April 5, 2024

Dear Road Church Friends,

This week’s Gospel reading is the story of “Doubting Thomas.” Once more I feel I must come to his defense. First, Thomas has been unfairly singled out as “the doubter.” When the women returned from the tomb and told the apostles that Jesus was risen, they didn’t believe them because their story sounded like nonsense, (Luke 24:11).

At first, all of the apostles were “Doubting Thomas’s.” After their encounters with the risen Jesus, they became what I like to call, “faithful doubters.” They were believers whose plea was, “Lord, help our unbelief!” Theirs was a faith seeking understanding. 

That’s where we all need to be. True faith requires a good measure of honest doubt to prevent it from turning into uncritical gullibility. Gather with us on our Communion Sunday when we consider what it means to be an honest doubter.

SERMON: “Honest Doubt” 

SCRIPTURE:  John 20:24-29  

One of the twelve disciples named Thomas was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Look at my nail-pierced hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be doubtful any longer. Believe!” Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Psalm 4:1

You answered me when I called, O God! You gave me room when I was in distress. 

   OUR CHRIST 

by H. W. Farrington

I know not how that Bethlehem’s babe

Could in the Godhead be,

I only know the Manger Child

Has brought God near to me.

I know not how that Calvary’s cross

A world from sin can free:

I only know its matchless love

Has brought God’s love to me

I know not how that Joseph’s tomb

Could solve death’s mystery:

I only know the risen Christ,

Has given new life to me.

Blessings to you all,

Pastor Norm

This service on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/UkTaONzwN4U?si=QNP6frHbXSn5ut0-