Sermons

John 20:19-23
This morning I'm going to talk about how Jesus gives us peace, power and purpose in life! 3 precious things we all want and need!
Jesus taught for 3 years, was put to death by wicked people. Turns out that was part of God's larger plan to recue mankind. He was buried in a tomb and on the third day he rose again – literally bursting out of the grave defeating death's power once and for all.
We pick up the story in John 20:19-23 – not all the disciples know that Jesus has risen. Since his arrest they had scattered and were in fear, because the Jewish and Roman authorities hate Jesus and his followers. And so they are fearful for their lives.
Read passage
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (ESV)
They are in lockdown. Jesus comes to give us peace and purpose and power.
They are behind locked door in fear for their lives – much as many of you are, although for different reasons. Jesus appears in the middle of the room. Not as a ghost – he says in Luke 24:39 touch me, touch my scars. Here he shows them.
Jesus can go where no-one else can go. He can go where lockdown can't let you. He can go where no counsellor can help Where no doctor can treat, no love can touch, no enemy can hurt. There is no place where Jesus bringing peace can't reach you. No depth he cannot reach close to.
Peace
First thing Jesus does is say to them “Peace be with you” – before giving them anything to do or power to do it. He gives us peace. Not many years later the Apostle Paul who wrote most of the New Testament wrote “For he himself is our peace”. The peace Jesus gives was accomplished on the cross, which is what Jesus immediately shows them his scars on his hands and side.

As John Piper wrote I am the one who died. I am the one you abandoned. And I am the one who was “pierced for your transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). And the reason I can offer you peace is because by my blood I have covered all your sins.
If you trust me they won't be held against you. The wrath of God is turned away. That's what Paul meant when he said, “Christ reconciled us both to God through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” All the hostility between God and us was absorbed on the cross. Here, look at my side and my hands. I made peace with these. Justice was satisfied with these. Peace between you and God (and me) was established with these.

Jesus gives us peace between us and God – all our wrongdoing is forgiven and we can be friends with God.
Jesus gives us peace between us and other believers – we are all one, united by Jesus. Old and young, white and black, rich and poor, whatever your background, whatever you have done – it's all a level playing field. We have peace with each other.
Jesus gives is peace between us and ourselves. Heb 9:14 tells our conscience is purified. You may say I can't forgive myself, but God has and so you can.
Jesus gives us peace with the world. His kingdom is ever increasing and one day there will be peace reigning.
We receive that peace by faith – Rom 5:1 Therefore since we have been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Power
Once peace is settled Jesus gives them power – he breathed on them and says Receive the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for Spirit is breath or wind, so that's why Jesus breathed on them. We get power from Jesus in the Holy Spirit who dwells within us giving us power to be like Jesus, act like Jesus and think more and more like Jesus.
Lastly Jesus gives Purpose
As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you. We are sent people – even in lockdown. Sent on a mission to bring God's peace in the power of the Spirit. Even in the middle of a lockdown.
I am sent to you! To tell you God loves you and wants you to have peace with Him and with others through Jesus Christ. It's a free gift for you, but it cost Jesus everything. He died for you exchanging his life for yours to take the wrath of God for your wrong and mess. All you have to do is believe in his death and resurrection and ask Him to be your Boss or Lord.
Then you can receive his peace and His power to not only get through life, but to have purpose.
Let's pray
Firstly if you want to put your trust in Jesus pray along with me.
Secondly I'm going to pray for God's Spirit to fill us all.

Questions
1) What does it mean to you to have Jesus standing among us?
2) What does God's peace look like?
3) The disciples got to see Jesus' hand and side physically, how can we prove the resurrection to a friend?
4) What are you sent to do?
5) Pray for each other to receive the power of the Spirit afresh.