Audio Sermons

Faith in the Risen Christ
Life B-P Church Easter Sunday Service, 5 April 2026
Text: John 20:19-31

The Appearances of the Resurrected Christ:

• Jesus made at least ten appearances during the forty days before His ascension up to heaven.
• His fourth appearance took place at about 8:00 pm on the Sunday when He had resurrected from the dead.
• The disciples did not believe the reports about Jesus being alive. It was only when He appeared to them that they believed.
• As Thomas was not present, he continued to live in fear and unbelief until the fifth appearance of Jesus on the following Sunday.
• What stands out in this account is the importance of having faith in the risen Christ.

1.    It Brings Lasting Peace and Joy to Troubled Hearts (vv.18-20)

a.    Lasting Peace

• Jesus calmed the storms that raged in their hearts by saying, 
  “Peace be unto you.” (vv. 19, 21, 26; cf. John 14:27)
• Now His body bears the marks which testify of it. (v.20)
• His work on the cross is your source of peace (Romans 5:1).
• When you have peace with God, you can also have the peace of God which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).
• This peace does not depend on having peaceful circumstances.
  
  Application: Let Jesus bring His perfect peace and rest to your troubled heart. 

b.    Lasting Joy

• The disciples were glad when they saw the Lord (v.20).
• Jesus had told them in 16:22 that it would be a lasting joy.
• This joy can be yours when you look to your Saviour.
  
  Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus and believe in Him. (Cf. Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:6; 1 Corinthians 12:9)

2.    It is the Basis for the Church’s Mission on Earth (vv.21-29).

• Jesus commissioned His disciples in v.21.
• Their mission can be carried out only because He has risen from the dead. (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:17)
• Without this they would have no power to proclaim the good news effectively (v.22).
• Jesus may have had the Church in mind when He appeared to those disciples. (v.29)
• These events happened on two Sundays (vv.18,26).
  
  Application: Look forward to each Lord’s Day when you can meet Christ together with others by faith. (Cf. Hebrews 10:25)

3.    It Saves You when You Confess Christ as Your Lord and Saviour (vv.30-31)

• The only way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 16:31)
• If you truly believe in Him, you will confess that He is your Lord and Saviour.
• John’s Gospel was written to enable readers to learn about Jesus and especially about His many miraculous signs which prove that He is the Christ, the Son of God.
• Only God could have known everything that Thomas said. (vv.25, 27)
  
  Application: Acknowledging that Jesus is both Lord and God is not good enough. He must be your Lord and your God. 

Conclusion
Jesus has not changed the way that He deals with people:

• If you are a sinner, He calls you to trust Him to save you from your sins and from eternal death.
• If you are already saved, He calls you to fulfill the mission He has sent you to fulfill, trusting Him to work in you and through you.
• If you are fearful and troubled, He calls you to trust Him to bring peace and joy into your life. 

Do not be faithless any more, but believing in the Risen Christ!