Christ’s Commandment Shows Us Unbelief Can Be Overcome
• Notice the first three words – “Do Not Be…” This commandment of Christ assumes that the problem is with YOU and not HIM.
• This statement also assumes that enough evidence has been given for you to believe should you decide to.
Christ’s Commandment Shows Us Unbelief Should Be Overcome
THE BIBLE SAYS – (v.27) “do not be unbelieving but believing”
• Jesus does not recommend His followers consider trusting Him, He commands it! To be a Christian is to be in Obedience to Christ…
• Moving from unbelief to belief is a matter of the surrender of will.
• Unbelief say’s – “I will not unless” but belief says “I will even though”.
Illustration: When asked how he could still believe in the existence of God after the death of daughter a certain man of God answered – “Why would I doubt? God has answered my prayers and proven Himself faithful; my daughter is now wonderfully healed just as I requested.”
Application: In the difficulties of life we are commanded to believe, to trust.
• This does not mean things will turn out the way we want, but to believe that God has it under control and will work all things to His good purpose. (Romans 8:28)
• Unbelief can be overcome if we decide to yield our wills. Better said – Unbelief can be overcome if we are willing to obey.
Transitional Sentence: So we have seen the cause of Thomas’s unbelief and also the Commandment of Christ to believe, finally lets look at…
III. THE CONFESSION OF HIS RENEWED BELIEF (20:28)
Explanation: Once Thomas’s will is broken and he determines to obey Christ and believe (took some convincing!) Then his faith is renewed and the most profound statement of Christ’s divinity flows from his lips…
THE BIBLE SAYS – (v.28) “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Thomas Confession Was Authentic
• Notice Thomas never actually takes Christ up on the offer to touch Him, he is simply in awe that Christ was alive.
• You can almost see Thomas fall to his knees in disbelief at what He is seeing yet at the same time His lips give an authentic testimony.
• Thomas testimony came from a believing heart and as such it was authentic.
Thomas Confession Was Accurate
• The scene offers arguably the strongest testimony in all the scriptures for the divinity of Christ.
• Thomas in saying “My Lord and my God” was not so much a proclamation of faith as it was a surrender of the will. Thomas was actually submitting to Christ as Lord of His life and to Christ as God over all created things.
Illustration: In Alcoholics Anonymous the first step is admitting you have a problem. This is done not because people need to hear you say it, they already know it’s true. But because the will needs to be surrendered in order to get well.
Application: In a similar way, our profession of Christ as the resurrected Lord should not be a catechetical statement but a surrendering of our wills.
• To have renewed faith in Christ requires the surrender of our wills. The confession follows the surrender.
• It took Thomas a visible manifestation of Christ to bring his will to the place of surrender, what will it take for you?
• Has Christ not proven Himself faithful and present in your life? If so what more do you require to obey His command to believe?
JESUS SAID - JOHN 20:29 "BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEEN ME, HAVE YOU BELIEVED? BLESSED ARE THEY WHO DID NOT SEE, AND YET BELIEVED."
Conclusion:
Restate Proposition: We “CAN” believe in Christ to help us through the difficult circumstances of our lives but not all of us “WILL”.
Restate Main Points: Today we have looked at Thomas and
1. THE CAUSE OF HIS UNBELIEF (20:25)
2. THE COMMANDMENT TO BE BELIEVING (20:27)
3. THE CONFESSION OF HIS RENEWED BELIEF (20:28)
Final Application:
• But finally I want us to turn away from Thomas and look at ourselves…
o What is the cause of your unbelief? (Your Terms / Your Will)
o What do you make of the commandment of Christ to belief (You can / you must)
o If you are willing to surrender your will, you will meet Him and your confession of faith will turn from a statement to a moment of true submission.
o Today will you head the call of Christ to “NOT BE UNBELIEVING BUT BELIEVING?” I pray you will and I pray it in Jesus name.
