WEEK 1: My Lord and My God

DATE: August 9th

MAIN IDEA: The Lord of all deserves all of me.

MAIN TEXT: John 20:24–31

SUPPORTING SCRIPTURES: Matthew 16:13–18; Romans 10:9–13; Philippians 2:9–11; 1 John 4:15

CREEDAL CONFESSION: "I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord." (the Apostles’ Creed)

SERMON IDEAS:

- John 20 is the climactic ending of John’s Gospel.

-- John opens by declaring, "The Word was God," and moves toward Thomas personally confessing Jesus as "My Lord and my God."

-- Thomas is often called "doubting Thomas," but this story is not merely about doubt.

-- Thomas is a wounded disciple trying to process the trauma of the cross and the shocking news of resurrection.

-- Jesus does not reject Thomas for his struggle. He comes near, shows him His wounds, and invites him to believe.

-- The risen Jesus still bears the marks of crucifixion. He shows these to Thomas. This shows that the crucified Jesus and the risen Jesus are the same Lord.

- Thomas' confession has two dimensions.

-- "My Lord" is a declaration of allegiance.

-- "My God" is a declaration of worship.

- Before the Church confessed Jesus in formal creeds, the first disciples confessed Him in worship.

-- This means that the earliest gatherings confessed Jesus as God and Savior

-- This was not a meaning that was attributed later, but Jesus’ identity was established right away by first-hand witnesses

- Matthew 16 can serve as a supporting text.

-- Peter confesses Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and Jesus says this confession is the rock upon which He will build His Church.

- The Apostles’ Creed was not produced by one single council but developed from early baptismal confessions used by the early Church.

-- The line "I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord" teaches us that Christian faith is not vague spirituality.

-- Christianity is all about our personal trust in the specific person of Jesus Christ.

-- Will we surrender to Christ as our Lord?

- The Lord of all deserves all of me.

APPLICATION:

- Bring your doubts, wounds, and questions into the presence of Jesus.

- Move from inherited confession to personal confession.

- Do not only say, "The Church believes Jesus is Lord." Say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God."

- Trust that the wounds of Jesus are not signs of defeat but signs of victory.

- Move into a deeper confession than you have ever made before, joining Peter in declaring, "You are the Christ!"

- Understand the privilege of surrendering every area of life to Jesus as Lord.

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