Sunday April 12, 2026

Sermon Title: Thomas's Encounter with the Risen Lord

Scripture: (John 20:24-29)

Series Big Idea: Meeting the risen Jesus transforms doubt, fear, and failure into victory

Sermon Big Idea: Jesus transforms doubt into worship and commends true faith

Introduction:  

Every believer faces moments when faith is challenged by honest doubt. The story of Thomas shows that Christ welcomes our questions and meets us in our struggles.

Thomas Confronted by Christ (vv. 24-27)

Thomas’s absence and demand for physical evidence represent deep skepticism in the wake of disappointment. Jesus responds not with condemnation, but by inviting Thomas to investigate the wounds and see the truth for himself.

Confession and Blessing (vv. 28-29)

In response to the risen Christ, Thomas gives the highest confession of Jesus’s deity in the Gospel of John. Jesus extends a special blessing to all who believe without the benefit of physical sight, affirming the faith of future generations.

Conclusion:  

Christ’s gracious response to Thomas assures us that He meets every honest doubter with compassion and evidence. We are counted among the blessed when, without seeing, we believe and confess Jesus as our Lord and God.

John 20:24-29 Bibliography

Walvoord, John F., and Roy B. Zuck, Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.

Richards, Lawrence O. The Bible Reader’s Companion. Electronic ed. Wheaton: Victor Books, 1991.

Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997.

Blum, Edwin A., and Trevin Wax, eds. CSB Study Bible: Notes. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017.

Hoehner, Harold W., Philip W. Comfort, and Peter H. Davids. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians, Philemon. Vol. 16. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008.

Barry, John D., Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Michael S. Heiser, Miles Custis, Elliot Ritzema, Matthew M. Whitehead, Michael R. Grigoni, and David Bomar. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016.

Dockery, David S., ed. Holman Concise Bible Commentary. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998.

Water, Mark. Key Word Commentary: Thoughts on Every Chapter of the Bible. AMG Publishers, 2003.

Brannan, Rick, and Israel Loken. The Lexham Textual Notes on the Bible. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Bible Handbook. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2003.

MacArthur, John F., Jr. The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006.

Radmacher, Earl D., Ronald Barclay Allen, and H. Wayne House. Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary. Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers, 1999.

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Smith, Jerome H. The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: The Most Complete Listing of Cross References Available Anywhere- Every Verse, Every Theme, Every Important Word. Nashville TN: Thomas Nelson, 1992.

Brooks, Keith. Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the New Testament. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2009.

Hughes, Robert B., and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. The Tyndale Reference Library. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.

Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.

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