Sermon Guide: John 20:24-31 "Believing Thomas"

Date Preached: May 4, 2025

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Key Passages

John 20:24–31, ESV

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.

Sermon Overview

Jesus commissioned his apostles (sent ones) to bring his testimony to us — who who haven’t seen the Risen Jesus. Our faith does not come by sight, then, but by hearing. As we hear and receive Scripture’s testimony about who God is and what he’s done for us, we are receiving the very word of Christ, and thereby offered the gift of eternal life. Not by our righteousness, but by his grace; our mere faith is counted by him as righteousness.

Sermon Structure

1. Barricaded Belief

• Thomas’ conditions

• The world’s conditions

• Our conditions

2. How Thomas Believed

• Thomas disbelieved the apostles

• Thomas saw Jesus

3. How We Believe

• Faith comes by hearing

• Faith is credited to us as righteousness

Questions for Discussion & Reflection

1. Thomas refused to believe “unless” — unless certain conditions were met. Discuss conditions that unbelievers you know have expressed to you, or even the conditions that make it difficult for you to believe. (And remember, we all struggle with faith; there’s no shame in wrestling with hard questions.)

2. It’s easy to think that if we only saw Jesus or could touch him, then all our doubts would be put to rest. From elsewhere in John’s Gospel or the rest of the Bible, can you think of passages that show us the error in that way of thinking?

3. What are some habits and practices we can stoke to “hear and believe,” as an antidote to our sometimes-fragile or small faith?