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Sermon Today’s Gospel ( John 20: 19-31 )

Sermon Today’s Gospel ( John 20: 19-31 ). Okbe Zemede St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church 5333 St. Bernard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122 May 12, 2013 (2 nd Sunday of Easter). Christ is Risen!. The Second Sunday of Easter = ዳግማይ ትንሳኤ = Thomas Sunday= anti- pascha.

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Sermon Today’s Gospel ( John 20: 19-31 )

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  1. SermonToday’s Gospel (John 20: 19-31) OkbeZemede St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church5333 St. Bernard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70122May 12, 2013 (2nd Sunday of Easter)

  2. Christ is Risen! • The Second Sunday of Easter = ዳግማይትንሳኤ = Thomas Sunday= anti-pascha.

  3. Today’s Gospel Reading - Main Point Christ appearance on Easter Day (John 20:19-23) Christ appearance on 2nd Sunday of Easter (John 20:24-29) The Purpose of John’s Gospel (John 20:30-31)

  4. On Easter Sunday - Morning • Fearing the Jewish leaders, the apostles were huddling behind locked doors! • The memory of Good Friday was still in in their mind (the pain, agony, crucifixion, the death of Christ on the cross). They fear that as he was executed, they too, can be executed. • Though Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” • They didn’t believe her & “they still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead”, V 9)

  5. On Easter Sunday - Evening • Christ appeared to them, and said “Peace be with you” (3 times) • After that Christ showed them the marks on his body and his side and the disciples overjoyed when they saw the Lord. • How happy are you to see your loved one who has been a way? Especially If that person went through so much?

  6. The Risen Christ is our Joy & our Peace •   Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27) • Let the peace of Christ be ruling in our hearts (Col 3:15) •  For the kingdom of God is … peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17; Mat 10:13) • The heart that has been agonized by the event of Good Friday is now filling with joy. • The Divine peace of the Risen Christ reached their heart. • The king of peace opened their mind & they began to realize that there is Resurrection after Crucifixion

  7. On Easter Sunday - Evening • 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’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” • Just as a president grant an ambassador the power to represent the interest of his nation in a foreign land.

  8. Easter is about renewal of mind & spirit • Christ breathed onto the disciples just as God breathed life into the first man (the original creation) • The Spirit came, filled the disciples with faith rather than fear for He say, “Do not be afraid I am the first & last (Rev 1.17) • Renewed & encouraged by the power of the resurrection, they began to witness His Resurrection. • The coming of the Holy Spirit is like rising to life from the death. • Easter is the birthday of the Church (individually & Collectively) • Easter is about being filled with the breath of God and understand more the will of God.

  9. The Second Sunday of Easter

  10. Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas • Thomas was not with the apostles on Easter-day and when the disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”, he, seeking evidence, refuses to believe that Christ is risen (wants to see &touch). • Christ appeared to them, again (in the same way…) and showed Thomas His marks and told him “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” • Thomas replied, “My Lord and my God!”

  11. Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas • This encounter was a turning point for Thomas • Thomas began to look up with the eyes of faith & deeper understanding • Christ touched Thomas’ heart and Thomas says “My Lord and my God!” • Remember St. Paul, Struck by Christ’s Light,changed forever (his deed, perception, name from Saul of Tarsus to ST. PAUL • Christ wants us to open the gate of our heart • Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me (Rev 3:20)

  12. Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas • Though Thomas was relying only on evidence, when he saw the Risen Christ, he trusted, surrendered and believed. • Christ told him “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.” • Faith is another (6th) sense for Christians "for without faith we cannot come to God”. • When we Trust in Him, surrender, believe, we receive joy that cannot come from anything else. • Those who haven’t seen Christ’s physical wounds and yet believe, are called “..blessed”

  13. Thomas opens his mind & Christ touches Thomas • Out of a true repentance Thomas cries out "My Lord and My God" (Jon 20:28). • Those wonderful words of Thomas, "My Lord and My God” have become personal prayers for many Christians today. • Through God’s mercy, Thomas became a role model Apostle. • We are invited to approach the throne of Mercy and cry out with Thomas • Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4:16)

  14. Glory Be To God Forever, Amen!

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