You Need To Be There!
Jn.20:19-20 & 24
- When Jesus came Thomas was not there! (verse 24)
- Thomas knew to be there (Matt.28:7-10 & 16 – eleven went!)
- Everyone else was there (Judas was dead, acceptable excuse)
- Jesus had told them that he would be there
- When you know that Jesus is going to be somewhere, You Need to Be there!
What did Thomas miss? God had something for him:
He Stood – “in the midst” To Behold – verse 19 (To observe with care, draw attention to)
- [Matt.18:20] “For where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them”
- The Lord has something that you need to observe, or He wouldn’t be here tonight! He was on the mission trip! I saw His hand in everything we did!
- He Allowed us to make improvements to their church and fellowship buildings
- He Allowed us to test our limits- work, sleep, longsuffering
- Thomas had a problem with believing because he missed the meeting with Jesus, Verse 20 the others saw the marks, verse 25 they tried to relay it. Something got lost in the translation.
- Radio and internet great for preaching and teaching, but…….
- Because of being there and touching the work, we have a deeper understanding and love for the work
- Jesus will reveal Himself, but you need to be there!
He Saith – “Peace be unto you” To Hear – verse 19 (The Disciples needed peace!)
- Preaching and teaching of the word of God (Always Very Timely)
- Pastor preached a re-run; Sunday school was a re-run. Both were as if they were brand new, and just what I needed!
- Precious hymns sung to the Lord – by-lingual -loud
- The prayers of a God-fearing Navajo in his own language
- Prayer request of the church members
- Sincere thank you from the folks and the missionary
- You need to be there! God has something for you to hear.
He Shewed – “his hands and his side” To See– verse 20 (Proof of everything He had said)
- The fruit of our mission dollars in the Navajo Nation
- The “all in” devotion of Joel Haynes and family
- The love of Christ shed abroad in their hearts and minds
- The beauty of God’s Creation -The Chelly Canyon
- Anderson’s wife (Marilyn) get saved (to never give up!)
- Like Thomas, my faith was increased because of what he showed me, but I needed to be there!
He Sent – “even so send I you” To Do – verse 21
- Closer fellowship with God
- Closer fellowship with the brethren
- Make new friendships there
- Appreciate the blessings I enjoy daily
- Commit more money and prayer to missions (Pray and Give)
- Many get a “call” to missions while there – Go!
- God has something he wants you to do, you need to be there.
Conclusion:
When you know Jesus is going to be there, You need to be there!
Jesus shows up for all of these!
Mission trips, Sunday/ Wednesday Services, Special meetings, Bible Conferences, Mission Conferences, Missionary presentations, Other preachers, Monday night Bible Studies, Men’s / ladies fellowships, Showers/ parties/ Teen events, Nursing Homes, Port Ministry, Buc Days parade, and Funerals/ Weddings