Help with Unbelief
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Faith, Hope & Love
John 20:24-31 (ESV)
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
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.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Sermon Outline
Jesus wants you to have life (v31), and he will help you to believe in him.
1. he will make sure you are informed
v30-31 “Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples… but these are written so that you may believe…”
2. he will meet you
v26 “Eight days later, his disciples were inside again…”
v26 “Jesus came and stood among them and said ‘Peace be with you’”
3. he will show you
v27 “put your finger here… do not disbelieve, but believe”
v28 Thomas: “my Lord and my God!”
v29 “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”
Questions for Reflection
What do you find to be the biggest challenges to believing Jesus and all that is claimed about him? What do you think are the biggest challenges in general (that most people feel)? What do you, personally, find particularly challenging?
What expectations do you have about the nature of faith? What does real faith look like? What are the characteristics?
What key things does the Bible teach or make known? Are you generally more interested in things the Bible doesn’t address or explain than what it does? If so, why?
Do you come to church with an expectation that God will show you things and teach you in the gathering of God’s people? How can you best take advantage of the weekly discipline of worship? What attitudes, habits, expectations, etc. can you shift coming into church so that Sunday worship helps you with your faith?
Are you helped in reading about Jesus coming to Thomas in his doubts? Why or why not?
What has been most helpful to you in understanding and believing Christianity? What do you feel you still need? How do you engage God on those things?
Do you receive any encouragement from Jesus announcing a blessing on those who have not seen and yet believe?
What is life in Jesus’ name? What do we get for believing that Jesus is the Son of God?
Prayer of Confession
Our Lord and our God, thank you for your on-going patience as we grapple with our own unbelief. You have made known all that is needed for life. We confess we are stubborn, disinterested, foolish, skeptical, self centered, cynical and dismissive. We are more discouraged by our doubts than encouraged by what you freely give to us. Forgive us our sins, and all the thoughts, words and actions that are rooted in unbelief. We believe. Help our unbelief. Amen.