Behind Locked Doors
Sermon Note
[John 20:19] That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! "Peace be with you," he said.
Fear locks DOORS, but it doesn't lock out JESUS.
[John 20:24] One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.
Doubt often grows in ISOLATION.
[John 20:25] They told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he replied, "I won't believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side."
Thomas didn’t want a RUMOR, he wanted a REVELATION.
[Hebrews 10:25] And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Doubt grows LOUDER when you’re ALONE.
[John 20:26] Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," he said.
Closed DOORS don’t keep Jesus out.
[John 20:27] Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe!"
The questions you whisper in DOUBT are still HEARD by God.
[John 20:28-29] "My Lord and my God!" Thomas exclaimed. [29] Then Jesus told him, "You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me."
Your life doesn't need to be DEFINED by doubt.
[1 Corinthians 15:6] After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: If you could be an animal what would it be?
Read John 20:24-29 & discuss what stands out.
Tell about something you are skeptical of.
How is doubt different from refusing to believe?
What area of your life do you need to trust God more?
Is there anything this group can pray for?