WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.839 Okay, this section. I want us to look at it for two weeks, mainly because I think it's one of the most neglected areas of the truth of the gospel. 00:00:10.839 --> 00:00:18.300 If I'm going to explain the gospel, we might talk about the incarnation, although I suspect lots of us wouldn't. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:23.699 We'd simply talk about the life of Christ, the miracles of Christ. We would talk about the cross. 00:00:26.439 --> 00:00:30.300 I suspect we don't talk about the burial of Christ, I don't want to explain the gospel very much. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:32.079 We do talk about the resurrection. 00:00:34.200 --> 00:00:40.519 And maybe we talk about his coming again, although I think we're a little bit nervous about that. 00:00:40.840 --> 00:00:47.060 But I think it's very rare in our explanation of the gospel that we talk about the ascension. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:51.100 The truth of the Lord Jesus Christ ascending into heaven. 00:00:52.100 --> 00:00:57.260 And what I've learned as I've kind of studied this in the last few weeks is when we neglect the truth of Christ's ascension, 00:00:57.260 --> 00:01:01.080 we're neglecting something of enormous significance, I'd really help you and I. 00:01:04.140 --> 00:01:08.879 It's a distortion of the gospel which makes us play down the truth of the ascension. 00:01:10.840 --> 00:01:21.140 We would, of course wouldn't we, we would recognise it's completely wrong to divorce the birth and life of our Lord Jesus from his death. 00:01:21.280 --> 00:01:22.100 We wouldn't do that. 00:01:23.400 --> 00:01:31.400 Many people of Christ do that and they produce Jesus who's a good example to us of love and good works but nothing more. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:38.460 Neither would we be content with divorcing the death of Jesus from his resurrection. 00:01:40.320 --> 00:01:53.500 We can't do that because the resurrection is the seal, it's the validation, it's the receipt of the price being paid by Christ and his death and his sufficient death. 00:01:53.500 --> 00:02:01.219 But it's also a big mistake to divorce the birth, life and death and resurrection of Jesus from the ascension into glory. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:04.960 And it's an odd thing that many biblical Christians have done that. 00:02:06.000 --> 00:02:09.659 And by doing that we've lost the fullness of the Christian gospel. 00:02:09.659 --> 00:02:19.139 It's significant I think that when Jesus tells Mary in John 20 verse 17 that she is to go to his brothers, 00:02:20.139 --> 00:02:24.579 he does not say, go and tell them that I am risen. 00:02:26.079 --> 00:02:33.840 He says, go and tell them that I ascend to my father and their father, to my God and their God. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:42.420 When the Apostle Paul in that wonderful chapter in Romans 8 is reassuring us of what the Lord Jesus has done, 00:02:43.420 --> 00:02:49.500 of what Christ has done for us, he includes in that sufficient work of Christ not only that he died, 00:02:50.599 --> 00:02:57.520 and more than that was raised to life, but also that he is now at the right hand of God and he intercedes for us. 00:02:57.520 --> 00:03:04.719 In other words, the Apostle binds together the death, the resurrection and the ascension of the Lord Jesus. 00:03:05.860 --> 00:03:07.980 There's going to be three things over the next two weeks. 00:03:08.060 --> 00:03:11.860 First of all, tonight I want us to look at the fact of the ascension, 00:03:13.120 --> 00:03:14.620 and then the meaning of the ascension, 00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:19.400 and then next week what I want to try and do is look at the implications of the ascension. 00:03:19.400 --> 00:03:25.819 I want to say that the implications of the ascension are infinitely greater than we normally realise, 00:03:26.280 --> 00:03:29.860 and in various ways where I think you have and I have great needs. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:31.480 So first of all, the fact of the ascension. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:38.379 And I need to point out to you that Luke is a careful historian, isn't he? 00:03:39.640 --> 00:03:42.819 He wrote the book of Acts, as well as the third gospel, 00:03:42.819 --> 00:03:48.300 and he presents the ascension of the Lord Jesus to us as an historical fact. 00:03:49.400 --> 00:03:55.480 The same way that he presents the birth of Jesus as an historical fact. 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:58.379 The death of Jesus and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:02.740 They were events which were witnessed and are historical, 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:09.159 and he points out to us that there were those who before their very eyes, 00:04:09.900 --> 00:04:10.819 Jesus was taken up. 00:04:11.700 --> 00:04:12.700 He ascended. 00:04:12.699 --> 00:04:19.879 Many people have problems with the whole idea of Jesus being taken up from earth into heaven. 00:04:21.039 --> 00:04:25.319 Jesus defying the law of gravity, as sometimes can be suggested. 00:04:27.079 --> 00:04:32.339 I personally have got no problems with the God who created the law of gravity 00:04:32.339 --> 00:04:35.180 suspending it for this particular purpose. 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:40.019 Nor do I have any problems with the God of the supernatural, 00:04:40.220 --> 00:04:44.240 who brought Jesus Christ from the dead to life. 00:04:46.160 --> 00:04:52.420 Bringing him into heaven in the way that Luke describes here in Acts 00:04:52.420 --> 00:04:54.780 is, again, evidence of the supernatural. 00:04:54.879 --> 00:04:55.920 We can't prove it, can we? 00:04:55.920 --> 00:05:00.220 I get very tired of talks on the resurrection, 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:03.259 which are all about the evidence for the resurrection. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:08.439 How we have definitive proof of the resurrection. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:10.360 I would argue that we do, 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:15.580 but we don't believe the resurrection on the basis of 00:05:15.580 --> 00:05:19.620 the kind of proofs, so to speak. 00:05:21.740 --> 00:05:22.800 Can you prove the incarnation? 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.759 You can't, can you? 00:05:27.360 --> 00:05:28.800 We can't prove the ascension, 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:29.900 and yet it is historical. 00:05:30.100 --> 00:05:32.079 I've got no problems with the God who created 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:33.939 the law of gravity, 00:05:34.139 --> 00:05:35.620 suspending the law of gravity, 00:05:35.780 --> 00:05:36.620 as he does here. 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:39.080 And we need to say, don't we, 00:05:39.100 --> 00:05:41.720 that the problem is people have a problem with the supernatural. 00:05:43.780 --> 00:05:44.980 And that problem pursues them 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:46.960 to whatever area of the gospel they're dealing with, 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:48.379 because the God who we deal with 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:49.699 is the God of the supernatural. 00:05:49.699 --> 00:05:51.000 The ascension tells us that. 00:05:52.800 --> 00:05:55.939 Same Greek word for heaven. 00:05:56.819 --> 00:05:58.079 He was taken up into heaven. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:06:00.220 It's used in the Bible for three things. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.819 It's one of the most commonest words 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:05.500 in the whole of the New Testament. 00:06:06.300 --> 00:06:07.280 It's the word for heaven, 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:08.480 or the heavens, 00:06:08.840 --> 00:06:10.100 or the sky, 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:11.259 or the air. 00:06:11.319 --> 00:06:12.740 It's always the same word that's used 00:06:12.740 --> 00:06:13.519 in the New Testament. 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:16.160 And there doesn't seem to be an alternative. 00:06:17.080 --> 00:06:19.240 It's used, firstly, for the air above us. 00:06:19.240 --> 00:06:22.740 So Jesus is the singer on the mount. 00:06:23.139 --> 00:06:23.980 He says to you, 00:06:24.060 --> 00:06:24.579 he directs us, 00:06:24.639 --> 00:06:26.759 consider the birds of the air. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:30.400 That is, the birds who fly in the air above us. 00:06:31.220 --> 00:06:32.019 It's the word for air. 00:06:33.180 --> 00:06:34.379 It's exactly the same word 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:36.379 as for the heavens, 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:37.560 all for heaven. 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:40.139 It's used, secondly, 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:42.720 for the whole realm of space, 00:06:42.860 --> 00:06:45.220 of sun and moon and stars. 00:06:45.220 --> 00:06:46.160 And so in that sense, 00:06:46.220 --> 00:06:47.580 the heavens beyond us. 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:50.600 That would include now thinking 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:51.540 what we would call, 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:51.800 wouldn't it, 00:06:51.860 --> 00:06:52.680 outer space, 00:06:52.760 --> 00:06:53.400 outer space, 00:06:53.520 --> 00:06:54.240 the whole galaxy. 00:06:56.160 --> 00:06:57.540 But the third way 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:59.240 that the word is used 00:06:59.240 --> 00:07:01.260 is for that sphere 00:07:01.260 --> 00:07:03.120 where God reigns 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:04.220 and God acts. 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:06.940 Where God is. 00:07:08.900 --> 00:07:10.080 That is the sphere 00:07:10.080 --> 00:07:12.340 of his unlimited power 00:07:12.340 --> 00:07:13.520 and sovereignty. 00:07:13.519 --> 00:07:15.839 It's the very thing 00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:16.680 that Jesus teaches 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:17.579 his disciples to pray. 00:07:17.639 --> 00:07:18.719 We pray this tonight, isn't it? 00:07:18.959 --> 00:07:21.019 Our Father in heaven. 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:26.099 This is precisely the word, 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:27.319 the adjective that's used. 00:07:28.479 --> 00:07:29.299 Our heavenly Father. 00:07:30.599 --> 00:07:32.759 So that God is not to be thought of 00:07:32.759 --> 00:07:34.519 as earthly and bound 00:07:35.039 --> 00:07:37.599 and therefore by earthly standards 00:07:37.599 --> 00:07:38.859 and earthly possibilities 00:07:38.859 --> 00:07:40.000 and earthly ideas. 00:07:40.339 --> 00:07:41.919 He is the one who is in heaven. 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:46.459 And that does not refer primarily 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:47.879 to a location somewhere 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:48.759 in the universe, 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.479 but to the character of God 00:07:50.479 --> 00:07:52.099 as the God whose kingdom 00:07:52.099 --> 00:07:53.419 is the kingdom of heaven. 00:07:54.799 --> 00:07:56.060 That simply means 00:07:56.060 --> 00:07:56.879 that he is the God 00:07:56.879 --> 00:07:58.319 of unlimited, 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.799 unbounded resources, 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:01.099 unlimited sovereignty 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:02.180 and unlimited power. 00:08:03.859 --> 00:08:05.019 And that is the realm 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:06.120 of God's authority 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:07.159 and presence. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:10.100 Sometimes, 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:11.300 the word is used 00:08:11.300 --> 00:08:11.960 in the New Testament 00:08:11.960 --> 00:08:13.939 actually is a kind of synonym 00:08:13.939 --> 00:08:15.080 for God himself. 00:08:16.700 --> 00:08:17.240 So do you remember 00:08:17.240 --> 00:08:18.840 in the parable 00:08:18.840 --> 00:08:19.700 of the prodigal son? 00:08:21.880 --> 00:08:22.720 The son is sitting 00:08:22.720 --> 00:08:23.480 in the far country 00:08:23.480 --> 00:08:24.520 and he's planning 00:08:24.520 --> 00:08:25.560 what he's going to say 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:27.400 to his dad, isn't he? 00:08:28.740 --> 00:08:29.640 And he's practicing 00:08:29.640 --> 00:08:30.400 this speech 00:08:30.400 --> 00:08:31.180 as he goes back 00:08:31.180 --> 00:08:31.580 to his dad 00:08:31.580 --> 00:08:32.259 and when he arrives 00:08:32.259 --> 00:08:33.620 into his dad's presence 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:34.000 he says, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.440 I have sinned against heaven. 00:08:38.179 --> 00:08:39.120 I don't know your sight. 00:08:40.460 --> 00:08:41.940 So he's using the word heaven 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:43.740 as a synonym for God 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:44.960 and it's an important thing 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:45.879 for us to grasp. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.039 It's one of the ways 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:48.539 in which the Bible 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:49.820 uses this term 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:50.899 and it's important 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:52.580 for us to recognize 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:54.059 that for mortal creatures 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:54.720 up 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:57.039 is definitively 00:08:57.039 --> 00:08:58.399 the direction 00:08:58.399 --> 00:08:59.299 in which we look 00:08:59.299 --> 00:09:00.480 for the glory 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.600 in which God dwells. 00:09:01.600 --> 00:09:04.120 We're not primarily 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.139 speaking about location 00:09:05.139 --> 00:09:07.120 or a certain 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:08.720 part of the universe 00:09:08.720 --> 00:09:09.519 but we are speaking 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.100 about a place 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:11.240 heaven is a place 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:12.540 that is far more real 00:09:12.540 --> 00:09:13.340 than this world. 00:09:15.100 --> 00:09:16.759 And the book of Revelation 00:09:16.759 --> 00:09:18.240 the last book of the Bible 00:09:18.240 --> 00:09:19.100 is full of the word 00:09:19.100 --> 00:09:19.500 isn't it? 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:22.240 It helps us 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.600 in the measure 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:24.159 that we 00:09:24.159 --> 00:09:25.860 fragile 00:09:25.860 --> 00:09:28.759 mortal human beings 00:09:28.759 --> 00:09:29.540 are able to understand 00:09:29.540 --> 00:09:29.680 it. 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:30.440 To grasp what 00:09:30.440 --> 00:09:31.720 heaven means 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:33.240 to which Jesus 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:33.940 now is God. 00:09:35.940 --> 00:09:36.480 So we're not 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:37.440 locating God 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:38.280 in the sky 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:39.000 when we speak 00:09:39.000 --> 00:09:39.380 of heaven 00:09:39.380 --> 00:09:40.400 but we are 00:09:40.400 --> 00:09:41.060 affirming that 00:09:41.060 --> 00:09:42.160 heaven is 00:09:42.160 --> 00:09:43.360 more real 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:44.240 a world 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.080 than this one 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.760 and that Jesus 00:09:46.760 --> 00:09:47.520 has gone to it. 00:09:49.740 --> 00:09:50.140 Now of course 00:09:50.140 --> 00:09:51.140 Jesus could have 00:09:51.140 --> 00:09:51.660 left this world 00:09:51.660 --> 00:09:52.160 invisibly. 00:09:53.840 --> 00:09:54.580 He could have 00:09:54.580 --> 00:09:54.940 left the world 00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:55.300 invisibly. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.080 He came 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:56.720 invisibly. 00:09:56.720 --> 00:09:59.420 Why didn't he 00:09:59.420 --> 00:10:00.040 leave this world 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:00.779 invisibly? 00:10:01.399 --> 00:10:01.940 Think about that. 00:10:03.220 --> 00:10:03.740 Why didn't 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:04.259 Jesus 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:04.779 just 00:10:04.779 --> 00:10:07.240 go like that 00:10:07.240 --> 00:10:08.279 in the middle 00:10:08.279 --> 00:10:08.620 of the night 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:10.879 when no one 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:11.100 saw? 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:12.920 That's how he 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:13.540 entered the room 00:10:13.540 --> 00:10:14.259 with the Virgin Mary. 00:10:16.700 --> 00:10:17.300 But there's 00:10:17.300 --> 00:10:17.980 obvious reasons 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:18.279 now 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:18.800 why he would 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:19.519 go publicly 00:10:19.519 --> 00:10:20.779 and visibly 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:21.259 before their 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:21.920 very eyes. 00:10:23.300 --> 00:10:23.519 And Luke 00:10:23.519 --> 00:10:24.080 tells us 00:10:24.080 --> 00:10:27.440 in Acts 00:10:27.440 --> 00:10:27.940 chapter 1 00:10:27.940 --> 00:10:28.500 verse 9. 00:10:30.220 --> 00:10:31.000 And when he 00:10:31.000 --> 00:10:31.580 said these 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:31.960 things 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:32.820 as they 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:33.660 were looking 00:10:33.660 --> 00:10:34.120 on 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:34.920 he was 00:10:34.920 --> 00:10:35.740 lifted up 00:10:35.740 --> 00:10:36.300 and a cloud 00:10:36.300 --> 00:10:36.700 took him 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.280 out of their 00:10:37.280 --> 00:10:37.860 sight. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:39.860 And they 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:40.320 were gazing 00:10:40.320 --> 00:10:40.780 into heaven 00:10:40.780 --> 00:10:41.320 as he went. 00:10:43.379 --> 00:10:43.940 The reason 00:10:43.940 --> 00:10:44.660 Jesus went 00:10:44.660 --> 00:10:45.100 visibly 00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.080 was because 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:47.420 the disciples 00:10:47.420 --> 00:10:48.040 would otherwise 00:10:48.040 --> 00:10:48.600 have been waiting 00:10:48.600 --> 00:10:49.520 for the next 00:10:49.520 --> 00:10:50.080 resurrection 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:50.879 appearance 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:52.960 of Jesus. 00:10:54.080 --> 00:10:55.139 And so 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.580 Jesus 00:10:55.580 --> 00:10:56.360 again and 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:56.560 again 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.120 those 40 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:57.660 days after 00:10:57.660 --> 00:10:58.200 his resurrection 00:10:58.200 --> 00:10:58.759 he kind of 00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.820 appears 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:00.160 and then 00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:00.600 disappears. 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:06.220 But what 00:11:06.220 --> 00:11:06.500 is happening 00:11:06.500 --> 00:11:06.940 now is 00:11:06.940 --> 00:11:07.540 Jesus is 00:11:07.540 --> 00:11:08.180 showing them 00:11:08.180 --> 00:11:08.480 visibly 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.020 these 40 00:11:09.020 --> 00:11:09.360 days have 00:11:09.360 --> 00:11:09.600 come to 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:10.000 an end. 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:12.320 And Jesus 00:11:12.320 --> 00:11:13.100 was no longer 00:11:13.100 --> 00:11:13.860 going to pursue 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:14.620 his purposes 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.720 through his 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.580 flesh on 00:11:16.580 --> 00:11:17.100 this earth. 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:19.660 He was 00:11:19.660 --> 00:11:19.860 going to 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:20.520 pursue in 00:11:20.520 --> 00:11:20.920 heaven 00:11:20.920 --> 00:11:22.759 his mighty 00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.180 plan. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:27.800 the 00:11:27.800 --> 00:11:28.220 saviour 00:11:28.220 --> 00:11:28.660 and the 00:11:28.660 --> 00:11:29.379 friend of 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:29.840 sinners 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.940 goes into 00:11:30.940 --> 00:11:31.320 heaven. 00:11:32.420 --> 00:11:32.660 Their 00:11:32.660 --> 00:11:33.120 friend 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:34.960 he ascends 00:11:34.960 --> 00:11:35.360 on a cloud 00:11:35.360 --> 00:11:35.580 and so 00:11:35.580 --> 00:11:35.879 they're not 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:36.400 waiting for 00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:36.700 the next 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:37.259 appearance of 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:37.540 Jesus 00:11:37.540 --> 00:11:38.240 and they 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:38.500 wonder 00:11:38.500 --> 00:11:38.980 where it 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:39.300 will be 00:11:39.300 --> 00:11:39.680 and where 00:11:39.680 --> 00:11:39.920 it will 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:40.280 be. 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.400 Because one 00:11:42.400 --> 00:11:42.560 of the 00:11:42.560 --> 00:11:43.000 reasons he 00:11:43.000 --> 00:11:43.360 goes to 00:11:43.360 --> 00:11:43.980 heaven is 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:44.340 that he 00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:45.520 is everywhere 00:11:45.520 --> 00:11:46.020 to be 00:11:46.020 --> 00:11:46.540 known by 00:11:46.540 --> 00:11:46.759 his 00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.220 disciples. 00:11:49.960 --> 00:11:50.360 So 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:50.560 Jesus 00:11:50.560 --> 00:11:50.980 says to 00:11:50.980 --> 00:11:51.240 you and 00:11:51.240 --> 00:11:51.520 I just 00:11:51.520 --> 00:11:51.860 means he 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:52.160 says to 00:11:52.160 --> 00:11:52.259 the 00:11:52.259 --> 00:11:52.640 disciples 00:11:52.639 --> 00:11:52.980 I will 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.240 be with 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:53.460 you 00:11:53.460 --> 00:11:54.419 always 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:56.019 everywhere. 00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:58.559 And so 00:11:58.559 --> 00:11:58.939 how can 00:11:58.939 --> 00:11:59.159 he be 00:11:59.159 --> 00:11:59.620 with them 00:11:59.620 --> 00:12:00.259 always 00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:00.960 everywhere 00:12:00.960 --> 00:12:01.659 if his 00:12:01.659 --> 00:12:02.179 presence 00:12:02.179 --> 00:12:02.879 is like 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.179 the 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:03.639 resurrection 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:04.259 appearances? 00:12:04.480 --> 00:12:04.659 Well it 00:12:04.659 --> 00:12:05.360 can't be. 00:12:06.699 --> 00:12:07.319 The answer 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:07.559 is he 00:12:07.559 --> 00:12:07.899 can't. 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.500 But Jesus 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.399 is able to 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:12.019 be present 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.500 with every 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.100 Christian 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:14.679 through the 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.319 Holy Spirit 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:18.500 wherever in 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:18.740 the world 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:19.299 they are. 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:21.620 and his 00:12:21.620 --> 00:12:22.240 words I 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:22.599 will be 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:23.019 with you 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.479 always 00:12:23.479 --> 00:12:23.779 are 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.519 fulfilled 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.199 in the 00:12:25.199 --> 00:12:25.839 ascension. 00:12:27.859 --> 00:12:28.179 And that 00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:28.439 is why 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:28.719 he is 00:12:28.719 --> 00:12:29.139 God. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:31.919 So you 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.139 get these 00:12:32.139 --> 00:12:32.279 two 00:12:32.279 --> 00:12:32.659 statements 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.339 in the 00:12:33.339 --> 00:12:33.759 Gospels 00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:34.339 and they 00:12:34.339 --> 00:12:34.719 appear to 00:12:34.719 --> 00:12:34.939 be in 00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:35.279 tension 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:36.059 don't you? 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.019 And Jesus 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:37.500 says the 00:12:37.500 --> 00:12:38.019 poor you 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.519 will always 00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:40.019 have with 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:40.439 you 00:12:40.439 --> 00:12:42.419 but me 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:44.299 you will 00:12:44.299 --> 00:12:44.959 not always 00:12:44.959 --> 00:12:45.359 have with 00:12:45.359 --> 00:12:45.579 you. 00:12:46.339 --> 00:12:46.679 That's what 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:47.039 he says. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:49.500 why is 00:12:49.500 --> 00:12:49.719 that? 00:12:51.159 --> 00:12:51.539 He says 00:12:51.539 --> 00:12:51.759 you will 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:52.120 not always 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:52.399 have me 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:52.679 with you 00:12:52.679 --> 00:12:53.059 because 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.379 I'm 00:12:54.379 --> 00:12:54.579 going to 00:12:54.579 --> 00:12:54.899 ascend 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:55.139 to 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.459 heaven. 00:12:58.319 --> 00:12:58.699 And yet 00:12:58.699 --> 00:12:59.159 he says 00:12:59.159 --> 00:12:59.480 I will 00:12:59.480 --> 00:12:59.679 never 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.059 leave you 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:00.259 nor 00:13:00.259 --> 00:13:00.699 forsake 00:13:00.699 --> 00:13:00.980 you. 00:13:03.679 --> 00:13:03.959 How? 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:05.519 For the 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.039 very simple 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:06.579 reason that 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:07.120 he will be 00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:07.860 present with 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:08.319 his people 00:13:08.319 --> 00:13:08.740 by the 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.419 Holy Spirit. 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.000 But the 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:13.399 really important 00:13:13.399 --> 00:13:13.699 thing to 00:13:13.699 --> 00:13:14.099 grasp is 00:13:14.099 --> 00:13:14.360 that the 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:14.699 bodily 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.419 presence of 00:13:15.419 --> 00:13:15.679 Jesus 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.079 that is 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:16.259 the 00:13:16.259 --> 00:13:16.599 presence 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.040 of Jesus 00:13:17.040 --> 00:13:17.500 in his 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:17.960 body 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:18.519 now 00:13:18.519 --> 00:13:19.540 glorified 00:13:19.540 --> 00:13:24.279 but still 00:13:24.279 --> 00:13:24.720 in human 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.360 form 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:27.159 is in 00:13:27.159 --> 00:13:27.500 heaven 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:28.040 and not 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:28.540 on earth. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.320 On 00:13:31.320 --> 00:13:31.860 earth 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:32.800 he is 00:13:32.800 --> 00:13:33.159 present 00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:34.080 spiritually 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:35.300 by the 00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:35.899 Holy Spirit 00:13:35.899 --> 00:13:36.480 but he is 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.340 not present 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.040 bodily. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:39.980 There's a 00:13:39.980 --> 00:13:40.500 worship song 00:13:40.500 --> 00:13:40.779 isn't there? 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:41.080 Jesus 00:13:41.080 --> 00:13:42.200 standing in 00:13:42.200 --> 00:13:42.500 the midst 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:42.879 of us. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:43.279 No he's 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:43.600 not. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:46.899 And that 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:47.220 takes us 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:47.480 into the 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:47.920 first thing 00:13:47.920 --> 00:13:48.300 that is 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:48.820 important in 00:13:48.820 --> 00:13:49.460 connection with 00:13:49.460 --> 00:13:49.980 the ascension 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:50.720 with the 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:51.360 meaning of 00:13:51.360 --> 00:13:51.480 the 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:51.820 ascension. 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:54.980 Let me 00:13:54.980 --> 00:13:55.360 just point 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.019 out to you 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:56.500 the importance 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:56.740 of the 00:13:56.740 --> 00:13:57.180 fact that it 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.700 was Jesus 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.519 in our 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.420 flesh who 00:13:59.420 --> 00:14:00.000 ascended into 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:00.300 heaven. 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:01.980 So the 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:02.279 Heidenberg 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.680 Cascism, 00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.060 we'll talk a 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:03.440 little bit more 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:03.779 about this 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.220 next week, 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:04.800 from the 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.620 16th century 00:14:05.620 --> 00:14:06.220 speaks of 00:14:06.220 --> 00:14:06.680 the ascension 00:14:06.680 --> 00:14:07.060 in this 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:07.379 way. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.160 It says, 00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.500 when the 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.000 question is 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.240 asked, 00:14:09.559 --> 00:14:10.079 what is the 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:10.740 benefit of 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:11.259 the ascension 00:14:11.259 --> 00:14:11.759 of Jesus 00:14:11.759 --> 00:14:12.740 Christ from 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.219 earth to 00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:13.480 heaven? 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:13.919 And the 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.679 answer is, 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.579 our flesh 00:14:16.579 --> 00:14:18.319 is in 00:14:18.319 --> 00:14:18.639 heaven. 00:14:20.559 --> 00:14:21.039 Let's see. 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:23.600 Let me 00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:24.059 explain that 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.299 to you. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.079 What I 00:14:26.079 --> 00:14:26.579 mean by it 00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:27.019 is this, 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.699 that Jesus 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.079 Christ, 00:14:29.199 --> 00:14:29.620 according to 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.179 His flesh, 00:14:30.319 --> 00:14:30.699 when the 00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:31.179 Word, 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.100 when God 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:33.139 became flesh 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.939 and dwelt 00:14:33.939 --> 00:14:34.740 amongst us, 00:14:36.299 --> 00:14:37.100 that He 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.700 has now 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.180 been taken 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:38.560 up to 00:14:38.560 --> 00:14:38.820 heaven. 00:14:40.460 --> 00:14:41.320 His human 00:14:41.320 --> 00:14:42.320 nature has 00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:43.560 entered into 00:14:43.560 --> 00:14:44.240 glory. 00:14:45.540 --> 00:14:46.200 And it is 00:14:46.200 --> 00:14:47.259 the glorified 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.300 flesh of 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:48.659 Jesus, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.240 which is 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.480 now right 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.080 there in 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:51.680 the presence 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.420 of God 00:14:52.420 --> 00:14:52.960 and glory. 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.500 And that 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:53.779 means a 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:54.180 whole range 00:14:54.180 --> 00:14:54.659 of things. 00:14:56.379 --> 00:14:57.180 It means 00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:57.680 that He 00:14:57.680 --> 00:14:58.360 has gone 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:58.960 to prepare 00:14:58.960 --> 00:14:59.360 a place 00:14:59.360 --> 00:14:59.820 for us. 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:03.360 So, 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:03.660 there will be 00:15:03.660 --> 00:15:04.019 time to the 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:04.379 Augustine 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:04.800 court to be 00:15:04.800 --> 00:15:05.220 trotted out 00:15:05.220 --> 00:15:05.519 in a few 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:05.740 weeks, 00:15:05.800 --> 00:15:06.100 isn't it? 00:15:06.100 --> 00:15:07.100 He, 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.840 without ceasing 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:09.480 to be what 00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:10.060 He eternally 00:15:10.060 --> 00:15:10.560 was, 00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.500 He became 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.500 what He 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:12.879 eternally 00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.639 was not 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.240 in the 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:14.580 incarnation. 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:16.080 God 00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:17.180 became man. 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:18.740 He came 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.500 to share 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.659 our nature. 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.519 He entered 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.399 into our 00:15:23.399 --> 00:15:23.920 life. 00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:26.300 And we 00:15:26.300 --> 00:15:26.540 have the 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:26.899 guarantee, 00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:27.680 because He 00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.200 is there, 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:30.320 that if we 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:30.840 are in 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.139 Christ, 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:31.700 if we are 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:32.360 united to 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:32.500 Him, 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.019 we shall 00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.620 be there 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.120 too. 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.820 And so 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:36.080 Jesus 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:36.299 says, 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:36.639 I go 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:36.840 away, 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.240 and actually 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:37.600 it's much 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.019 better for 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.379 you that I 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:38.919 go away, 00:15:39.379 --> 00:15:39.779 because I 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.340 go away to 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:40.759 prepare a 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:41.500 place for 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.419 you in 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.139 my Father's 00:15:43.139 --> 00:15:43.419 house, 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.039 that is the 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.419 home of 00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:44.799 glory. 00:15:46.700 --> 00:15:47.299 Because you 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:47.480 see, 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.299 the glorified 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:48.899 body of 00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.299 Jesus, 00:15:49.440 --> 00:15:50.159 this evening, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.000 is in 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.399 heaven. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.179 He wears 00:15:54.179 --> 00:15:54.799 our human 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:55.740 nature in 00:15:55.740 --> 00:15:56.379 glory, 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.120 and that 00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:57.460 makes an 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:57.799 enormous 00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.779 difference to 00:15:58.779 --> 00:15:59.419 two things. 00:15:59.419 --> 00:15:59.539 difference. 00:16:02.339 --> 00:16:02.939 It makes 00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.259 an enormous 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:03.759 difference to 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.099 the way we 00:16:04.099 --> 00:16:04.419 think of 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.019 the church 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.459 as the 00:16:05.459 --> 00:16:05.860 body of 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:06.299 Christ. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:08.519 And it 00:16:08.519 --> 00:16:08.819 makes an 00:16:08.819 --> 00:16:09.120 enormous 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:09.639 difference 00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:13.360 when we 00:16:13.360 --> 00:16:13.740 do like 00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:14.039 we did 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.620 this morning, 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.139 when we 00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.399 say, 00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.360 this is my 00:16:16.360 --> 00:16:17.360 body broken 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.959 for you at 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:18.339 the communion 00:16:18.339 --> 00:16:18.740 table. 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:21.860 And unless 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.679 you understand 00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.500 the ascension, 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:24.039 you'll go 00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.500 wrong in 00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:25.019 both these 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.519 areas. 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:28.439 the church 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.199 of Jesus 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:29.840 Christ, 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:32.039 as a 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:32.419 visible, 00:16:32.779 --> 00:16:33.379 organised 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.419 community of 00:16:34.419 --> 00:16:34.840 different 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.639 denominations, 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.179 is not 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:36.620 the body 00:16:36.620 --> 00:16:37.179 of Christ. 00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.120 The body 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.519 of Christ 00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.000 is not the 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.299 physical 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:41.779 church. 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.559 So you 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.679 don't join 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:46.360 the body 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:46.740 of Christ 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.519 or become 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:47.980 a member 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.379 of it by 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:48.980 adding your 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.579 name to 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.799 the members 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:51.179 list. 00:16:52.799 --> 00:16:53.620 You become 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.039 a member 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.559 of the body 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:55.100 of Christ 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:57.100 by saving 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.240 faith in 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.580 the Lord 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:58.980 Jesus, 00:16:59.360 --> 00:16:59.620 whom you 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.200 are united 00:17:00.200 --> 00:17:01.420 to spiritually, 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.300 not physically, 00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:04.720 but spiritually. 00:17:06.579 --> 00:17:07.000 And the 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.440 body of 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:07.960 Jesus Christ 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.559 is therefore 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.279 the company 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:09.839 of people, 00:17:10.220 --> 00:17:10.980 the spiritual 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:11.640 body, 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.140 who are both 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:13.700 on earth 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.079 and in 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.360 heaven. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.339 And that's 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:17.860 a very important 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:18.059 thing. 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.500 We will not 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:18.940 make the 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.700 visible church 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.079 of Jesus 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.799 Christ into 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:21.360 the body 00:17:21.360 --> 00:17:22.099 of Christ 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.500 if we 00:17:23.500 --> 00:17:24.259 understand the 00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:24.799 resurrection 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.579 and ascension 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.059 of Jesus. 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.359 The second 00:17:29.359 --> 00:17:29.700 thing is it 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.159 must make a 00:17:30.159 --> 00:17:30.480 lot of 00:17:30.480 --> 00:17:30.700 different 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:30.980 for 00:17:30.980 --> 00:17:31.200 the 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:31.879 Lord's 00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.099 Supper. 00:17:34.139 --> 00:17:34.740 So when 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.259 people think 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:35.500 that they 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.079 break the 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.519 bread and 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:37.299 say this 00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:37.779 is the 00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.319 body of 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:38.619 Christ 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.339 broken for 00:17:39.339 --> 00:17:39.559 you, 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.139 that they 00:17:40.139 --> 00:17:40.960 are actually 00:17:40.960 --> 00:17:42.079 physically 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.980 feeding on 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:43.399 the body 00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:43.859 and blood 00:17:43.859 --> 00:17:44.240 of Jesus 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.539 Christ. 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:44.940 They are 00:17:44.940 --> 00:17:45.740 ignoring the 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.099 truth of 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.240 the 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:46.700 ascension. 00:17:49.659 --> 00:17:50.299 Because the 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.180 ascension tells 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:52.100 you that 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.960 his flesh 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:53.560 is in 00:17:53.560 --> 00:17:54.279 heaven and 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:54.940 not you. 00:17:56.600 --> 00:17:57.180 It is in 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:57.560 heaven. 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:00.880 And our 00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.539 communion with 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.220 him as our 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:03.420 saviour by the 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.039 breaking of his 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.640 body and the 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.200 shadow of his 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:06.039 blood is by 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:07.779 spiritual union 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:08.380 with him. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.740 By faith, 00:18:11.060 --> 00:18:11.460 not by 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.240 physical union. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:14.680 That's very 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.259 important for us 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:16.000 to grasp. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.259 Calvin insists 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.019 of this body 00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.980 imagery in the 00:18:22.980 --> 00:18:24.180 church and the 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.200 body imagery in 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.640 the Lord's 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:25.900 Supper. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.039 They point to a 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.279 spiritual reality, 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:28.980 not a physical 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.259 one. 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.140 But the 00:18:32.140 --> 00:18:32.619 general meaning 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:32.960 of the 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.579 ascension is 00:18:33.579 --> 00:18:34.039 captured in 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:34.319 what the 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:34.879 creed says. 00:18:34.960 --> 00:18:35.339 Remember that 00:18:35.339 --> 00:18:35.799 earlier on in 00:18:35.799 --> 00:18:36.279 the service? 00:18:38.980 --> 00:18:39.460 What did 00:18:39.460 --> 00:18:39.799 it say? 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:41.319 It said he 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:42.220 was crucified, 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:44.039 died and 00:18:44.039 --> 00:18:44.900 was buried, 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.879 he descended 00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.500 to the day, 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.299 on the third 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.640 day he rose 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:49.619 again, he 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.440 ascended into 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.799 heaven. 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:53.039 The creed 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.440 goes on to 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.839 tell us why. 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:54.640 He ascended 00:18:54.640 --> 00:18:56.900 into heaven and 00:18:56.900 --> 00:18:57.559 he's seated at 00:18:57.559 --> 00:18:58.559 the right hand 00:18:58.559 --> 00:19:01.339 of the 00:19:01.339 --> 00:19:01.700 father. 00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.700 Why did 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.640 Jesus ascend? 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.559 Jesus 00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.619 ascended to 00:19:08.619 --> 00:19:09.259 sit down. 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.259 So Jesus 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.579 is the 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.200 ascended 00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:14.819 Lord. 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.839 is this 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.640 evening seated 00:19:17.640 --> 00:19:18.460 in heaven. 00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:20.720 And there 00:19:20.720 --> 00:19:21.220 are multitudes 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.900 standing around 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:22.500 him and there 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.039 are multitudes 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:23.480 behind him 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.140 before him, 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:25.619 but he is 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:25.900 seated. 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.759 Why is he 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.039 seated? 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:30.940 Let's go to 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.460 Hebrews 10. 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.819 Hebrews chapter 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.180 10. 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.720 Hebrews chapter 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.119 10. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.740 I've got a 00:19:37.740 --> 00:19:38.059 page number 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.299 there. 00:19:38.359 --> 00:19:38.779 Let's find it 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.079 yourself. 00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:39.759 Hebrews 10. 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.619 Hebrews 10 00:19:42.619 --> 00:19:43.359 verses 11 and 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.700 12. 00:19:43.700 --> 00:19:51.400 Here we go. 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:52.180 Hebrews 10 00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:52.660 verse 11 and 00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:52.840 12. 00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.740 Every priest 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.700 stands daily 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.500 at his service 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:57.420 offering 00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.640 repeatedly the 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.779 same sacrifices 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.480 which can never 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.100 take away 00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:01.620 sins. 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:01.679 sins. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.079 But when 00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.559 Christ 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:07.319 had offered 00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.019 for all 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.439 time 00:20:08.439 --> 00:20:10.039 a single 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.919 sacrifice 00:20:10.919 --> 00:20:11.619 for sins 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:13.459 he sat 00:20:13.459 --> 00:20:13.899 down at 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.179 the right 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.599 hand of 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:14.859 God. 00:20:15.619 --> 00:20:16.000 Why does 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.219 he do 00:20:16.219 --> 00:20:16.419 that? 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:16.779 Why does 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.179 he sit? 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.699 He ascends 00:20:19.699 --> 00:20:20.159 to sit. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:20.759 Why does 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:21.079 he sit? 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.459 For three 00:20:21.459 --> 00:20:21.839 important 00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.299 reasons. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:24.819 The very 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.399 fact that 00:20:25.399 --> 00:20:25.759 he sits 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.019 is of 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.480 enormous 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.500 significance 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:27.960 isn't it? 00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.180 And 00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.200 it's a 00:20:31.200 --> 00:20:31.480 kind of 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:31.859 posture 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.359 of rest. 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:32.700 You sit 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.039 down after 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.180 you've 00:20:33.180 --> 00:20:33.359 finished 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.759 your work. 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.200 After the 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.539 completion 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:35.859 of your 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.639 work that 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.000 someone has 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.319 set out 00:20:37.319 --> 00:20:37.599 to do. 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.299 And 00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.839 Christ is 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:40.319 seated in 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.899 heaven because 00:20:40.899 --> 00:20:41.339 of his 00:20:41.339 --> 00:20:41.960 finished 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.839 work of 00:20:42.839 --> 00:20:43.319 atonement. 00:20:43.319 --> 00:20:45.439 all his 00:20:45.439 --> 00:20:46.000 work is 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.339 ended. 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.639 Joyfully 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.259 we sing 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.899 Jesus 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.200 has 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:53.659 ascended. 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.519 All his 00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:54.980 work is 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:55.379 ended. 00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.599 Joyfully 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:57.259 we sing 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.379 Jesus 00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:58.659 has 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.059 ascended. 00:20:59.419 --> 00:20:59.799 He's 00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.139 ascended 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:00.599 because his 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.019 work is 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.460 finished. 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.079 There's 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.480 nothing more 00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:03.899 for Jesus 00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.579 to achieve. 00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:06.439 The 00:21:06.439 --> 00:21:06.919 atonement 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:07.419 process, 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:07.700 there's 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:07.939 nothing 00:21:07.939 --> 00:21:08.539 left to 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.000 add to 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.220 it. 00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.099 It 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.480 accomplished 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.779 without 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.200 atonement. 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:11.799 The price 00:21:11.799 --> 00:21:12.039 has been 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:12.319 paid. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:14.159 Jesus' 00:21:14.439 --> 00:21:15.019 ascension 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.559 and his 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:15.960 sitting 00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.659 down at 00:21:16.659 --> 00:21:17.019 the right 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.460 hand of 00:21:17.460 --> 00:21:17.740 God 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.539 proclaims 00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:18.839 that this 00:21:18.839 --> 00:21:19.200 is a 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:19.659 finished 00:21:19.659 --> 00:21:20.059 work, 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:20.720 a completed 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.240 work. 00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.000 There's 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.500 nothing that 00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:23.799 I have to 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.439 add tonight. 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:24.619 There's 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.019 nothing you 00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.359 have to 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.679 add. 00:21:26.019 --> 00:21:26.200 There's 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:26.799 nothing that 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.519 you have 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.299 to achieve. 00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.439 Nothing I 00:21:29.439 --> 00:21:29.759 made you 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:30.319 to achieve. 00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.399 I simply 00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:32.919 humbly 00:21:32.919 --> 00:21:33.779 come in 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.599 faith to 00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.079 receive it. 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.139 There's 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:38.379 of course 00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:38.639 huge 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.179 significance 00:21:39.179 --> 00:21:39.439 there, 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.019 not just 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.220 in the 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:40.579 fact that 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:41.220 he sits, 00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.299 but where 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:42.819 he sits. 00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:44.879 Because he 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.240 sits on 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.740 a throne. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.839 And there 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.159 on that 00:21:49.159 --> 00:21:49.519 throne he 00:21:49.519 --> 00:21:49.919 is worshipped 00:21:49.919 --> 00:21:50.220 as the 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.500 king of 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:50.899 kings. 00:21:52.159 --> 00:21:52.700 And the 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.700 lord of 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:53.839 lords. 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.220 And he 00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:54.599 is in the 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:55.000 place of 00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:55.539 absolute 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.379 authority and 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:56.679 sovereign 00:21:56.679 --> 00:21:57.099 power. 00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.899 But he 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:58.559 sits on 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.079 that throne 00:21:59.079 --> 00:21:59.859 waiting. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.500 Verse 13 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:05.819 when Christ 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.119 had offered 00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:06.500 for all 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:06.859 time a 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:07.059 single 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.579 sacrifice 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:07.960 for sins 00:22:07.960 --> 00:22:08.259 he sat 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.640 down at 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:08.880 the right 00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.160 hand of 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.259 God 00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.799 waiting 00:22:09.799 --> 00:22:11.000 from that 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.680 time until 00:22:11.680 --> 00:22:12.559 his enemies 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.920 should be 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.259 made a 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.759 footstool for 00:22:13.759 --> 00:22:14.180 his feet. 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:17.220 Waiting. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:21.640 The 00:22:21.640 --> 00:22:22.299 angelic figures 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:22.720 do you 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:23.500 remember what 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.220 George read 00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.539 to us in 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:24.940 Acts chapter 00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.279 1. 00:22:26.339 --> 00:22:26.860 They're with 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.400 him at 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.140 the ascension 00:22:28.140 --> 00:22:28.539 and they 00:22:28.539 --> 00:22:29.620 remind the 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.200 disciples 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:30.720 don't they? 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:31.740 They're 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:32.240 standing there 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:33.059 open mouth 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.900 and gorg 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.480 that Jesus 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:35.079 has just 00:22:35.079 --> 00:22:36.079 ascended into 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.380 heaven. 00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:37.980 And they 00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:38.720 say this 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:39.299 man of 00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:39.539 Galilee 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:39.980 why do you 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.440 stand looking 00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.940 into heaven? 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:41.660 This Jesus 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.380 who was 00:22:42.380 --> 00:22:42.940 taken up 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:43.240 from you 00:22:43.240 --> 00:22:43.660 into heaven 00:22:43.660 --> 00:22:45.000 will come 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:45.480 in the 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.200 same way 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:47.000 as you 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:47.539 saw him 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:48.299 go into 00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:48.599 heaven. 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.039 One day 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.240 he'll 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.619 return. 00:22:52.220 --> 00:22:52.839 And the 00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.460 return of 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:53.799 Jesus 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:54.579 that is 00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:55.220 the final 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:55.700 act of 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.079 what Jesus 00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:56.579 came to 00:22:56.579 --> 00:22:56.819 earth to 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.099 do. 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.039 And now 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.680 Jesus the 00:23:01.680 --> 00:23:01.920 reigning 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.500 Lord the 00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:02.779 sovereign 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.200 king of 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.680 kings this 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.420 evening is 00:23:04.420 --> 00:23:04.880 waiting. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.180 And what's 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:07.500 he waiting 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:08.059 for tonight? 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.099 He's waiting 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:11.680 for that day 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.180 which has not 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:12.619 yet come. 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.700 Because not 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.279 every knee 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:15.860 has bowed 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.299 to Jesus 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.819 Christ and 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.340 not every 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:17.860 tongue has 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.480 confessed him 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.940 as Lord. 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.100 And not 00:23:22.100 --> 00:23:22.640 everyone has 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:23.340 acknowledged that 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:23.779 he is the 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:24.759 only saviour but 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.660 one day all 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.259 his people 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:27.299 will do. 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.140 And every 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.480 knee will 00:23:30.480 --> 00:23:30.799 bow and 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.360 every tongue 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:31.960 will confess 00:23:31.960 --> 00:23:32.440 that Jesus 00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.080 Christ is 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.480 Lord to 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:33.860 the glory 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.160 of God 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.600 the Father. 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.160 And the 00:23:37.160 --> 00:23:37.720 ascension is 00:23:37.720 --> 00:23:38.160 the signal 00:23:38.160 --> 00:23:38.680 to all 00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:40.019 earth and 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.019 heaven that 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.759 Jesus the 00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.319 enthroned 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.880 saviour is 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:43.519 waiting for 00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:43.960 that day 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.340 and come 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:44.740 it well. 00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:46.840 And it's 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.279 something that 00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:47.799 no opinion 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.220 pole is 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.900 ever going 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:49.660 to alter. 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.259 It's the 00:23:52.259 --> 00:23:52.440 ultimate 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:52.960 certainty. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.819 There's 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.480 importance to 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:57.940 the fact that 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.319 he sits, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:58.620 there's 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.160 importance to 00:23:59.160 --> 00:23:59.620 the fact that 00:23:59.620 --> 00:24:00.100 where he 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.460 sits and 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:00.860 last of 00:24:00.860 --> 00:24:01.380 all there's 00:24:01.380 --> 00:24:01.759 importance 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:02.380 about who 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.660 he sits 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.079 beside. 00:24:05.120 --> 00:24:05.759 Because he's 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:06.120 seated at 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.480 the right 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.440 hand of 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:08.000 the majesty 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.559 on high. 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:10.700 Or the 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.200 way Hebrews 00:24:11.200 --> 00:24:11.840 said he's 00:24:11.840 --> 00:24:12.200 seated at 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.480 the right 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:12.900 hand of 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.539 God. 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:16.220 Where is 00:24:16.220 --> 00:24:16.660 he sitting 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.019 tonight? 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.319 He's 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.340 sitting as 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:18.840 it were 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:19.539 at the 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.420 year of 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:20.900 the eternal 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.319 God. 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.460 He's there 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.140 beside him. 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.759 And he's 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.079 there not 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.460 only as 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:26.980 our king 00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.400 but he's 00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.579 there 00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.079 supremely 00:24:28.079 --> 00:24:28.460 as our 00:24:28.460 --> 00:24:28.840 priest, 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.539 our 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.059 intercessor, 00:24:30.340 --> 00:24:30.539 our 00:24:30.539 --> 00:24:31.200 mediator. 00:24:31.579 --> 00:24:31.819 And he 00:24:31.819 --> 00:24:32.279 sits on 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:32.640 the throne 00:24:32.640 --> 00:24:33.340 beside his 00:24:33.340 --> 00:24:33.700 father. 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.000 And he's 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:35.380 there to 00:24:35.380 --> 00:24:35.740 intercede 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.319 for us. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:39.840 Do you 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.100 see now 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:40.480 why it's 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:41.120 so important? 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:43.699 that our 00:24:43.699 --> 00:24:44.359 flesh is 00:24:44.359 --> 00:24:44.799 in heaven 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:47.839 because he 00:24:47.839 --> 00:24:48.859 wore our 00:24:48.859 --> 00:24:50.359 nature. 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.399 He 00:24:53.399 --> 00:24:53.759 entered 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.519 into every 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.479 anguish of 00:24:55.479 --> 00:24:56.659 human experience. 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.219 He knew 00:24:57.219 --> 00:24:57.799 what it was 00:24:57.799 --> 00:24:58.059 to be 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.859 despised and 00:24:58.859 --> 00:24:59.459 rejected of 00:24:59.459 --> 00:24:59.759 men. 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:00.619 And that 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.019 same 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:02.159 Jesus wears 00:25:02.159 --> 00:25:03.379 our nature 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:03.899 and glory 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.399 this evening. 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:08.140 you know 00:25:08.140 --> 00:25:08.759 don't you 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.100 son of 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.420 you what 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:09.920 it is 00:25:09.920 --> 00:25:11.280 to say 00:25:11.280 --> 00:25:11.759 to someone 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.180 who's in 00:25:12.180 --> 00:25:12.900 great pain 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.660 and hurt 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:15.840 to be able 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:16.080 to say 00:25:16.080 --> 00:25:16.300 to them 00:25:16.300 --> 00:25:16.880 I just 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:17.180 want you 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:17.400 to know 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:17.759 that I've 00:25:17.759 --> 00:25:18.220 been there. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.759 I've 00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.240 been there. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.920 And Jesus 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.500 says my 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.519 child I've 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:26.200 been there. 00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:28.519 And I 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.040 know what 00:25:29.040 --> 00:25:29.680 to ask 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.960 of the 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.420 father for 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:31.620 you. 00:25:31.619 --> 00:25:35.079 And so 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:35.599 tonight we 00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:36.199 thank God 00:25:36.199 --> 00:25:38.379 that our 00:25:38.379 --> 00:25:39.019 flesh is 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.459 in heaven 00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:41.659 and we 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:41.919 need to 00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:42.359 explore it 00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:42.599 more. 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.199 May God 00:25:45.199 --> 00:25:45.559 give us a 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.019 thirst to do 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.179 so. 00:25:46.239 --> 00:25:46.639 Let's pray.