THINGS THOMAS MISSED
John 20:19-29
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. In this lesson, we want to deal with the problem of attendance.
1. Attendance seems to be a problem in nearly all churches.
Why is this so?
a. Some, of course, have a legitimate excuse and cannot
attend when they really want to. This is not the
situation we are dealing with in this lesson.
b. Some have a denominational background where they
were led to believe that attendance is not importance.
They need instruction.
c. Some come from older country churches which meet
only once a week. Thus, they think that all other
services than the one on Sunday morning are optional.
Again, they need instruction.
d. Some are lukewarm; they know they should attend, but
lack true devotion to the Lord.
B. There are two ways to approach the problem of attendance.
1. We can look at the severe consequences for not attending.
Reverence and fear toward God causes us to attend every
service. We all need the fear of God in our hearts.
2. We can look at the benefits for attending. We will try to do
this in this lesson. What did Thomas miss by not being there
on that first day of the week?
a. We don't know why Thomas was not there (one could
only speculate as to the reason), but we do know some
things he necessarily missed because he was not there.
I. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord. vs. 20
A. Jesus had tried to prepare His disciples for what was to come.
John 16:20-22
1. Consider the happiness and rejoicing on that first day when
they saw the Lord alive again. Matt. 28:5-10
II. He missed the comfort of other disciples.
A. They all had spent at least three years of close fellowship
with the Lord.
1. At this time they had many things to talk about. They all
had shared a common disappointment. Luke 24:21
B. At that time in the upper room they would have been sharing a
common benefit from being together.
1. Comfort - 1 Thess. 4:18; 5:11
2. Prayer - Phil. 4:6-7
3. From the Scriptures - Rom. 15:4 (To recall certain verses in
time of need does much good).
C. Thomas missed all these things because he was not there.
III. He missed the evidence he needed to remove doubt.
A. For a whole week after this, Thomas remained in his doubt (vs.
26). The other disciples were convinced, but not Thomas.
B. Generally, attendance is a faith problem. The weak who look for
an excuse will find one. The strong, who face the same problems
and difficulties as other people do, somehow manage to always
attend.
C. Attendance will help build our faith. "...Increase our faith."
Luke 17:5; Rom. 10:17
1. How often have preachers prepared a sermon just for certain
ones and they do not attend?
2. We must preach this type of lessons on Sunday mornings
instead of on Sunday nights because the ones who need them
most won't be here.
IV. He missed the charge given by Jesus on that occasion. vs. 22-23
A. This is the nearest thing in John's account to the great
commission.
1. This was a figure of the Spirit which was to come upon them
on the day of Pentecost.
a. The Lord was committing to these men the teaching
upon which remission of sins would hedge.
b. People would have their sins remitted on the basis of the
truth revealed through these men.
2. Thomas didn't hear it because he wasn't there; I'm sure he
learned about it, but he had to learn it second hand.
3. It's possible that the Lord could come during one or our
worship services. What if you are not here? Will your
excuse, which is evidently satisfactory to you, be
satisfactory to the Lord?
a. What if the very thing dealt with in our Bible classes is
what your children need to cause them to remain faithful
all their lives was missed because you did not make that
special effort to get them here?
V. He missed the honor shared by not being there.
A. When you talk about a doubter, who do you think of? Doubting
John? Doubting Peter?
B. Even though the doubt was later removed (and the Lord forgave
him); nevertheless, the scare remained.
1. Like big nails in the wall; you can pull out the nails, but
what does it leave?
2. At our services we may receive the very strength we need to
overcome a certain temptation. Luke 8:13; Mark 14:38
Now, let's go back and look at the same points we have observed from
the story of Thomas. Remember, we are not appealing on the basis of
the consequences for not attending. Rather, we are emphasizing the
blessings for attending. What does a Christian gain for being with
the saints every time they come together?
I. We gain the joy of being with the Lord. Ps. 122:1
A. The Lord is with us always, but in a special way when we gather
in His name. Matt. 18:20
B. We can find joy and comfort in the Lord. Psalm 16:11
1. Let us rejoice in the Lord always. Psalm 100:1-5
II. We gain the comfort of being with the disciples of the Lord.
A. There are a lot of troubles in this old world.
1. Ex. All the cursing and filthy language you have to hear in
school or on the job; all the crime, news that's depressing,
etc.
B. Here, we have a place where we find a different world, where we
can escape all those evils.
1. We can draw strength from being with other Christians. We
all have a common goal--to reach heaven someday, and we
are working together to obtain it. 1 Thess. 4:16-18
III. We gain evidence needed to remove doubt.
A. Faith is developed and strengthened through examining evidence.
Heb. 11:1; John 20:30-31
1. Often those who don't attend regularly miss the very lessons
they need to build their faith.
2. Anytime you miss a lesson you truly need, you miss that
which builds toward salvation.
3. Let us attend regularly so that we can grow in the grace and
knowledge of the Lord.
IV. We witness the application of the charge given by Jesus.
A. Sins are still being forgiven or retained on the same basis.
1. If we are not always here, we may miss some important
things that have to do with salvation.
2. We might miss the joy of seeing some soul obey the Lord.
a. Think back at the tears of joy, perhaps when a young
person, a husband, or a wife, obeyed, and possibly
during the Wed. night service. The most beautiful thing
in the world is to see some soul obey the Lord.
3. Even the procedures of withdrawing can be strengthening to
those in attendance. There is something very rewarding
about knowing we are trying to do as the Lord commanded.
V. We gain honor that rightfully belongs to the faithful.
A. I know that it is good for me to be here at all services. James
4:17
B. There is a certain amount of self-esteem and honor among those
who faithful serve the Lord. Rom. 12:10; 13:7; 1 Tim. 5:17;
3:13
1. Those who aren't attending faithfully don't have this honor.
2. Usually, those who aren't attending faithfully aren't active
in other good works.
Concl.
A. Brethren, let me encourage you to not miss the services,
unless, of course, there is just cause.
B. If at all possible, assemble with the saints of God ever time
they meet.
Chart #1
Things Thomas Missed
1. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord.
2. He missed the comfort of other disciples.
3. He missed the evidence to remove His doubt.
4. He missed the charge given by Jesus on that
occasion.
5. He missed the honor shared by not being there.
Chart #2
Things We Gain
1. We gain the joy of being with the Lord.
2. We gain the comfort of being with the disciples.
3. We gain evidence needed to remove doubt.
4. We witness the application of the charge given by
Jesus.
5. We gain honor that rightfully belongs to the faithful.