Then Came Jesus - Pastor Stacey Shiflett
- Pastor Shiflett
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Then Came Jesus
John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Intro: When Jesus shows up, things happen.
In fact, a whole list of things happened.
Guess when it happened? On the first day of the week!
And guess where it happened? Where God’s people were assembled!
We cannot begin to imagine the anxiety and fear that these disciples were dealing with.
They had left their careers, businesses, families, livelihood – all to follow Jesus.
And
Jesus showing up changed everything.
Here are just a few of the things that transpired WHEN JESUS CAME.
A. The Peace that was Timely
· 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
They assembled on the first day of the week.
Their hearts were full of fear over the events of the past week.
They were in hiding – shivering behind closed doors.
They immediately went from fear to peace – all because Jesus came and stood in their midst.
There’s nothing more consoling to the heart of God’s people than when JESUS SHOWS UP!!
Throughout the week, things occur that bring fear and anxiety into the hearts of God’s people.
Every time I’ve ever gone to church, God has brought peace and calmness to my soul.
That’s what God specializes in.
David said it like this in Psalm 23:
· 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
· 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
· 3 He restoreth my soul:
He went on to say: 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
One of the many joys of assembling with God’s people is when Jesus shows up and speaks peace to my soul.
B. The Proof that was Thrilling
· 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.
I find it fascinating that Thomas was dogmatic about what he would have to see to believe (vs. 25).
But if he had been there, he’d have seen it!
Jesus said, “Peace be unto you…” and then proceeded to show irrefutable proof of how they could have peace.
One thing is certain – God will show you things about Himself at church.
And He will show you things at church that He won’t show you at your house.
Paul called the church of the living God “the pillar and ground of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15
God will show you things; verify things; prove things; confirm things at the house of God.
C. The Purpose that was Timeless
· 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.
Jesus says it again. “Peace be unto you.”
Do you think Jesus knew how afraid they were?
Do you think Jesus had an idea of what they had been going through for the past few days?
But joined and connected to the CONSOLATION and the CONFIRMATION was a Divine COMMISSION.
“…as my Father hath sent me…” WHAT A STATEMENT!!
Can you believe this? EVEN SO SEND I YOU.
There is no doubt that Jesus was sent by God into the world.
Jesus repeated this over and over again. (9 times in John alone.)
· John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
The same authority. – All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28)
The same purpose.
The same power.
· John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
The reason we know that it was timeless is because of what Jesus said in Matthew 28:20.
· …and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
D. The Presence that was Tender
· 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:
Don’t ask me to explain this verse. I don’t have to.
The church was clearly empowered and baptized with the Holy Ghost in Acts 2 at Pentecost.
But there is no question – the disciples experienced and unprecedented moving of God in John 20:22.
One thing is clear – Jesus breathed on them.
This was the same act of God that brought life into the dust of the ground in Genesis 2:7.
The
Those that were assembled experienced the touch and the breath of the Resurrected Lord.
How many of you this morning are a candidate to experience the breath of Almighty God on them?
How many of you want the moving of the Holy Spirit to personally touch your life today?
E. The Priority that was Transformative
· 23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
It does NOT mean the apostles (or any man) have the power to personally forgive sins.
Scripture is clear that only God can forgive sins.
· Mark 2:7 Who can forgive sins but God only?
No preacher, priest, or apostle has independent authority to remove sin.
This verse is tied directly to:
Their commission (they are being sent)
Their message (the gospel)
The authority connected to declaring that message
They were given authority to declare forgiveness through the gospel
Jesus is giving His disciples authority to proclaim the terms of forgiveness.
When they preach the Gospel, if a person believes, their sins are forgiven.
When they preach the Gospel, if a person rejects, their sins remain.
In other words, they are not granting forgiveness, they are announcing God’s forgiveness based on response to the Gospel.
Think of it like a messenger or ambassador.
They are declaring what God has already determined:
· “Remit” = declare forgiven
· “Retain” = declare still in sin
The disciples were sent to preach remission of sins, not personally administer it.
· Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…
Jesus was saying, “As you go preach the gospel, you have authority to declare to people:
If they believe—God has forgiven them.
If they reject—God has not forgiven them.
When you preach to the repentant sinner, “Your sins are forgiven through Jesus Christ.”
When you preach to the unbeliever: “You remain in your sins.”
You are doing exactly what John 20:23 describes.
Conclusion: When talking to the church, Jesus said this:
· Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
When you miss church, you miss a lot.
What a tragedy it would be for Jesus to show up, and for us to NOT show up.
· John 20:24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.