Don't Make Me Be Thomas

DON'T MAKE ME BE THOMAS
John 20: 24-28

Intro:
It's so easy for you and I as people to obtain a certain reputation, yet it isn't as easy for us to change others perception of ourselves. This is even true when we are doing good, and others just don't understand our actions for what they are.
This statement has never been true of anyone more than Thomas. When we hear his name we automatically think, "Doubting Thomas." However, I wonder, is this an accurate picture of Thomas's character? Is that really all he is to us? Do we look at him, and see nothing more than a man who seemed to never fully get it?
Tonight, I would like to examine some of the character traits, which Thomas possessed. I would then like to make the case that you and I should want to be more like Thomas.

I COURAGEOUS THOMAS (Jn 11: 16)

1. Here we see Jesus once again putting his life on the line.
A. Jn 10: 31 Christ is called to Bethany, the very place where he had almost been stoned.
B. Jn 10: 39-40 he had already escaped them once.
C. Jn 9: 9-10 ever sense he had healed the blind, the leaders had sought to kill him.
D. The Apostles all knew this.
2. What do you think Thomas did? He didn't doubt this time.
A. Jn 11: 16 "Let us go that we might die with him."
B. He was willing to die rather than forsake Christ to go alone.
3. And we say, "Don't make me be like Thomas!"
A. Mt 5: 16 I say we need more courageous Thomas's willing to be examples for their fellow men!
B. Pr 3: 5 I say we need more courageous Thomas's willing to leave earthly wisdom and trust instead upon the Lord!
C. Lk 19:10 I say we need more courageous Thomas's willing to reach out and teach the lost of this world!

II A SEARCHING SEEKING AND LEARNING THOMAS (Jn 14: 5)

1. Here we find a familiar passage.
A. Christ is giving comfort to his disciples.
B. However, they just don't seem to understand.
C. Acts 1: 1-6 we know that Thomas wasn't the only one who didn't get it.
D. However, Thomas is the only one who questioned it.
2. I say we need more searching, seeking, and learning Thomas's in the church today!
A. Gal 1: 6-9 think of the difference it would have made if the Galatians had asked a question or two.
3. What will searching, seeking, and learning accomplish for us today?
A. Mt 7: 15 it will help us avoid false teaching.
B. 1Co 12: 25 it will help us avoid division among ourselves.
C. Titus 3: 9 it will help us avoid strife among ourselves.