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Thomas Was Not With Them
OR
WHAT DOES ATTENDANCE DO?
John 20:24
John 20:19-31; Mark 16:1-16
INTRODUCTION
1. Read John 20:19-31
2. "Doubt" among the disciples after Jesus' resurrection (Mark 16:7-8,
9-11; Matt.28:16; Luke 24:38-44).
3. John recorded four appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.
a. On resurrection day: (1) to Mary and (2) 10 Apostles.
b. A week later (eight days): (3) 11 Apostles.
c. On the shore of the Sea of Tibereas.
4. Thomas was not present at the first private appearance with the
Apostles. Why? This we will examine.
5. What do we know about Thomas?
a. Both "Thomas" and "Didymus" mean "twin" (see John 20:24).
b. He was a loyal apostle of Jesus (John 11:16).
c. He was seriously interested in the mission of Jesus (John 14:1-7).
d. Most notable: He doubted.
(1) John 20:25.
(2) Apparently not the only one who doubted.
(a) Understandable?
(b) Resurrections do not happen every day.
(3) Might call Thomas the "Patron Saint" of Non-Believers.
BODY: Thomas Was Not With Them
I. Why was Thomas absent?
A. Thomas was "not with them when Jesus came" (John 20:24).
B. Why? Not clear answer.
1. Some possibilities excluded.
2. Some possibilities suggested.
C. The study of Thomas' absence should help us consider some truths about
church attendance.
D. Possible reasons for Thomas' absence:
1. Lack of knowledge of the meeting.
a. Many had reported the resurrection; it was prophesied (Matt.16:21).
b. All the other disciples were present (see Matt. 28:16).
c. Seems to be the least likely, since the other Apostles were
present.
d. Disciples today rarely know when the saints meet.
2. Lack of teaching about assembling.
a. Does not seem likely; see Matt. 18:20.
b. Even the Hebrew writer, probably Paul (one untimely born), wrote
about it (Heb.10:24ff).
3. "Providentially Hindered."
a. Sick, out of town, etc.
(1) I have preached when preachers were sick or out of town, and I
was not scheduled to speak.
(2) Do you find a body of believers to meet with when you are out
of town?
b. Does not seem likely.
(1) Certainly not suggested in the text;
Apostles did not make mention of it: "Sorry to hear you were
hindered, Thomas."
(2) There are many who are absent when, truly, they are not
providentially hindered, but just decide to stay home.
4. Spiritual Despondency -- Seems Most Plausible.
a. But, not specifically mentioned.
b. Jesus, his "master," had just died.
(1) Seems only John saw Jesus on the cross, up close.
(2) Thomas did not believe Jesus had arisen, as other disciples
were told to believe (John 20:19).
(3) Even these disciples were meeting with doors locked for fear of
the Jews (John 20:19). NOTE: even later 120 would meet (Acts 1:15).
c. Other examples of despondency:
(1) Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-4, 18); assured 7,000 left.
(2) John the Baptist (Matt. 11:1-6).
(3) Later, Peter and others would go fishing (John 21:2-3).
(4) Many today!
(a) Sorry over problems in the church.
(b) Sorry over who is preaching.
(c) Sorry over who is not preaching.
(d) Sorry over who leads songs, prayers, teaches, etc.
(e) The Lord still has many faithful! Look for them.
d. Jesus rebuked Thomas for his unbelieving attitude.
(1) John 20:25-29.
(2) Learn the lesson of the rebuke. (Learn from the mistakes of
others, you do not live long enough to make them all yourself.)
(3) Will you be absent tonight? Wednesday?
Is your faith weak? Would you know it if it was?
II. What Did Thomas Miss?
A. Had he really missed anything?
1. Some would ask this question about missing assemblies of the saints
today.
2. Can you think of what Thomas missed?
B. Thomas missed:
1. Having his fears calmed by Jesus (Mark 16:8; John 20:21).
2. Seeing Jesus in the flesh after His resurrection.
3. Fellowship with Jesus (Matt. 18:20; 1 John 1:1-3).
4. Teaching by Jesus. Is your heart burning for the revealing of God's
truth?
a. Prophecy fulfilled (Luke 24:44-46).
b. Opportunity to worship (Matt. 28:17; see Thomas in John 20:28).
c. Salvation (Luke 24:47; Mark 16:16).
d. Jesus' authority to send (Matt. 28:18; John 20:21).
e. Apostles' authority (receive Holy Spirit) (John 14-16; John
20:21-23; cf. Matt.18:18 and 16:18).
C. Thomas almost did not believe: "Doubting Thomas" (John 20:25).
1. He would not have believed if Jesus had not reappeared.
2. Some were reproached for unbelief and hardness of heart (Mark
16:14); did this include Thomas?
D. What did Thomas gain by his absence? Rebuke! (John 20:29).
III. What Some Miss by being Absent from Worship Services.
A. Provoking to love and good deeds (Heb.10:24-25).
B. Taking part of a worship service.
1. Pray by the church.
2. Singing to one another.
3. Teaching.
4. The "body" observing the Lord's Supper.
5. Discussing the local work.
6. Seeing conversions and restorations.
7. Opportunity to strengthen belief of self and others.
C. Once again: learn from Thomas' rebuke; it could be yours!
4. The Consequence of Thomas' Absence.
A. Thomas became Unreasonable.
1. He would not believe the words of the Apostles.
a. What if we wouldn't believe their testimony?
b. John 20:30-31, John wrote to promote belief.
c. Acts 2:42, The church followed the Apostles' teaching.
d. The church was built upon the foundation of the Apostles and
Prophets (Eph. 2:19-20).
2. Thomas said that he would have to touch Jesus to believe.
a. He is saying that seeing Jesus would not be enough.
b. He was offered the chance to touch and examine the body of Jesus,
that he might believe (John 20:27).
c. NOTE: The Scriptures do not say whether he physically examined
Jesus or not.
B. Thomas Doubted.
1. Not the only one, but singled out by John for a reason.
2. Doubt, the opposite of faith.
3. Doubt, possibly from despair. We nee to seek comfort with God's
people.
C. Jesus rebuked Thomas (John 20:29).
D. People who are absent from services, even in despair, soon become
unreasonable, lose faith, and need rebuking.
CONCLUSION:
1. By attendance, Thomas believed.
a. "My Lord and my God" (John 20:28).
b. See the blessing to those who believe without physically seeing
Jesus (20:29).
2. We, too, must be faithful in our attendance, so we will be
interested in the work here.
3. The Apostles were sent to all the world. They overcame their doubts
with faith.
a. Most died in their service to the living Christ; they truly
believed.
b. We must die to the world, and live to Christ.
(1) Become a Christian; Would you confess Jesus as your Lord and
your God?
(2) Live as a Christian; Is Jesus your Lord and God?
(3) Do not forsake the assembling of saints.
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