Sermon John Chapter 20

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “JOHN CHAPTER 20.”

Pilate Takes Jesus And Scourges Him

• In the last chapter, John Chapter 19, we saw Pilate take Jesus and scourge Him or beat Him.
• The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head, a purple robe, a scarlet robe, and mocked Him.
• They hit Him with their hands. Jesus was DESPISED of the people, and He did nothing wrong.

[3] Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. 7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

• The Savior of the world is despised of the world. I hope you see this.
• But Pilate continues to tell the people that he’s found no fault at all in Jesus.

[4] John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

• Pilate continued with the crucifixion of Jesus even though he found no fault in Him.
• The chief priests and officers of the Jews continued to yell out, “CRUCIFY HIM!!!”
• Pilate told them to take Jesus themselves and crucify Him.
• They told Pilate that Jesus deserved death because He made Himself the Son of God.
• Pilate gets scared and goes back to ask Jesus where He came from. Jesus doesn’t answer.
• Pilate tells Jesus that he has the power to release Him. “Talk to me,” says Pilate.

[5] John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

• We know Pilate continues to sin because he knows what he’s doing is wrong. He found no fault in Jesus.
• But he’s giving the people what they want. The Jews have the greater sin because they want Jesus dead.
• Pilate sought to release Jesus from that point, but the Jews put the fear of Caesar the King into Pilate.
• At about 6 AM, Pilate brings forth Jesus again and introduces Him as the King of the Jews.
• But again, the people cry out for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate asks, “You want your King to be crucified?”
• The Jews tell Pilate that they don’t have any king but Caesar. And they were right. God isn’t their king.
• God isn’t their Savior. They won’t have a King or a Savior to stand up for them. They reject God.

Pilate continues with the crucifixion of Jesus. He bears His cross for some time. They go to Calvary or Golgotha.

• This place is called the place of a skull. They put Jesus on the cross and two others beside Him.
• Pilate writes on the cross, “JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
• The Jews read what Pilate wrote, and they don’t like it. Pilate says, “TOO BAD. That’s what I wrote.”
• We saw that the place where Jesus was crucified is close to the city of Jerusalem.
• After Jesus is crucified on the cross or hung on the cross, they take His garments and split them into 4.
• They take His coat and cast lots for His coat. They don’t rend or tear His coat.
• We then see Mary the mother of Jesus, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene standing by the cross.

[6] John 19:26-27 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! 27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

• Jesus gives His disciple John, the author of the Book of John, the responsibility of taking care of Mary.
• Jesus isn’t going to be there much longer. “Hey Mary, this is now your son.”
• “Hey John, this is now your mother.” And John takes Mary into his own home to care for her.
• This most likely means that Mary is a widow and Joseph was not alive at this time.
• We then see Jesus say, “I THIRST.” Jesus knows His time to die Has come.
• They fill a sponge with vinegar, put vinegar upon hyssop, and put it in the mouth of Jesus.

[7] John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

• After the death of Jesus, we see that they need to get Him down off the cross as soon as possible.
• Jesus dies around 3 PM on the Passover day. The next day is a Sabbath day and begins at 6 PM.
• Since Jesus was already dead on the cross, they didn’t break His legs like they do the other two.
• We do see a soldier pierce the side of Jesus.

[8] John 19:34-35 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. 35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

• Jesus was dead. He died for you and for I and His death is the sacrifice for our sins.
• His blood was poured out that day. There is power to forgive in His blood. The Son of God’s blood for you!
• All you have to do to receive everlasting life right now is believe on Jesus Christ to save you.
• This is the same Jesus in John Chapter 19. Believe on that Jesus and be saved right now.
• A bone of Jesus was not broken through all of this so the Scriptures would be fulfilled.

Joseph Takes The Dead Body Of Jesus With Permission From Pilate

We see Joseph of Arimathaea, a disciple of Jesus and a rich man, come and take Jesus secretly with Pilate’s permission.

• We see Nicodemus bring a 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes for the body of Jesus.
• Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus take the body of Jesus and wrap Him in linen clothes with spices.
• They take Jesus to a very close garden tomb or sepulchre. No man had ever lain there before in that tomb.
• And that’s where John Chapter 19 ends. Now, let’s go right into John Chapter 20 verse 1.

[9] John 20:1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

• Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, SUNDAY, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb.
• So, the body of Jesus had already laid in the tomb for 3 days.
• Now Mary Magdalene comes on Sunday morning very early while it is still dark.
• She sees the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. Now remember, the sabbath was over.
• Some people get the Sabbath day mixed up with the first day of the week.

The weekly Sabbath day for the Jews is Saturday.

• Saturday begins on Friday night at 6 PM and lasts until Saturday evening at 6 PM.
• The first day of the week begins Saturday night at 6 PM and lasts until Sunday evening at 6 PM.
• SUNDAY IS NOT THE SABBATH DAY. Sunday is the first day of the week.
• God rested on the seventh day and not the first day. Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath day for us.

So it’s not a requirement for us to recognize the Sabbath Day and not do any work on Saturday.

• Jesus is our rest and He fulfilled that law for us.
• BUT, if you want to take a day of rest each week and recognize God in that day, you can do that.
• BUT, we come here to worship on Sunday because we see that often throughout the New Testament.
• We’re going to see the disciples gathering on the first day of the week in John Chapter 20.

[10] Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

• That’s why we have church on Sunday. This also allows us to recognize the day Jesus is risen!
• This allows us to get each week started by putting God first. Church is the first thing we do each week.
• Many church goers don’t want anything to do with long sermons, lots of study, working for God.
• But notice that Paul continued his speech until midnight. Long hours studying and preaching.
• Back to John Chapter 20. Mary Magdalene visits the tomb of Jesus. The stone is rolled away.

But, in John Chapter 20, it would appear that it’s only Mary Magdalene that came that morning.

• This is why you must read the other Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all together.
• If we look to the Gospel of Matthew, we see this in the Scriptures.

[11] Matthew 28:1-2 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

[12] Matthew 28:3-5 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

[13] Matthew 28:6-7 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

• So, what do you think we see in verse 2 of John Chapter 20?

[14] John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.

• Mary Magdalene runs to Peter and to the disciple John whom Jesus loved. I would run too.
• A great earthquake happened. The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and rolled back the stone.
• How did that huge stone get rolled away? The angel of the Lord from heaven rolled it away.
• The keepers of the tomb shook and became as dead men because of the angel of the Lord.
• The angel says to go quickly and tell the disciples that Jesus is RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
• You would run too just like Mary Magdalene ran that day.
• Just quickly, do you remember Mary Magdalene? Was she a great person prior to Jesus Christ?

[15] Mark 16:9-11 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

• Jesus cast SEVEN DEVILS out of Mary Magdalene. And He appeared FIRST to her after His resurrection.
• Does that tell you something? If you’ve had a horrible life filled with sin, you can come to Jesus right now.
• Mary Magdalene did. Nicodemus did. The Apostle Paul did. Rahab the harlot did. Why can’t you?
• We see Mary Magdalene run to Peter and John. “We don’t know where they took Jesus.”
• But the angel of the Lord had just told them that HE IS RISEN!!! But they wouldn’t believe.

[16] John 20:3-4 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. 4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.

• Peter and John run to the sepulchre. John is telling us that he was faster than Peter.
• And I’ll tell you all right now that most of you, especially Emma Jo, would outrun me to the tomb.
• I’m more like Peter. Slow runner. John gets to the tomb first.
• But if I were running to see that Jesus was risen from the dead, I might give you a good contest.
• And I might have at least a chance to win that race because I at least ran the race.

[17] 1 Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

• You can’t win the prize if you don’t run the race.
• You can’t earn everlasting rewards AFTER you’ve been saved unless you run the race.
• We need to run the race for Jesus Christ in our life.

Run The Race By Preaching The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

We need to go out and find people who need to be saved. That’s called running the race.

• If you’re saved and you want earn everlasting rewards in heaven, you can do that by telling others how to be saved by simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Let’s run that race. And let’s see who can get there first. Let’s get to 1 first. Then 10. Then 100. Then 1000.
• And let’s not stop there. Keep going until your race has been run.

[18] John 20:5-7 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.

• John gets there first. Stoops down, doesn’t go inside the tomb yet, and looks in.
• Of course the women told them what happened with the angel of the Lord.
• John was probably scared to go in. He looked in and saw the linen clothes there.
• Peter comes flying up behind him and isn’t so scared. Peter goes right into the tomb.
• He sees the linen clothes and the napkin from the head of Jesus. That napkin is by itself.
• If you remember, Lazarus also had a napkin about his head when he died in John Chapter 11.

[19] John 11:43-44 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

• Peter and John are at the tomb and they see that Jesus is not there.

[20] John 20:8-10 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

• Now we see John go into the sepulchre with Peter.
• They didn’t know the Scripture that said Jesus MUST rise again from the dead.
• But the disciple John believed that Jesus was risen from the dead.
• Much of the Old Testament Scripture is difficult to understand without the light of the New Testament.
• The Old Testament tells us that Jesus will arise from the dead.

[21] Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

• The soul of Jesus would not be left in hell. His body would not see corruption.
• After the third day of death, the human body begins to see corruption. Jesus did not.
• Why? Because He would rise from the dead in HIS BODY. Death is hell. His soul was in hell.
• He arose from the dead in HIS BODY. That Scripture tells us that. John and Peter didn’t understand that.
• But John believed that Jesus was risen from the dead. His body wasn’t there.
• John and Peter went back towards their homes. Let’s see what happens next.

[22] John 20:11-12 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

• Obviously, Mary Magdalene didn’t understand what happened. She didn’t know Jesus is alive!!!
• She is crying and weeping as she stoops down to look inside the tomb.
• She sees two angels sitting there where the body of Jesus had lain. One at the head and one at the feet.

[23] John 20:13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.

• The angels ask Mary Magdalene, why are you crying? The angels understood what happened.
• But Mary believes that someone took the dead body of Jesus. She says, “I don’t where His body is.”

[24] John 20:14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.

• Just as she says, “I know not where they have laid Him,” Jesus shows up standing there.
• But Mary doesn’t know that Jesus is standing there. She knows someone is there.

[25] John 20:15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.

• Jesus asks, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?”
• Mary thinks the man standing there is just the gardener.
• She is pleading with the man, “Sir, if you’ve moved Him, please tell me where.”
• “I will take Him away myself. Please let me know where you’ve put His body.”
• This is a woman who LOVED Jesus will all that she had.
• All of her hope was in Jesus. And she thinks that Jesus is dead.
• She thought this because she watched Him die on the cross. She is a witness to His death.
• She just wants to know where the dead body is laying now.

[26] John 20:16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.

• Imagine that. She’s sad, crying, weeping because she doesn’t know where the dead body of Jesus is laid.
• Just as she’s lost all hope in finding His body, Jesus appears and says: “MARY.”
• You can imagine her reaction. As soon as He calls her by name, she responds, “MASTER!!!”

[27] John 10:1-3 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

• The sheep of Jesus hear His voice and He calls them by name. He said, “MARY” and she heard.
• You will get to meet Mary Magdalene in heaven one day. She’s there right now.
• She’s see Jesus and says, “MASTER!!!”
• When all your hope is gone, and you’ve had enough, you can look up and know Jesus is there.
• He knows you by your name IF you’ve believed on Him as THE SAVIOR of the world.

Is God Is Calling You By Name?

[28] Genesis 22:11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

• If you’re hearing this right now, you should understand that I’m trying to make sure you’re saved.
• God is calling you by name right now. He wants to see you in heaven one day.
• The Angel of the Lord calls out for Abraham: “Abraham, Abraham.” And Abraham says, “Here am I.”

[29] Exodus 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

• The Lord called out for Moses: “Moses, Moses.” And Moses says, “Here am I.”

[30] 1 Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

• The Lord called for Samuel: “Samuel, Samuel.” Samuel says, “I hear you, Lord.”
• Jesus did the same for Martha. Jesus did the same for Paul.

[31] Acts 9:4-5 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

• Jesus is doing the same for you right now if you’re hearing this. He’s calling for you to be saved.
• He simply wants you to answer His call by believing on Him and putting your trust in Him.
• Mary did. Jesus says, “MARY” and she responds, “MASTER.”
• Obviously, Mary is going to be excited. Jesus isn’t dead. He’s alive!!!

[32] John 20:17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.

• Jesus doesn’t ascend to His Father for another 40 days.
• Jesus doesn’t want her to touch Him right now because He isn’t ascending to His Father yet.
• Instead, He wants her to go and tell the others.
• He says, “Go to my brethren and tell them that I will be ascending to Father.”
• “And He’s not just my Father. He is your Father. He is my God, and He is your God.”

Jesus is not God the Father. Jesus is the Son of God. He has a Father in heaven.

• Obviously, there’s more than one person in God, and each one of them is God.
• Jesus is God. His Father is God. The Holy Spirit is God. They form ONE GOD in 3 persons. Each is fully God.
• This is very easy to see when Jesus says, “I ascend unto my Father and your Father.”
• “And to my God and to your God.” The God of Jesus Christ is His Father in heaven.
• Jesus has a different will than His Father, but He stays perfectly obedient to His Father’s will.
• But here, Jesus doesn’t want Mary wasting any time. “GO TELL MY BRETHREN!!!”

[33] John 20:18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

• Mary Magdalene does what Jesus asks. She goes and tells the disciples she had seen the Lord.
• She tells them what He said to her. Do you think they believed Mary Magdalene?

[34] Mark 16:9-11 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

• So they didn’t believe Mary. If you continue reading in Mark Chapter 16, you see this in the next verse.

[35] Mark 16:12-13 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

• Some others see Jesus and tell the disciples and His brethren. They don’t believe them either.

[36] Mark 16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

• After they wouldn’t believe Mary and the others who see Him, Jesus appears to them in person.
• He UPBRAIDED them because of their unbelief. This means He reproved them or rebuked them.
• How could they not believe Jesus was risen from the dead? He is the SON OF GOD.
• They saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead. They saw many, many, many miracles that He performed.
• Mary Magdalene comes and says, “JESUS IS ALIVE.” The others come and say, “JESUS IS ALIVE.”
• What do they do? They say, “Whatever. I’ll believe it when I see it with my own eyes.”
• Understand today that I don’t need to see it. You don’t need to see it. I KNOW JESUS IS ALIVE.
• I know that He’s standing here in the midst of us today.

[37] Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

• Don’t be like the disciples that day and not believe that Jesus is alive. One day He’ll show you He’s alive.
• And it could be too late for you when He shows you. If you haven’t believed, you need to right now.
• Jesus lived here on this earth over 2,000 years ago. Most people would say, “Then He must be dead.”
• “No one is alive that lived over 2,000 years ago.” And you would be wrong.
• Jesus is alive, and He’s here in the midst of us just as He says. Don’t wait to believe Jesus is alive.
• If you never believe on Him in this life, it’s going to be too late for you when He shows you He’s alive.

[38] Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

[39] Romans 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

• Jesus lives. “AS I LIVE,” saith the Lord. “Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess.”

[40] Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• When people are burning in hell, they will bow to the Lord Jesus Christ.
• They will confess that He is Lord. Don’t wait to do that in hell. You need to do that right now.
• Jesus is alive. God, as my witness, Jesus is alive. The word of God is the greatest witness.
• The word of God is a heavenly witness. And this Bible right here says JESUS IS ALIVE. Believe that.

[41] John 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.

• This is the same instance of Jesus appearing to the disciples as we just saw in Mark Chapter 16.
• Jesus appears to the disciples on the same day He arose from the dead.
• The disciples were still afraid of the Jews. They thought Jesus was dead.
• They watched the Jews crucify Him. The doors were shut because they were afraid.
• Jesus didn’t walk through those doors. He came and stood in the midst of them.
• He says, “PEACE BE UNTO YOU.”

Be Of Good Cheer Because Jesus Overcame The World

[42] John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

• Notice that the disciples are fearful of the Jews. The Jews will persecute them just like they did Jesus.
• But Jesus shows up and says, “PEACE BE UNTO YOU.” Listen to God.
• When He gives you peace, understand you have peace. Don’t let the world bother you.
• Know that they can kill your body, but they can’t kill you. Your soul will live forever.

[43] John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

• Why shouldn’t you have peace in this world?
• When my body is sick and dying, understand that none of you should feel bad for me.
• “Oh, he’s hurting. He’s sick. He’s dying. It’s so sad.” No, it’s not sad because I’m not dying.
• This shell of a body is dying, but my body is not who I am. The life within me is never dying.
• Why is that? Because I’m alive right now, and I believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
• And I believe that I will never die because Jesus says so. He’s the boss. No one else is the boss.
• So, Jesus says, “HAVE PEACE.” And that’s what I’ll have. And I hope you’ll have it too.

[44] John 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.

• NOW THEY ARE GLAD. Jesus is alive! He’s not dead. He comforts them and gives them peace.
• This only came when they actually saw Him and heard Him speak to them.
• He showed them His hands and His side. He showed them proof that it was Him.
• THEN THEY WERE GLAD. Don’t be like that. Don’t require a sign from God. Just believe.

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

• Since you’re a believer, Jesus is sending you out into the world. With peace, He sends you out.
• That’s why we’re here right now. We’re going to work together to go out into this world.
• You can join us here, and be a part of what Jesus is sending you to do. Or, you can say, “No thanks.”
• And then you can have an easier life and just do whatever YOU want.
• Or, do you want to say, “Thank you Jesus for what you’ve done for me. Now I want to live for you.”
• Do you know what happens next?
• Jesus says, “EVEN SO SEND I YOU.” Is He sending you out alone? Let’s see.

[46] John 20:22-23 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

• This is the EXACT POINT, the very first time, that anyone received the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit wasn’t given in Acts Chapter 2.
• The Holy Ghost is coming upon people with power in Acts Chapter 2.
• This isn’t the same. This is Jesus giving the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• The Holy Spirit can come upon you with power and then can leave OR the Holy Spirit can indwell you.
• You need to understand the difference. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit never leaves you.

[47] John 14:16-17 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

• Right here in John Chapter 20, we see Jesus breathe on the disciples.
• They breathe in and receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He is another Comforter.
• He is the one who gives you peace right now from within. He dwells within you.
• And you receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost at the moment you believe on Jesus Christ.
• Notice the end of verse 16 right there. If you receive the Holy Spirit right now, He’s with you forever.
• “THAT HE MAY ABIDE WITH YOU FOREVER.” He protects your soul from sin. Not your body. Your soul.
• Your body is still sinning and is still going to die. But not your soul.
• God forgave your soul of sin and He sends the Comforter to seal your soul from sin.

[48] Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

• God sealed up your soul and protects it from sin because you believed on Jesus Christ.
• No matter what you do, you can’t lose everlasting life. That comforts you and gives you peace.
• That’s why Jesus says, “PEACE BE UNTO YOU.” You’re saved, and you can’t lose it.

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

• The disciples will be going out and preaching the Gospel.
• If the people believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, their sins will be forgiven through Jesus Christ.
• If the people won’t believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ, their sins will not be forgiven through Jesus Christ.
• God is the only ONE who forgives sin, but we must tell people how to be forgiven.
• If they reject God’s word, they won’t be forgiven of their sins.
• Jesus is sending the disciples forth to preach this truth. And He’s sending you and I forth to do the same.

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

• Thomas skipped this meeting on the first day of the week. You might call their meeting church.
• It was the first day of the week, and it was a gathering of believers.
• Church is important because God wants us gathering so we can all be as one and learn together as one.
• Well, you could say that Thomas skipped church that day. Do you see what Thomas missed out on?
• He missed receiving the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Special things happen in church. Why is that?
• Because God is here with us when we’re gathered together.
• He’s helping us because we’re doing what He asked us to do. You don’t want to miss that.

[51] John 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 missed out on seeing the Lord Jesus Christ the day of His resurrection. He missed it!!!
• The other disciples say, “WE HAVE SEEN THE LORD.” Thomas says, “Yeah right.”
• “Unless I see the print of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the print, and thrust my hand into His side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE.”

Don’t Be Like Thomas

Hey, look, you don’t want to be like Thomas. You don’t want to test God.

• “Well, if God would just show me a sign, then I would believe.”
• Hey, wake up!!! You’re alive right now. Have you looked in the mirror?
• Have you looked at God’s creation? Do you think all of this just happened by accident? No, it didn’t.
• GOD ALMIGHTY IS THERE. JESUS IS ALIVE. Believe it. Don’t ask God for a sign.
• Don’t be like Thomas right here: “I WILL NOT BELIEVE UNLESS I SEE IT WITH MY OWN EYES.”
• All of this is written in the Bible so you’ll believe. You don’t need to see this with your own eyes.
• God wrote this Bible, and He’s telling you that it’s true.

[52] John 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.

• After 8 days, Jesus shows up again. This time Thomas is with them.
• The doors were again shut. Jesus shows up, stands in the midst, and says: “PEACE BE UNTO YOU.”

[53] John 20:27-28 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. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

• Jesus knew what Thomas said previously. He knows all things. He knows your thoughts.
• He knows what you’ll say long before you say it. He knows you better than you do.
• Jesus says, “Here I am Thomas. Be not faithless but believing.”
• Thomas answers, and I love this part: “MY LORD AND MY GOD.” I hope you say that today.
• And I hope you mean it with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.
• Thomas says, “I NOW BELIEVE.” This reminds me of the blind man from birth in John Chapter 9.
• The blind man was healed by Jesus. The blind man stood up for Jesus to the Jews.
• And what happened? They kicked him out of the synagogue. They shunned that healed man.

[54] John 9:35-36 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?

• When this blind man got kicked out, Jesus showed up to help him. He finds him.
• “Do you now believe on the Son of God?” The man says, “WHO IS HE LORD THAT I MIGHT BELIEVE?”
• If you want to know who to put all your trust in today, put it all on Jesus. Who is He? He’s Jesus.

[55] John 9:37-38 And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

• You need to be like that blind man. I was like that blind man. I was blind but now I see.
• I know Jesus is alive. I’m not blind any more. LORD, I BELIEVE. That’s all you have to do. Believe.

[56] John 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.

• Do you want to be like Thomas and require a sign in order to believe?
• Or, do you just want to take God’s word for it here in the Bible and just believe what He says.
• I’m going to just take His word for it because He is God, and I’m going to believe it.
• Are you going to do the same thing or not? If you do, what do you get there?
• “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” You’ll be blessed!
• Not in worldly things but in far greater things which are spiritual things.

[57] John 4:48-50 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. 49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. 50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

• Don’t expect signs and wonders from God. Just believe what He says. He’s there.
• This man wanted to see signs and wonders or he wouldn’t believe.
• He thought he needed Jesus there in person to heal his child who was dying.
• Jesus doesn’t need to show up in person for you like He did for Thomas.
• All you have to do is ask for God’s will and believe that He’ll do it. And He does.
• Jesus just said the words, “Go thy way. Thy son liveth.” Jesus healed his son from miles away.
• He doesn’t have to show up in person so you can see Him. He’s everywhere all the time.

[58] Jeremiah 23:24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD.

• Jesus fills heaven and earth. He’s here. Understand that right now. Let’s finish up John Chapter 20.

[59] John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

• The entire purpose of the Book of John is shown right there. Jesus did all of these things for you and I.
• Why are all of these things written in the Bible for us to see and to read?
• Why did God preserve all of His words in the Bible? We have the word of God in our hands. Why?
• So that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ or Savior, the Son of God.

And if you’ll believe His words, you will have life through His name. Not through your own works.

• Not through your goodness. Not through your baptism. Not through your church.
• Not through you feeding the homeless. Not through you giving others money.
• Not through you helping others and doing good things for others. ONLY THROUGH THE NAME OF JESUS.
• Believe “ON” Jesus, and He will save you, give you the Holy Spirit, and give you everlasting life right now.

And if you don’t yet believe, read the Book of John over again. That’s why it was written. For you to believe.

• If you’ve never believed on Jesus alone, now is the time. If you’re hearing this, God is calling you.
• Don’t trust anyone or anything else to save you but Jesus Christ. He is Christ the Savior.
• And He is THE ONLY SAVIOR. There is none else so you must go to Him to be saved.

Let’s pray.