"Faith-Quake" - May 1, 2011 Sermon

 

Scripture: Acts 2:14, 22-32 and John 20: 19-31

The Sermon:
There is a story about a Presbyterian minister who explained that he was a Presbyterian "by earthquake." His Grandparents, who were Baptists, moved from Iowa to California many years ago. When they had settled into their home, a Presbyterian pastor came by to visit them and invited them to come to the Presbyterian Church. "I’m a Baptist," replied my grandmother, "it will take an act of God to get me to change." About that time an earthquake shook the home. It lasted for about 30 seconds. Pictures fell from the walls, books and other things fell from the shelves. Being from Iowa, Grandma wasn’t sure what it was, but when it was all over, she told the pastor, "I’ll join!"

Wouldn’t it be great if faith were that easy today? Did you ever wish that God would give you some unmistakable sign… not necessarily an earthquake… but something that would indicate He is interested in your life? Some comedian once said, "God, just give me some sign that you exist. Nothing spectacular, perhaps a million dollars in a Swiss bank account would be a nice gesture."

Actually, that probably would not even work. God would have to do something very dramatic before we would believe it was a miracle! As human beings, we have become very good at explaining EVERYTHING! And when we can’t find a rational reason for something… then we call it an accident; a chance happening.

FAITH IS NOT EASY! I don’t think God ever meant for it to be. It is part of the struggle we go through in order to fit our souls for Heaven!

It had been a tough couple of weeks for the disciples. Everything had happened so fast… too fast! Once moment the crowds were welcoming Jesus into Jerusalem, then only a few days later He was arrested! Shortly after His arrest, he died on a cross! It was understandable that the disciples were in shock. They did not know what to do next. They were afraid because they thought that what happened to Jesus might also happen to them.

Then, early that Sunday morning, Mary found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Peter and another disciple ran to the tomb and discovered that Jesus’ body was not there. Even more dramatically, Mary told them that she had seen and spoken to the risen Christ! HE IS ALIVE!

That evening the disciples were meeting behind closed and locked doors. They had no idea of what all this meant or what was going to happen next. Then, right in the midst of all their confusion, Jesus came and stood among them.

His first words to his disciples were, "Peace be with you." They were afraid at first, but he showed them his hands and side and they rejoiced. Mary had told them the truth, JESUS WAS ALIVE! They could see him with their own eyes. How wonderful it must have been for them! Then Jesus gave them a commission! He said, "AS THE FATHER HAS SENT ME, SO I SEND YOU!" The disciples now became Apostles. No longer were they simply learning what Jesus taught, now they had the responsibility to carry the message of salvation all over the world. They were to become His voice, his hands and his legs… as they continued the ministry of Jesus.

Then Jesus did a very significant thing. He breathed upon them and said, "RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT!" It is important because John, the writer of the Gospel, wanted his readers to know that Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into the disciples, in the same way God breathed life into Adam, the first human.

For some reason, Thomas was not there that first Easter evening. He had not seen the risen Lord as the others had. They said, "THOMAS WE HAVE SEEN THE RISEN LORD!" Thomas, however, was not convinced. Their story just seemed to good to be true. He wanted proof! He said, "Unless I see the marks of the nails in his hands, and put my fingers in the nail marks, and my hands in his side, I will not believe."

I guess you could say that Thomas was a realist. He had been hurt and disappointed. He had expected so much from Jesus, and to watch him die on a cross like a common thief… well that was just too much for Thomas to bear. He had his hopes about Jesus shattered once, and now he was going to be careful… He didn’t want to set himself up for another letdown.

How about us? Have you ever had moments of doubt, like Thomas? If you haven’t, you are very exceptional! Do you remember the name Dave Dravecky? Several years ago he was a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants. His career was cut short when he lost his arm to cancer. It was a tough time for him and his family. During that time he received many letters from fans and most were very encouraging. He had already publicly professed his faith in God. One day he got a letter that said, "If there is a God who loves you, why did He allow you to lose your arm? I have lived for 41 years and I have yet to see any piece of evidence that there is anything real about any religious belief. Religion is nothing but a crutch used by weaklings who can’t face reality and the church is nothing but a bunch of hypocrites who care nothing for one another, and whose faith is nothing more than a bunch of empty phrases they spout off to impress others."

Well, that is a pretty strong indictment! How would you respond to such a letter? You know, there are a lot of people who have experienced tragedy in their lives and think God has deserted them. Dave Draveky faced many of the same doubts, but his faith made all the difference. HE SHARES HIS FAITH WITH OTHERS! He says, "Anytime we come to God it is an act of faith." When we knock on heaven’s door, no matter how hard or how long, how angrily or how stubbornly, we are saying by our very presence at the door, that WE BELIEVE GOD IS THERE!! We believe that God has an influence on what goes on down here.

People have always struggled with their doubts. The early Christians had just as much trouble believing as we do. Sometimes the periods of doubt lead us to a greater understanding of Faith.

So, about a week after Jesus had appeared to the Apostles, He came to them again, and this time Thomas was with them. Jesus said to him, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out and put your hand in my side." DO NOT DOUBT BUT BELIEVE! Then Thomas made one of the greatest confessions recorded in the Bible. He said, "MY LORD AND MY GOD!" From that day on, Thomas would be risking his life proclaiming the Gospel he once doubted.

JESUS TOLD THE APOSTLES, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS A BETTER WAY OF COMING TO FAITH. IT IS HEARING AND BELIEVING!

He is saying that, from now on, faith would not be transmitted through earthquakes or bank deposits nor even by a personal visit from the resurrected Christ! FAITH WOULD COME BY ONE PERSON SHARING WITH ANOTHER WHAT THE GOSPEL HAS MEANT IN HIS OR HER LIFE!!!

"Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have faith." From that moment on people would depend on the witness of the previous generation and the personal testimony of those whose lives have been transformed by the power of the indwelling Spirit. Jesus’ words were spoken not only for the disciples but also for us. We are invited to hear the Gospel message and believe.

AMEN.