Embracing the Resurrection 拥抱复活的生命

Scripture Passage 经文： Gospel of John 20:19–31 约翰福音 20:19–31
Preacher 讲员： Rev. Aaron Liu 刘亚伦牧师

Introduction 引言

Rev. Aaron Liu began by highlighting the moment when the disciples were gathered behind locked doors, overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty after the crucifixion of Jesus. Although they had heard about the resurrection, their hearts were still troubled and hesitant. He emphasized that this reflects the reality of many believers today—we may know the truth of Christ, yet still struggle with fear and doubt. Rev. Aaron Liu reminded the congregation that the resurrection is not merely a historical event, but a present reality where the risen Christ comes to meet us personally in our situation.

刘亚伦牧师首先强调，当门徒因耶稣被钉十字架而充满惧怕与不确定时，他们把门关上聚集在一起。尽管他们已经听见复活的消息，但内心仍然忧虑和迟疑。他指出，这正反映了今天许多信徒的光景——我们虽然认识基督的真理，却仍然活在恐惧与疑惑之中。刘亚伦牧师提醒会众，复活不仅是历史事件，更是当下真实的经历——复活的基督亲自来到我们当中。

1. Peace in His Presence 主同在的平安

Bible Scripture 经文： John 20:19–23 约翰福音 20:19–23

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that Jesus’ first words to the disciples were, “Peace be with you,” showing that Christ meets us in our fear, not after we overcome it. He highlighted that true peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ Himself. Jesus entered into the disciples’ locked situation and brought assurance and calm to their troubled hearts. Rev. Aaron Liu further explained that Jesus breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit, signifying new life and empowerment. The Holy Spirit is given to sustain believers, enabling them to live with courage and to continue God’s mission even in uncertain circumstances.

刘亚伦牧师强调，耶稣对门徒说的第一句话是“愿你们平安”，表明基督是在我们仍然惧怕的时候与我们相遇，而不是等我们胜过恐惧之后。他指出，真正的平安不是没有问题，而是基督的同在。耶稣进入门徒封闭的环境，把安慰与平静带给他们。刘亚伦牧师进一步解释，耶稣向门徒吹气，将圣灵赐给他们，象征新的生命与能力。圣灵托住信徒，使我们在不确定中仍能活出勇气，并继续完成神的使命。

2. Jesus Reveals Himself in Our Doubt 主在疑惑中显明自己

Bible Scripture 经文： John 20:24–28 约翰福音 20:24–28

Rev. Aaron Liu highlighted Thomas as someone who struggled honestly with doubt, representing many believers who seek certainty in their faith. He emphasized that Jesus did not reject Thomas for his doubts, but instead met him personally and graciously. Jesus invited Thomas to see and touch, addressing his specific need. Through this personal encounter, Thomas moved from doubt to a powerful confession, declaring, “My Lord and my God!” Rev. Aaron Liu stressed that when we bring our doubts honestly before Christ, they can become a pathway to deeper faith and genuine worship.

刘亚伦牧师指出，多马代表那些在信仰中真实经历疑惑的人。他强调，耶稣并没有因多马的疑惑而拒绝他，反而亲自以恩典回应他的需要。耶稣邀请多马去看、去触摸，直接回应他的疑问。透过这次个人的相遇，多马从疑惑转变为坚定的信仰告白，说：“我的主！我的神！”刘亚伦牧师强调，当我们把疑惑诚实地带到基督面前时，这些疑惑可以成为引向更深信心与真实敬拜的途径。

3. Blessed Are the Believing 信而得福的应许

Bible Scripture 经文： John 20:29–31 约翰福音 20:29–31

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized Jesus’ declaration that those who have not seen and yet believe are blessed. He explained that this blessing applies to all believers today whose faith is grounded in the testimony of Scripture and the witness of those who encountered the risen Christ. He stressed that faith is not blind, but rooted in truth and leads to life transformation. The purpose of the Gospel is to lead people to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and through believing, to receive eternal life. Rev. Aaron Liu reminded the congregation that true faith results in a living relationship with Christ that shapes our daily lives.

刘亚伦牧师强调耶稣所说：“那没有看见就信的有福了”，这个祝福是赐给今天所有未曾亲眼看见却仍然相信的人。他解释，我们的信心建立在圣经的见证以及亲身经历复活基督之人的见证上。他指出，信心不是盲目的，而是建立在真实之上，并带来生命的改变。福音书写作的目的，是要使人相信耶稣是神的儿子，并且因信祂得着永生。刘亚伦牧师提醒会众，真正的信心会带来与基督真实的关系，并影响我们每天的生活。

Conclusion 结论

Rev. Aaron Liu concluded by reminding the congregation that the risen Christ still comes to His people today. He meets us in our fear, reveals Himself in our doubt, and calls us into a living faith that transforms our lives. The resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and present, inviting us to trust Him fully. As we encounter Him personally, our fear is replaced with peace, our doubt with faith, and our lives with purpose.

刘亚伦牧师总结提醒会众，复活的基督今天仍然来到祂的子民当中。祂在我们的恐惧中与我们相遇，在我们的疑惑中向我们显现，并呼召我们进入活泼的信心，改变我们的生命。复活向我们保证基督是活着的，并且真实同在，邀请我们全然信靠祂。当我们亲自遇见祂时，恐惧被平安取代，疑惑被信心取代，生命也因此有了新的方向与意义。

Take-away Message 带走的信息

The risen Christ meets us in our fear, reveals Himself in our doubt, and calls us to believe so that we may have true and eternal life in Him.

复活的基督在我们的恐惧中与我们相遇，在我们的疑惑中向我们显现，并呼召我们相信祂，使我们在祂里面得着真实且永恒的生命。

Amen. 阿们

Embracing the Resurrection — Summary

The message centers on how the resurrection of Jesus is not just an event to remember, but a life to embrace and live out daily.

After Jesus rose, the disciples were hiding in fear behind locked doors. Yet Jesus came into their midst and spoke peace, showing that His resurrection brings calm, assurance, and restoration even in the midst of fear and uncertainty. (Working Preacher from Luther Seminary)

He then breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit, commissioning them to continue His mission—especially in forgiveness and reconciliation. This shows that resurrection life is not passive; it empowers believers to live with purpose and authority.

The story of Thomas highlights the struggle between doubt and faith. Thomas wanted physical proof before believing, but when he encountered Jesus personally, he declared, “My Lord and my God.” This reveals that faith often grows through honest doubt, but ultimately requires trust beyond what is seen.

Jesus concludes with a powerful truth:
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
This extends the resurrection promise to all believers today.

Core Message

To embrace the resurrection means:

Moving from fear to peace
From doubt to faith
From hiding to mission
From death to new life in Christ

The resurrection is not just proof that Jesus lives—it is an invitation for us to live transformed lives, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and grounded in faith.

Conclusion

The resurrection calls believers to step out of fear, trust in Christ even without seeing, and actively live out His mission. It is a daily reality that brings peace, purpose, and new life.

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Reflect and Discuss 反思与讨论

1. In what ways have you experienced Jesus' presence during times of doubt or uncertainty?

The sermon reminds us that Jesus appeared to the disciples while they were still afraid and hiding. His presence did not come after they became strong—it came in their weakness.
Reflect on moments in your life when you felt uncertain, anxious, or spiritually dry. Perhaps it was during a difficult decision, a health concern, a relationship struggle, or a season of unanswered prayers. In those moments, Jesus may not have removed the situation immediately, but He may have given you peace, strength to endure, or the right people to walk with you.

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that Christ’s peace is not the absence of problems, but His presence within them. Recognizing His presence often requires us to look back and see how He sustained us rather than how He instantly changed our circumstances.

Reflection 提醒：
Where did you sense peace, guidance, or quiet assurance even when the situation did not change?

2. How can you apply the principle of Jesus meeting us in our weaknesses when interacting with others facing challenges?

Jesus did not judge the disciples for their fear, nor did He rebuke Thomas for his doubt. Instead, He met them with patience, understanding, and grace.

In the same way, we are called to meet others where they are—not where we expect them to be. When someone is struggling, doubting, or feeling weak, our role is not to “fix” them quickly or give easy answers, but to walk with them.

This can look like:

Listening without judgment

Offering encouragement instead of criticism

Praying with and for them

Being present rather than being preachy

Rev. Aaron Liu highlighted that Jesus met Thomas personally. This reminds us that ministry is relational, not transactional.

Reflection 提醒：
Who in your life needs grace more than advice right now?

3. In your daily routines, how can you ensure that you remain open to experiencing Jesus' presence?

The disciples were behind closed doors, yet Jesus still came to them. However, in our daily lives, we can intentionally create space to recognize His presence.

Remaining open to Jesus involves cultivating awareness, not just activity. Some practical ways include:

Beginning your day with a short prayer inviting His presence

Reading Scripture and reflecting on it, even briefly

Practicing moments of silence to listen to God

Being attentive to small promptings (to help, to pause, to pray)

Ending the day by reflecting on where you saw God at work

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that the Holy Spirit is given to sustain us daily. This means experiencing Jesus is not a one-time event, but a continual relationship.

Reflection 提醒：
What is one simple habit you can start this week to become more aware of Jesus’ presence?

4. What specific actions can you take to invite others to encounter Christ, especially those who might be in doubt?

Thomas came to faith not through argument, but through encounter. This reminds us that people are often drawn to Christ through authentic experiences rather than explanations alone.

You can invite others to encounter Christ through:

Sharing your personal testimony honestly (including your struggles)

Inviting them to church, small group, or fellowship

Praying for them and with them

Demonstrating Christ’s love through kindness and consistency

Being patient with their journey and questions

Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized that Jesus meets people personally. Our role is not to force belief, but to create opportunities for encounter.

Reflection 提醒：
Who is one person you can intentionally journey with and gently point to Christ this week?

Closing Thought 结束反思

The resurrection is not just something we believe—it is something we experience.
复活不仅是我们所相信的，更是我们所经历的。

As Rev. Aaron Liu emphasized, Jesus still comes to us today—
in our fear, in our doubt, and in our daily lives—inviting us to encounter Him personally.

正如刘亚伦牧师所强调的，耶稣今天仍然来到我们当中——
在我们的恐惧、疑惑与日常生活中，邀请我们亲自经历祂。

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for this wonderful morning and opportunity to meet on zoom today. We thank You for this time we’ve shared together in Your presence and the message we received this morning—a reminder of the power, hope, and life found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lord, as we leave this meeting, help us not to return to fear, but to walk in Your peace. Strengthen our faith where there is doubt, and remind us that even when we do not see, You are with us—alive and at work in our lives.

Fill us afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Guide our thoughts, our words, and our actions, so that we may live out the truth of the resurrection daily. Use us as instruments of Your love, forgiveness, and grace to those around us.

Bless each person here—cover them with Your protection, provide for their needs, and lead them in Your purpose. May Your peace remain in our hearts as we go about our day.

We commit everything into Your hands with gratitude and trust.

In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.

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