SERMON | John 20:19-31 | "Being Is Believing" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, Indiana

SERMON | John 20:19-31 | "Being Is Believing" by Rev. Joseph Sanford at Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, IndianaWe should invest ourselves in BEING disciples:loving, serving, and being an example for others.Let our lived experience being disciples also be a vessel through which we can grow in our faith.Let living like Jesus teach you more about Jesus and his way.Chances are very strong that we are not going to see Jesus like Thomas and the disciples did, but remember:“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.”Maybe we’ve put way too much stock into seeing.Maybe we spend far too much of ourselves and our precious time looking for what we expect to see and placing our hope of full-faith too much into our certainties.Maybe Jesus was instructing us in divine wisdom when he gives the commandments to:Serve others as he served us—be in the posture of a servant toward othershow can you view others as sacred?How can you work to NEVER look down on anyone elseRemind yourself to take the extra stepIf there’s a task or chore to be done, be the one to volunteer to do itLeave the better parking spot for someone who may need it moreClean up the dishes after a mealPay attention to who is around you and could use a friend—be that friendLove each other as I have loved you—give of yourself for othersBe wildly curious before you rush to judgment—ask questions when someone says or does something you don’t understand or with which you don’t agreeTreat everyone around you the same as you treat those you love mostBe quick to say others, “You go first”Go into the world as I have come to you—bringing peace and forgiveness.Be known for being the first to say “I’m sorry”See beyond the anger and a hatred of someone to find the fear-stricken soul underneath who relies on that rough exterior to protect themForgive people…and forgive yourself, so that you can better learn to forgive othersBEING a disciple allows Jesus to LEAD us into full-belief.We come to KNOW God by trusting Jesus to be THE WAY.We come to fully see the truth when we live it.So, no matter what is happening in your life,No matter what is happening in the worldNo matter how right or wrong things seemNo matter who you are, what you’ve done, or what you believe…BE a disciple of Jesus:Love—give of yourself for othersServe—place yourself below others in healthy waysNurture Peace—be a source of reconciliation, forgiveness, and mercyContinue, as a community of faith, to read scripture, learn tradition, make sense of our time together in this world, and BE disciples together to allow our experiences to continue to shape us into the people we are meant to be—blessed, whole, and alive.