Intro: Thomas has the reputation for being a doubter.  But I doubt that he was.

Notice three extraordinary expressions of faith:

I. "Let us also go, that we may die with Him." John 11:16

  A. The Context of John 11

1. Jesus and His disciples got word that Lazarus was sick. (11:1-3)

2. Jesus states that the purpose of Lazarus' sickness was death, but the glorification of the Father and the Son (11:4)

a. This is similar to what Jesus told the disciples when they asked about the blind man in John 9:1-3

b. This was God's purpose for the miracles of Christ and the common reaction to them -- Matthew 15:30-31,  Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. {31} So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.

3. Jesus waited two more days before he headed to Bethany 

 B. Disciples die as their Master 

1. This was the stated understanding and intention of all the disciples -- Matthew 26:33-35,  Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble." {34} Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." {35} Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

2. None of them did so initially (Matthew 26:56, "all fled")  Only John even went to the cross (John 19:26-27).  But most if not all the apostles eventually died martyrs' deaths.

3. Disciples today are still to die with Him

a. Romans 5:3-7

b. Galatians 2:20

II. "How can we know the way?" - John 14:5

  A. An admission of ignorance.-- 1 Corinthians 8:2,  And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

  B. A request for guidance  -- 

1. Psalms 25:9,  The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.

2. Proverbs 3:6,  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

III. "My Lord and my God" -- John 20:28

 A. In the context, was Thomas really an exceptional doubter?

1. The other apostles had seen the scars of Jesus. (John 20:20)

2. Before then, they too had doubted (Mark 16:9-14).  

3. Only John had believed before seeing the resurrected Christ (John 20:8) (perhaps that is why John was chosen to write this gospel of belief)

 B. We are to believe on the same basis that John did (John 20:29-31) 

 C. We are to make the same confession Thomas did. 

1. 1 John 4:15, Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

2. Romans 10:9-10,  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Conclusion: Doubting Thomas?  I doubt that we should think of him that way.  A great example of faith and fortitude - that's Thomas!

Acts 1:13-14,  And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. {14} These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:1-4,  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. {2} And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. {3} Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. {4} And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.