Introduction

So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, their sins have been forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they have been retained.”

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were saying to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”

So What?!

#1. Faith is the key to confidence.

“Peace be with you.” 20 And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you;

#2. Purpose is the definition of success.

…as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” 22 And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

#3. Hope is the foundation of the future.

“Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”26 After eight days…Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

…He was raised on the third day…He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now… I Corinthians 15:4-6

The truth of the resurrection of Jesus equips us to live in peace.

Easter 2021: He Is Risen!

John 20:19-29, April 4, 2021

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: At Christmas we give gifts to one another to celebrate God’s gift to us in the birth of Jesus. What does your family do to personally celebrate Jesus resurrection and Easter?

Read out loud: John 20:19-29

3 Resurrection truths from Jesus to us:

#1. Faith is the key to confidence.

#2. Purpose is the definition of success.

The Holy Spirit lives within each Christian, what the most significant work He does in your life: give you joy, convict you of sin, help you forgive or motivate you to love? As the Pastor of GateWay my greatest purpose is to teach the best Bible lessons I can, that’s my definition of Christian success. What’s your personal definition of Christian success?

#3. Hope is the foundation of the future.

“…He was raised on the third day…He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now…” I Corinthians 15:4-6

What did you think of the story of Rene lying in the tomb yelling, “He is Risen!?” What’s the greatest surprise that’s really startled you?

Family Time: If you have an Easter egg hunt at your house make sure you hide 1 empty egg and use it to teach your kids the tomb was empty.