Dealing With Our Didymus

Dealing With Our Didymus

John 20:24-25 (NIV) 24Now Thomas (called Didymus - twin), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

Dealing With Our DidymusJames 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

All of us are waiting for something, reconciliation, removal from a place, redemption, restitution accomplished, rehabilitation, and a reception back to a more peaceful place or existence. Thomas was waiting for something as well, and he made a most unique request or some might say an ultimatum - “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” Most of us have dueling natures, one that is curious, unsure, yet daring to ask questions and be authentic about our doubts, another, content, confident in the past, no longer seeking answers, yet fearful of the unknown. It is comforting to know that our All Wise God is open to any question we pose to Him.

Dealing With Our Didymus The Energy of Didymus – I am Chosen

Mark 3:13-15 (NKJV) 13And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:

Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV) 6“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

Dealing With Our Didymus The Environment of Didymus – I have

Characteristics

John 20:24 (NLT) 24One of the disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.

Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) 25There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

Romans 7:14-25


The Enemies of Didymus

Obstacles (dead but unmoved issues) Comfortable hurts – things we have become

used to Created habits – ways that we approve of

handling situations and circumstances



Opposition (daily – life issues) Critical hindrances – active, seemingly

unavoidable dilemmas Calculated hindrances – elements that seek to

kill or destroy faith and hope



Obvious Objections (deposited - personal issues)

Conscious Consumers – inside barriers Character Consumers – outside barriers


The Education of Didymus – I need Christ

Romans 8:1 (NKJV) 1There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,

who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

John 14:6 (NIV) 6Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV) 7When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Dealing With Our Didymus The Education of Didymus – I need

Christ

Opinions – Clear help The experience of others John 20:19-20 (NIV) 19On the evening of that

first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.


Christ

Openings – Clear help The edification by others John 20:21-23 (NIV) 21Again Jesus said, “Peace

be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”


Christ

Opportunities - Clear help The exposure by others John 20:24-25 (NIV) 24Now Thomas (called

Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”


The Expectation of Didymus

John 20:25 (NIV)25…But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.”

Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) 7“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.


The Erosion of Didymus John 20:26-28

An appointment with destiny The apprehension of distance The access the deliverer provides The announcement of deliverance

Dealing With Our DidymusJohn 20:26-28 (NIV) 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27Then 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.” 28Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Spiritual

Dealing With Our Didymus