Message Notes

(I) AN EASIER JOURNEY TOWARDS OWNING JESUS AS LORD FOR SOME

1. Andrew

a) He began with being a disciple of John the Baptiser ( John 1:35 )

b) He was pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God ( John 1:29 )

c) He had a life-transforming conversation with Jesus ( John 1:38-39 )

d) He was convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and therefore Lord ( John 1:41 )

2. Nathanael

a) He began as a sarcastic skeptic ( John 1:46 )

b) His brief encounter with Jesus left him awed

c) He had swiftly come to believe that Jesus was Son of God and King of Israel ( John 1:49 )

(II) A HARDER JOURNEY FOR OTHERS

1. Peter

a) He needed convincing

b) He was convinced when he saw the power of Jesus in the greatest catch of his fishing career ( Luke 5:1-11 )

2. Thomas

a) He needed convincing that Jesus had risen from the dead

b) His fellow disciples could not move his heart

i) They testified of having seen the risen Jesus ( John 20:25 )

ii) He remained skeptical

iii) He remained unconvinced

c) His stubborn refusal

“Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” John 20:25

(III) THE CULMINATION OF THE JOURNEY TOWARDS THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS

1. A special manifestation

a) Shut doors ( John 20:26c )

b) Jesus appeared to all the disciples ( John 20:26d )

2. Answering Thomas’ doubts

a) Reach your finger here ( John 20:27a )

b) Look at My hands ( John 20:27b )

c) Put it into My side ( John 20:27c )

3. A challenge to Thomas

“Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” John 20:27d

a) Deal with the problem of unbelief!

b) Address the problem of a lack of faith!

4. The Response of Thomas

“And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!” John 20:28

a) My Lord

The issue of Jesus as Lord was now finally and fully settled!

b) My God

The issue of the Deity of Jesus was also finally and fully settled!

5. Thomas’ issues

a) The Person of Christ

b) His Deity

c) Once that was settled, the Lordship of Christ was also settled!

(IV) QUESTION

Have we settled the Lordship of Jesus in our life?