04-12-2026 Bestowing the Spirit (John 20:19-31)

Bestowing the SpiritJohn 20:19-31John 20:19-3119 When it was evening on that first day of the week, the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because they feared the Jews. Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”20 Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side. So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” 22 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.”26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even 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 and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.”28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.The Mission of God (Mission Dei)1. God, who is love, is missional and has a mission.2. Scripture bears witness to God’s mission.3. The church is called and sent to participate in this mission.“Peace be with you.”Having said this, he showed them his hands and his side.“Peace be with you.”John 20:22-2322 After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”John 20:28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!”1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission.2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21).Who is it that you are seeking?• Rabboni! My Teacher! (vs. 16)• “I have seen the Lord.” (vs. 18)• “...the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.” (vs. 20)• “We’ve seen the Lord!” (vs. 25)• “My Lord and my God!” (vs. 28)John 20:23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission.2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21).3. In our “sent-ness,” we are given a task– forgiveness and retaining.To forgive (aphiemi)to release, to dismissJohn 20:31 But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.Sin is taken away when unbelief is removed, and people are restored to a relationship with God.To retain (krateō)to hold to accountJohn 15:26-27 26 “When the Counselor comes, the one I will send to you from the Father —the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—he will testify about me. 27 You also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.1. God has a mission, and the church is called and sent to participate in this mission.2. As disciples, we are called and sent by the power of the Holy Spirit (20:21).3. In our “sent-ness,” we are given a task– forgiveness and retaining.4. As disciples, we are to voice our convictions in a world where the truth is not obvious.