THINGS THOMAS MISSED

John 20:19-29

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. In this lesson, we want to deal with the problem of attendance.
      1. Attendance seems to be a problem in nearly all churches.
         Why is this so?
         a. Some, of course, have a legitimate excuse and cannot
            attend when they really want to. This is not the
            situation we are dealing with in this lesson.
         b. Some have a denominational background where they
            were led to believe that attendance is not importance.
            They need instruction.
         c. Some come from older country churches which meet
            only once a week. Thus, they think that all other
            services than the one on Sunday morning are optional.
            Again, they need instruction.
         d. Some are lukewarm; they know they should attend, but
            lack true devotion to the Lord.
   B. There are two ways to approach the problem of attendance. 
      1. We can look at the severe consequences for not attending.
         Reverence and fear toward God causes us to attend every
         service. We all need the fear of God in our hearts.
      2. We can look at the benefits for attending. We will try to do
         this in this lesson. What did Thomas miss by not being there
         on that first day of the week?
         a. We don't know why Thomas was not there (one could
            only speculate as to the reason), but we do know some
            things he necessarily missed because he was not there.

I. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord. vs. 20
   A. Jesus had tried to prepare His disciples for what was to come.
      John 16:20-22
      1. Consider the happiness and rejoicing on that first day when
         they saw the Lord alive again. Matt. 28:5-10

II. He missed the comfort of other disciples.
   A. They all had spent at least three years of close fellowship
      with the Lord.
      1. At this time they had many things to talk about. They all
         had shared a common disappointment. Luke 24:21
   B. At that time in the upper room they would have been sharing a
      common benefit from being together. 
      1. Comfort - 1 Thess. 4:18; 5:11
      2. Prayer - Phil. 4:6-7
      3. From the Scriptures - Rom. 15:4 (To recall certain verses in
         time of need does much good).
   C. Thomas missed all these things because he was not there.

III. He missed the evidence he needed to remove doubt.
   A. For a whole week after this, Thomas remained in his doubt (vs.
      26). The other disciples were convinced, but not Thomas.
   B. Generally, attendance is a faith problem. The weak who look for
      an excuse will find one. The strong, who face the same problems
      and difficulties as other people do, somehow manage to always
      attend.
   C. Attendance will help build our faith. "...Increase our faith."
      Luke 17:5; Rom. 10:17
      1. How often have preachers prepared a sermon just for certain
         ones and they do not attend?
      2. We must preach this type of lessons on Sunday mornings
         instead of on Sunday nights because the ones who need them
         most won't be here.

IV. He missed the charge given by Jesus on that occasion. vs. 22-23
   A. This is the nearest thing in John's account to the great
      commission.
      1. This was a figure of the Spirit which was to come upon them
         on the day of Pentecost.
         a. The Lord was committing to these men the teaching
            upon which remission of sins would hedge.
         b. People would have their sins remitted on the basis of the
            truth revealed through these men.
      2. Thomas didn't hear it because he wasn't there; I'm sure he
         learned about it, but he had to learn it second hand.
      3. It's possible that the Lord could come during one or our
         worship services. What if you are not here? Will your
         excuse, which is evidently satisfactory to you, be
         satisfactory to the Lord?
         a. What if the very thing dealt with in our Bible classes is
            what your children need to cause them to remain faithful
            all their lives was missed because you did not make that
            special effort to get them here?

V. He missed the honor shared by not being there.
   A. When you talk about a doubter, who do you think of? Doubting
      John? Doubting Peter?
   B. Even though the doubt was later removed (and the Lord forgave
      him); nevertheless, the scare remained.
      1. Like big nails in the wall; you can pull out the nails, but
         what does it leave?
      2. At our services we may receive the very strength we need to
         overcome a certain temptation. Luke 8:13; Mark 14:38

Now, let's go back and look at the same points we have observed from
the story of Thomas. Remember, we are not appealing on the basis of
the consequences for not attending. Rather, we are emphasizing the
blessings for attending. What does a Christian gain for being with
the saints every time they come together?

I. We gain the joy of being with the Lord. Ps. 122:1
   A. The Lord is with us always, but in a special way when we gather
      in His name. Matt. 18:20
   B. We can find joy and comfort in the Lord. Psalm 16:11
      1. Let us rejoice in the Lord always. Psalm 100:1-5

II. We gain the comfort of being with the disciples of the Lord. 
   A. There are a lot of troubles in this old world.
      1. Ex. All the cursing and filthy language you have to hear in
         school or on the job; all the crime, news that's depressing,
         etc.
   B. Here, we have a place where we find a different world, where we
      can escape all those evils.
      1. We can draw strength from being with other Christians. We
         all have a common goal--to reach heaven someday, and we
         are working together to obtain it. 1 Thess. 4:16-18

III. We gain evidence needed to remove doubt.
   A. Faith is developed and strengthened through examining evidence.
      Heb. 11:1; John 20:30-31
      1. Often those who don't attend regularly miss the very lessons
         they need to build their faith.
      2. Anytime you miss a lesson you truly need, you miss that
         which builds toward salvation.
      3. Let us attend regularly so that we can grow in the grace and
         knowledge of the Lord.

IV. We witness the application of the charge given by Jesus.
   A. Sins are still being forgiven or retained on the same basis.
      1. If we are not always here, we may miss some important
         things that have to do with salvation.
      2. We might miss the joy of seeing some soul obey the Lord.
         a. Think back at the tears of joy, perhaps when a young
            person, a husband, or a wife, obeyed, and possibly
            during the Wed. night service. The most beautiful thing
            in the world is to see some soul obey the Lord.
      3. Even the procedures of withdrawing can be strengthening to
         those in attendance. There is something very rewarding
         about knowing we are trying to do as the Lord commanded.

V. We gain honor that rightfully belongs to the faithful.
   A. I know that it is good for me to be here at all services. James
      4:17
   B. There is a certain amount of self-esteem and honor among those
      who faithful serve the Lord. Rom. 12:10; 13:7; 1 Tim. 5:17;
      3:13
      1. Those who aren't attending faithfully don't have this honor.
      2. Usually, those who aren't attending faithfully aren't active
         in other good works.

Concl.
   A. Brethren, let me encourage you to not miss the services,
      unless, of course, there is just cause.
   B. If at all possible, assemble with the saints of God ever time
      they meet.

Chart #1
Things Thomas Missed
1. He missed the joy of seeing the Lord.
2. He missed the comfort of other disciples.
3. He missed the evidence to remove His doubt.
4. He missed the charge given by Jesus on that           
   occasion.
5. He missed the honor shared by not being there.

Chart #2
Things We Gain
1. We gain the joy of being with the Lord.
2. We gain the comfort of being with the disciples.
3. We gain evidence needed to remove doubt.
4. We witness the application of the charge given by          
   Jesus.
5. We gain honor that rightfully belongs to the faithful.