Bailey Methodist Church
4/27/2025
  • He Lives
  • Oh How He Loves You And Me
  • Lord I Lift Your Name On High
  • Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow!
  • Revelation 1:4–8 ESV
    4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
    John 20:19–31 ESV
    19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending 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, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” 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.
    Theme: The resurrection of Jesus brings peace, answers doubt, and calls us to life-giving faith.
    Introduction
    On the evening of that first Easter Sunday, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors, gripped by fear and confusion. Just days earlier, they had seen their Teacher crucified. Their dreams were shattered. Their hopes buried. But suddenly, everything changed. Jesus—the crucified one—appeared among them, alive.
    This passage, John 20:19–31, captures the first moments of resurrection reality. And it shows us why the resurrection of Jesus still matters today.
    It’s not just a historical fact. It’s a living truth. The resurrection of Christ changes everything. It speaks directly into our fear, our doubt, and our purpose.
    So today, I want to share with you three reasons from this text why the resurrection matters—not just for the disciples back then, but for us here and now.

    1. The Resurrection Brings Peace to Troubled Hearts (vs. 19–23)

    John 16:22 ESV
    22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.
    Look at verse 19:“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’”
    The disciples were locked away—physically and emotionally. Their hearts were troubled. They had seen Jesus die, and they were afraid they might be next.
    But then Jesus enters—not just the room, but their fear. He doesn’t come with rebuke. He doesn’t say, “Where were you?” or “Why did you run?” Instead, He says: “Peace be with you.”
    This isn’t a generic greeting. It’s the peace that only the risen Christ can give—peace that comes from victory over sin, death, and fear.
    Then in verses 21–22, Jesus breathes on them and says,
    “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you… Receive the Holy Spirit.”
    The resurrection brings peace—but not just to comfort them. It commissions them. The peace of Christ is a peace with purpose. They are now sent to be witnesses and ministers of forgiveness.
    🡒 What about you today? Are you locked behind fear, shame, or regret? The risen Christ still speaks peace. His wounds are visible—not to accuse, but to assure you that peace has been made. The resurrection declares: your past is not your prison—your Savior has overcome it.

    2. The Resurrection Answers Our Deepest Doubts (vs. 24–29)

    1 Peter 1:8–9 ESV
    8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
    Then we meet Thomas. He wasn’t there the first time Jesus appeared. And when the others tell him, “We have seen the Lord,” Thomas says:
    “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were… I will not believe.” (v. 25)
    Some call him “Doubting Thomas.” But if we’re honest, many of us can relate. We live in a world full of skepticism. We ask, “Is this really true? Can I really trust it?”
    Here’s the grace: Jesus doesn’t leave Thomas in his doubt.
    A week later, Jesus appears again. He invites Thomas to touch His wounds. He meets him in his questions. And Thomas responds with the highest confession in the Gospel of John:
    “My Lord and my God!” (v. 28)
    Jesus affirms his faith, but then He says something for all of us:
    “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (v. 29)
    🡒 Are you wrestling with doubts today? The resurrection shows us that faith is not blind—it’s grounded in the reality of Jesus’ risen body. But faith also goes beyond sight. Jesus honors the heart that seeks Him—and He still reveals Himself to those who doubt.
    If you’re struggling, don’t hide it. Bring your doubts to Jesus. He welcomes honest questions and turns them into deeper faith.

    3. The Resurrection Calls Us to Life-Giving Faith (vs. 30–31)

    John 10:10 ESV
    10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
    John closes the chapter with a summary:
    “Jesus performed many other signs… But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (vv. 30–31)
    The resurrection is not just something to admire—it’s something to believe. And belief is not just mental agreement; it’s personal trust, surrender, and a new direction of life.
    John says this Gospel is written so that you may believe—and through that faith, have life.
    🡒 Do you believe today? Not just in the sense of acknowledging facts, but in placing your hope, your identity, your future in the hands of the risen Lord?
    The resurrection invites us into a new kind of life—a life full of joy, forgiveness, purpose, and the power of the Spirit. It’s not only eternal life after death—it’s abundant life right now, in Jesus’ name.

    Conclusion

    So, why does the resurrection matter?
    Because it brings peace to troubled hearts.
    Because it answers our deepest doubts.
    Because it calls us to life-giving faith.
    Christ is risen. And that changes everything.
    Let the locked doors of your heart open to His peace. Let your doubts lead you to worship. Let your faith lead you to life.
    “These are written so that you may believe…” And if you do, the risen Christ will be not just the Savior of the world— but your Lord and your God.
    Amen.

      • John 20:19–31ESV

      • John 16:22ESV

      • 1 Peter 1:8–9ESV

      • John 10:10ESV

  • Because He Lives
Bailey Methodist Church
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