WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 So why don't we pray as we enter into reflecting on what God would say to us today through his holy word. 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:12.099 Thank you, Lord, that you gather us here by your word and spirit. 00:00:12.759 --> 00:00:17.660 Thank you that you are king overall. 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:21.039 Thank you that we have a great high priest who's gone before us. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:29.940 We ask you as a royal priesthood to make us more and more attentive to your word. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.460 More and more diligent in serving. 00:00:34.299 --> 00:00:36.579 More and more hopeful about your coming. 00:00:37.299 --> 00:00:39.899 And this we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:42.899 --> 00:00:49.920 Now if someone were to ask you, what would you say is the central truth of Christianity? 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:53.420 What might you say? 00:00:53.519 --> 00:00:59.019 Would it be that in Jesus God became incarnate? 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.600 Is it that Jesus died on the cross to save us? 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:05.879 Is it that he rose again? 00:01:06.819 --> 00:01:08.859 Or is it maybe that he's coming again? 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:20.900 Growing up in Mexico, I remember how much that last truth tended to dominate the sermons at one particular time. 00:01:20.900 --> 00:01:27.859 In my growing up years there, it seemed to be that we were always hearing a sermon on the second coming. 00:01:29.940 --> 00:01:36.480 Well, sometimes we do put one of these events at the center of our theological map, if you like. 00:01:37.540 --> 00:01:43.460 Such that it becomes a kind of lens through which we think about everything else that we believe. 00:01:43.459 --> 00:01:46.339 And that can be helpful at times. 00:01:46.539 --> 00:01:50.219 I'm thinking of C.S. Lewis in his book Miracles. 00:01:51.219 --> 00:01:53.179 Which I read some time ago. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:02:03.139 But I'm recalling that he referred to the incarnation as the central event in the history of planet Earth. 00:02:03.140 --> 00:02:09.719 He was trying to explain, I think, how the fact of God becoming man was the grand miracle. 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:10.740 Have you read that one? 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:11.639 That essay? 00:02:12.219 --> 00:02:13.120 The grand miracle. 00:02:13.240 --> 00:02:16.699 The one central miracle that makes all other miracles make sense. 00:02:16.699 --> 00:02:26.919 But if we shift the focus so that we can translate that grand miracle, because we can leave that in the abstract as something out there. 00:02:27.659 --> 00:02:34.539 If we can shift the focus so that, what does it mean in terms of the salvation that we have in and through Jesus? 00:02:34.539 --> 00:02:43.939 I think the creed that we just recited invites us to hold all the events together as part of one grand event, if you like. 00:02:45.019 --> 00:02:46.219 But there's the thing. 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:54.379 Between the, he was incarnate by the Holy Spirit, and the, he shall come again with glory. 00:02:55.139 --> 00:03:00.339 There's one moment in particular that tends to get overlooked somewhat. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:05.780 And that's what we want to think about and reflect on, guided by Scripture this morning. 00:03:05.839 --> 00:03:11.039 I'm guessing you know which moment, because we've had colleagues about it. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:16.560 Yes, Jesus' ascension was an event in his earthly life. 00:03:16.699 --> 00:03:25.339 Forty days after he rose from the dead, whose place in the plan of salvation, well, we're just not always that clear about. 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:30.340 There are some reasons for that, but I won't go into those right now. 00:03:30.340 --> 00:03:37.659 Let's just take it that we tend to let the ascension kind of take a quiet seat somewhere else. 00:03:37.659 --> 00:03:41.139 And we don't come to it very often. 00:03:41.139 --> 00:03:46.340 So I want us to think about what the ascension means for us and for our salvation. 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:58.199 For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven and continuing on. 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.719 All of this is for us and for our salvation. 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:05.400 In this case, I'm not going to walk through the passage that we heard in Acts, 00:04:05.900 --> 00:04:10.919 because my aim is to get at the meaning of the event in the light of Scripture as a whole. 00:04:11.300 --> 00:04:15.039 But do have that passage open, because I will be referring to it. 00:04:15.759 --> 00:04:20.480 Now, in modern times, many people, even some professing Christians, 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:26.300 have doubted that Jesus' ascension was a public historic event. 00:04:26.300 --> 00:04:34.639 They'll continue to recite the Creed as a kind of way to acknowledge what we used to believe, maybe. 00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:39.540 But when it comes to explaining the meaning of the ascension, 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:46.280 they'll take us back to the resurrection first and say that it was really at heart, 00:04:47.300 --> 00:04:51.060 well, an experience in the lives and hearts of the disciples. 00:04:52.460 --> 00:04:55.400 And so there was no tomb that was emptied one morning, they say. 00:04:55.399 --> 00:05:00.659 Rather, Jesus somehow rose in their hearts, you've probably heard this on Easter morning, 00:05:00.859 --> 00:05:03.959 so that they really, truly felt him to be alive. 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:11.000 And so 40 days later, so this view goes, it's not my view, I'm just saying someone's view, 00:05:11.459 --> 00:05:15.959 they felt that he had, if you like, relocated to heaven. 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:21.680 So a well-known Anglican bishop, I'm not going to name, some years ago said, 00:05:21.799 --> 00:05:26.019 if Jesus' ascension was a literal event in history, 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:33.219 it is beyond the capacity of our 21st century minds to accept it or to believe it. 00:05:35.599 --> 00:05:37.620 Now, maybe just two thoughts on that. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:44.560 I think we need to be more interested in how the Bible reads 21st century minds 00:05:44.560 --> 00:05:48.000 than with how 21st century minds read the Bible. 00:05:48.720 --> 00:05:54.180 I think that should be clear from where we stand as a church, 00:05:54.220 --> 00:06:00.180 Church of the Messiah and the wider fellowship of our wider Anglican communion. 00:06:00.180 --> 00:06:04.879 In any case, 21st century minds aren't a single thing, 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:09.360 as if our collective wisdom were some sort of reliable guide. 00:06:11.060 --> 00:06:16.819 And second, we need to consider what happens to other basic Christian beliefs 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:20.780 once we suppose that it doesn't really matter, in the end, 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:25.740 whether the resurrection and the ascension actually happened in history. 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:31.500 If Jesus' resurrection and ascension were events that happened in the hearts and minds 00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:35.680 of the early disciples, then just maybe, maybe, 00:06:36.220 --> 00:06:38.460 well, we can think about the other events that way. 00:06:38.860 --> 00:06:39.639 It makes sense. 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:44.420 So whether we're talking about the incarnation or the cross or the second coming, 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:49.740 we're talking mainly about ideas, we're talking about feelings, intuitions, 00:06:49.879 --> 00:06:52.840 that have no historical grounding. 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:57.459 And if that's the case, then where are we left? 00:06:57.519 --> 00:06:58.799 Well, we're left in our sins. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:01.579 We're left without a mediator between God and man. 00:07:01.859 --> 00:07:04.239 We're left without hope of salvation. 00:07:05.759 --> 00:07:08.079 So what sort of event was the ascension? 00:07:08.939 --> 00:07:12.759 And what does it tell us about Jesus' work of salvation? 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:16.279 Well, as we consider together what the Bible teaches, 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:22.459 my hope and prayer is that we'll grasp something of the majesty of this event, 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.719 something of the wonder, 00:07:25.779 --> 00:07:27.500 that we'll be encouraged in our faith 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:31.859 and that we'll be more confident as we tell others the good news 00:07:31.859 --> 00:07:34.099 that has been entrusted to us. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:35.859 So to the event itself, 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:38.299 what sort of moment are we talking about? 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:43.800 Well, if you're taking notes, I would start with point one. 00:07:43.980 --> 00:07:45.100 It was one of a kind, 00:07:45.780 --> 00:07:48.180 not like any other event in history, 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:52.360 just like Jesus' resurrection was one of a kind. 00:07:52.540 --> 00:07:55.720 Lazarus and others that Jesus raised from the dead were, 00:07:56.800 --> 00:07:58.660 in Spanish, we use the same word, 00:07:58.840 --> 00:07:59.560 resucitado, 00:07:59.560 --> 00:08:05.680 but in English, we distinguish resuscitated from resurrected. 00:08:06.220 --> 00:08:07.920 Lazarus was resuscitated. 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.600 He would die again. 00:08:10.259 --> 00:08:12.939 But Jesus was raised bodily, never to die again. 00:08:13.899 --> 00:08:15.879 And so too with the ascension. 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:20.420 Now some religious groups speak of ascended masters 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:22.600 like Confucius or Buddha or the Buddha, 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:24.720 but there was no claim, 00:08:24.720 --> 00:08:29.120 there's no claim there to any kind of bodily resurrection there. 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:31.740 Well, what about Enoch and Elijah? 00:08:32.779 --> 00:08:35.360 Well, whatever their taking up into heaven was, 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:38.600 it didn't involve coming from heaven in the first place. 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:41.559 And that's why Jesus says in John 3, 13, 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:44.059 no one has ascended into heaven 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:46.200 except he who descended from heaven, 00:08:46.820 --> 00:08:47.600 the son of man. 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:50.940 You see, descent, ascent, one of a kind. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.720 Two, the ascension is an event 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:57.279 that is logically paired or twinned with the incarnation. 00:08:57.279 --> 00:09:00.519 Think of the incarnation and the ascension 00:09:00.519 --> 00:09:02.519 as, if you like, the bookends 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:05.000 of Jesus's earthly ministry. 00:09:05.740 --> 00:09:07.419 The word sent by the Father 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:11.459 became flesh and dwelt among us, John 1, 00:09:11.799 --> 00:09:14.480 and now having completed what 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.819 the Father sent him to do, 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:20.299 the word incarnate returns to the Father. 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:24.279 But, and this is the really important but, 00:09:24.979 --> 00:09:26.679 without disincarnating, 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:29.839 without undoing the incarnation, 00:09:30.359 --> 00:09:31.219 you'd be surprised. 00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:35.539 I've read the occasional book in theology, 00:09:36.099 --> 00:09:39.219 and there's a pretty sharp theologian, 00:09:39.659 --> 00:09:40.299 I won't name, 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:43.579 but I came across a line in one of his books 00:09:43.580 --> 00:09:44.500 that said, 00:09:45.020 --> 00:09:48.720 once the incarnate life of Jesus was over. 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:50.900 And then I wrote in the margin, 00:09:51.020 --> 00:09:51.540 when was that? 00:09:53.040 --> 00:09:54.060 When did that happen? 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:56.759 And maybe he didn't mean to put it quite like that. 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:58.340 Maybe he meant something else by that. 00:09:58.440 --> 00:09:59.520 But, at any rate, 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:01.780 that phrase could be highly misleading. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.580 The incarnate life of Jesus never ended. 00:10:04.580 --> 00:10:06.759 It didn't sort of just stop. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:11.240 The ascended Lord remains Jesus of Nazareth. 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:15.120 He rose, and he ascended bodily, 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:18.480 and we can affirm that from Scripture. 00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:22.039 We know this because in Luke 24, 39, 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:24.360 after his resurrection, 00:10:25.100 --> 00:10:27.500 Jesus shows his disciples that he's human. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:30.159 He says, touch me and see, he says. 00:10:30.240 --> 00:10:32.000 Then he eats a piece of what? 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.580 A broiled fish. 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:35.840 And so when he's taken to heaven, 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:37.639 he's not some sort of ghost, 00:10:38.139 --> 00:10:42.980 as we might imagine in popular ideas. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:44.220 Point three. 00:10:44.639 --> 00:10:45.300 While unique, 00:10:46.280 --> 00:10:48.540 the ascension was similar in kind 00:10:48.540 --> 00:10:51.320 to other manifestations of God's glory. 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:53.160 That's to say, 00:10:53.259 --> 00:10:55.460 it was the sort of event that moved 00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:58.500 those who witnessed it to want to worship. 00:10:59.980 --> 00:11:01.639 Recall the transfiguration. 00:11:02.220 --> 00:11:03.040 Remember that moment 00:11:03.040 --> 00:11:04.780 when God revealed 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:08.379 this spectacular display of God, 00:11:08.679 --> 00:11:10.199 of Jesus' glory, 00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.740 with Elijah and Moses there 00:11:12.740 --> 00:11:14.059 appearing beside him. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:16.360 And in these moments, 00:11:16.500 --> 00:11:19.179 God does wondrous and amazing things, 00:11:19.279 --> 00:11:21.319 things that are hard to understand 00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:22.179 in the moment, 00:11:22.500 --> 00:11:23.319 but whose meaning 00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:26.959 God himself will reveal in his time. 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:30.740 For the ascension is an event 00:11:30.740 --> 00:11:34.280 in which Jesus truly departs. 00:11:35.540 --> 00:11:37.600 This is something that we easily forget, 00:11:37.780 --> 00:11:39.600 mainly because we want to hold on 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.480 to the promise of Jesus himself 00:11:42.480 --> 00:11:45.320 that he will be with us as we go. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.780 But I think we still have to get things 00:11:47.780 --> 00:11:48.540 in the right order. 00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:50.900 When the clouds surrounded him 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:53.019 and he was carried up or away from us, 00:11:53.220 --> 00:11:54.639 he truly did depart. 00:11:54.639 --> 00:11:56.259 Of course, 00:11:56.360 --> 00:11:57.720 we shouldn't think that by heaven 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:00.360 we mean some far-off galaxy, 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:02.100 because in God's plan, 00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:05.299 heaven will take up creation itself, 00:12:05.720 --> 00:12:06.699 into itself. 00:12:07.120 --> 00:12:08.279 But the point is this. 00:12:08.720 --> 00:12:11.220 Jesus is removed physically 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:14.220 into a dimension 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:17.279 we can't yet perceive or inhabit. 00:12:18.059 --> 00:12:19.740 Our eyes aren't ready for it, 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:20.860 for its glory. 00:12:20.860 --> 00:12:23.340 But we can be sure that it's there. 00:12:24.580 --> 00:12:25.899 And more there 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:28.940 than we can even imagine. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:29.860 More real. 00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:32.259 Finally, the ascension 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.519 is an event in history. 00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:36.480 Just as Jesus suffered 00:12:36.480 --> 00:12:37.659 under Pontius Pilate, 00:12:38.279 --> 00:12:40.220 well, nearly six weeks later, 00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.580 he walked out to Bethany, 00:12:43.580 --> 00:12:45.860 maybe two kilometers, I think, 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.779 with his disciples, 00:12:47.779 --> 00:12:50.259 and there he was taken up 00:12:50.259 --> 00:12:50.860 into heaven. 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:53.220 And just as with the emptying 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.759 of the tomb on Easter morning, 00:12:55.419 --> 00:12:56.939 someone with a video camera, 00:12:57.679 --> 00:12:58.179 theoretically, 00:12:59.120 --> 00:13:00.740 could have filmed the ascension. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.779 So let me sum things up. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:06.199 Jesus' ascension is like 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:07.339 other divine manifestations, 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:08.959 but it's unique. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.199 And his ascension is physical 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.039 in history, 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:15.199 and he truly leaves space-time 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:16.440 as we know it. 00:13:17.840 --> 00:13:19.440 So that's the event itself. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:21.120 I'm sure I haven't exhausted 00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.180 everything that we can say 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.020 about the moment, 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.300 but I think those are 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:25.280 some of the key points 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:26.860 I would want to draw out. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:28.840 What does it mean 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:30.480 for Jesus' work of salvation? 00:13:30.660 --> 00:13:31.600 And this is part two. 00:13:33.520 --> 00:13:34.920 Well, first, it teaches us 00:13:34.920 --> 00:13:36.100 that his work was one 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:37.560 of obedience to the Father. 00:13:39.080 --> 00:13:39.920 In a sense, 00:13:40.320 --> 00:13:41.580 it was necessary 00:13:41.580 --> 00:13:42.840 in this sense. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:45.580 Why did Jesus have to ascend? 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:47.379 Have you wondered about that? 00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:51.440 Why couldn't he just stay 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:53.780 and start ruling 00:13:53.780 --> 00:13:54.940 right then and there? 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.580 Well, evidently, 00:13:57.660 --> 00:13:58.600 that's what the disciples 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.399 had in mind. 00:13:59.759 --> 00:14:00.540 Don't take it from me. 00:14:00.620 --> 00:14:01.220 They said, Lord, 00:14:01.340 --> 00:14:02.280 in Acts 1-6, 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:03.920 we read, 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.460 will you at this time 00:14:06.460 --> 00:14:08.060 restore the kingdom to Israel? 00:14:09.660 --> 00:14:10.620 They were thinking, 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.139 look, Jesus is risen. 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.639 And this has to be 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.759 the most wonderful thing 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.960 we could ever think of. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:17.680 His death didn't destroy 00:14:17.680 --> 00:14:18.820 our hopes after all, 00:14:18.820 --> 00:14:20.139 so now surely 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:22.240 he is going to start 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.100 his earthly reign. 00:14:25.639 --> 00:14:26.780 But it wasn't 00:14:26.780 --> 00:14:28.899 to be that 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:29.879 in God's timing. 00:14:29.879 --> 00:14:32.960 for now, 00:14:33.059 --> 00:14:33.919 Jesus had finished 00:14:33.919 --> 00:14:34.539 the task 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.220 he was sent 00:14:35.220 --> 00:14:35.860 to accomplish 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:37.460 and it was time 00:14:37.460 --> 00:14:38.600 to return to the Father. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.639 We could wish 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:41.059 that he had acted 00:14:41.059 --> 00:14:42.120 according to our 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:43.620 best sense of timing, 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.080 but he tells us, 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:46.220 as we heard 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:46.960 in verse 7, 00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.299 it's not for you 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:49.379 to know the times 00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:50.799 or seasons 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:52.139 that the Father 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.860 has fixed 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.500 by his own authority. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:14:56.799 We know that 00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.960 his work on the cross 00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:58.779 for our redemption 00:14:58.779 --> 00:14:59.820 is now complete. 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.299 The victory 00:15:01.299 --> 00:15:02.080 has been won. 00:15:02.879 --> 00:15:03.700 Paul tells us 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.779 that for his obedience 00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:06.360 to death 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.059 on the cross, 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.259 and you've been 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:09.299 studying about this, 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:11.059 God highly exalted him. 00:15:11.879 --> 00:15:12.480 In other words, 00:15:13.100 --> 00:15:14.679 God restored to him 00:15:14.679 --> 00:15:15.799 the glory and majesty 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.940 that he had willingly 00:15:16.940 --> 00:15:18.279 set aside 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.340 to come 00:15:19.340 --> 00:15:21.080 and be among us 00:15:21.080 --> 00:15:22.379 as a servant. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:24.820 Second point, 00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:25.939 the ascension 00:15:25.939 --> 00:15:26.639 teaches us 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:27.620 that Jesus' work 00:15:27.620 --> 00:15:28.259 continues. 00:15:30.700 --> 00:15:31.620 That is, 00:15:31.720 --> 00:15:32.320 the ascension 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.240 did not mark 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:35.299 Jesus' retirement 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:37.139 from ministry 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:38.559 as we might have 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.100 supposed. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.559 In the early days 00:15:41.559 --> 00:15:42.299 of the pandemic, 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.679 can you remember 00:15:43.679 --> 00:15:44.559 those early days 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:45.679 even now? 00:15:46.299 --> 00:15:47.220 I remember how 00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.200 a preacher somewhere 00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.559 said that the day 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:50.720 Jesus ascended 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.240 was the day 00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:53.440 he started 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:54.539 working from home. 00:15:56.279 --> 00:15:57.779 Well, that's very true. 00:15:58.180 --> 00:15:59.419 It's a very insightful 00:15:59.419 --> 00:16:00.240 thing to say. 00:16:01.139 --> 00:16:03.000 Because the eternal home 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.500 that he's preparing 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.639 for you and me, 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.180 if we have trusted 00:16:07.180 --> 00:16:07.840 in him, 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:11.180 even now 00:16:11.180 --> 00:16:11.879 is right there 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.740 where he is 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.379 with the Father. 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.740 He's preparing a home. 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:20.700 I don't think 00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.399 we have to imagine 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.100 that he's got 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:24.200 suburbs growing out 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:24.519 and out 00:16:24.519 --> 00:16:25.200 and further out, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:25.600 right? 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:26.639 There's another 00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.600 little Lewis idea. 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.360 But he's preparing 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.799 a home, 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.139 a dwelling place. 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.500 This is our longing 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:34.680 if we read 00:16:34.680 --> 00:16:35.399 the Psalms 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.340 and we know 00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:37.740 that we were made 00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:39.000 to be at home 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.740 with the Father 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.879 in the fellowship 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:42.519 of the Holy Spirit 00:16:42.519 --> 00:16:44.180 and with Jesus 00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:45.000 as our brother. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.059 Father. 00:16:46.100 --> 00:16:46.279 So, 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:47.159 well, 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.059 what else is he doing 00:16:48.059 --> 00:16:48.559 from home? 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.399 Got any ideas? 00:16:53.179 --> 00:16:53.440 Well, 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.519 Romans 8.34 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:55.299 tells us that 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.139 he's interceding 00:16:56.139 --> 00:16:56.580 for us 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.379 before the Father. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.600 I opened 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.360 from Hebrews 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.159 with that. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.740 This is a very 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.820 great comfort 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.539 to us 00:17:04.539 --> 00:17:06.240 if we have 00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.920 put our trust 00:17:06.920 --> 00:17:07.359 in him 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.119 because if we 00:17:08.119 --> 00:17:09.299 continue with Paul 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.619 there in that 00:17:10.619 --> 00:17:12.439 glorious Romans 8 00:17:12.439 --> 00:17:12.939 passage, 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.559 we learn that 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.739 Jesus' pleading 00:17:15.739 --> 00:17:16.719 on our behalf 00:17:16.719 --> 00:17:18.359 means, 00:17:19.219 --> 00:17:20.079 if you follow 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.719 reading there 00:17:20.719 --> 00:17:21.759 in Romans 8, 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.139 nothing can now 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.919 separate us 00:17:23.919 --> 00:17:25.619 from the Father's love. 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.299 That's what 00:17:27.299 --> 00:17:28.659 his interceding 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.559 is aimed at, 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.500 at giving us 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:32.739 the comfort 00:17:32.739 --> 00:17:33.639 and the assurance 00:17:33.639 --> 00:17:34.479 that nothing 00:17:34.479 --> 00:17:35.799 can separate us 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.779 from the Father's love. 00:17:37.179 --> 00:17:37.819 And along with 00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.619 representing us 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.500 before the Father 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:40.399 this way, 00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.719 the Gospel readings 00:17:41.719 --> 00:17:42.859 over the last Sundays 00:17:42.859 --> 00:17:44.119 if you've noticed 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.539 have been reminding us 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.839 of something else 00:17:46.839 --> 00:17:47.319 that Jesus 00:17:47.319 --> 00:17:48.579 is doing 00:17:48.579 --> 00:17:49.559 presently 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.859 while he's speaking. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.500 So his ministry 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:53.779 there 00:17:53.779 --> 00:17:54.959 is not only 00:17:54.959 --> 00:17:56.039 a priestly one 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.159 if you like 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.819 as he faces 00:17:57.819 --> 00:17:58.500 the Father 00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.799 right 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.359 on our behalf 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:03.159 pleading for us. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:04.919 It includes 00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.519 a prophetic 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.239 one 00:18:06.239 --> 00:18:07.939 in the sense 00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.680 of continuing 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:09.460 his teaching 00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.000 ministry 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.140 with his face 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.860 turned towards us. 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.440 His people 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.680 declaring to us 00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:18.400 the Father's will 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:18.900 for us. 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:19.900 And that's why 00:18:19.900 --> 00:18:20.600 we can say 00:18:20.600 --> 00:18:21.759 that he not only 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.539 was the way, 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.059 the truth, 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:23.580 and the life 00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:24.420 but that he is 00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:24.779 forever 00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.740 the way, 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:26.420 the truth, 00:18:26.519 --> 00:18:27.160 and the life. 00:18:27.779 --> 00:18:28.480 And that the way 00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.600 to abide in him 00:18:29.600 --> 00:18:32.720 back in Galilee 00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.820 in the first century 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.859 or today 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.039 in the 21st century 00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.419 here in Kanata. 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.359 The way to abide 00:18:39.359 --> 00:18:40.159 in him is what? 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.220 Is to have his words 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.019 abide in us. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:43.779 John 15, 7. 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.159 Well, how is that 00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.839 supposed to happen? 00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:47.159 How are his words 00:18:47.159 --> 00:18:47.799 supposed to abide 00:18:47.799 --> 00:18:48.159 in us? 00:18:48.240 --> 00:18:48.379 Well, 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:50.980 the answer is simple 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.659 and it reveals 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.319 that marvelous 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.559 unity of purpose 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:56.019 between the Son 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:57.039 and the Holy Spirit. 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:59.220 Jesus says 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.799 in John 16, 14, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.119 the Holy Spirit 00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:03.099 will take 00:19:03.099 --> 00:19:04.319 what is mine 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:06.359 and he'll declare 00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.059 it to you. 00:19:08.399 --> 00:19:09.159 What a marvelous 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.519 picture 00:19:10.519 --> 00:19:11.819 of the unity 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.180 and purpose 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.519 of the Holy Spirit 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:16.279 and the eternal 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.399 Son of God. 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.819 Sure enough, 00:19:18.920 --> 00:19:19.960 moved by the Holy Spirit, 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:20.859 the early disciples 00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.759 would find themselves 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.339 remembering 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.480 what Jesus 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.720 had taught them 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:26.659 as well as grasping 00:19:26.660 --> 00:19:27.400 what they were not 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.360 yet able 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.259 to understand 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.080 while he was 00:19:30.080 --> 00:19:31.040 with them 00:19:31.040 --> 00:19:32.540 so that they could 00:19:32.540 --> 00:19:33.320 put it all down 00:19:33.320 --> 00:19:33.820 in writing. 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:36.360 And so it is 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:36.860 that we 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:38.580 21st century disciples 00:19:38.580 --> 00:19:40.240 hear God's voice, 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.600 hear Jesus' voice 00:19:41.600 --> 00:19:42.040 today 00:19:42.040 --> 00:19:43.660 as the same 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.580 Holy Spirit 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:45.820 impresses 00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.600 the truths 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.700 of Scripture 00:19:47.700 --> 00:19:48.600 on our hearts, 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.060 giving us hope 00:19:50.060 --> 00:19:50.600 and purpose 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.400 and understanding 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:53.019 as we do that. 00:19:54.300 --> 00:19:55.460 A third truth 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.500 that the 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:57.100 ascension 00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:57.920 teaches us 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.740 is that 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.340 Jesus will 00:19:59.340 --> 00:19:59.900 come again. 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.740 When Jesus 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.539 promised in 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.220 John 14 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:04.799 3 to prepare 00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.380 a place 00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.880 for his disciples, 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.279 he promised 00:20:08.279 --> 00:20:09.420 his return. 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.120 I will come 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:10.519 again, 00:20:10.620 --> 00:20:11.039 he said, 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:12.140 and I will 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:12.700 take you to 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.200 myself, 00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.539 that where I am 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.500 you may also 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:15.799 be. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.460 Now as I 00:20:18.460 --> 00:20:18.980 pointed out 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.360 earlier, 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.620 if we imagine 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.299 that Jesus, 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.759 that Jesus' 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.480 ascension 00:20:23.480 --> 00:20:24.160 was just an 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.019 experience in 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.540 the hearts 00:20:25.540 --> 00:20:26.180 or minds 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:26.460 of the 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:26.880 disciples, 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:27.580 then we're 00:20:27.580 --> 00:20:28.100 going to 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:28.680 think of 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:29.500 his return 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.580 as something 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:31.140 in the same 00:20:31.140 --> 00:20:31.740 category, 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.080 something that 00:20:33.080 --> 00:20:33.840 we bring about 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.940 through our 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.840 noble efforts. 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.259 Or if we 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:38.840 think that in 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.620 his ascension, 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.600 as some others 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.200 have imagined, 00:20:41.620 --> 00:20:42.160 that Jesus' 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.080 body just 00:20:43.080 --> 00:20:43.660 sort of 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:45.060 merges 00:20:45.060 --> 00:20:46.600 with creation 00:20:46.600 --> 00:20:47.519 or collapses 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.160 into it, 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.080 then again, 00:20:49.320 --> 00:20:50.019 his return 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:50.640 will mean what? 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:51.700 Well, 00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.340 it will just 00:20:52.340 --> 00:20:52.759 mean some 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:53.119 kind of 00:20:53.119 --> 00:20:54.059 intensifying 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:55.619 of that. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.599 There will 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.079 be nothing 00:20:57.079 --> 00:20:57.579 of the 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.660 coming in 00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.180 the clouds 00:20:59.180 --> 00:21:00.640 with great 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.200 power and 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:02.420 glory and 00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:02.839 every eye 00:21:02.839 --> 00:21:03.480 seeing him. 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.379 But what we 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.079 can be certain 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.559 of following 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:08.319 Holy Scripture 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:09.440 is that his 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:10.259 return will be 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.980 cataclysmic, 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.359 it will be an 00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.039 event at the 00:21:13.039 --> 00:21:13.680 end of history 00:21:13.680 --> 00:21:14.460 but still within 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.740 it, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.519 that will usher 00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:17.079 in the final 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.440 judgment as 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:18.779 well as 00:21:18.779 --> 00:21:19.599 inaugurate the 00:21:19.599 --> 00:21:20.039 new heavens 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.480 and the new 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:20.740 earth. 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:22.240 that's a 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:22.819 big topic 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:24.380 but let me 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:25.079 just emphasize 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.019 at least that. 00:21:28.200 --> 00:21:28.859 And the 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.400 Jesus who 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.819 returns, 00:21:29.980 --> 00:21:30.420 by the way, 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.779 is not some 00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:32.599 other Jesus 00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:35.140 or some 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.380 other 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.319 principle. 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.079 But that's 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:38.500 why Acts 00:21:38.500 --> 00:21:39.339 1.11 says 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.480 this same 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:42.120 Jesus that 00:21:42.120 --> 00:21:42.799 you've seen 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:43.539 ascend. 00:21:43.599 --> 00:21:44.000 Isn't that a 00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.720 marvelous thought 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:46.059 that this 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.980 same Jesus 00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.700 that the 00:21:47.700 --> 00:21:48.660 disciples saw 00:21:48.660 --> 00:21:50.340 taken from 00:21:50.340 --> 00:21:50.640 them, 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.779 removed from 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.340 their sight, 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:54.000 will be the 00:21:54.000 --> 00:21:55.019 Jesus who 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.920 returns and 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.400 not someone 00:21:57.400 --> 00:21:57.740 else? 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.460 Well, we've 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:00.960 seen something 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:01.460 of what the 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:02.120 ascension means 00:22:02.120 --> 00:22:02.940 in itself and 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.440 what it means 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.540 for Jesus' 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.440 saving work, 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:05.940 so let me 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:08.300 just suggest 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:08.940 how it might 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:10.160 shape our 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:12.279 response this 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.600 morning. 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:13.920 I offer 00:22:13.920 --> 00:22:14.620 three thoughts. 00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.200 You always have 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:16.720 to have three, 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.540 right, at least. 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.539 And each of 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.180 these comes 00:22:19.180 --> 00:22:19.920 with a 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.799 challenge for 00:22:20.799 --> 00:22:21.399 us today. 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.399 And what 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.000 holds these 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:23.579 three thoughts 00:22:23.579 --> 00:22:24.879 together is 00:22:24.879 --> 00:22:25.700 the pattern 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.639 of the 00:22:26.639 --> 00:22:27.259 disciples' 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:29.180 experience right 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:30.599 from the 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.139 resurrection 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:33.420 to Pentecost. 00:22:34.159 --> 00:22:34.899 There's like 00:22:34.899 --> 00:22:35.619 three stages, 00:22:36.659 --> 00:22:37.159 and so that 00:22:37.159 --> 00:22:37.980 helps me 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.579 organize these 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.480 three remarks. 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.279 First, the 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.119 ascension moves 00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:44.359 us to joyful 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:44.779 worship. 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:46.379 While still 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:46.759 with his 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.259 disciples, 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.000 but after 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.740 his resurrection, 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.779 Jesus fills 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:51.640 them with a 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.720 sense of 00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:53.740 great anticipation. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:54.700 And how 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.180 does he do 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:55.460 that? 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:56.980 Well, in 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.799 Luke 24, 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.160 written by 00:22:59.160 --> 00:22:59.559 the same 00:22:59.559 --> 00:22:59.980 man who 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.759 wrote Acts 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.660 1, right, 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.160 we know, 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.559 he prepares 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.259 them for 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:04.900 what's ahead. 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.059 He does 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:06.559 this by 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.379 opening their 00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:08.359 minds to 00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:08.799 the meaning 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.379 of scriptures 00:23:09.379 --> 00:23:10.480 as it relates 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:11.140 to the events 00:23:11.140 --> 00:23:11.720 that have been 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.480 unfolding. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:12.539 healing. 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.700 He reminds 00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.019 them that 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.360 they've been 00:23:16.360 --> 00:23:17.380 privileged to 00:23:17.380 --> 00:23:18.339 witness these 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:18.799 events. 00:23:19.860 --> 00:23:20.680 And he says 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.099 that this 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:22.519 message is 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:22.900 going to go 00:23:22.900 --> 00:23:23.400 out to the 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:23.759 nations, 00:23:23.759 --> 00:23:25.259 and he 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:26.380 promises to 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.599 send the 00:23:27.599 --> 00:23:28.200 Holy Spirit. 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.579 Now, we 00:23:28.579 --> 00:23:29.660 know that 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:31.000 the Father 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.640 sends the 00:23:31.640 --> 00:23:31.940 Spirit, 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.599 the Son 00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.480 also promises 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.599 to send the 00:23:34.599 --> 00:23:34.880 Spirit, 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:35.460 and we have 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.740 this unity 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.539 and purpose 00:23:37.539 --> 00:23:38.180 of sending 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.819 the Spirit. 00:23:38.819 --> 00:23:38.939 Spirit. 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.460 And that's 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.019 what authentic, 00:23:43.619 --> 00:23:44.619 sorry, let me 00:23:44.619 --> 00:23:45.179 back up, when 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:46.279 he ascends, 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.500 they worship 00:23:47.500 --> 00:23:49.159 him spontaneously. 00:23:50.439 --> 00:23:51.259 Maybe they 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:51.759 raised their 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:53.059 hands, maybe 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.599 they shouted 00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.200 words of 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.359 praise, whatever 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:56.079 it was, it 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.939 was enthusiastic. 00:23:58.319 --> 00:23:58.980 And that's 00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.679 what authentic 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.500 worship is, no 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.099 matter whether 00:24:01.099 --> 00:24:02.659 we belong to 00:24:02.659 --> 00:24:04.359 a culture that 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.500 encourages quiet 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:07.720 restraint in the 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.379 presence of the 00:24:08.379 --> 00:24:08.779 things of 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:10.240 God, or to a 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.839 more festive 00:24:10.839 --> 00:24:11.559 one that calls 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.379 for shouts and 00:24:12.379 --> 00:24:13.619 dancing. 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.240 I felt this 00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:16.279 really sharply 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.259 when I went 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.920 with a group 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.680 from London 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:21.460 to Peru, and 00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.039 we had a 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.899 Russian lady on 00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:23.980 our team, and 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.359 she said, 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.079 Steve, you're 00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:25.740 like two people. 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:26.720 In England, 00:24:26.960 --> 00:24:27.859 you're like this. 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.139 And over here 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.799 in Peru, well, 00:24:29.839 --> 00:24:30.339 you're just like 00:24:30.339 --> 00:24:30.660 this. 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.379 And I said, 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.000 thank you for 00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:34.440 that rebuke. 00:24:34.700 --> 00:24:35.440 I'll try to be 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.139 more consistent. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.339 But at any 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.960 rate, you can 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.440 feel the 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.059 difference in 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:40.460 cultural expressions 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.660 of the faith, and 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.340 what counts as 00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.820 enthusiasm. 00:24:43.080 --> 00:24:44.400 But in either 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.460 case, I would 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.160 argue, there's a 00:24:46.160 --> 00:24:46.799 response of 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.660 gratitude and 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:49.059 joy that's bound 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.900 to be marked in 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.420 one way or 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:50.720 another. 00:24:53.559 --> 00:24:54.180 Well, let's 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.779 remember, though, 00:24:54.860 --> 00:24:55.940 that at this 00:24:55.940 --> 00:24:57.140 stage, the 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:58.160 disciples, even 00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.820 here, think 00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.299 they're supposed 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.039 to be clinging 00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:01.660 to the moment. 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.279 That's why when 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.900 the men dressed 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.600 in white say to 00:25:04.600 --> 00:25:05.440 them, hey, why 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.400 are you gazing up 00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.060 into heaven like 00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.420 this? 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.540 It's because they 00:25:09.540 --> 00:25:10.180 were doing what 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:11.240 comes most 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.700 naturally. 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:12.700 We want to 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.480 remain there in 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.140 that moment. 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.180 We want to, 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.080 even as they 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.180 witnessed, the 00:25:18.180 --> 00:25:18.780 disciples that 00:25:18.780 --> 00:25:19.220 witnessed the 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:20.200 transfiguration, but 00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.180 they were going to 00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.660 have to learn that 00:25:22.660 --> 00:25:23.460 there was something 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.480 else they needed to 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.320 pay attention to. 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:26.940 And that brings us 00:25:26.940 --> 00:25:27.880 to the second 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:28.759 moment and second 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.200 thought. 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.759 The ascension of 00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:32.280 Jesus inspires 00:25:32.280 --> 00:25:33.220 joyful waiting. 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:35.259 So there's joyful 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:36.220 worship, but 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:36.680 there's also 00:25:36.680 --> 00:25:37.480 joyful waiting. 00:25:38.039 --> 00:25:38.559 The disciples 00:25:38.559 --> 00:25:39.339 were told to do 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.539 what? 00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.200 Not to stand 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:42.059 there gazing, but 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.900 to go and wait 00:25:42.900 --> 00:25:43.920 for the promised 00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:44.579 Holy Spirit. 00:25:44.860 --> 00:25:45.519 And they obey. 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.519 They say, all 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:46.960 right, that's 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:47.240 what we're going 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.519 to do. 00:25:48.259 --> 00:25:49.460 With joy, we're 00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.220 told, they went 00:25:50.220 --> 00:25:50.559 where? 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.339 To the temple. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.980 And there they 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.860 were to be found 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.700 praising God. 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.220 Same spirit that 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.400 rested on Simeon 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:03.300 as he eagerly 00:26:03.300 --> 00:26:04.900 awaited Israel's 00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:06.240 consolation was 00:26:06.240 --> 00:26:07.380 soon to come upon 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.019 them all. 00:26:08.780 --> 00:26:09.400 And there was an 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.200 eager anticipation 00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:11.540 of that based on 00:26:11.540 --> 00:26:13.240 a trustworthy 00:26:13.240 --> 00:26:14.740 promise given. 00:26:15.840 --> 00:26:17.280 And our call for 00:26:17.280 --> 00:26:18.120 you and me this 00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:19.300 morning and our 00:26:19.300 --> 00:26:20.640 privilege is to 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:22.060 wait eagerly for 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:22.980 Jesus to come 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.300 again. 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:25.180 Do you want a 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:26.259 good picture of 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.880 godly waiting? 00:26:28.440 --> 00:26:29.460 Consider Isaiah 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.860 40, 31, which 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:32.740 I can never read 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:33.659 anymore since 00:26:33.659 --> 00:26:34.500 Chariots of Fire 00:26:34.500 --> 00:26:35.939 without thinking of 00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.919 Ian Charlson's 00:26:36.919 --> 00:26:37.740 wonderful way of 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.579 reading, which I 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:41.439 think gives us, I 00:26:41.439 --> 00:26:42.459 don't know if Ian 00:26:42.459 --> 00:26:43.240 Charlson was a 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:44.379 believer, but boy, 00:26:44.459 --> 00:26:45.359 oh boy, the way he 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:47.579 read that passage, it 00:26:47.579 --> 00:26:49.079 was just such a good 00:26:49.079 --> 00:26:51.299 example for scripture 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:51.979 reading in the 00:26:51.979 --> 00:26:52.559 presence of the 00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:52.939 congregation. 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.899 Maybe you know 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:54.519 which moment I'm 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.579 talking about, but 00:26:55.579 --> 00:26:56.359 he's in the church 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.459 there on the Sunday 00:26:57.459 --> 00:26:58.399 morning that he 00:26:58.399 --> 00:26:58.839 might have been 00:26:58.839 --> 00:27:00.000 running, and he's 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.880 reading from Isaiah. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:04.460 Like the eagle that 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.299 waits for and 00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:06.059 depends on the 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.240 wind, so those that 00:27:08.240 --> 00:27:09.359 wait upon the Lord 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:11.000 renew their strength. 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.720 They run the race 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:14.160 and walk the way of 00:27:14.160 --> 00:27:15.480 Jesus in his 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.759 strength and not 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.220 their own. 00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:20.039 So by the Holy 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:21.140 Spirit's prompting, 00:27:21.220 --> 00:27:21.819 we come to 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.940 experience joyful 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.200 worship and 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.180 expectant waiting. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:27.460 But if we wait 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:29.519 eagerly, we also 00:27:29.519 --> 00:27:30.799 wait actively, and 00:27:30.799 --> 00:27:32.820 this, according to 00:27:32.820 --> 00:27:33.940 Jesus' promise, and 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:35.799 this takes us to the 00:27:35.799 --> 00:27:37.340 third moment and to 00:27:37.340 --> 00:27:38.900 my final thought and 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.420 challenge. 00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:41.100 I think the 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:42.140 ascension of Jesus 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:44.400 motivates a witness 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.360 that's bold and 00:27:45.360 --> 00:27:45.799 powerful. 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.900 The experience of the 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.759 disciples was that 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:50.160 they first knew 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.620 joyful worship, from 00:27:51.620 --> 00:27:52.299 there they were led 00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.779 to wait eagerly, and 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:54.700 then when the 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.799 promised Holy 00:27:55.799 --> 00:27:57.019 Spirit came, they 00:27:57.019 --> 00:27:58.079 moved out into 00:27:58.079 --> 00:28:00.399 active and bold 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.000 witness. 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.399 Recall with me how 00:28:02.399 --> 00:28:02.899 it happened. 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.119 We're still in Luke 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:06.940 24, backing up to 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:09.139 the background to the 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.940 passage you read. 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:10.940 Before his 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:12.720 ascension, Jesus 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.940 told his disciples 00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.740 that they were to be 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.039 his witnesses, but 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.899 that before their 00:28:16.899 --> 00:28:18.480 message could go to 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.759 the nations, they 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.660 needed to be clothed 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.680 with power from on 00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:25.220 high, verse 49 of 00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.960 Luke 24. 00:28:26.380 --> 00:28:27.600 And that power was, 00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.060 of course, a personal 00:28:29.060 --> 00:28:32.160 one, because it was 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:34.180 the power and is the 00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:35.900 power that belongs to 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.620 the person of the Holy 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:38.019 Spirit. 00:28:38.680 --> 00:28:40.299 And this power fell 00:28:40.299 --> 00:28:41.500 upon the disciples at 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.960 Pentecost, equipping 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.980 them for courageous 00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:46.680 witness, launching a 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:48.600 movement that would go 00:28:48.600 --> 00:28:49.340 to the ends of the 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:49.519 earth. 00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:51.259 It was already in the 00:28:51.259 --> 00:28:53.639 early DNA, wasn't it, 00:28:53.839 --> 00:28:55.299 with Pentecost and 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.240 going to the nations. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.759 And there's the 00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.799 challenge for you and 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.759 for me today, since 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.660 it's the same Holy 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:02.000 Spirit who's working 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:04.019 today, guiding God's 00:29:04.019 --> 00:29:05.299 people in mission 00:29:05.299 --> 00:29:08.019 until the day Jesus 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.700 comes back. 00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:11.339 Now, if we've come to 00:29:11.339 --> 00:29:12.519 know the risen and 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:14.139 ascended Jesus as 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.859 Savior and as Master, 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:18.299 will know the joy that 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:19.899 comes in that 00:29:19.899 --> 00:29:21.079 relationship itself. 00:29:21.719 --> 00:29:23.059 And we'll grow in it 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:25.119 as we let Jesus' words 00:29:25.119 --> 00:29:26.859 abide, do their work in 00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.119 us. 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.099 It will be an abiding 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.679 joy, even in the midst 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:32.279 of sadness, of 00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:34.839 hardship, of rejection 00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:37.539 by the world. 00:29:38.419 --> 00:29:39.779 But if we've known that 00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:41.339 joy, we'll also have a 00:29:41.339 --> 00:29:42.859 longing in our hearts for 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:45.639 Jesus' kingdom to come. 00:29:46.719 --> 00:29:47.899 It's a longing that we 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:49.679 know no earthly 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:51.399 arrangement or 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.479 institution can 00:29:52.479 --> 00:29:54.479 satisfy, even if we 00:29:54.479 --> 00:29:55.339 behave otherwise, 00:29:56.379 --> 00:29:57.539 coming to put our 00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.699 trust in princes at 00:29:58.699 --> 00:29:59.059 times. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:00.359 But it will be those 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:01.179 very failures 00:30:01.179 --> 00:30:03.399 themselves that God 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.579 will use to bring us 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.919 back to our first love. 00:30:05.920 --> 00:30:09.320 finally, if we felt in 00:30:09.320 --> 00:30:10.940 our hearts that longing 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.539 for Jesus' return and 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.880 for the new creation 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:17.019 that Paul presents to 00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.880 us there in Romans, 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.720 then our desire will be 00:30:19.720 --> 00:30:21.580 to see people from all 00:30:21.580 --> 00:30:24.100 people groups come to 00:30:24.100 --> 00:30:25.340 know him for who he is. 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:27.120 Our godly waiting will 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:29.100 serve as a witness, 00:30:29.300 --> 00:30:30.000 to be sure. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:32.220 People will see the 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.440 hope. 00:30:33.200 --> 00:30:34.080 They will get a glimpse 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:35.019 of the hope that we 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:37.539 have, but so too will 00:30:37.539 --> 00:30:38.740 our testimony be 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.299 necessary. 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.960 And the idea of 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.319 bearing verbal witness 00:30:42.319 --> 00:30:43.639 to others shouldn't 00:30:43.639 --> 00:30:44.619 scare us once we 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.740 understand what it is. 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.920 It's not about 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:48.420 eloquence. 00:30:49.139 --> 00:30:50.160 It's not about fine 00:30:50.160 --> 00:30:50.500 words. 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:51.619 It's not about graduate 00:30:51.619 --> 00:30:52.759 degrees in theology 00:30:52.759 --> 00:30:53.940 and philosophy. 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:55.460 It's not about having 00:30:55.460 --> 00:30:57.119 your theology all nice 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:57.619 and tidy. 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.839 Once God's love in 00:31:00.839 --> 00:31:01.859 Christ has taken hold 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:03.019 of us, our verbal 00:31:03.019 --> 00:31:04.400 witness is as simple 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.960 as the words of that 00:31:05.960 --> 00:31:07.140 woman Jesus met at the 00:31:07.140 --> 00:31:07.380 well. 00:31:07.560 --> 00:31:09.380 Come and see a man 00:31:09.380 --> 00:31:10.620 who told me everything 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:11.360 about myself. 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:14.000 Or it's as simple as 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:15.040 declaring with Peter 00:31:15.040 --> 00:31:17.140 that the words of 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:18.900 eternal life are in 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.200 Jesus. 00:31:22.300 --> 00:31:23.640 So may we grow in 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:24.880 boldness to share that 00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:25.680 word with others, 00:31:26.040 --> 00:31:27.460 trusting that it will be 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.460 the Holy Spirit who 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.259 works in people's 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:29.580 hearts. 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:31.259 And as we do that, 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:32.879 may we not think of 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.759 ourselves just as 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.559 scattered, lonely 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.759 Christians out there. 00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:39.039 Solitary Christians, 00:31:39.159 --> 00:31:40.819 but as real ambassadors 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:43.139 for the household of 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:43.480 God. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:46.619 And of the congregation 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:48.339 that bears the name 00:31:48.339 --> 00:31:49.980 Messiah, who is our 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.740 one hope in this life 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:52.639 and the world to come. 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.599 Amen.