Title: Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the d
1- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said
to them, "Peace be with you."
2- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said
to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said
this, He showed them His hands and His side.
3- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
4- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As
the Father has sent Me, I also send you."
5- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As
the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And
when He had said this, He breathed on them, and
said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit.
6- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As
the Father has sent Me, I also send 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 retain the sins of any, they are retained."
7- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As
the Father has sent Me, I also send 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 retain the sins of any, they are
retained." Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of
the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
8- Then, the same day at evening, being the first
day of the week, when the doors were shut where
the disciples were assembled, for fear of the
Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, 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.
So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As
the Father has sent Me, I also send 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 retain the sins of any, they are
retained." Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of
the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.
(John 2019-24)
9- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you."
10- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
11- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled?
12- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts?
13- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me
and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have."
14- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me
and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have." When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His feet.
15- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me
and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have." When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His feet. But while
they still did not believe for joy, and marveled,
He said to them, "Have you any food here?"
16- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me
and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have." When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His feet. But while
they still did not believe for joy, and marveled,
He said to them, "Have you any food here?" So
they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some
honeycomb.
17- Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself
stood in the midst of them, and said to them,
"Peace to you." But they were terrified and
frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And
why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold My
hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me
and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and
bones as you see I have." When He had said this,
He showed them His hands and His feet. But while
they still did not believe for joy, and marveled,
He said to them, "Have you any food here?" So
they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some
honeycomb. And He took it and ate in their
presence.
18- Then He said to them, "These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that
all things must be fulfilled which were written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me."
19- Then He said to them, "These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that
all things must be fulfilled which were written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures.
20- Then He said to them, "These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that
all things must be fulfilled which were written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is
written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ
to suffer and to rise from the dead the third
day, and that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem.
21- Then He said to them, "These are the words which
I spoke to you while I was still with you, that
all things must be fulfilled which were written
in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the
Psalms concerning Me." And He opened their
understanding, that they might comprehend the
Scriptures. Then He said to them, "Thus it is
written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ
to suffer and to rise from the dead the third
day, and that repentance and remission of sins
should be preached in His name to all nations,
beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of
these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My
Father upon you but tarry in the city of
Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on
high." (Luke 2436-49)
22What Thomas Missed
- Fellowship with his brethren, who could have
encouraged him.
- Hearing the words, "Peace be with you."
- Hearing the words, "As the Father has sent Me, I
also send you."
- Having his understanding "opened...that he
might comprehend the Scriptures."
23What Thomas Missed
- Having Jesus breathe on him.
- Being told to "Receive the Holy Spirit."
- Being told, "If you forgive the sins of any, they
are forgiven them if you retain the sins of any,
they are retained."
- An opportunity to see Jesus with his own eyes and
have his doubts erased, instead of spending
another week in continued disbelief.
24The Empty Pew
- Not the pew that is empty due to
- Physical sickness
- Injury
- Travel
- Unforeseen circumstances
25The Empty Pew
- The pew that is empty due to
- Spiritual sickness
- Lukewarmness
- Full-blown apostasy
26The Empty Pew
- The pew that is empty due to someone, in effect,
saying
27The Empty Pew
- The pew that is empty due to someone, in effect,
saying I have more important things to do than
to assemble with the saints.
28The Empty Pew
29The Empty Pew
- The pew that is empty, not because someones
plans to be sitting in it backfired
30The Empty Pew
- The pew that is empty, not because someones
plans to be sitting in it backfired, but because
someone simply did not plan to be sitting in it!
31The Empty Pew
- ...does not sing!
- ...does not pray!
- ...does not edify!
- ...does not teach or exhort!
- But the empty pew is not silent!
- In fact, the empty pew...
32The Empty Pew
- SHOUTS a great deal about the quality of some of
the Lords people and some of the Lords
churches!
33A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- Elijah went through a period of great
discouragement when he felt betrayed by others.
34A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done,
also how he had executed all the prophets with
the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to
Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and
more also, if I do not make your life as the life
of one of them by tomorrow about this time." And
when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life,
and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah,
and left his servant there.
35A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- But he himself went a day's journey into the
wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom
tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said,
"It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am
no better than my fathers!" Then as he lay and
slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel
touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."
Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake
baked on coals, and a jar of water.
36A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- So he ate and drank, and lay down again. And the
angel of the Lord came back the second time, and
touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, because
the journey is too great for you." So he arose,
and ate and drank and he went in the strength of
that food forty days and forty nights as far as
Horeb, the mountain of God.
37A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- And there he went into a cave, and spent the
night in that place and behold, the word of the
Lord came to him, and He said to him, "What are
you doing here, Elijah?" So he said, "I have been
very zealous for the Lord God of hosts for the
children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant,
torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets
with the sword. I alone am left and they seek to
take my life." (1 Kings 191-10)
38A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- This is how a gospel preacher feels when he sees
empty pews where members should be sitting.
39A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- Gospel preachers have a right to feel a sense of
betrayal when those who are supposed to be
Christians intentionally and willfully neglect
the worship of the Lord and the support of
faithful gospel preaching.
40A Discouragement to Gospel Preachers!
- Be diligent to come to me quickly for Demas
has forsaken me, having loved this present world,
and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for
Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with
me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is
useful to me for ministry.... At my first defense
no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it
not be charged against them. (2 Tim. 49-11, 16)
41A Discouragement toGospel Preachers!
- Be diligent to come to me quickly for Demas
has forsaken me, having loved this present world,
and has departed for Thessalonica--Crescens for
Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with
me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is
useful to me for ministry.... At my first defense
no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it
not be charged against them. (2 Tim. 49-11, 16).
42A Discouragement toPotential Converts!
- It is a serious enough matter to neglect and
reject the gospel of Jesus Christ for oneself.
43A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to
the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For
if the word spoken through angels proved
steadfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just reward, how shall we
escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which
at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and
was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.
(Heb. 21-3)
44A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- It is even more serious to cause others to
neglect and reject it.
45A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible
that no offenses should come, but woe to him
through whom they do come! It would be better for
him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and
he were thrown into the sea, than that he should
offend one of these little ones." (Luke 171-2)
46A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- The child of God who chooses not to assemble is
not only neglecting and rejecting the great
salvation that is in Christ Jesus, but is also
causing others to do so, by his/her influence.
47A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went
down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to
Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they
preached the word of God in the synagogues of the
Jews. They also had John as their assistant. Now
when they had gone through the island to Paphos,
they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a
Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the
proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.
48A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought
to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer
(for so his name is translated) withstood them,
seeking to turn the proconsul away from the
faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled
with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and
said,
49A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- "O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of
the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will
you not cease perverting the straight ways of the
Lord? And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is
upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the
sun for a time."
50A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he
went around seeking someone to lead him by the
hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw
what had been done, being astonished at the
teaching of the Lord. (Acts 134-12)
51A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- The empty pew will not and cannot have a positive
influence on the lost.
52A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- "Let your light so shine before men, that they
may see your good works and glorify your Father
in heaven." (Matt. 516)
53A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- The empty pew says to the non-Christian,
54A Discouragement to Potential Converts!
- The empty pew says to the non-Christian, It is
not really all that important to do what the
Bible says.
55A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects indifference and lack of concern for
spiritual goals.
56A Discouragement to Other Members!
- And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and
teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the
work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ, till we all come to the unity of the
faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ that we should no longer
be children, tossed to and fro and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery...
57A Discouragement to Other Members!
- ... of men, in the cunning craftiness of
deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in
love, may grow up in all things into Him who is
the head--Christ-- from whom the whole body,
joined and knit together by what every joint
supplies, according to the effective working by
which every part does its share, causes growth of
the body for the edifying of itself in love.
(Eph. 411-16)
58A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Surely our goals in assembling together for the
worship of God are the highest.
- Why do we assemble?
- Why are you here today?
59A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here to edify and to be edified?
- The empty pew says
60A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here to edify and to be edified?
- The empty pew says I dont want to edify or to
be edified!
- Are you here because you want to grow
spiritually?
- The empty pew says
61A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here to edify and to be edified?
- The empty pew says I dont want to edify or to
be edified!
- Are you here because you want to grow
spiritually?
- The empty pew says I dont needor dont
wantto develop myself spiritually!"
62A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here out of concern for the body of
Christ?
- The empty pew says
63A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here out of concern for the body of
Christ?
- The empty pew says I am not concerned for the
church!
- Are you here because you want to prepare yourself
to help save the lost?
- The empty pew says
64A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here out of concern for the body of
Christ?
- The empty pew says I am not concerned for the
church!
- Are you here because you want to prepare yourself
to help save the lost?
- The empty pew says I am not concerned about the
saving of a soul!
65A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here because you want to go to heaven?
- The empty pew says
66A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Are you here because you want to go to heaven?
- The empty pew says I dont know for sure that I
even want to go to heaven!
67A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
68A Discouragement to Other Members!
- Then the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will
surely buy it from you for a price nor will I
offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with
that which costs me nothing." So David bought the
threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of
silver. (2 Sam. 2424)
69A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice.
70A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice unto the Lord my God.
71A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice unto the Lord my God that
which costs.
72A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice unto the Lord my God that
which costs me.
73A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice unto the Lord my God that
which costs me nothing.
74A Discouragement to Other Members!
- It reflects an unwillingness to sacrifice!
- There are five basic attitudes toward sacrifice.
- I will not sacrifice unto the Lord my God that
which costs me nothing.
- Some will only sacrifice that which they cannot
use for anything else.
75A Discouragement to Other Members!
- We all could be doing other things than attending
a gospel meeting this week.
- Unfortunately, there are probably some who will
be doing other things.
- Thus, their pews will be empty.
- They will be saying Sorry, God, but I have
something more important to do.
76An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Satan wants us to be lost!
77An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the
devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour. (1 Peter 58)
78An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Satan wants us to be lost.
- The empty pew encourages him in his efforts to
keep and/or pull people away from God.
79An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Satan and his ministers have many wiles,
schemes or fiery darts with which they would
take advantage of us.
80An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive.
For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have
forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence
of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of
us for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2
Cor. 210-11) - But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived
Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
(2 Cor. 113)
81An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Satan and his ministers have many wiles,
schemes or fiery darts with which they would
take advantage of us.
- The person who would be sitting in the empty pew
is telling Satan, as it were
82An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Satan and his ministers have many wiles,
schemes or fiery darts with which they would
take advantage of us.
- The person who would be sitting in the empty pew
is telling Satan, as it were You wont need
those with me.
83An Encouragement to the Devil!
- God has given to us all the armor we need to
stand against Satan.
84An Encouragement to the Devil!
- Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and
in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against
flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of
wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take
up the whole...
85An Encouragement to the Devil!
- ...armor of God, that you may be able to
withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your
waist with truth, having put on the breastplate
of righteousness, and having shod your feet with
the preparation of the gospel of peace above
all, taking the shield of faith with which you
will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one. And take the...
86An Encouragement to the Devil!
- ...helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints. (Eph.
610-18)
87An Encouragement to the Devil!
- God has given to us all the armor we need to
stand against Satan.
- The person who would be sitting in the empty pew
has either never taken up the armor of God or he
has long since put it aside.
88An Encouragement to the Devil!
- If Satan had a trophy case,
89An Encouragement to the Devil!
- If Satan had a trophy case, I imagine the empty
pew would be in the most prominent position.
90An Encouragement to the Devil!
- If Satan had a trophy case, I imagine the empty
pew would be in the most prominent position.
- Every time your pew is empty
91An Encouragement to the Devil!
- If Satan had a trophy case, I imagine the empty
pew would be in the most prominent position.
- Every time your pew is empty, when it need not be
92An Encouragement to the Devil!
- If Satan had a trophy case, I imagine the empty
pew would be in the most prominent position.
- Every time your pew is empty, when it need not
be, it represents a victory of Satan.
93A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- The empty pew doesnt make an audible sound.
- But if it did, that sound would probably be the
wailing and gnashing of teeth.
94A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- "And do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
(Matt. 1028)
95A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- "And do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
(Matt. 1028) "But the sons of the kingdom will
be cast out into outer darkness. There will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 812)
96A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- "And do not fear those who kill the body but
cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
(Matt. 1028) "But the sons of the kingdom will
be cast out into outer darkness. There will be
weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 812)
"'And cast the unprofitable servant into the
outer darkness. There will be weeping and
gnashing of teeth.'" (Matt. 2530)
97A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
- Those who could have filled an empty pew will be
lost eternally,
98A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
- Those who could have filled an empty pew will be
lost eternally, not because their pews were
empty,
99A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people.
- Those who could have filled an empty pew will be
lost eternally, not because their pews were
empty, but because they failed to prepare
themselves for heaven.
100A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Surely, no one wants themselves or anyone else to
be lost for any reason.
- But wouldnt it be sad if you were lost
101A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Surely, no one wants themselves or anyone else to
be lost for any reason.
- But wouldnt it be sad if you were lost simply
because you were so disinterested in preparing
yourself for heaven
102A Harbinger ofLost Souls!
- Surely, no one wants themselves or anyone else to
be lost for any reason.
- But wouldnt it be sad if you were lost simply
because you were so disinterested in preparing
yourself for heaven that your pew was
unjustifiably empty much of the time?