Born Again for the Beloved, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

In Peter’s first epistle, he begins with exuberant praise of God the Father because he has caused us to be born again in Jesus Christ. This is baptismal language and out of that we have a foundation for all the gifts that are ours in Jesus. This foundation can enable us to endure testings and trials because we know that we belong to God the Father and can now receive these trials as ways to encourage our faith and confidence in the work of Jesus.

Image: File:Saint_Peter-Sinai_(6th_Century).jpg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Believing Even if You Haven't Seen, John 20:19-31

Jesus said to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed?” Why is this so important for us today? Guest preacher Harrison Northey helps us to understand that we are truly blessed in our faith when we haven’t seen Jesus with our physical eyes.

Image: Doubting Thomas puts his finger in the risen Christ's lance, See page for author, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons. Image location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Doubting_Thomas_puts_his_finger_in_the_risen_Christ%27s_lance_Wellcome_V0034835.jpg

Bearing the Marks of Salvation, John 20.19-31

What happened to the Apostles when they encountered the risen Christ? How did they respond? How did Thomas respond to Jesus himself when he met him again? All of the Apostles were transformed by Jesus and the work that he accomplished on the cross for them and through his resurrection. And now, the question is, will you too be transformed as they were so long ago?

Image: The Maesta Altarpiece-The Incredulity of st.Thomas, by Duccio. [Public Domain] Image Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The-Maesta-Altarpiece-The-Incredulity-of-Saint-Thomas-1461_Duccio.jpg