Don't Die In Your Doubts
St. Charles | Scott Grossenbacher
April 19, 2026
John 20:19-31
“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.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. 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.” 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.” 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.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 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.” John 20:19-31 (ESV)
* When It Comes to the Resurrection of Jesus...
1. DOUBT is Expected: So Be Honest!
“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” John 20:19a (ESV)
“But when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it.” Mark 16:11 (ESV)
“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.” John 20:25 (ESV)
God would rather you be HONEST in your doubt than profess a DISHONEST belief.
2. EVIDENCE Is Provided: So Check It Out!
“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.”” John 20:19 (ESV)
“When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.” John 20:20 (ESV)
“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side….” John 20:27a (ESV)
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” John 3:19-20 (ESV)
God gives enough for a SINCERE SKEPTIC, but no evidence will overcome REBELLIOUS REJECTION.
“And have mercy on those who doubt.” Jude 1:22 (ESV)
3. BELIEF Is Demanded: So Make a Decision!
“Do not disbelieve, but believe.” John 20:27b (ESV)
“Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” John 20:28 (NIV)
“Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (ESV)
Where there is no faith in the RESURRECTION; there is no hope of SALVATION.