YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD Acts 16:9-15

                           YOU ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD

Acts 16:19-15

Acts 16:12 From there we reached Philippi, a major city of that district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. And we stayed there several days.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." And she urged us until we agreed.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation 

  

FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE

Paul and Silas were led by the Holy Spirit to take the Gospel to Europe

Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there

New Living Translation

They boarded a ship at Troas and headed to Philippi on the sea coast of Europe. God  directs His ministers to dark places to bring the light of the Gospel. God prepares the place and the people to receive His Word.

Every believer has the responsibility to influence others in the Lord

On the Sabbath day as was Paul’s custom, he went seeking a place to worship and found a group of women in a prayer meeting on the sea shore.

It is probable that there was no Synagogue there, but the Word of the Old Testament had reached Philippi. It took 10 Jewish males to establish a Synagogue. The city in the midst of Idol gods and idol temples was a dark environment, but God  allowed His Word, the Jewish Law to enter the hearts of a few.

13 On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there. 14 One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God. 

BACKGROUND ON LYDIA

The first question to ask, why did God think it was important to tell us Lydia’s occupation ? Purple fabric was a luxury commodity associated with royalty, priesthood and the elite.  The purple dye was from the secretion of shell fish (murex mollusk ) It took thousands of shells to make one garment.

Lydia was from Thyatira(modern Turkey) the city known for dying cloth. The city was on the merchant trade route, ideal for spreading the Gospel. Lydia had relocated to Philippi.

Most likely because of her position as a business owner and community

Connections, Lydia was the leader of the prayer group. Since purple was an expensive cloth,  her clients were well to do people. She did not allow her status or community connections to affect her worship and devotion to God. 

Paul sat down with the women on the Sabbath and taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have no idea how long the meeting was or what scriptures Paul taught about Jesus but He got the attention of Lydia. God had prepared her heart to receive the Gospel. 

THE LORD OPENS THE HEART OF BELIEVERS

Acts 16:14 As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. 15 She was baptized along with other members of her household, and she asked us to be her guests. 

We can teach the Gospel, but it is God who opens the hearts of listeners to receive the Word. When we teach, we never know how many seeds are planted and who will respond. But the Word  of God will never return void. 

Issiah 55:11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

It is the work of the Lord to send His ministers out to preach the Gospel.

It is the work of the Lord to prepare the hearts of those He chose to receive the Gospel. It is the good work of man to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

We do not know whether Lydia was married, had children or servants. What we do know is that there were people living with her or close to her to call her household . She obviously was a strong worshiper of God for she influenced her household to accept Christ and to be baptized.

Paul and Silas started with a small group of women, but ended with a 

Larger group from Lydia’s household. We should never worry about the numbers we teach because our sphere of influence spreads well beyond

who we see. 

LYDIA’S GRATEFULNESS

Lydia was a generous and grateful woman. She persuaded Paul and Silas to stay with her. She was the first European convert and established the the

First Christian Church in Europe. She believed God, and God led her to believe in Jesus Christ. Her prayer group turned from a religious community to a Christian community.   

LYDIA’S DEVOTION TO SERVE 

Acts 16:15 "If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my home." And she urged us until we agreed.

The evidence of our Chrisian faith is found in our service to others in the name of the Lord. The text says she convinced Paul of her faith. She was insistent of her love for the Lord and her willingness to serve. She would not let Paul and Silas go away without honoring them as ministers of the

Lord Jesus Christ.

Lydia used her wealth to house the traveling ministers and to establish the first Christian church in Europe in her home. Some of us are called to be missionaries and some are blessed with income to support the church and missions. 

THE STORY OF LYDIA HIGHLIGHTS THE MAJOR THEMES IN THE BIBLE

• THE SOVEREIGN WORK OF THE LORD

• THE MISSION OF JESUS TO REDEEM MANKIND

• THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH; FAITH AND OBEDIENCE

• BAPTISM, AN OUTWARD SHOW OF A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

• THE POWER OF A GIVING HEART; SPIRITUAL GIFTS

• THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

• THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

• FAITH IN ACTION; MISSIONARIES AND SUPPORTER OF MISSIONARIES.

• GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSON; MEN AND WOMEN SERVE EQUALLY

• THE POWER OF PRAYER WORKS MIRACLES

LYDIA’S STORY IS A TESTIMONY TO THE POWER OF PRAYER

• LYDIA PRAYED AND THE GOSPEL WAS PREACHED TO HER

• LYDIA PRAYED AND GOD OPEN HER HEART TO RECEIVE CHRIST JESUS

• LYDIA PRAYED AND A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION TOOK PLACE; FROM LAW TO GRACE

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER HOUSEHOLD CAME TO CHRIST

• LYDIA PRAYED AND THE FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE WAS FORMED

• LYDIA PRAYED AND NEW RELATIONSHIPS ESTABLISHED

• LYDIA PRAYED AND EXPRESSED HER GRATITUDE TO THE LORD

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER GENEROSITY WAS EXPANDED 

• LYDIA PRAYED AND HER MINISTRY GLORIFIED THE LORD 

• BECAUSE SHE PRAYED, A NATION IN THE DARK GOT A                                                                         RAY OF LIGHT 

• SHE PRAYED AND MAY HAVE ENCOURAGED PAUL AND SILAS TO  PRAY AT MIDNIGHT IN JAIL IN PHILIPPI AND AN                                                                      EARTHQUAKE LED TO THE SALVATION OF THE JAILER

LYDIA’S ATTITUDE OF GRADITUDE

        LYDIA WORSHIPPED THE LORD

SHE WAS A PRAYING WOMAN

SHE WAS PART OF  AN ACTIVE PRAYER TEAM

SHE LISTENED TO PAUL AND SOUGHT OPPORTUNITIES  TO STUDY THE WORD

GOD OPEN HER HEART

    SHE ACCEPTED JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR

    SHE CONFESSED HER FAITH TO PAUL AS A  BELIEVER

    SHE OPEN HER HOME AS THE FIRST CHURCH IN EUROPE

SHE WAS A LADY OF INFLUENCE

    HER HOUSEHOLD WERE BAPTIZED

    IT IS PROBABLE THAT HER PRAYER TEAM BECAME    

    BELIEVERS

             AS A  BUSINESS WOMAN, HER CLIENTS WERE EXPOSED TO 

    JESUS

SHE HAD A HIGH CLASS CLIENTEL  

     I SUGGEST SHE USED HER INFLUENCE AND CONNECTIONS   

     TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH

ITS SPRING TIME, LETS SING AND DANCE Isaiah 61:9-11

 IT’S SPRING TIME, LET’S SING AND DANCE

Isa 61:9-11

INTRODUCTION

Isaiah was written after the Israelites was released from 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Jerusalem was

Burned to the ground and the temple was completely destroyed.  The  Israelites had been punished by the Lord for disobedience  and worship of Idol gods. 

Imagine leaving Babylon with its beautiful temples and comfortable surrounding and coming home to a

Burned out city.  The text is a message of hope, restoration and encouragement . They had to start over and  rebuild their community.  The Lord's punishment is a blessing of redemption. In terms of seasons, this

Would be a hard winter season for Israel.  Isaiah is a message of hope for a spring season.

Isa 61:9-11

9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

ASV

I love spring time. The winter is gone, the snow has melted and the temperature has turned warm. The trees that lost their leaves began to bud

With new leaves. The plants began to show new flowers.  They set 

Silent during the winter month waiting for warmer  temperatures to

Burst forth in an array  of new colors.  

There is a reason the tree sit dormant in the winter time , the work of God through the spirit.  The tree goes into hibernation, the leave drop off to conserve water, the  end of the limb is covered with a cork to keep out disease,  

Likewise throughout time the spirit of God  worked through the Word

Which started with Adam , expanded with Moses in the law which became the tutor until Christ came in spring time

God uses nature to show us His power, His authority and His creativity.

All we have to do is pay attention to the incremental details of every living

Plant tree and animal to know that God thoughts  are far beyond the thoughts of man, 

He spoke and all of creation came into existence. But for man who He took time to make him In His own image and likeness. Man soon fell from grace when he disobeyed God’s command. God put together a new plan to restore man to original glory.  God promised a woman's seed for redemption

 After disobedience man was cast  him into a cloud darkness

Isaiah 61:11  is the dawn of a new light for mankind. It is spring time

Seasons come and seasons go. Winter, spring, summer and fall.

I view God’s plan of redemption in seasons.  In the Fall season He promised Abram that He would be the father of many nations. 

The nation grew up in slavery in Egypt the winter season

 In the spring season God sent Moses to bring Israel through the

Red sea to freedom. Having arrived as free a nation in the desert

 Mariam,  Moses' sister organized a praise and worship team to glorify the Lord.

Man was born by the Lord from the dust of the earth

The ground is the nation of Israel. The woman seed planted is Jesus Christ. The vineyard is the Church,  Many seasons past as the seed germinated though 42  generations . At the right time the seed burst

Open from the ground through the flesh of Mary, A new spring time began

With Jesus as Lord and Savior.  

 

Isa 61:9-11

BLESSED BY THE LORD

9 And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which Jehovah hath blessed.

The Spirit of God was always active. From the beginning of creation;

Gen1:2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

From the beginning the spirit of God energized the creative process

God uses nature to show us His power, His authority and His creativity.

All we have to do is pay attention to the incremental details of every living

Plant tree and animal to know that God thoughts  are far beyond the thoughts of man, 

He spoke all of creation into existence. But for man, He took time to make him In His own image and likeness. Man soon fell from grace when he disobeyed God’s command. God put together a new plan to restore man to original glory.  God promised a woman's seed for redemption

Gen 3:14 And Jehovah God said unto the serpent,  Gen 3:15

 I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

After disobedience man was cast  him into a cloud darkness

God promised the restoration of man into a nation known by the world. 

We live in a state of blessedness in the Lord. We are the offspring of the woman’s seed blessed by the Lord, who is Jesus Christ

CLOTHED FOR JOYFUL SALVATION 

10 I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

1. We were washed in Jesus Blood to be white as snow. Can’t stand before God with spot or stain

2. Salvation is a joyful time. Let’s dance to the music like Miram, Moses sister. It is the joy of the Lord

3. Salvation is a time of gratefulness

4. We are decked out with a robe of righteousness. Like a bridegroom with his special dress and like a bride adorned with jewels 

5. God clothed us with a robe of beauty for others to see evident by our ministering to others

6. The garment is a sign of our occupation and characters called by the Lord. It is us in Christ and Christ in us for us

THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD WILL SPRING FORTH IN YOU

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nation

The spirit of God is active upon every living thing, plants, tree, animals, the environment and man. 

Have you ever considered what happens to the tree in the fall when they lose their leaves?   The spirit is acting upon the trees. The tree goes into hibernation.

The leaves fall off to conserve water.  The trees create a corky layer on the end of the limbs to protect them from diseases. They absorbed the nitrogen and phosphorus into their roots  for the winter season. It is the spirit that acts upon trees get them prepared for the spring season

The Spirit act upon animals to give instinct to survive. Trees and flowers to bring forth leaves and flowers at the right time. The spirit act upon the environment to cause clouds to form, water drops to collect to bring rain. Storms and winds 

Only man has the indwelling of the spirit and the ability to yield to direction and guidance of the spirit.   

God chose the time, the season and the vineyard for righteousness to 

Spring forth. A hosts of Angels sang as the seed burst forth from the earth

The Spirit of God was always active. From the beginning of creation;

Gen1:2 And the earth was waste and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

From the beginning the spirit of God energized the creative process

Isa 61:11

11 For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

ASV

For as the earth bring forth it’s bud

There is hope for restoration for the whole earth. The bud is universal, It's everywhere.  It new mercies and new grace

As the garden causes the things that are sown to grow.  The seed has been sown Through 42 generations.  It is the power of God to maintain that which was Sown in secret  The buds on a tree or plant show forth because that are stirred up by the spirit of God.  Jesus is a gift to the world

2 Tim 1:6 For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.

I believe there are times when we take God’s gift for granted. When we are feeling down and depressed and all out of sorts we have forgotten the gift.

You have to make a choice to stir up the gift. It is a choice to be joyful in spite of your circumstances. It is a choice to have an attitude of gratefulness

The Lord caused His righteousness to spring forth; We don’t deserve it. Because He loves us He does it anyway.

Isa 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now shall it spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

God’s got a new thing for us, His Grace and mercy is new everyday

God has made a way out of the wilderness of sin. A way out of darkness to the light. A way out of winter to spring. 

Because of this glorious gift praise will spring forth from all nations 

Isa 43:21 the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise.

This verse uses a simple but powerful image from nature:

• Just as soil naturally produces plants and gardens grow seeds,

• God will bring about righteousness (right living, justice) and praise (worship, recognition of Him) in the world.

Key ideas

1. Growth is inevitable (with the right source)

The comparison to plants suggests something organic and unstoppable. When conditions are right, growth happens. In the same way, God’s purposes—justice and goodness—will eventually flourish.

2. God is the one causing the growth

It emphasizes that this transformation isn’t just human effort. It’s something God initiates and sustains.

3. A public, global outcome

The phrase “before all nations” points to a future where this righteousness and praise are visible worldwide, not hidden or limited to one group.

SUMMARY

Isaiah 61:9-11 is a message of restoration and hope, especially for people who have experienced hardship or exile. It speaks about healing, renewal, and justice being restored.

In simple terms;

Just like plants grow naturally from the earth, this verse is saying:

God will make goodness and worship spread and grow across the world in a visible, lasting way.

2 Cor 9:2 for I know your readiness, of which I glory on your behalf to them of Macedonia, that Achaia hath been prepared for a year past; and your zeal hath stirred up very many of them.

What we do for others stirs up others to do the same. Someone is always watching.

Trees put forth new leaves and plants new flowers that are designed by God for beautification.  Jesus brings forth new mercies and new grace

That enables us to live with joy and confidences each day and serve others with an attitude of gratefulness 

God righteous bud  is Designed for believers all over the world. He provides light in a darken world and hope in the midst of troubling times

It is a massage of Restoration and Hope

God makes Good grow in a visible righteous ways 

Nothing can stop the growth.  Grass grow through concrete and rocks

God is doing something new each day

God mercy are new every day 

Growth is inevitable

Justice and good will flow, God’s plan is unstoppable

We can choose to live joyful in the Lord in the midst of trouble We are children of light in the midst of darkness 

LORD HELP MY UNBELIEF JOHN 2:24-25

 

LORD HELP MY UNBELIEF

John 20:24-26

CHOSEN FOR GOOD WORKS

Some messages are for us as students. Some messages  are for us as teachers.  At some point we should be teachers.  Never miss an opportunity to learn for yourself  and  for others

You were chosen by Jesus for good works that the Father may be glorified.

At the start of Jesus 3 ½ year ministry. He chose 12 disciples to follow him, learn the Gospel message and witness His power of healing and casting out demons.  They were a mixed bunch,  fishermen. A tax collector, a thief and one who had participated in violent acts against the Roman government.  They were all looking for the Messiah who would be king of the Jews. 

After a time of training, Jesus sent the 12 disciples out in pairs to preach the Gospel, heal the sick and cast out demons by the power of the Holy Spirit.  On the job training is the best way to experience the power of faith. 

Mark 3:14-15

 And he appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out demons:

(Matt 10:5-8)

THOMAS THE ONE WHO QUESTIONED JESUS

I want to focus on Thomas, one of the twelve. Not much is known about him. There are only  9 scriptures in the New Testament with the name Thomas.  There are only three scriptures where Thomas speaks. 

There are no major statements or acts of Thomas. But whatever he did say, Jesus responded to. Thomas was bold in his statements

Thomas gives us a lesson on how to study the Bible

Thomas, like all the disciples, was bold when there was no immediate threat. When Jesus decided to go back to Judaea to raise Lazarus from the dead, 11 of the disciples tried to persuade Jesus not to go for fear His and their lives.  But Thomas was waiting to speak in favor of the trip

Jesus responded; John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If a man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. 10 But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because the light is not in him.

 Thomas spoke up; John 11:16 Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said unto his fellow-disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

Thomas unknowingly spoke of the central point of salvation. We must be willing to die to ourselves to live with Jesus in the spirit.  At that moment no life or death decision was made. But it would be required. We often boast of what we will do before get into a situation where action is required, 

PERPARATION FOR A NEW LIFE 

Jesus prepared His disciples for His death and resurrection. Jesus spoke but they did not understand or want to consider Jesus leaving them. They had plans to rein with the king on earth. 

Sometimes we miss the message in the scriptures because we try to fit or substitute our agenda. If the message does not fit our way of thinking we

Interpret it so it fits or ignore it all together. Before Jesus' death, all the disciples ignored any statements about Jesus leaving them. 

John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am, (there) ye may be also 4 And whither I go, ye know the way.

 5 "No, we don't know, Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus responded; John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me. 

This was a death and resurrection prophecy by Jesus to the disciples that was ignored. Only Thomas questioned Jesus.

There are some statements Jesus makes, as a result of our lack of knowledge that we must meditate on to allow the Holy Spirit to give us an understanding.  

 I AM THE WAY: the only way to eternal life is Jesus ( John 3:16. Belief in  

 Jesus death and resurrection is the  only way to heaven,  

 

 Our Lord's statement "No man cometh unto the Father but by Me," wipes away any other proposed way to heaven good works, religious ceremonies, costly gifts, etc. There is only one way, and that way is Jesus Christ.

 I AM THE TRUTH: Jesus is the revelation of God.s reality. He and the father are one. If you know Jesus , you know the  father. Jesus enables us to seek and receive what is truth.  Truth does not exist without Jesus. 

I AM THE LIFE:  Jesus is the source of eternal life.  Only His sinless death

On the cross provides the atonement for our sins. Jesus is credited with out

Sin debt.  

FAITH COMES BY HEARING NOT BY SIGHT

After Jesus' death and resurrection, He appeared to 10 disciples in a locked room. Thomas was not there.  He rejected the resurrection claim by the 10.

THOMAS REJECTED THE SIGHTING  OT JESUS BY THE 10.

John 20:24-25

24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.            I believe Thomas was saying, unless I can see it, Feel it, and experience Jesus for myself, I want believe. 

This is the verse where many Christians label Thomas as a doubter. He was not doubting the resurrection,  he did not believe it.  The other 10 disciples held the same position until they saw Jesus. Early Sunday morning the women who went to the tomb reported Jesus resurrection

And they thought it was foolish. 

Every believer starts their Christian journey at this point of spiritual immaturity.  We are given a measure of faith that grows through time and experience.  

FAITH GROWS BY EXPERIENCE

8 days later Jesus appeared to the disciples in room with locked doors

And Thomas was present. Jesus did not condemn Thomas but encouraged him.

John 20:26-28

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace (be) unto you.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach (hither) thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 

John 20:26-28

26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace (be) unto you.

Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and see my hands; and reach (hither) thy hand, and put it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 

We may believe somethings about Jesus. The question is what will it take to believe all things about Jesus. We are commanded to not be faithless but to be believing.   We don’t have to know or understand all things. But we must believe all things about Jesus. 

STUDY THE BIBLE FOR YOUR SELF

28 Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Having seen, felt and experienced, Thomas confessed his faith in Jesus' resurrection.  We all start in a state of unbelief that life's circumstances bring us to belief. 

John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed (are) they that have not seen, and (yet) have believed.

Jesus response points to the unending grace and mercy of believers today. 

This verse points to the measure of initial faith Jesus gives to us. 

Blessings start when you believe without any proof,  the Word of God. 

WAIT PATIENTLY ON THE LORD

John 21:1-3

 After these things Jesus manifested himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and he manifested (himself) on this wise.

2 There was together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the (sons) of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

3 Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also come with thee. 

Fellowship together with other believers is important in troubled times. They

All had witnessed  that Jesus was alive. But didn't know what the next step was. How would they survive without Jesus? Who would take charge? They still had the threat of the Roman government. 

There is power in togetherness that will help us in times of uncertainty.  Fishing is what Peter was skilled at, So he led the men to his work place. We ought always keep working until Jesus reveals new directions, 

WHEN ONE MISSION ENDS. ANOTHER STARTS

John 21:4-6

 But when day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach: yet the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye caught to eat? They answered him, No.

6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Jesus fed the troubled disciples to set the stage for the new revelation of their mission. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Thomas was in the group waiting for Jesus new directions. Each us play a role in encouraging each other. Never devalue your importance to other believers