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August 4th 2009, 10:25 am by 
John 14
Three Questions
John 14.1-14
Did you know the bulk of the material we have on Thomas and Philip are found in John’s gospel
Why did Jesus use Thomas and Philip in his illustration on comfort?
Perhaps because their characters resemble ours so much
• Thomas was the skeptical disciple- we already discussed how he was willing to die for Jesus at one point but later he doubted the resurrection.
• Philip was a rational disciple- he was zealous in the beginning bringing Nathaniel and some Greeks to Christ but when Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000 it was Philip who said, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Can you relate to having moments of doubt or lacking faith in God’s power?
I. The question of Thomas
What question did Thomas ask?
“So how can we know the way?”
Jesus points to himself as the way, the truth, and the life
a. All of the theology found in the gospel of John can be summed up in this one verse (6)
• He makes a very exclusive claim and doesn’t apologize for that
• He doesn’t suggest he knew a way or would teach them a way, but that he was the way
b. What lessons do you think Thomas learned from Jesus response
• Thomas understood what Jesus was talking about. He had a sound foundation in Jewish theology, but what they didn’t understand was how to get there
• Is Jesus really questioning Thomas faith when he says “If you really knew me”
• Of course not, but he is calling Thomas into a deeper relationship with him. When we lack faith Jesus doesn’t say get rebaptized, instead later in John he tells Thomas to “stop doubting and believe”
II. The question of Philip
What question did Philip ask?
"Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
• Philip as a rational person wanted something tangible to connect to the father and Jesus again points to himself
• By knowing Jesus, you know the father
What comfort does it bring to have this confidence that we know the father through Jesus?
III. The question of purpose
• No one specifically asks this question, but Jesus always gives a challenge after an opportunity to teach
• By comforting their biggest concerns at the time, he was able to direct them to there purpose. In other words, take the focus off of yourself and direct it towards other people
Think about a fear you have this moment and how Jesus can fix it. Now use that energy and direct it towards others.
Three Questions
John 14.1-14
Did you know the bulk of the material we have on Thomas and Philip are found in John’s gospel
Why did Jesus use Thomas and Philip in his illustration on comfort?
Perhaps because their characters resemble ours so much
• Thomas was the skeptical disciple- we already discussed how he was willing to die for Jesus at one point but later he doubted the resurrection.
• Philip was a rational disciple- he was zealous in the beginning bringing Nathaniel and some Greeks to Christ but when Jesus wanted to feed the 5,000 it was Philip who said, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Can you relate to having moments of doubt or lacking faith in God’s power?
I. The question of Thomas
What question did Thomas ask?
“So how can we know the way?”
Jesus points to himself as the way, the truth, and the life
a. All of the theology found in the gospel of John can be summed up in this one verse (6)
• He makes a very exclusive claim and doesn’t apologize for that
• He doesn’t suggest he knew a way or would teach them a way, but that he was the way
b. What lessons do you think Thomas learned from Jesus response
• Thomas understood what Jesus was talking about. He had a sound foundation in Jewish theology, but what they didn’t understand was how to get there
• Is Jesus really questioning Thomas faith when he says “If you really knew me”
• Of course not, but he is calling Thomas into a deeper relationship with him. When we lack faith Jesus doesn’t say get rebaptized, instead later in John he tells Thomas to “stop doubting and believe”
II. The question of Philip
What question did Philip ask?
"Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
• Philip as a rational person wanted something tangible to connect to the father and Jesus again points to himself
• By knowing Jesus, you know the father
What comfort does it bring to have this confidence that we know the father through Jesus?
III. The question of purpose
• No one specifically asks this question, but Jesus always gives a challenge after an opportunity to teach
• By comforting their biggest concerns at the time, he was able to direct them to there purpose. In other words, take the focus off of yourself and direct it towards other people
Think about a fear you have this moment and how Jesus can fix it. Now use that energy and direct it towards others.
