- Thomas allowed his doubt and pessimism to temporarily overcome him.
- He was “honest to God,” and the other disciples.
- He was courageous when convinced.
“Atheism is rather in the life than in the heart of man.” Francis Bacon“And in despair I bowed my head: ‘There is no peace on earth,’ I said, ‘For hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men…Then peeled the bells more loud an deep: God is not dead: nor doth He Sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow“Though giant rain put out the sun, Here stand I for a sign. Though earth be filled with waters dark, My cup is filled with wine. Tell to the trembling priests Under the deluge rod, that here One Nameless, tattered, broken man Stood up and drank to God” – G. K. ChestertonIllustrationOur daily lives and witness can affect the unbelieving world by either saying, “Oh, My God!” or “My Lord and My God”Music: “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “O For A Heart to Praise My God,” “O For A Heart to Praise My God,” “Come, Gracious Spirit,” “There’s A Wideness in God’s Mercy,” “In This Very Room”Prayers:
Opening Prayer
“We pray, Lord, that your ways will be our ways,that your thoughts will be our thoughts,that your standards will be our standards,and that your compassion will be our compassion,through the example of Jesus Christand through the power of the Holy Spirit”Prayer of ConfessionSome of us come before you this morning with a faith that never questions, never falters, never doubts. But most of us, if we would be completely honest, confess that we do, in fact, have questions, have dark moments, struggle and stumble along the way. We have seasons in which we cry out and ask, “Why?” Like the disciple Thomas, we say, “Show me,” “Prove it to me,” “I’m not sure.” Yet we come to you with the confidence that you accept us as we are and will speak to our souls.”