Most of us have dueling natures, one that is curious, unsure, yet daring to ask questions and be authentic about our doubts, another, content, confident in the past, no longer seeking answers, yet fearful of the unknown.
1. Dealing With Our Didymus
John 20:24-25 (NIV) 24
Now Thomas
(called Didymus - twin), one of the
Twelve, was not with the disciples
when Jesus came. 25
So the other
disciples told him, “We have seen the
Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I
see the nail marks in his hands and put
my finger where the nails were, and put
my hand into his side, I will not believe
it.”
2. Dealing With Our Didymus
James 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4
But let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing. 5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God,
who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will
be given to him.
All of us are waiting for something, reconciliation,
removal from a place, redemption, restitution
accomplished, rehabilitation, and a reception back to a
more peaceful place or existence. Thomas was waiting
for something as well, and he made a most unique
request or some might say an ultimatum - “Unless I see
the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not
believe it.” Most of us have dueling natures, one that is
curious, unsure, yet daring to ask questions and be
authentic about our doubts, another, content, confident
in the past, no longer seeking answers, yet fearful of the
unknown. It is comforting to know that our All Wise God
is open to any question we pose to Him.
3. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Energy of Didymus – I am Chosen
• Mark 3:13-15 (NKJV) 13
And He went up on the
mountain and called to Him those He Himself
wanted. And they came to Him. 14
Then He
appointed twelve, that they might be with Him
and that He might send them out to preach, 15
and
to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out
demons:
• Deuteronomy 7:6 (NKJV) 6
“For you are a holy
people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God
has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a
special treasure above all the peoples on the face
of the earth.
4. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Environment of Didymus – I have
Characteristics
John 20:24 (NLT) 24
One of the disciples,
Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not
with the others when Jesus came.
Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) 25
There is a way
that seems right to a man, But its end is
the way of death.
Romans 7:14-25
5. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Enemies of Didymus
Obstacles (dead but unmoved issues)
Comfortable hurts – things we have become
used to
Created habits – ways that we approve of
handling situations and circumstances
6. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Enemies of Didymus
Opposition (daily – life issues)
Critical hindrances – active, seemingly
unavoidable dilemmas
Calculated hindrances – elements that seek to
kill or destroy faith and hope
7. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Enemies of Didymus
Obvious Objections (deposited - personal
issues)
Conscious Consumers – inside barriers
Character Consumers – outside barriers
8. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Education of Didymus – I need Christ
• Romans 8:1 (NKJV) 1
There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit.
• John 14:6 (NIV) 6
Jesus answered, “I am the way
and the truth and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me.
• Proverbs 16:7 (NKJV) 7
When a man’s ways please
the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at
peace with him.
9. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Education of Didymus – I need
Christ
Opinions – Clear help
The experience of others
John 20:19-20 (NIV) 19
On the evening of that
first day of the week, when the disciples were
together, with the doors locked for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, “Peace be with you!” 20
After he said this,
he showed them his hands and side. The
disciples were overjoyed when they saw the
Lord.
10. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Education of Didymus – I need
Christ
Openings – Clear help
The edification by others
John 20:21-23 (NIV) 21
Again Jesus said, “Peace
be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am
sending you.” 22
And with that he breathed on
them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23
If you
forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if
you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
11. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Education of Didymus – I need
Christ
Opportunities - Clear help
The exposure by others
John 20:24-25 (NIV) 24
Now Thomas (called
Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the
disciples when Jesus came. 25
So the other
disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail
marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will
not believe it.”
12. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Expectation of Didymus
John 20:25 (NIV)25
…But he said to them, “Unless I
see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger
where the nails were, and put my hand into his side,
I will not believe it.”
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) 7
“Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will
be opened to you. 8
For everyone who asks receives;
he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened.
James 1:4-5 (NKJV) 4
But let patience have its perfect
work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking
nothing. 5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of
God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach,
and it will be given to him.
13. Dealing With Our Didymus
The Erosion of Didymus
John 20:26-28
An appointment with destiny
The apprehension of distance
The access the deliverer provides
The announcement of deliverance
14. Dealing With Our Didymus
John 20:26-28 (NIV) 26
A week later his
disciples were in the house again, and
Thomas was with them. Though the
doors were locked, Jesus came and
stood among them and said, “Peace be
with you!” 27
Then he said to Thomas,
“Put your finger here; see my hands.
Reach out your hand and put it into my
side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my
God!”