Sermon Rewind - 4/10/2011 - Thomas - From Doubting Benchwarmer to Sacrificial Starter

John 11:5-16 (New International Version, ©2011)

⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. ⁶So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, ⁷ and then he said to his disciples,“Let us go back to Judea.”

⁸ “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?”

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. ¹⁰ It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

¹¹ After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”

¹² His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” ¹³ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

¹⁴ So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, ¹⁵ and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”

¹⁶ Then Thomas (also known as Didymus^[a]) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Alex Wu continued the Benchwarmer series with a sermon on "Doubting" Thomas, a man labeled because of his actions of disbelief after the resurrection of Jesus. John 11:5-16 sheds light on a new label for Thomas, "Bold Sacrificer". Alex shared two things we can take from Thomas. The first thing is, it's okay to doubt a little. Doubt is the crossroad that can bring us to a place where our faith is strengthened. The second thing is, be willing to sacrifice. Thomas was bold and willing to follow Jesus, even at the cost of his life. Where do you see God leading you? Be open to the will of God.

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