- Reading 2 – Acts 5:27-32
- Sermon: - I wish I was more like Thomas!
- In all of our services before and immediately after Easter, there are a number of people who get a bad press for their actions.
- Most of the disciples and particularly Thomas get this.
- It's clear that none of the disciples came through this period with flying colours.
- Judas, Peter, most of the rest running a mile when the going got tough.
- So when Thomas comes in for criticism, he's not the only one who fails.
- In the lent readings this year, the words used to describe the disciples was "failed"
- Thinking that if God can work and live through failed disciples, maybe he can work and live through us
- Looking in the reading where Jesus appears to the disciples less Thomas and Judas and then to them including Thomas
- When Jesus appeared to the first group, he did three things - showed his wounds, commissioned them, and then breathed on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit.
- So even before the disciples could question who this person was, Jesus gave them proof that he had risen.
- "As the Father sent me, so I send you" - showing how God was dependent on the disciples to spread his word.
- That they had free will and had mutual dependency with Jesus
- Tradition has it that Thomas was allocated India as his territory to convert and the St Thomas Christians today can trace themselves back to Thomas.
- 5 points to close
- - Thomas is a clear example to us ass of how we are to fulfill Christ's commission today
- - When we look at the ragbag collection of the Disciples, it must give us confidence that we too can be His disciples
- - Do not be afraid of doubt and do not let it be a cover for dithering
- - Clearly express your doubts and share them in fellowship
- - Remember that our mission will be tough but with God's help it will not defeat us
