Sunday Sermon Summary – April 12 2026

Response to Loneliness 

John 20: 19-31

After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He showed himself to many chosen people.  Nevertheless, when Jesus was betrayed and crucified, we see that His disciples went through stress and fear. They reacted in various ways. 

1. Loser attitude – Judas 

Matthew 27:5

Judas Iscariot thought that he had made a good deal with the Jewish leaders when he agreed to betray Jesus to them for thirty pieces of silver. He would never have thought that Jesus would be arrested and beaten. When he realized the sin, he had committed, he ran with the thirty pieces of silver to the temple and said that he wanted to return the money. He said that he regretted for betraying innocent blood. His request was turned down. He at once threw the money in the temple and went and hanged himself and died.  When he knew that he had betrayed innocent blood he should have run to Jesus and begged for forgiveness; instead, he ran in the wrong direction to commit suicide. Our Lord prayed for forgiveness for those who were nailing Him on the cross; He would have surely forgiven Judas. There’s no sin too big to be forgiven.  We must always run back to God; not away from Him. Sin will seem enticing in the beginning, but after we have committed it; it will leave us empty and guilty. 

2. Loner attitude – Peter 

Luke 22: 31, 32

Peter’s reaction was unique as well. When Jesus informed him, that Satan had asked that he would sift him like wheat, Peter emphatically responded by saying that he was willing to go to prison or even death for Jesus.  But when he witnessed Jesus being arrested and beaten, he lost all his courage; he denied that he even knew Jesus three times. Jesus had told Peter that he prayed that his faith would not be broken.  Jesus also gave him a mandate to strengthen his brothers when he returns. We must acknowledge our weakness and trust in God’s grace as we face loneliness. Loneliness can lead us to making wrong decisions. So come back to Jesus every time we fail. 

3. Learner attitude – Thomas 

John 20:27

The Bible says that the same evening when Jesus rose from the dead, He entered the locked room where the disciples were hiding in fear of the Jews. Jesus appeared to them and showed them His wounds and gave them a mandate that He was sending them just as the Father had sent Him. Thomas who was called the twin was not present at that time. So, when he came he found the ten others greatly rejoicing because they had seen Jesus. He refused to believe them. He was suddenly thrown into loneliness. He refused to accept the testimony of the ten. He said that he needed proof of Jesus’ resurrection. After seven days Jesus visited them again when Thomas was present and chided him. He encouraged him to believe and not doubt. Thomas was transformed and it is he who travelled to the Southern part of India to share the Gospel and was martyred there. 

We all may face loneliness; but how we react is important. We must be assured that our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is with us always. Amen