(Christian Living Sermon) Hillside 11/95
Filename: Famous Truant

THE FAMOUS ABSENTEE

TEXT: John 20:19-29 "When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had said this, he showed unto them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus therefore said to them again, Peace be unto you: as the Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: 23 whose soever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven unto them; whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained. 24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

INTRODUCTION-- When I was young, schools had a "Truant Officer," and person who called on families to discover why their children were not in school. He or she would begin by showing the advantages of attending school, and if that didn't cure the problem, firmer measures were taken, including the imposition of legal injunctions, and in extreme cases, jail for the parents. Though attendance is not considered compulsory by many members of the church, the absentee can certainly miss out on a lot of good by just not being there.

LESSON--

1. When the Lord appeared to the disciples, they were fearful and sad. Vs. 19-20
   
   1. The doors were shut, but this did not hinder the surprising appearance of the risen Jesus in their midst.
      
   2. When Jesus offered proofs of His identity, they were glad.

2. He gave them a mission. Vs. 21-23

3. But Thomas was not with them this first time. Vs. 24-25
   
   1. His skepticism was insensitive to the integrity of his fellow disciples.
      
   2. His stubborn refusal to accept their testimony is compounded with a demand for subjective proof.
      
   3. What did he miss by being absent, that the others gained?
      
      1. Fellowship with the disciples in their joy at meeting with Christ.
         
      2. Proof of the truth of the report of the women regarding the resurrection. See 1 Corinthians 15:1-9 "Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; 5 and that he appeared to Cephas; then to the twelve; 6 then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain until now, but some are fallen asleep; 7 then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles; 8 and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God."
         
      3. The consolation of Jesus words.
         
      4. The rejuvenation of his faith.
         
      5. The confirmation of his mission.

4. Jesus' second appearance included Thomas. Vs. 26-29
   
   1. Jesus went directly to Thomas' problem (preachers need to do this, too.).
      
   2. "Be not faithless, but believing."
      
   3. Jesus, though "unseen," should be believed (and obeyed).

APPLICATION--

1. Absentees today often exhibit the attitudes of Thomas.
   
   1. Skeptic about the advantages of attending services of worship and study.
      
   2. Will not accept objective testimony, but demand subjective proof.
      
   3. When finally convinced of the need to attend, they often regret their former neglect, realizing that it was not to their spiritual advantage.
      
2. What do you miss by being absent?
   
   1. Communion with the Lord. 1 Corinthians 10:15-17 "I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ? 17 seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread."
      
   2. The edification and consolation of Scripture. 1 Corinthians 14:1-5 "Follow after love; yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God; for no man understandeth; but in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men edification, and exhortation, and consolation. 4 He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. 5 Now I would have you all speak with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: and greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying."
      
   3. The humble faithful worship of the unseen Lord. 1 Peter 1:3-9 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his great mercy begat us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 unto an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who by the power of God are guarded through faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ: 8 whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."