Brother Gary Sunday Evening 3/31/13

Brother Gary Sunday Evening 3/31/13

Joh 20:19  Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Joh 20:20  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

Joh 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Joh 20:22  And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

Joh 20:23  Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

What a difficult season of life the disciples were in!  Yet it was needful that they go through this time so that Jesus could establish His church that is built upon a rock.  As a church it is needful that we go through some difficult times even though we don’t understand why sometimes. 

These times teach us. 

Tit 2:11  For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

The grace of God comes right where we are.  It may tell us, “You should have been before the throne of grace and seeking God more than you were.  If you had been then you would have handled things differently.”  If we allow Him to teach us then we will be a better servant to Him and to the Disciples of Christ.

He told them to tarry at Pentecost until they be endued with power from on high.  Jesus brings thoughts to us to prepare us for what is ahead.  The wisdom of God in our hearts will tell us that “God is speaking to me.  I don’t know what He is preparing me for but He is speaking to me.”

It is very evident when someone has truly confessed and repented of their sin.  You witness in your heart that they have had a change in their life. 

My mother when she got saved did not understand the gospel.  She had heard a preacher say that the burden of her heart could roll away.  She was hungry for God but did not know how to find God.  She was hungry for God and was praying as she was washing dishes.  She didn’t know to confess and turn from her sin.  She prayed and felt the burden of sin roll away and she became a new creature in Christ Jesus. 

My sister in law and mother in law came to the house and Mom began to tell her experience and “I don’t know what happened but my burden rolled away.”  They told her that she had gotten saved.  She said I don’t know about all that but I have happiness in my heart.  When you get saved you start cleaning up your life. 

You cannot be still sinning and be sanctified.  If people are honest they will let you tell them.

Joh 20:24  But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.

Joh 20:25  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Thomas was specific in what he was requiring wasn’t he?

Joh 20:26  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

Peace be unto you.

Joh 20:27  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.

Joh 20:28  And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Joh 20:29  Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Be not faithless but believing.  Believe God.  Blessed are they that have not seen but still believe.