Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Peace through the Risen Jesus

George Gregory · August 3, 2022

John 20:19-31

sharonrpc.org/sermons/peace-through-the-risen-jesus

Summary

The disciples gather behind locked doors in fear, but the risen Jesus comes into their midst and speaks peace.
Christ gives peace by his presence: he does not abandon his people in confusion, danger, weakness, or mission.
Jesus sends the disciples as the Father sent him and gives the Holy Spirit, who teaches truth, assures believers of Christ's presence, and empowers gospel witness.
The authority to forgive or retain sins is ministerial, not independent: the church declares Christ's own gospel promise to believers and warning to those who reject him.
Jesus connects his greeting of peace with his wounded hands and side, showing that reconciliation with God was purchased by his atoning death and confirmed by resurrection.
Thomas moves from refusal to worship when the risen Christ graciously answers his weakness, confessing Jesus as his Lord and his God.
The Lord's Supper visibly sets forth Christ's sacrificed body and blood so that weak believers may feed on him by faith and have assurance strengthened.

What fear has led me to act as though the risen Jesus is absent from his gathered people?
How does the Spirit's presence give confidence for a mission that may bring opposition?
Am I trying to change hearts myself, or faithfully bearing witness while depending on the Spirit to convict?
On what authority may a believer hear and trust the declaration that his or her sins are forgiven?
How do Jesus' wounds connect the cross, resurrection, and peace with God?
Where has Christ patiently met weakness in my faith as he met Thomas?
Do I receive the Lord's Supper as Christ's appointed sign and seal, looking through the elements to him by faith?

Peace with God: Reconciliation secured by Christ's atoning sacrifice and assured by his bodily resurrection.
Mission: The risen Christ's sending of his church to announce repentance and forgiveness in his name to the nations.
Spirit of truth: The Holy Spirit who inspired the apostolic witness, teaches Christ's people, and convicts the world through the gospel.
Keys of the kingdom: Christ's authority entrusted to the church to declare forgiveness according to the gospel and retain sins where that gospel is rejected.
Propitiation: Christ's wrath-satisfying sacrifice by which divine justice is answered and sinners receive peace with God.
Lord's Supper: Christ's sacrament in which bread and wine signify and seal his once-for-all sacrifice to believers.