Sermon 200

📖 SERMON 200 — THE PROOF UNBELIEF DEMANDS

Preacher: Rev. G. S. Kok
Date: (not listed)
Text: John 20:24–29
Subject: THE PROOF UNBELIEF DEMANDS

INTRODUCTION:

This is the Easter season. There are many people who remain unbelieving until they can demand scientific proof—proof on their terms—before they will accept the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Thomas is the classic example.

I. THE PROOF UNBELIEF DEMANDS

A. Thomas disbelieved the testimony of faithful witnesses.
1. He was one of the twelve, one who loved Jesus deeply.
2. Yet he rejected the reports that Jesus had risen.
3. His unbelief caused him to miss Easter blessings; he was not with the disciples when Jesus first appeared.

B. He stated his demand boldly.
1. What he asks for is more than doubt; it is complete unbelief.
   He was convinced Jesus was dead.
   The resurrection seemed nonsense to him.
2. He wanted more than sight.
   Others said, “We have seen the Lord,” but seeing meant nothing to Thomas.
3. He demanded physical proof:
   To put his finger into the nail marks.
   To thrust his hand into the wounded side.
   He would never have demanded this if he thought it even possible Jesus was alive.

C. Many today stand with Thomas.
1. They demand scientific proof for the resurrection.
2. They insist on setting the conditions for belief.
3. This is not honest doubt but hardened unbelief.

II. JESUS GRANTS THOMAS’S REQUEST

A. Jesus knew exactly what Thomas had said.
1. Nothing is hidden from Him.
2. He made Thomas wait a full week, deepening the lesson.
3. He appears again with the other disciples present.

B. Jesus invites Thomas to do what he demanded.
“Reach hither thy finger… reach hither thy hand… be not faithless, but believing.”

C. What did Thomas do?
1. The text strongly suggests he did not dare touch Christ’s wounds.
2. Shame and awe overwhelmed him.
3. His response is one of the greatest confessions in Scripture:
   “My Lord and my God.”
4. This confession belongs only to those who truly believe the resurrection.

III. THE BLESSEDNESS OF THOSE WHO NEED NO SUCH PROOF

A. Thomas’s confession, though true, is tarnished.
1. Jesus gently rebukes him: “Because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed.”
2. His faith would have been more beautiful had he believed the witnesses.

B. Jesus pronounces a blessing on believers today.
1. “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.”
2. This is the faith required for salvation.

C. Seeing is not granted to us.
1. After the ascension, Christ would not again appear except to Paul for a special purpose.
2. We believe through the testimony of Scripture.
3. Blessed are all who confess with Thomas, “My Lord and my God.”

D. Those who demand scientific proof will one day receive it—but then it will be too late.

CONCLUSION:

If Thomas had persisted in unbelief, he would never have said, “My Lord and my God.”
Neither will any person today who refuses to believe the testimony of God’s Word.