Get a Life
Audio Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!
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
In John’s Gospel God shows Himself to us because God wants us to have life.
1. God makes Himself known.
v30-31 “Jesus did many other signs… but these are written…”
2. God wants you to trust Him.
v31 “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God”
v25 “Unless I see… I will never believe”
v27 “Do not disbelieve, but believe”
3. Give gives life.
v29 “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”
v31 “by believing, you may have life in his name”
Prayer of Confession
Our patient and generous Father, help us. We admit we have fallen short in many ways. We have not sought you. We have not believed you. We have not lived faithfully. Instead, we have lived out of fear, doubt, cynicism, pride, and various other attitudes and actions that have left us weak and guilty. Forgive our sin. Grant us mercy. May your life-giving Spirit help us to see Jesus, whom you sent to lay down his life so that in him we would have eternal life. Thank you for mercy. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What words describe how you are experiencing life right now? Do you feel like you are thriving?
What questions do you have about Jesus that you wished John had included in the Gospel he wrote?
Given that John is a curated collection of stories and teachings, what key things would you expect that God would want to include in this book? What do you imagine God should prioritize in showing you?
How do you struggle with faith? What challenges are part of your experience? Why do you think you have those particular struggles?
Fill in the blank: “if God would do ________, then I could more easily believe?”
What does Jesus’ interaction with Thomas tell us about Jesus?
How does faith connect us to God? How is faith crucial to daily life?
How can the wounded, crucified Jesus help you draw nearer to God? What are key implications of Jesus having suffered for us?
Why is the resurrection of Jesus so hopeful? What possibilities does that create for your outlook as you face challenges in life?