Thomas: From Doubt To Destiny Series

The 12 Apostles

Week 7 – Thomas

Dr. Rik B. Wadge, Ph.D.

"From Doubt to Destiny"

Preparatory Introduction:

Joel Olsteen’s declaration

“This is my bible...

I am what it says I am...

I have what it says I have...

I can do what it says I can do...

Today I will be taught the Word of God...

I boldly confess...

My mind is alert...

My heart is receptive...

I will never be the same...

I am about to receive the incorruptible...

Indestructible...

ever-living...

Word of God...

I will never be the same...

Never, never, never...

I’ll never be the same...

In Jesus’ name, amen...

The Bible is the supreme authority and source of truth by which we can know how to be saved...

by which we can understand the nature of God...

by which we can understand the nature of man...

and by which we can find our true destiny in life.

There’s a song we sing on Wednesday nights, it’s called “I have a destiny”

And the words proclaim “I have a destiny I know I shall fulfill. I have a destiny in that city on a hill.”

As we look at the Bible we find it to be an ancient book of destinies. Abraham’s destiny, Moses’ destiny... and even Jesus’ destiny. In fact the entire world’s destiny can be found in the pages of the bible.

Proverbs 19:21

21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Isaiah 14:26-27

26 This is the plan determined for the whole world; this is the hand stretched out over all nations. 27 For the Lord Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Jeremiah 29:11 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This tells me that God has a destiny for each of us here today.

"The bible is a book of God’s redemptive work, using flawed individual’s like you and me in order to win a world of people back to Himself."

And in that process of God using us... we grow! God stretches us.

We’re inevitably challenged to break through the walls we’ve erected of comfort and security. And that can be scary... but certainly it’s uncomfortable.

Henry Blackaby says, "When God tells me what He wants to do through me, I will face a crisis of belief."

"Can God really accomplish such a great task through me?"

I’m sure Joshua faced it, when given God’s order to march around Jericho.

I’m sure that Gideon faced it, when he sent 31,700 men home, and was left with only 300 men to fight the battle.

David must have experienced it, Peter must have experienced a crisis of faith to believe that God could bring the tax they owed out of the mouth of a fish.

Here we are today looking at a crisis of belief in the life of the Apostle Thomas.

Thomas

He’s mentioned in the lists of each gospel writer, but John’s gospel gives us the insight we need when examining his life. He’s called didymus, which means "twin".

He’s best known for being the doubting disciple.

#1 John 11:16

In John 11 we see Thomas willing to give his life for Christ.

16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

He’s courageous; He’s devoted. He wants to follow Jesus even if it leads him to die.

#2 John 14:1-6

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Once again Thomas is willing to follow, "Just tell me where we’re going Lord."

Now comes Thomas’ crisis of belief:

#3 John 20:24-31

24 Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 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 it.” 26 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!” 27 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.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”