Character Studies - ElectronicGospel

. some treat assemblies and classes as unfair requirements, but until one sees them asundeserved blessings, it is difficult to convince them to be where Thomas was not, so that they do notmiss out and become doubtful as he did3. we have a responsibility to God, ourselves and one another when the church assembles (Hebrews10:24-25)a. willful absence is like skipping a days’ worth of meals or not going into work for weeks at atime and still expecting to be nourished and rewardedb. willful absence is evidence of a lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:15-16)D. Senses and Faith1. for eight days, Thomas sat alone among the 11 surviving apostles in disbelief, resisting theirtestimony and insisting on handling the wounded body of Jesus2. he had not yet learned to walk by faith rather than by sight (Hebrews 11:1-3)3. it is ironic, for Thomas could have been the very first person to believe in the resurrected Jesusby virtue of apostolic testimony, but he would not, and then it became Thomas’s mission in life to go outand give that testimony in order to make believers and disciples (see Acts 1:21-22)4. John commented on Thomas’s experience (John 21:30-31, 21:24-25)a. faith in Christ is far from blind, but it must also transcend physical experience and reachdown into the believing soul (Second Corinthians 4:16-18, 5:7)b. if you have to put your fingers into the wounds of Christ, you will die in your disbelief, forsuch is impossible today; though you do not see, will you believe?ConclusionCharacter Studies! 157