Joh_20:19-23 (Luke 24)
Introduction:
1. What first Lord’s Day service do you remember?
Here is one that stands out in John’s mind.
2. Notice the week the disciples had come through.
3. Look at the condition of their spirit when they met.
4. Jesus met with them on that great day, and let’s notice three things that happened in that assembly:
I. THEY WERE COMFORTED
A. By What Was Not Said.
Jesus did not shame and criticize them.
B. By What Was Said.
Jesus greeted them with 'Shalom' or "Peace," and really wanted them to have the peace He could give them (Joh_20:19, Joh_20:21).
II. THEY WERE CONVINCED
When the Lord appears they were terrified and how does He convince them? What evidence? (Luk_24:37, Luk_24:38-39)
A. The Scars -- Luk_24:39
B. The Scriptures -- Luk_24:44-46; Isa_53:1; Psa.22
III. THEY WERE CHALLENGED
Joh_19:21-23 is John's record of the commission. They had been challenged before (Matt. 10) but now it is broader and greater. How would they respond?
A. This Would Be An Exalted Privilege
1. They would be ambassadors. Credentials.
2. They would go in the name of Christ.
3. They had a message for every man -- that every man needed to hear -- (2Co_1:1-5; 1Ti_1:1-12)
B. It Would Be Extremely Personal
Even as I send "you," that means Peter, James, etc.
1. Can we imagine the personal resolution on the part of each one as he hears he is to be sent!
2. Think how each one has a chance to talk of something like this.
Conclusion:
1. Follow these apostles after this Sunday meeting, do you think any said, "Well, I slept half way through it!" or "I didn't get much out of it!"
2. What effect did this meeting have on those present? How did it affect their conduct?
3. What can a "Sunday Service" do for you and me?
Thanx for this teaching (reminder) @Johann. I appreciate it very much.
A bit of transparency. Where I live, I have not been able to find an assembly where the important things of gathering remain important, and the unimportant aspects remain unimportant. I don’t know what your experience is, but for me, I have not found a way to get this disparity acknowledged, let alone addressed. I am definitely not trying to be opinionated, or have my personal needs or preferences met by a congregation. I am genuinely disenfranchised, and am met with strong resistance to any suggestion of even questioning the status quo. No matter where I gather with the saints, the prevailing milieu is that the essentials feel like options and the optional feels sacrosanct. I believe you may understand my plight, if not from personal experience from a strong dedication to keeping the important things important. Is what I am witnessing valid, or am I just being picky? I know the powerful way in which Paul addressed the Corinthian gathering over their misaligned priorities. I’m just not sure of my role, and my responsibility. Any thoughts?
Brother, your transparency is deeply appreciated, and your frustration is neither petty nor unspiritual. What you are observing is real and scripturally significant, not mere “pickiness,” and it touches a vital point of discipleship and ecclesiology.
First, you are correct to discern that gatherings of the saints must keep the weightier things weighty and the lighter things light. Jesus Himself rebuked the Pharisees for their upside-down priorities: “You tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others” (Matthew 23:23). What you describe, optional things treated as sacred while essentials are treated as dispensable, is precisely the kind of misalignment Jesus and Paul both confronted. In 1 Corinthians 11:17–34, Paul addresses the Corinthian church for allowing their gatherings to become about social class distinctions and personal indulgence rather than discerning the body and proclaiming Christ’s death. He even says, “When you come together, it is not for the better but for the worse” (v. 17). So yes, your concern is valid and biblical.
Second, your role in this must be rooted in humility and patience while also not shrinking from gentle correction where possible. Paul instructs Timothy, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). There is a way to raise questions without divisiveness, and there is a way to hold convictions without becoming bitter. That is hard, I know. But Christ calls us to bear with one another in love, even while laboring to bring our gatherings into greater conformity with His Word.
Third, your responsibility is first to continue seeking to obey God personally, regardless of what others around you do. You cannot control a whole congregation, but you can model worship in spirit and truth, and you can quietly speak up when you have opportunity to point back to Scripture. Paul writes in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” There may come a time when you are called to leave a congregation if its misaligned priorities truly distort or deny the gospel (Galatians 1:6–9)- but leaving over personal frustrations rather than over clear doctrinal compromise should never be the first resort.
Finally, remember that the church is Christ’s bride, and He is sanctifying her. She is imperfect now, but one day she will be presented to Him without spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:25–27). That means our gatherings may often fall short, yet the Lord is still at work. Your task is to persevere in love, pray for your leaders and your brothers and sisters, and strive for what builds up the body (1 Corinthians 14:12).
So no, brother, you are not just being picky. You are discerning something real. But the way you carry that discernment, with love, humility, patience, and a readiness to speak the truth when necessary, will either edify or discourage. Stay rooted in Christ, keep His cross central in your mind, and pray for wisdom. James 1:5 assures us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
J
I LOVE this, and I recieve it 100%. Thanks for the encouragement.
Please pray with me for The Bride of Jesus, and my (our) role as integral members, every part doing it’s work, laboring for the building up of itself in Love. I’m trying, but my human weakness meets its capacity, and I get frustrated and sad. Your words are most welcome. Thank you
Since my wife’s passing, brother, I’ve found myself more often in the valleys, with little sense of those mountaintop moments of joy and closeness to the Lord. I confess I feel far from His presence and struggle to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit in these days.
Yet even so, stay strong in Messiah, brother. He remains faithful, even when we walk through the shadows.
So many times I’ve questioned
Certain circumstances
Things I could not understand
Many times in trials
Weakness blurs my vision
And my frustration gets so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded
I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
So, when I look at all the victories
I’m reminded all that God has done for me
And it’s through the fire
My weakness is made strong, oh, yeah
He never promised
That the cross would not get heavy
And the hill would not be hard to climb
(He never)
He never offered
Our victories without fighting
But He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing
In the valley of decision
And the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up
And He will take you through the fire again
Yes, I know within myself
That I would surely perish
But if I trust by the hand of God
He’ll shield the flames again, again
No, He never promised
That the cross would not get heavy
And the hill would not be hard to climb
(He never)
No, no, He never offered
Our victories without fighting
He said help would always come in time, oh…
Just remember when you’re standing
In the valley of decision
And the adversary says give in
You just hold on, our Lord will show up
And He will take you through the fire again
So, just hold on, our Lord will show up
And He will take you through the fire again
(Never leave you)
Said He’d never leave me alone, no
(Never leave you)
Said He’d never leave me alone, no, no, no
Said He’d never leave me alone
@Johann
So sorry I missed this when you posted it. I am very sorry for the very difficult trial you have had to endure. I’m always here if you need encouragement. We can talk “off camera” if you ever want to.
