From DOUBT to FAITHFrom DOUBT to FAITHBELIEVING is SEEINGBELIEVING is SEEING

I. From FAITH to DOUBTI. From FAITH to DOUBTDuccio di BuoninsegnaDuccio di Buoninsegna

ca. 1255 – 1319ca. 1255 – 1319

Christ Appears to the Christ Appears to the Apostles Behind Apostles Behind

Closed DoorsClosed Doors

John 20:19-23John 20:19-23

Now Thomas, (called Didymus “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”

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RESPONSE of THOMAS – Doubt!

II. From DOUBT to FAITHII. From DOUBT to FAITHCaravaggio Caravaggio

1573 – 16101573 – 1610

Doubting ThomasDoubting Thomas

….and THOMAS was with them. ….Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. STOP DOUBTING and BELIEVE.”

Doubters MUST be called to BELIEVE!

RESPONSE of THOMAS – FAITH! “My Lord and My God!”

Books Dealing With Books Dealing With DoubtsDoubts

III. SEEING is BELIEVINGIII. SEEING is BELIEVINGCaravaggio Caravaggio

1573 – 16101573 – 1610

Doubting ThomasDoubting Thomas

“Unless I see… and Unless I put my finger where the handnails were, and unless I put my hand into his side, I WILL NOT BELIEVE…” John 20:25

Then Jesus told him, “BECAUSE you have seen me, YOU HAVE BELIEVED…..” John 20:29

The FAITH of THOMAS rested on EXPERIENCE.

IV. BELIEVING is SEEINGIV. BELIEVING is SEEING

Then Jesus told him, “…….BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN and yet have BELIEVED.”

STRONG FAITH rests on SCRIPTURE ALONE.

John’s purpose in writing the GOSPEL of JOHN.

Miracles (WRITTEN) ---- BELIEF --- ETERNAL LIFE