Pastor Jerry opened the Sunday service by reading from John 20:19-31, the story of Thomas not believing that Jesus was alive unless he could see him and touch him.
Jesus did come alive and continues to come alive in each new believer who receives him into their heart and life.
Pastor Jerry related a story of a man in an art gallery standing at a painting of Jesus hanging on the cross. He wept as he could visualize the pain and suffering of our Lord. A small girl came along side the man and he asked her if she knew who this was, and she replied, “This is Jesus and we learned about him in Sunday school.” The man continued to weep and the girl finally tugged at his coat and said, but the story is not over yet, because Jesus is alive and lives today.
We have taken many paths to reach today; previous Easters, Lent, Ash Wednesday Maundy Thursdays, good Fridays, perhaps Holy Saturday then the commemoration of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. We continue to celebrate He is Risen.
Jesus is always alive daily and moment by moment in our lives. He appeared to his followers and at first they did not recognize him. They mistook him for a gardener, and again as a traveler walking on the road to Emmaus.
They were fearful and hid behind locked doors, but twice Jesus appeared to them through the walls and into the room where they were hiding.
Thomas not being with them, said he would not believe until he could see and prove to his senses that Jesus was truly alive.
Later when Jesus invited Thomas to touch the nail prints and thrust his hand into his side, Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and My God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believed.” That includes each of us for we accept by faith that Jesus is alive. We know His touch in our lives as we feel His presence with us.
Jesus told his friends, Peace be with you, and then He breathed on them and said, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit.” At that time the disciples became born again.
Change was happening daily, and within days they were to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power to become witnesses for Him. Their lives were about to drastically change again and they would never be the same.
Change can be scary and affect family security and bring uncertainty. This call to ministry would change the world.
There is change in lives when believers receive Jesus.
There is restoration and renewal for those who drift away but return, and strength to live daily as God planned.
May we together say, My Lord and My God! As we believe that Jesus is alive as he said,
May His Peace be continually with you.
This post is Linked up today with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays
And Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday
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| Thomas said, "My Lord and My God!" image courtesy photobucket.com |
Jesus did come alive and continues to come alive in each new believer who receives him into their heart and life.
Pastor Jerry related a story of a man in an art gallery standing at a painting of Jesus hanging on the cross. He wept as he could visualize the pain and suffering of our Lord. A small girl came along side the man and he asked her if she knew who this was, and she replied, “This is Jesus and we learned about him in Sunday school.” The man continued to weep and the girl finally tugged at his coat and said, but the story is not over yet, because Jesus is alive and lives today.
We have taken many paths to reach today; previous Easters, Lent, Ash Wednesday Maundy Thursdays, good Fridays, perhaps Holy Saturday then the commemoration of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. We continue to celebrate He is Risen.
 |
| On the road to Emmaus image courtesy photobucket.com |
They were fearful and hid behind locked doors, but twice Jesus appeared to them through the walls and into the room where they were hiding.
Thomas not being with them, said he would not believe until he could see and prove to his senses that Jesus was truly alive.
Later when Jesus invited Thomas to touch the nail prints and thrust his hand into his side, Thomas proclaimed, “My Lord and My God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet believed.” That includes each of us for we accept by faith that Jesus is alive. We know His touch in our lives as we feel His presence with us.
Jesus told his friends, Peace be with you, and then He breathed on them and said, “Receive ye the Holy Spirit.” At that time the disciples became born again.
Change was happening daily, and within days they were to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power to become witnesses for Him. Their lives were about to drastically change again and they would never be the same.
Change can be scary and affect family security and bring uncertainty. This call to ministry would change the world.
There is change in lives when believers receive Jesus.
There is restoration and renewal for those who drift away but return, and strength to live daily as God planned.
May we together say, My Lord and My God! As we believe that Jesus is alive as he said,
May His Peace be continually with you.
This post is Linked up today with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays
And Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday
1 comment:
Amen. So true that He is alive today. What a surprise it will be for many when they actually see Him when He comes back from heaven to change everything. Thank you for sharing this encouraging post.
Blessings,
Charlotte
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