WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.679 with our Presbyterian denominations campus ministry called Reformed University Fellowship. 00:00:05.339 --> 00:00:08.279 And so it's a real delight to serve on your behalf. 00:00:08.900 --> 00:00:11.960 I always like to tell people that RUF is your ministry. 00:00:11.960 --> 00:00:15.919 As members or as participants with Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church, 00:00:16.100 --> 00:00:18.379 it's your involvement on a college campus. 00:00:18.519 --> 00:00:23.980 And so it's really a delight to work with you for the faith, long-term, short-term, 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:25.920 and of our college students. 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:27.560 I'll just give a quick update. 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:29.240 RUF, we're having a great summer. 00:00:29.239 --> 00:00:32.640 We're studying defeaters this summer in our Tuesday evening, 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:39.519 which are the feelings, the thoughts, the narratives that we feel like maybe would make Christianity feel unbelievable or implausible. 00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:43.239 And so we're looking at some of those and why are they not defeaters? 00:00:44.079 --> 00:00:45.539 Why does Christianity hold up to them? 00:00:46.000 --> 00:00:49.939 And then the more exciting thing is that we have in the last week, week and a half, 00:00:50.179 --> 00:00:54.439 formed our first student leadership team, which is really exciting 00:00:54.439 --> 00:00:58.060 because our goal in RUF is to not just me doing ministry to students, 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:00.719 but equipping students to do ministry to students 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:04.420 because then they go into churches when they graduate, hopefully, 00:01:04.620 --> 00:01:06.780 and they know they're gifting and they're ready to serve. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:08.060 And so that's the dream. 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:11.640 So please pray that the Lord would bless that student leadership team 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:15.460 as we start game planning for the fall, 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:18.260 as we start looking to meet new students. 00:01:18.260 --> 00:01:22.359 My wife is going to be on maternity leave during the fall, 00:01:22.439 --> 00:01:25.540 which is like the college version of Christmas and Easter slammed together. 00:01:26.100 --> 00:01:27.840 So I will be also on paternity. 00:01:28.060 --> 00:01:30.840 And so that's not great timing, but we'll be ready for it. 00:01:30.840 --> 00:01:32.520 So please pray for those things. 00:01:33.400 --> 00:01:36.880 So turn, if you will, in your Bibles to John chapter 16. 00:01:36.879 --> 00:01:42.119 John chapter 16, or I think it's printed in your bulletin as well. 00:01:42.179 --> 00:01:43.739 We're just looking at one verse today. 00:01:44.899 --> 00:01:48.079 And this will be our starting place, our anchor, 00:01:48.199 --> 00:01:51.579 but we'll pivot around to a couple other places throughout the Bible. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:56.060 And I will read our text for us, and we will dig in. 00:01:56.899 --> 00:02:01.379 This is God speaking to us in John chapter 16, verse 7. 00:02:01.379 --> 00:02:04.319 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth. 00:02:04.979 --> 00:02:07.239 It is to your advantage that I go away. 00:02:07.859 --> 00:02:11.199 For if I do not go away, the helper will not come to you. 00:02:11.680 --> 00:02:14.799 But if I go, I will send him to you. 00:02:15.219 --> 00:02:15.979 This is God's word. 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:17.280 Would you pray with me? 00:02:18.740 --> 00:02:23.240 Father in heaven, we pray now that as after we have sung, 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:28.280 asked you to be present with us, confessed, given, greeted one another, 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:32.259 all these things that you give us for a worship of you, 00:02:32.340 --> 00:02:34.659 that you would now send your spirit to us 00:02:34.659 --> 00:02:37.500 in the only and special way that your spirit can come to us. 00:02:38.199 --> 00:02:40.639 That these words would be more than just a lecture, 00:02:41.360 --> 00:02:43.020 more than filling the air, 00:02:43.120 --> 00:02:47.219 but that they would be the spirit warming our hearts to you, 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:50.080 each one of us in the unique way that we need on this day. 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:53.219 You would be glorified, and your kingdom would be built. 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:55.060 It's in Jesus' name that we pray. 00:02:55.159 --> 00:02:55.340 Amen. 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:55.420 Amen. 00:02:57.319 --> 00:03:00.319 So most of us, if we've grown up in a church, 00:03:00.400 --> 00:03:02.500 we're comfortable or familiar with a little process, 00:03:02.680 --> 00:03:04.360 a little thing that we do most Sunday mornings 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:05.740 where we confess our faith. 00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:09.580 We stand up in front, we stand or whatever. 00:03:09.759 --> 00:03:11.379 We just did it when we read the Catechism, 00:03:11.460 --> 00:03:13.960 and we say, hey, this is something that we believe as Christians. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:17.620 This is a part of the Christian faith. 00:03:17.759 --> 00:03:19.379 And one of the ways that we have, 00:03:19.580 --> 00:03:21.259 Christians have done this for years, 00:03:21.259 --> 00:03:23.159 thousands of years across the world, 00:03:23.480 --> 00:03:24.719 is the Apostles' Creed. 00:03:25.259 --> 00:03:27.919 It's what I'll call the lowest common denominator 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:29.819 that every Christian everywhere believes. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:32.379 I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth. 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:35.139 I'm sure I've done it with you here at Shine Mountain Press. 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:38.120 And it's the creed, the creedal statement, 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:41.280 the confession of faith that all Christians across time, 00:03:41.579 --> 00:03:43.800 around the world, say, we believe this. 00:03:44.659 --> 00:03:48.000 And I say it myself, I believe it, 00:03:48.180 --> 00:03:50.240 but there's one line that stands out to me. 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:52.760 As I'm going along, I say, yeah, this makes sense. 00:03:52.820 --> 00:03:53.379 This is great. 00:03:53.439 --> 00:03:54.300 I understand this. 00:03:54.640 --> 00:03:55.580 There's a line that says, 00:03:55.700 --> 00:03:58.600 he suffered under Pontius Pilate, talking about Christ, 00:03:59.379 --> 00:04:01.020 was crucified, dead, and was buried. 00:04:01.460 --> 00:04:02.719 He descended on the hell. 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:04.260 On the third day, he rose again. 00:04:04.360 --> 00:04:05.060 And then it says this. 00:04:05.120 --> 00:04:07.020 It says, he ascended into heaven. 00:04:07.700 --> 00:04:09.439 And for a while, I've always stopped, 00:04:09.439 --> 00:04:11.319 and I've said, this made the cut. 00:04:11.879 --> 00:04:14.960 This was so important that it made it 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:16.579 into the lowest common denominator 00:04:16.579 --> 00:04:19.680 of every Christian faith across time. 00:04:19.800 --> 00:04:21.339 He is this thing called the ascension 00:04:21.339 --> 00:04:22.879 that we don't talk about very much 00:04:22.879 --> 00:04:24.480 in the Christian tradition. 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:25.839 We believe it. 00:04:25.879 --> 00:04:27.680 We say it's super important, but what does it mean? 00:04:28.199 --> 00:04:30.819 What is this ascension that we are talking about? 00:04:32.420 --> 00:04:33.899 And so today, what I hope to do 00:04:33.899 --> 00:04:37.139 is to sort of squeeze some meaning out of the ascension. 00:04:37.699 --> 00:04:40.159 See why is it good, and see why, in particular, 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:44.079 it ministers to a particular hole or thin spot 00:04:44.079 --> 00:04:45.839 that I experience often in my faith, 00:04:45.879 --> 00:04:48.939 and that I bet you experience in your faith as well. 00:04:49.979 --> 00:04:51.439 And so we'll ask, what is the ascension? 00:04:52.039 --> 00:04:53.759 And what does it mean, and why does it matter? 00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:57.079 And my major claim, I would argue the Bible's major claim, 00:04:57.500 --> 00:05:00.360 is that Christ's ascension offers true comfort 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:04.279 to the Christian and reason for trust 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:07.079 in the non-Christian, for the non-Christian. 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:09.620 If there are those of you who are questioning your faith, 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:12.099 or maybe don't yet profess faith in Christ, 00:05:12.639 --> 00:05:14.500 the ascension offers true comfort 00:05:14.500 --> 00:05:16.319 for those of us who are Christians, 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:19.519 and reason for trust for those of us who are undecided. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:21.039 And I hope that I can persuade you 00:05:21.039 --> 00:05:22.599 that the ascension is good news. 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:24.979 It's not just an add-on. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:26.659 It's not just something that we wonder about 00:05:26.659 --> 00:05:27.879 in the Apostles' Creed. 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:29.039 It's actually good news, 00:05:29.139 --> 00:05:32.579 and that it is inseparable from God's saving work 00:05:32.579 --> 00:05:33.959 in your life and in our world. 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:35.479 And so we'll look at this in three main ways 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:36.259 if you're a note-taker. 00:05:36.759 --> 00:05:38.020 First thing we'll look at is, 00:05:38.020 --> 00:05:39.800 is it really better that Jesus goes away? 00:05:40.360 --> 00:05:41.180 Is it really better? 00:05:42.100 --> 00:05:43.300 Second thing we'll look at is, 00:05:43.420 --> 00:05:44.460 it indeed is better. 00:05:44.900 --> 00:05:46.660 It is better that Christ goes away. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:47.860 And third, so what? 00:05:48.660 --> 00:05:50.780 Monday morning comes, so what does this mean? 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:52.700 So first thing we'll look at, is it really better? 00:05:53.100 --> 00:05:54.660 And I want to try and create for us, 00:05:54.700 --> 00:05:55.439 at least in my heart, 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:56.939 what often feels like a little problem 00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:59.680 when I start thinking about at least the ascension, 00:05:59.819 --> 00:06:01.280 maybe even my own Christian life. 00:06:01.279 --> 00:06:04.479 If you remember from Acts chapter one, 00:06:04.539 --> 00:06:06.039 or the end of the Gospels, 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:09.319 Jesus has just been raised from the dead. 00:06:09.419 --> 00:06:10.939 He has appeared to the disciples. 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:13.379 He has appeared to many of his other followers. 00:06:13.559 --> 00:06:16.899 First Corinthians tells us up to 500 other people, 00:06:16.959 --> 00:06:18.679 and he's shown himself for who he is, 00:06:18.739 --> 00:06:21.219 the risen Messiah, God himself, 00:06:21.299 --> 00:06:25.019 who has done this incredible act of power over death. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:29.060 And then in Acts one, he leaves. 00:06:29.919 --> 00:06:30.919 He leaves. 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:34.019 And it tells us throughout the Gospels 00:06:34.019 --> 00:06:36.639 that the apostles are confused. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:38.399 They're sad. 00:06:38.859 --> 00:06:39.899 They're nervous. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:40.759 They're scared. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:44.339 And there's this moment where he ascends into heaven, 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.859 and they're just standing, 00:06:46.079 --> 00:06:47.339 looking up into the sky saying, 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:48.099 what just happened? 00:06:49.060 --> 00:06:51.539 We thought we had this Jesus figured out. 00:06:51.620 --> 00:06:52.019 He died. 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:53.079 He came back to life. 00:06:53.279 --> 00:06:54.779 He's going to now bring his kingdom. 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:55.799 He's God. 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:56.680 He's the Messiah. 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:57.379 It's going to happen. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:06:59.039 And then he leaves. 00:06:59.719 --> 00:07:01.719 And there's this incredible deflation 00:07:01.719 --> 00:07:05.060 that you can feel as Jesus goes into heaven. 00:07:05.180 --> 00:07:06.500 And these angels appear and say, 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:07.079 yes, he's gone. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:08.139 He told you he was going to go. 00:07:09.139 --> 00:07:12.680 And I can imagine that first moment of them saying, 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:15.500 uh, that's disappointing. 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:17.740 We wish Jesus was here. 00:07:20.019 --> 00:07:22.199 And I think I'm often in that same position 00:07:22.199 --> 00:07:23.439 with the disciples. 00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:25.480 I wish Jesus was here. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:29.579 The problem, it's a problem that I think 00:07:29.579 --> 00:07:31.100 that most of us as Christians feel, 00:07:31.240 --> 00:07:32.959 and I'm pretty sure that if you're not a Christian 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:34.120 or you're non-Christian neighbors, 00:07:34.300 --> 00:07:35.079 definitely feel it. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.339 I wish Jesus was here. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:37.980 First, for those of us who are Christians, 00:07:38.399 --> 00:07:41.319 how many times have you thought in your devotional life, 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:43.040 I mean, this would be so much easier 00:07:43.040 --> 00:07:44.279 to connect with Jesus 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:47.019 if he was just sitting on the couch with me, 00:07:47.439 --> 00:07:49.759 talking to me about the Bible, 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:52.259 rather than me having to cut through my phone 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:55.259 and my fatigue to try and have a quiet time? 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.360 How many of us have experienced the real pains of life, 00:08:00.439 --> 00:08:01.839 the traumatic moments of life, 00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:02.819 and have felt, 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:06.120 I wish Jesus was here to make sense of all of this? 00:08:06.120 --> 00:08:11.639 I think of Mary or Martha when Jesus' friend, 00:08:11.740 --> 00:08:12.639 their brother, dies, 00:08:12.720 --> 00:08:13.800 and they come to him and they say, 00:08:13.860 --> 00:08:15.459 Jesus, where were you? 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:16.780 If you had been here, 00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:18.420 our brother would not have died. 00:08:18.959 --> 00:08:20.980 And then, well, Jesus does come three days later, 00:08:21.040 --> 00:08:22.579 but he comes and he raises him back. 00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:25.740 And I think of the painful moments in my life, 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:28.540 perhaps in your life, 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:31.300 why did my father have to die this way? 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:33.480 Or why did my child have to leave the faith? 00:08:34.500 --> 00:08:36.139 Why did we have to have a miscarry? 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:38.320 And if Jesus was here in this world, 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:39.259 I could ask him this 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:41.399 and maybe begin to make some sense of it. 00:08:42.659 --> 00:08:44.620 Or on a less acute level, 00:08:44.700 --> 00:08:46.120 just think about daily wisdom. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:49.799 Jesus, how should I navigate faith and my job 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:51.419 when I have a difficult boss? 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:52.659 Help me think through this. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:55.700 Or how should I raise my kids in 2023 00:08:55.700 --> 00:08:57.799 when it's such a strange time to be a parent? 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:00.560 How should I navigate this crazy world 00:09:00.559 --> 00:09:02.339 of faith and politics, Lord? 00:09:02.419 --> 00:09:03.259 I don't understand. 00:09:06.219 --> 00:09:08.399 Just simple confirmation of my faith. 00:09:08.599 --> 00:09:10.459 Often I feel like many of us are Thomas 00:09:10.459 --> 00:09:12.579 who would say it'd be so much easier for me to believe 00:09:12.579 --> 00:09:14.579 if Jesus was just here and I could touch him. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:19.099 We feel the absence of Jesus in our lives. 00:09:20.379 --> 00:09:21.979 Let me try and illustrate this way. 00:09:22.079 --> 00:09:23.139 A couple, about a year ago, 00:09:23.199 --> 00:09:23.839 a little over a year ago, 00:09:23.879 --> 00:09:24.779 my mom passed away. 00:09:25.259 --> 00:09:27.459 And one of the things that I miss particularly 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:29.500 is that my mom was a really accomplished cook. 00:09:29.500 --> 00:09:30.519 If you ever knew her, 00:09:30.580 --> 00:09:32.080 you probably had some of her food. 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:33.480 She was particularly good at cooking 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.960 like Mediterranean cuisine. 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:37.460 And I love cooking myself. 00:09:37.580 --> 00:09:38.879 That's something she passed on to me. 00:09:39.220 --> 00:09:40.480 And so I'll be often cooking. 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:41.960 And when she was alive, 00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:42.940 I would call her and I'd say, 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:44.559 hey, I'm doing this and I'm trying this. 00:09:44.600 --> 00:09:45.220 And what should I do? 00:09:45.259 --> 00:09:46.419 And she would go, oh, this is easy. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:47.740 Put this in, try this technique. 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:49.320 And it always turned out really well. 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:51.960 And so now as I'm cooking, 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:53.460 there'll be moments where I will say, 00:09:53.539 --> 00:09:54.460 I miss mom. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:56.800 I wish I could call her 00:09:56.800 --> 00:09:58.940 and ask her what I should do in this moment 00:09:58.940 --> 00:09:59.639 because she's just, 00:09:59.800 --> 00:10:01.920 she was just more useful than YouTube, right? 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:06.200 That life is harder in her absence. 00:10:06.700 --> 00:10:09.980 And I think that I feel the same way with Jesus. 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:12.920 That when our confession of faith says 00:10:12.920 --> 00:10:14.560 he descended into heaven, 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.080 or I mean, sorry, he ascended into heaven, 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:17.080 it feels like a downgrade. 00:10:18.720 --> 00:10:19.460 How about for you, 00:10:19.540 --> 00:10:22.000 those of you who are still searching for in Christianity, 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:23.220 or maybe your friends or neighbors, 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.639 for this one, it seems like 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:26.920 this is a real downgrade in faith. 00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:28.340 I often hear people say, 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.560 man, Jesus seems like a compelling person. 00:10:31.060 --> 00:10:32.540 He was so moral. 00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:34.060 He was such a great teacher. 00:10:34.779 --> 00:10:36.019 But I just wish I was here. 00:10:36.160 --> 00:10:37.000 I wish he was here 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.040 and I could ask him some of the questions I have. 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:40.759 And not only that, 00:10:40.779 --> 00:10:42.820 it seems awfully convenient for you Christians 00:10:42.820 --> 00:10:45.080 to say that Jesus was God 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.899 and then he died and then he left. 00:10:48.620 --> 00:10:49.960 That's awfully convenient for you. 00:10:50.019 --> 00:10:50.800 It's pretty far-fetched. 00:10:50.899 --> 00:10:52.019 It's nice for you to be able to say 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.439 that he's God and he's not here. 00:10:53.819 --> 00:10:55.059 You can't prove it now. 00:10:55.939 --> 00:10:57.039 So maybe for some of you 00:10:57.039 --> 00:10:58.059 who are searching spiritually, 00:10:58.220 --> 00:10:59.699 it feels like believing Christianity 00:10:59.699 --> 00:11:00.960 just feels untenable 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:03.340 because the founder of the whole thing's gone. 00:11:04.039 --> 00:11:05.480 He's not around, presumably. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:06.879 We can't see or touch him. 00:11:09.100 --> 00:11:10.199 And I would, frankly, 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:14.299 I would challenge sort of your empirical need 00:11:14.299 --> 00:11:15.500 to touch Jesus 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:16.600 because there were plenty of people 00:11:16.600 --> 00:11:17.519 who did touch Jesus 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.419 and they still killed him. 00:11:18.419 --> 00:11:20.339 They still didn't believe him. 00:11:20.439 --> 00:11:22.199 But I empathize. 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:22.839 I resonate. 00:11:23.099 --> 00:11:25.059 Christianity can feel hard to believe 00:11:25.059 --> 00:11:26.879 when our founder isn't around. 00:11:28.279 --> 00:11:28.979 Many of us, 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:31.539 here's my overall for this, 00:11:31.599 --> 00:11:33.959 is that many of us operate under the desire, 00:11:34.099 --> 00:11:34.959 maybe unspoken, 00:11:35.079 --> 00:11:36.419 maybe even unacknowledged, 00:11:36.479 --> 00:11:37.259 until this moment 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:40.019 that I wish Jesus was here. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:43.419 The ascension feels like a downgrade. 00:11:43.419 --> 00:11:45.120 It feels like a liability 00:11:45.120 --> 00:11:46.740 to the Christian faith. 00:11:47.479 --> 00:11:48.719 It's not that great. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:52.179 And if that's you, 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:53.879 if that's resonating with you, 00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:55.120 if you're a Christian or not, 00:11:55.699 --> 00:11:56.799 I understand. 00:11:57.419 --> 00:11:58.519 I feel it myself. 00:11:59.699 --> 00:12:00.759 And I'd be happy to listen 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.819 and think with you about that. 00:12:01.979 --> 00:12:03.620 But we'll move on here. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:06.240 The overwhelming message of the Bible, 00:12:06.339 --> 00:12:07.839 and this is what our text tells us, 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:10.439 is that it is to our advantage 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:11.980 that Jesus goes away. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:14.340 That we are better off 00:12:14.340 --> 00:12:16.220 that Jesus has left us. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:18.840 How can that be? 00:12:19.759 --> 00:12:20.899 Well, that's what we'll look into here. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:21.840 So our first point is, 00:12:21.899 --> 00:12:22.620 is it really better? 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:25.200 Is it better that Jesus leaves? 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:27.379 Second point, it is. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:29.980 The overwhelming weight, 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:32.759 momentum, force of the Bible 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.220 is that it is better 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:36.039 that Jesus ascended into heaven. 00:12:36.220 --> 00:12:38.180 And the answer is the ascension. 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:40.759 The doctrine and theology of the ascension. 00:12:40.759 --> 00:12:42.700 Because what we have to understand here 00:12:42.700 --> 00:12:45.259 is that the ascension is so much more 00:12:45.259 --> 00:12:47.319 than Jesus just leaving earth. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.720 The ascension is so much more 00:12:49.720 --> 00:12:51.840 than Jesus no longer being present to us. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:52.899 Because the ascension 00:12:52.899 --> 00:12:56.360 is the final and ultimate vindication 00:12:56.360 --> 00:12:58.279 of who Jesus is 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:00.439 and what he has done for his people. 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:02.439 It's the final proof 00:13:02.439 --> 00:13:05.960 that Jesus is our redeemer, 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:08.080 as we confessed earlier today. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.379 In the ascension, 00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.960 the Bible does not just mean 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:13.460 that Jesus was just reabsorbed 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.500 into the divine, 00:13:15.020 --> 00:13:16.980 like a drop of water in the ocean. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:20.240 It's that when Jesus died, 00:13:20.440 --> 00:13:21.420 he came back to life 00:13:21.420 --> 00:13:24.340 with the same recognizable physical body 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:25.080 that he had. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.960 And in that physical body, 00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:28.379 he went to a place 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:30.680 that is somehow outside of our space 00:13:30.680 --> 00:13:32.160 and time physical reality, 00:13:32.280 --> 00:13:33.540 but is still present. 00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:35.439 And then he sat down physically 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.759 on a throne 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:39.799 as the risen and reigning king. 00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:43.740 That Jesus went physically and spatially 00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.279 into a place called heaven 00:13:45.279 --> 00:13:46.860 and physically and spatially 00:13:46.860 --> 00:13:48.240 sat on a throne. 00:13:48.439 --> 00:13:50.019 That means that Jesus is outside 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:52.000 of our space and time dimension, 00:13:52.459 --> 00:13:54.399 and yet he's still involved 00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:56.139 in our space and time dimension. 00:13:56.620 --> 00:13:57.719 That's the ascension. 00:13:58.819 --> 00:13:59.959 And what does this mean? 00:13:59.960 --> 00:14:01.660 Well, a great theologian 00:14:01.660 --> 00:14:03.060 from years ago wrote this, 00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:04.639 a guy named Herman Bavinck. 00:14:04.700 --> 00:14:05.340 He says this. 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.200 Listen carefully. 00:14:07.320 --> 00:14:08.620 Carried up into heaven, 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:10.259 therefore, he, this is Jesus, 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:12.080 withdrew his bodily presence 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:13.280 from our sight, 00:14:13.920 --> 00:14:15.820 not to cease to be present 00:14:15.820 --> 00:14:16.500 with believers 00:14:16.500 --> 00:14:18.200 still on their earthly pilgrimage, 00:14:18.560 --> 00:14:20.220 but to rule heaven and earth 00:14:20.220 --> 00:14:22.480 with more immediate power. 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:24.700 As his body was raised 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:25.700 up into the heavens, 00:14:25.840 --> 00:14:27.540 so his power and energy 00:14:27.540 --> 00:14:28.500 were diffused 00:14:28.500 --> 00:14:30.159 and spread beyond 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.139 all the bounds 00:14:31.139 --> 00:14:31.980 of heaven and earth. 00:14:33.299 --> 00:14:34.820 Let me try and illustrate it this way. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.500 How many of you 00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.440 have a floodlight 00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.580 over your garage? 00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:38.980 How many of you 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.500 have a floodlight 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.240 over your garage? 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.899 If that floodlight 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.620 was just a few inches 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:44.259 off the ground 00:14:44.259 --> 00:14:44.799 and you flicked 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.559 on that floodlight, 00:14:45.700 --> 00:14:47.580 how much of your garage 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.639 and driveway 00:14:48.639 --> 00:14:49.500 would it illuminate? 00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.519 Not very much. 00:14:51.980 --> 00:14:53.600 And so it's not useful at all 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:55.460 when you need the light 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:56.399 to flood over 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.720 the whole garage 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:58.819 and the whole driveway. 00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.039 But when that floodlight 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.059 is way up high, 00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.279 15, 20 feet high, 00:15:02.399 --> 00:15:03.679 when you flick that light on, 00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.620 it casts light 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:06.259 over your whole driveway 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.379 and you can see 00:15:07.379 --> 00:15:08.939 what is in your front yard. 00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:12.439 That is what Christ's ascension is, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.559 but on a spiritual level. 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.120 It is Jesus going to 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:16.759 the highest place, 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.620 not just in our world, 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:19.939 but beyond our world 00:15:19.939 --> 00:15:20.399 and diffusing 00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:22.460 the whole universe 00:15:22.460 --> 00:15:23.220 and beyond 00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:25.000 with his power. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.639 Christ's ascension 00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.420 is not Christ 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.420 abandoning us, 00:15:29.480 --> 00:15:30.920 but actually helping us 00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:31.639 from heaven 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.519 in a bigger 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.580 and broader way. 00:15:34.160 --> 00:15:35.160 And the Bible shows us 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:36.180 that Christ has done this 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:36.740 in three ways. 00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.540 We talked about this. 00:15:37.580 --> 00:15:38.320 This is funny, actually. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:39.019 Matthew and I 00:15:39.019 --> 00:15:39.620 didn't plan this. 00:15:39.680 --> 00:15:40.340 This is just God 00:15:40.340 --> 00:15:41.080 being good to us. 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:41.960 We talked about Jesus 00:15:41.960 --> 00:15:42.779 as our Redeemer. 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.300 And we say that Jesus 00:15:44.300 --> 00:15:45.000 is our Redeemer 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.420 in that he has three hats 00:15:46.420 --> 00:15:47.560 or three offices 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:48.720 that he wears. 00:15:49.720 --> 00:15:50.399 The prophet 00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:50.920 and the priest 00:15:50.920 --> 00:15:51.320 and the king. 00:15:51.320 --> 00:15:52.300 And Matthew said, 00:15:52.420 --> 00:15:52.940 hey, you can go read 00:15:52.940 --> 00:15:53.379 the confession 00:15:53.379 --> 00:15:54.440 or you can stay in here 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:55.600 and I'm actually going to 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:56.680 peel those back 00:15:56.680 --> 00:15:57.220 a little bit. 00:15:57.900 --> 00:15:59.700 So that Jesus redeems us 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.760 from the guilt of our sin 00:16:00.760 --> 00:16:01.400 in our misery, 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:02.440 sin-soaked world 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.640 by wearing three hats 00:16:03.640 --> 00:16:05.040 by accomplishing three offices, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.580 prophet, priest, and king. 00:16:07.379 --> 00:16:08.280 So as prophet, 00:16:08.640 --> 00:16:09.680 Jesus guides us. 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:11.020 He guides us. 00:16:11.100 --> 00:16:11.620 As priest, 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:13.320 he brings us close to God 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:14.400 and as king, 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:15.680 he wins for us. 00:16:16.580 --> 00:16:17.220 As prophet, 00:16:17.320 --> 00:16:18.020 he guides us. 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:18.520 As priest, 00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.680 he brings us close to God 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:20.140 and as king, 00:16:20.220 --> 00:16:21.160 he wins for us. 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:22.419 And the crucial point 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:23.779 is that those three offices 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.319 did not just happen 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:26.719 while Christ was on earth. 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:29.559 They are happening now. 00:16:30.339 --> 00:16:31.459 In his ascension, 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.980 Christ is executing 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.699 his office as redeemer 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:36.199 as prophet, priest, and king 00:16:36.199 --> 00:16:37.259 right now 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.500 in his ascended, 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.699 sitting on the throne 00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.779 in the presence of God, 00:16:40.899 --> 00:16:42.360 ruling over all things 00:16:42.360 --> 00:16:43.399 as redeemer. 00:16:44.500 --> 00:16:45.959 So let's look at these three things. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:47.179 That it says, 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.220 so first we'll look at king. 00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.940 Ephesians 4 says that 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:51.580 when Jesus ascended on high, 00:16:51.700 --> 00:16:53.240 he led a host of captives 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:55.040 and gave gifts to men. 00:16:56.100 --> 00:16:56.779 The way the Bible, 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.460 one of the ways that Jesus is pictured 00:16:58.460 --> 00:16:59.580 is in his ascension 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:01.240 is as a victory parade. 00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:03.160 As a king who is having 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:04.600 a victorious rule 00:17:04.600 --> 00:17:05.579 over his enemies. 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:07.600 And the image that Paul has in mind 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:08.480 in Ephesians 4 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.620 when he talks about 00:17:09.620 --> 00:17:10.860 Christ's victory parade 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:13.240 is the ancient Roman Caesar 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.220 when he had conquered 00:17:14.220 --> 00:17:15.559 in military victory, 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.759 in military war. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:18.339 So the Caesar marches 00:17:18.339 --> 00:17:18.940 through Rome 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.899 and he's leading 00:17:19.899 --> 00:17:21.119 all of the people 00:17:21.119 --> 00:17:21.980 that he had triumphed 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.500 in front of him. 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.139 And he's coming behind him 00:17:24.139 --> 00:17:25.759 as all the loot 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:26.700 that he had gotten 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:27.799 in the battle. 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:29.179 And then he goes up 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:30.179 and he sits down 00:17:30.179 --> 00:17:30.639 on the throne 00:17:30.639 --> 00:17:31.079 and says, 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.220 I am king 00:17:32.220 --> 00:17:33.279 over the known world. 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:34.779 And he gives the loot 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.359 and the bounty 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.019 to his friends 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.440 and says, 00:17:36.539 --> 00:17:38.159 thank you for helping me. 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:40.119 Jesus' ascension, 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:40.679 Paul says, 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.080 is the same idea 00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:43.460 but on a cosmic 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:45.640 all-time scale. 00:17:46.360 --> 00:17:47.820 That Jesus is the king 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:49.279 who has ascended 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:49.940 into heaven 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.820 and is ruling 00:17:50.820 --> 00:17:51.840 and reigning 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.460 over, 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:53.660 as our confession says, 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.820 all his 00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:55.660 and our enemies. 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.759 And this is incredible 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.740 because listen to what 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.880 Herman Bovink says 00:17:59.880 --> 00:18:00.880 one more time about this. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.980 This blows my mind. 00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:02.620 He says this, 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.799 the ascension 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:05.420 is a bigger triumph 00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.799 than the resurrection. 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.500 The ascension 00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.720 is a bigger triumph 00:18:09.720 --> 00:18:11.039 than the resurrection. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.799 It is Christ's triumph 00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.960 over the whole world, 00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:15.500 over the laws of nature, 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:17.299 over the gravity of matter, 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:19.039 triumph over hostile, 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.180 diabolical, 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.559 and human forces. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.140 Did you hear 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.160 what Bovink just said? 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.980 He said the ascension 00:18:25.980 --> 00:18:27.240 is the bigger triumph 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:27.920 than the resurrection. 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:30.039 We think the high point 00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:31.700 of the Christian faith 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.539 is Jesus coming back to life. 00:18:33.620 --> 00:18:34.700 But no, Bovink says, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.980 it's Christ ascending 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:36.940 into heaven 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.720 to rule and reign. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:40.980 The ascension shows us 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.259 that Jesus is king 00:18:42.259 --> 00:18:43.360 over everything. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:44.440 And it makes sense then 00:18:44.440 --> 00:18:45.440 as king over everything, 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.640 he should go to the place 00:18:46.640 --> 00:18:47.720 where he can be 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:49.240 and rule most effectively. 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:52.019 When the president 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.039 of the United States 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.500 is elected, 00:18:53.640 --> 00:18:54.460 he does not say, 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:55.079 I'm going to go down 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:55.660 to Pueblo 00:18:55.660 --> 00:18:57.299 to be the president. 00:18:58.319 --> 00:18:59.259 No offense to those 00:18:59.259 --> 00:18:59.860 of you who are Pueblo, 00:19:00.380 --> 00:19:01.019 but long live 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.200 the Pueblo Colorado Springs 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:03.980 tension. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:07.299 He goes to Washington, D.C. 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.480 He goes to the place 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.200 where he can most effectively 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:12.180 rule his domain. 00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.240 And in the same way, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:14.099 Christ as king 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.879 goes to the place 00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:15.919 where he is most effective. 00:19:17.839 --> 00:19:19.599 Second, Jesus is our priest 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.119 in heaven. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.500 He's our best priest in heaven. 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:22.940 So Jesus, as our priest, 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:24.680 he goes and atones 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.359 for our sins on the cross. 00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:29.099 He is the one who dies 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.119 so that his blood 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.859 both covers over our sin 00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.440 and washes clean 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:35.259 the pollution of our sin. 00:19:35.259 --> 00:19:37.859 And he intercedes then 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:39.379 for us before the Father. 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.720 And Romans 8 says 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:42.200 that Jesus right now 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.720 as the ascended priest 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:45.299 is in the presence 00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:46.119 of the Father 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:48.220 interceding his blood 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:49.240 on our behalf. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:52.440 That he is constantly 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:53.599 before the Father, 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.259 the judge, 00:19:54.359 --> 00:19:54.799 saying, 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:56.299 I have completed 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.759 the work that you gave me 00:19:57.759 --> 00:19:59.440 to clean and cleanse 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:00.119 my people. 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.660 And it's the difference 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:04.440 between if you have a lawyer, 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.600 a lawyer zooming 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:06.980 into your court appointment 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:08.259 and showing up in person. 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:10.039 Let's say you have 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.259 a speeding ticket 00:20:11.259 --> 00:20:12.299 and you need to get 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:13.480 a lawyer to defend you. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.600 And you show up 00:20:14.600 --> 00:20:15.519 on your court date 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.900 at 10 o'clock 00:20:16.900 --> 00:20:17.980 and at 10.15 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.680 you get a text 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.519 from your lawyer saying, 00:20:19.580 --> 00:20:20.259 I'm not going to make it. 00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:21.299 Here's a Zoom link. 00:20:21.700 --> 00:20:23.120 I hope that this is sufficient. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.039 Is that a good lawyer? 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.259 No. 00:20:25.900 --> 00:20:27.059 You want your lawyer 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.180 in the courtroom 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:30.000 right there walking in 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.240 saying, 00:20:30.360 --> 00:20:31.539 I am here to defend 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:33.500 my client here and now. 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:35.779 Jesus is the lawyer 00:20:35.779 --> 00:20:36.940 who shows up 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.380 into the courtroom of heaven 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:39.740 and is constantly 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.839 interceding 00:20:40.839 --> 00:20:42.400 on his people's behalf. 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.519 His work is complete 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.660 but he is constantly 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.539 pointing back 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.640 to his complete work 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:48.640 on our behalf. 00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.960 Jesus is the best lawyer 00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:52.400 who goes to the courtroom 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:53.160 of heaven 00:20:53.160 --> 00:20:54.640 to intercede 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.380 on our behalf. 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.019 We want him there. 00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.440 Ascended as our lawyer. 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:01.600 Lastly, 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:03.460 Jesus is our best prophet 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.039 from heaven. 00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:05.059 As prophet, 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.440 Jesus guides us. 00:21:06.519 --> 00:21:07.140 He sends us, 00:21:07.400 --> 00:21:08.660 he sends out the good word 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.860 and Jesus is our prophet 00:21:09.860 --> 00:21:11.400 because he sends out 00:21:11.400 --> 00:21:12.320 the good news 00:21:12.320 --> 00:21:13.120 of the gospel 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:13.640 to, 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:14.559 as our text says 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.600 in just a few verses, 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.019 convict the world 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:18.080 concerning righteousness 00:21:18.080 --> 00:21:19.480 and concerning sin. 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.840 He does this best 00:21:21.840 --> 00:21:22.299 from heaven. 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:23.039 He tells us 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.820 even in our text 00:21:23.820 --> 00:21:24.240 right here 00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.299 that when he goes 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.840 to heaven, 00:21:26.080 --> 00:21:27.200 he sends out 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.080 the Holy Spirit 00:21:28.080 --> 00:21:29.140 who can work 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.140 more effectively 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:31.819 on a far greater scale 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.240 than even Jesus could 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.180 because Jesus was, 00:21:34.480 --> 00:21:35.480 as our doctrine of Christ 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.740 says, 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.120 one man in one place 00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:38.319 but the Holy Spirit 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.680 can send out the gospel 00:21:39.680 --> 00:21:42.779 to all of Christ's elect's hearts, 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.720 to all places 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:44.519 at all times 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:45.319 and when Christ 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.440 is the ascended prophet, 00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:48.180 he is diffusing 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.120 and scattering 00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:49.960 the good news 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:51.299 of God's saving work 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.720 across the world. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:55.279 As prophet 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.859 in heaven, 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.359 he is sending out 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.559 the good news 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:01.259 that Jesus is redeeming 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.039 and restoring 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:02.920 all things 00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:03.859 in your life 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:05.819 and in our world. 00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.119 Matthew 28, 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.819 all authority 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:10.420 on heaven 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.000 and earth 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.559 is mine. 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:12.819 Go 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:14.220 and make disciples. 00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:15.480 That's Jesus' prophet. 00:22:15.599 --> 00:22:16.220 It's the difference 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:18.099 between digital advertising 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:19.200 and telephone 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.960 pull printouts. 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.099 How many of you, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.920 maybe when you lost 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.779 a dog as a kid, 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.639 would print out 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.500 a little flyer 00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.259 of the dog 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.240 and go and nail it 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:26.960 to a couple 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.900 of telephone poles? 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:29.759 Not an effective way 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:30.279 to advertise. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:32.180 Maybe three or four people 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.740 will see it. 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.200 But if you write 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.200 on a college campus, 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.220 if you do the right 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:37.900 digital advertising 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.619 on Instagram, 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.339 you can reach 00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:41.480 thousands of people 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.200 in minutes. 00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.359 That's what Jesus 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.039 as prophet 00:22:45.039 --> 00:22:45.839 has done in heaven. 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:47.539 He is the digital advertisement 00:22:47.539 --> 00:22:49.119 that is sending out 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:50.799 the news of God, 00:22:50.920 --> 00:22:51.960 not on a telephone pole 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.900 for three or four people 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.320 to see, 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.780 but for everyone 00:22:54.780 --> 00:22:55.640 to know 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:57.180 that Jesus is Lord 00:22:57.180 --> 00:22:57.940 and he is coming 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.780 and he is our king 00:22:58.780 --> 00:22:59.940 and he will redeem us. 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.840 And so these are good news 00:23:01.840 --> 00:23:03.000 because we need 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.640 a prophet, 00:23:03.800 --> 00:23:04.280 a priest, 00:23:04.360 --> 00:23:04.920 and a king 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.300 in our sin-soaked world 00:23:06.300 --> 00:23:07.220 to be prophet 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.019 and priest 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.680 and king 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.680 from heaven. 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.920 Jesus is our king 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:12.259 in heaven 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.140 because he rules 00:23:13.140 --> 00:23:14.280 and defends us. 00:23:14.360 --> 00:23:15.000 He restrains 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.980 and conquers our heaven. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.120 We are still sinners. 00:23:18.600 --> 00:23:19.720 We still do things 00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.440 that are contrary 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.200 to God's law 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.980 and so we need 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.539 a priest 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:23.799 who is in the courtroom 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.360 of heaven 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:26.299 pointing to his finished work 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.200 to the Father. 00:23:27.340 --> 00:23:28.360 We need a prophet 00:23:28.360 --> 00:23:30.200 who is sending out 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:31.519 the good redeeming news 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.140 of the gospel, 00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:33.319 the power of God 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.100 to salvation 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:34.940 to all those 00:23:34.940 --> 00:23:35.460 who believe 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.420 in our world. 00:23:37.120 --> 00:23:37.740 And so friends, 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.559 the ascension 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:40.019 is not just 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:41.480 unproductive Jesus 00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:42.580 waiting in heaven 00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:43.220 until the Father 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.900 says and go. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.160 No, 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.920 the ascension 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:46.279 is the second person 00:23:46.279 --> 00:23:46.799 of the Trinity 00:23:46.799 --> 00:23:48.900 perhaps more active now 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:50.519 than he ever has been 00:23:50.519 --> 00:23:52.360 for your faith 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.200 and for the church. 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.620 That is the good news 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:56.519 of the ascension. 00:23:57.500 --> 00:24:00.360 It is to your advantage, 00:24:00.780 --> 00:24:01.840 to our advantage 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.860 that he goes away. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.380 So what? 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:07.060 So what? 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:07.740 How does this, 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.680 why does it matter? 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.680 Third and final point. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.800 I'll try to apply this 00:24:11.800 --> 00:24:12.840 first to those of us 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.360 who are Christians 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.420 and then to those of us 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.160 who are still searching, 00:24:15.380 --> 00:24:15.820 those of us 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.620 who are not Christians. 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:18.500 So one of the most exciting, 00:24:18.679 --> 00:24:18.879 I think, 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.279 so what's for Christians 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:21.659 is when we come 00:24:21.659 --> 00:24:22.479 to the Lord's table, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.519 when we come 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:25.039 to the sacrament, 00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.459 the meal 00:24:26.459 --> 00:24:27.579 of eating with Christ. 00:24:27.719 --> 00:24:28.479 And so I'll try 00:24:28.479 --> 00:24:29.859 and explain it this way. 00:24:30.219 --> 00:24:30.659 There have been 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:31.699 several different views 00:24:31.699 --> 00:24:32.899 of how to interpret 00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:33.779 the Lord's Supper 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:35.000 across church history. 00:24:35.379 --> 00:24:36.119 Our Baptist friends, 00:24:36.199 --> 00:24:36.759 if you're Baptist, 00:24:37.059 --> 00:24:37.919 we're so glad 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.659 you're here today. 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.779 I'm going to try 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.639 and explain a little bit 00:24:40.639 --> 00:24:41.459 about a little 00:24:41.459 --> 00:24:42.559 about Baptist theology 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.459 of the Lord's Supper. 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.179 But in Baptist theology, 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:46.240 the Lord's Supper 00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:48.000 is eating and drinking 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:49.080 to remember 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:50.160 what Jesus has done 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.799 on the cross 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.500 and nothing more. 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.660 We call it 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.779 the memorialist view. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.000 We eat and drink 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:56.940 and we feel pious feelings 00:24:56.940 --> 00:24:57.600 towards God, 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.279 but that's it. 00:24:59.779 --> 00:25:00.820 And if I'm honest, 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.420 I don't think 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.500 that that takes seriously 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.440 John chapter 6 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.160 when Jesus says, 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:06.000 unless you eat my body 00:25:06.000 --> 00:25:06.759 and drink my blood, 00:25:06.820 --> 00:25:07.700 you have no part in me. 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:10.200 I think there's holes in this. 00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.360 Our Catholic friends, 00:25:12.019 --> 00:25:12.660 if you're Catholic, 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:12.980 again, 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.840 we're really glad here, 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.559 but I would argue 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:16.119 that there's an error here. 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:16.939 Our Catholic friends 00:25:16.939 --> 00:25:17.319 would argue 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:18.899 that at the Lord's Supper, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:19.679 at the Mass, 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.639 Christ is re-sacrificed 00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:22.699 for our sins again. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:24.480 And I would argue 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.599 that this does two errors. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:25.919 First, 00:25:26.019 --> 00:25:26.720 it shortchanges 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.879 the once and for all 00:25:27.879 --> 00:25:28.500 atonement 00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.659 that Christ has done 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:30.179 on the cross 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:31.179 that Hebrews talks about. 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.599 But I also would argue, 00:25:32.679 --> 00:25:33.419 as Calvin argues, 00:25:33.659 --> 00:25:34.839 that it's pulling apart 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:37.319 the dual nature, 00:25:37.419 --> 00:25:39.000 the union of who Christ is, 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.759 that he is both God 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.819 and man inseparably 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.619 at the same time. 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.839 And it's pulling Christ 00:25:42.839 --> 00:25:43.439 down from heaven 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:44.879 and then spreading his body 00:25:44.879 --> 00:25:45.839 out throughout 00:25:45.839 --> 00:25:46.799 the whole universe. 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.919 That's a big problem. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.979 Calvin, 00:25:50.179 --> 00:25:51.359 the Reformed tradition 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:52.719 at the Lord's Supper, 00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:54.779 says that through 00:25:54.779 --> 00:25:55.659 the Holy Spirit, 00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.479 when we eat 00:25:56.479 --> 00:25:56.979 and drink 00:25:56.979 --> 00:25:57.839 the Lord's Supper, 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.339 the Holy Spirit 00:25:59.339 --> 00:26:01.019 lifts us up 00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:03.500 to be with Jesus. 00:26:04.159 --> 00:26:05.339 Not that we pull 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.619 Jesus down 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.399 to be with us, 00:26:07.459 --> 00:26:08.279 but the Holy Spirit 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:09.439 lifts us up 00:26:09.440 --> 00:26:10.660 to commune, 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.400 to unite 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:12.480 a little bit more 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.559 with our risen 00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.620 and reigning 00:26:14.620 --> 00:26:15.039 prophet, 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.400 priest, 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:15.900 and king. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:18.019 That we are made 00:26:18.019 --> 00:26:18.940 to partake 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:20.039 of Jesus' body 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.200 and blood spiritually 00:26:21.200 --> 00:26:23.220 just as our bodies 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:24.059 are nourished 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:26.120 by bread and wine. 00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:27.980 Communion is not 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.160 God coming down 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:29.940 to be with us. 00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.160 Communion is God 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:32.460 lifting us up 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.200 spiritually 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:33.940 to be with him. 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.720 It's practicing 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.279 for heaven. 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.559 When we eat 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:38.000 and drink, 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.920 even a meager 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.779 little cracker 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.779 and a small 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.980 tablespoon of drink, 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.500 we are practicing 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.980 for heaven. 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.079 And in this way, 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.539 Christians, 00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.200 when you eat 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:47.819 and drink this meal, 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.619 you walk out 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:50.359 of this building 00:26:50.359 --> 00:26:51.180 more united 00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:51.680 to Jesus 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.720 than when you came in. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.579 Mysteriously, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.680 I don't understand this. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.660 At the end of his section 00:26:56.660 --> 00:26:57.000 on this 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:59.059 in Calvin's Institute, 00:26:59.220 --> 00:26:59.359 he says, 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.359 I don't understand it, 00:27:00.619 --> 00:27:01.720 but I experience it 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.619 and I know it's true. 00:27:03.380 --> 00:27:04.319 When you walk in 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.420 and take the Lord's Supper 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.359 and you walk out, 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.000 you are somehow 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:08.279 more united to Christ 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:08.960 than when you walked 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:09.559 in this building. 00:27:09.720 --> 00:27:10.420 That's true 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:12.819 because of the ascension. 00:27:14.619 --> 00:27:15.559 I'll try to make this 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.720 practical for a particular 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.519 group of people 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:19.859 who I am a part of right now, 00:27:19.900 --> 00:27:20.420 which is parents 00:27:20.420 --> 00:27:21.160 of young children. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:23.640 My daughter is four. 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:24.400 Sitting through church 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.700 can be hard for her sometimes. 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.140 My wife is expecting 00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:27.640 another one 00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.420 in five weeks. 00:27:28.599 --> 00:27:30.359 And I read this blog 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:31.339 on Mere Orthodoxy, 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.119 a great blog, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.079 a couple of weeks ago, 00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:33.440 and it says, 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.339 parenting in church 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.319 is really challenging 00:27:35.319 --> 00:27:36.380 right now. 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:37.180 It's challenging 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:39.140 because it's wrangling 00:27:39.140 --> 00:27:40.440 toddlers the whole time 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.460 because they're just wiggling 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:42.240 and so it's hard 00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:42.980 to pay attention. 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.940 It's hard to get them 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.700 to pay attention. 00:27:45.320 --> 00:27:46.180 But the Lord's Supper 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:47.340 and our doctrine 00:27:47.340 --> 00:27:48.120 of the Lord's Supper, 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.680 meeting the ascension, 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:52.220 means that at this sacrament, 00:27:52.800 --> 00:27:54.540 grace happens to us. 00:27:55.020 --> 00:27:56.720 And even in our distraction, 00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.400 the Holy Spirit 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:00.120 is actively bringing us 00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:00.620 into presence. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.900 So even if there are moments 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:02.920 when you as a parent 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.600 are like, 00:28:03.660 --> 00:28:04.060 I don't know 00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:05.260 what the pastor said today, 00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:07.400 when you eat and drink this, 00:28:07.720 --> 00:28:09.319 God is being faithful to you 00:28:09.319 --> 00:28:10.480 even in your distraction, 00:28:11.460 --> 00:28:13.140 lifting you into his presence. 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:14.319 And that's true for all of us, 00:28:14.379 --> 00:28:15.779 but especially for those of us 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:17.539 who struggle to sit 00:28:17.539 --> 00:28:18.480 and wiggle. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.039 Christ's ascension means 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:22.099 that Christ the God-man 00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:23.660 is sitting in his throne 00:28:23.660 --> 00:28:25.359 and we are united to him 00:28:25.359 --> 00:28:26.640 when we eat and drink in faith. 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.879 That second, 00:28:29.099 --> 00:28:29.640 last thing, 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:31.500 how does this relate? 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.519 So what for those of us 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.119 who are searching, 00:28:33.599 --> 00:28:34.799 who are not convinced 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.619 of Christianity yet? 00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.839 What does this ascension mean? 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:38.940 Briefly, 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:40.339 I think it tells us 00:28:40.339 --> 00:28:41.559 that this world 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:44.140 is not all there is to life. 00:28:44.640 --> 00:28:45.400 This world is not 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:46.839 all there is to life. 00:28:47.180 --> 00:28:47.720 There's a book 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:49.619 by two secular atheist philosophers 00:28:49.619 --> 00:28:50.799 named Hubert Dreyfus 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.519 and Sean Kelly. 00:28:51.619 --> 00:28:52.099 The book's called 00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:53.059 All Things Shining. 00:28:53.779 --> 00:28:55.279 And as secular atheists, 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.339 they try to say 00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.519 that there's no real purpose 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.059 to life. 00:28:58.059 --> 00:29:00.279 We're materialistic beings, 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.700 ultimately lights and clockwork, 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.419 atoms spinning around, 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:06.740 and that there's nothing 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:08.159 really more to life 00:29:08.159 --> 00:29:09.339 than physics and chemistry. 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:10.759 And so all you can try to do 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.679 is scratch out 00:29:11.679 --> 00:29:12.319 some shiny, 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:13.960 sacred micro-meanings 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.399 out of a gray, 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.039 dull universe. 00:29:16.399 --> 00:29:17.220 And that's what they call 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:17.339 it, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.200 All Things Shining. 00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.480 There's nothing to life. 00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:20.299 Just try and create 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.240 a little bit of happiness 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.980 in your life. 00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.319 It's depressing stuff. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.240 So tough way 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.119 to be a human being. 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:28.259 But if I'm honest, 00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.859 and if you're here 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.559 and you're not a Christian, 00:29:29.619 --> 00:29:30.439 I want you to think hard 00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:31.139 with me on this. 00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.500 I don't think 00:29:32.500 --> 00:29:34.139 that that actually corresponds 00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:35.359 with how most of us live. 00:29:36.239 --> 00:29:38.119 I don't think that's existentially, 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.819 day to day, 00:29:38.899 --> 00:29:39.579 how most of us 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.279 go through our lives. 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.399 And think about it this way. 00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:42.319 Think about some of the most 00:29:42.319 --> 00:29:43.879 satisfying moments 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:45.199 in your life. 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.939 Sipping a good drink 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:48.719 by a creek 00:29:48.719 --> 00:29:49.479 with some friends. 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:52.439 Or the smell of barbecue 00:29:52.439 --> 00:29:53.699 on a Saturday afternoon. 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:55.759 I did some barbecue ribs yesterday, 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.779 and it was amazing. 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:59.539 Just this extra sensory experience 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.879 or sweet rolls 00:30:00.879 --> 00:30:01.700 coming out of the oven 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.559 on Christmas morning. 00:30:03.559 --> 00:30:03.740 Right? 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:05.000 These are moments 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:07.519 that are more than 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.879 just biological life. 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.519 They're more than just 00:30:10.519 --> 00:30:12.220 nourishing our bodies. 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.619 Right? 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:14.640 And they point us to, 00:30:14.720 --> 00:30:15.319 if you're honest, 00:30:15.420 --> 00:30:16.200 they point us to 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.039 that there is something 00:30:17.039 --> 00:30:18.180 more to this life 00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:19.379 than just electrons 00:30:19.379 --> 00:30:20.480 spinning around protons. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:22.960 that there is actually 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:23.579 some good, 00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:23.980 true, 00:30:24.079 --> 00:30:24.960 and beautiful things 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.759 in our world. 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.539 And Christ's ascension 00:30:28.539 --> 00:30:30.000 affirms 00:30:30.000 --> 00:30:31.720 what you already 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.900 intuitively know. 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.839 It affirms 00:30:34.839 --> 00:30:35.720 what you already 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.599 intuitively know, 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.660 that there is purpose 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:38.200 to this world. 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.059 And not only that, 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:40.400 it puts what you 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.740 intuitively know 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:43.120 into a place 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:44.160 and a person. 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.860 The risen 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:47.079 and reigning king. 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:49.599 And it affirms it 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:50.480 and it puts it 00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.000 in a person. 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.159 It says that there are 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:52.619 good, 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.099 true, 00:30:53.319 --> 00:30:53.579 real, 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.720 beautiful moments 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.439 in our life. 00:30:55.619 --> 00:30:56.859 And it says it's Jesus 00:30:56.859 --> 00:30:58.019 and he is the place 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.599 and the person 00:30:58.599 --> 00:31:00.199 where all of those things 00:31:00.199 --> 00:31:01.599 find their culmination. 00:31:02.339 --> 00:31:03.299 He is the one 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:05.019 who is the center 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:06.619 of the enjoyable things 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.319 that we all 00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:08.460 intuitively experience 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.919 in our lives. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.399 So if materialism is real, 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.799 the most you can hope 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.639 to get out of life 00:31:12.639 --> 00:31:14.259 is just as much dopamine 00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:15.179 as you can squeeze 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:15.980 out of this world. 00:31:17.079 --> 00:31:18.599 And that's all you get. 00:31:18.699 --> 00:31:20.119 But if Christ is ascended, 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.039 then all of those 00:31:21.039 --> 00:31:22.139 joy-filled moments 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:23.419 point us to a place 00:31:23.419 --> 00:31:24.419 and a person. 00:31:24.939 --> 00:31:26.259 That is Jesus Christ 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:28.079 where the ascension 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:29.879 is both validating 00:31:29.879 --> 00:31:30.960 and personifying 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.659 the goodness 00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:33.019 that you experience. 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:36.359 And without the ascension, 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:37.240 all you have 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:38.179 is to just try 00:31:38.179 --> 00:31:39.220 and get one more hit. 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.199 And if that's true, 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:41.059 you might as well do heroin 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.859 because that's the most 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.579 bang for your buck. 00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:44.939 I'm serious. 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:46.819 The ascension points us 00:31:46.819 --> 00:31:47.819 to the place 00:31:47.819 --> 00:31:48.779 where all goodness 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.599 is centered. 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.839 That is Jesus Christ. 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.099 If it's true, 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:53.419 then what you already 00:31:53.419 --> 00:31:54.759 intuitively experience 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.720 is real. 00:31:57.740 --> 00:31:58.519 And I think that's 00:31:58.519 --> 00:31:59.279 reason to trust. 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.220 I think that's reason 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:01.919 to believe. 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.119 I think it's reason 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:04.519 to say Jesus is different 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.679 from anything else. 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.259 I've covered a lot 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:09.200 of territory today. 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:10.379 I hope you see 00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:11.079 that the ascension 00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:12.359 is not a liability 00:32:12.359 --> 00:32:14.200 to the Christian faith. 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:16.740 it's not a downgrade 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:18.140 for your spirituality. 00:32:18.860 --> 00:32:20.000 But it's good news. 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.720 It is better, 00:32:22.120 --> 00:32:23.100 as Jesus says, 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.380 that I go away. 00:32:24.799 --> 00:32:25.880 It's to our advantage 00:32:25.880 --> 00:32:26.480 because we have 00:32:26.480 --> 00:32:27.680 a prophet, priest, and king 00:32:27.680 --> 00:32:29.160 who is ruling and reigning, 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:30.000 who is bringing us 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:30.799 slowly and more 00:32:30.799 --> 00:32:31.640 but progressively 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:32.779 into the presence of God 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.779 and who is sending out 00:32:33.779 --> 00:32:34.680 the good news 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:36.319 of God's redeeming activity 00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.039 in our world. 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:37.940 And that that is 00:32:37.940 --> 00:32:39.620 reason to believe. 00:32:39.759 --> 00:32:40.740 And it is comfort 00:32:40.740 --> 00:32:41.940 for those of us 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:42.440 who are Christians. 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:43.960 It matters, 00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.580 and I hope 00:32:44.580 --> 00:32:45.360 that all of you 00:32:45.360 --> 00:32:46.500 can trust it a little more. 00:32:47.259 --> 00:32:47.840 Would you pray with me? 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:49.840 Father in heaven, 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.400 we pray that you 00:32:51.400 --> 00:32:52.480 would encourage our faith, 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:53.360 all of us, 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.420 in the unique way 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.059 that we need 00:32:55.059 --> 00:32:56.039 to be ministered to 00:32:56.039 --> 00:32:57.660 by the ascension. 00:32:57.920 --> 00:32:58.900 Thank you that Jesus 00:32:58.900 --> 00:33:01.140 is not waiting around 00:33:01.140 --> 00:33:02.200 in heaven 00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:03.559 until he comes back, 00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.440 but that he is indeed 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.740 active right now 00:33:05.740 --> 00:33:07.980 bringing his kingdom, 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.860 bringing us to the Father, 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.820 building his church, 00:33:11.819 --> 00:33:12.980 help us to trust that, 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.779 bring your kingdom 00:33:14.779 --> 00:33:15.960 and be glorified in it. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:16.919 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:18.599 Would you please stand 00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.359 for our final hymn? 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:34.719 God sent his son, 00:33:34.719 --> 00:33:38.259 they called him Jesus, 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:43.399 he came to love, 00:33:43.939 --> 00:33:46.399 heal and forgive, 00:33:46.400 --> 00:33:50.360 he bled and died. 00:33:50.360 --> 00:33:52.040 He bled and died 00:33:52.040 --> 00:33:55.360 to buy my pardon, 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:59.880 an empty grave is there 00:33:59.880 --> 00:34:04.720 to prove my Savior lives. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:08.679 Because he lives, 00:34:08.679 --> 00:34:12.300 I can face tomorrow, 00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:17.619 because he lives, 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:21.900 all fear is gone, 00:34:21.900 --> 00:34:24.820 because I know 00:34:24.820 --> 00:34:29.159 he holds the future, 00:34:29.159 --> 00:34:34.259 and life is worth the living 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:38.920 just because he lives. 00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:43.639 How sweet to hold 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:46.899 a newborn baby 00:34:46.900 --> 00:34:51.860 and feel the pride 00:34:51.860 --> 00:34:56.160 and joy he gives, 00:34:56.160 --> 00:35:00.180 but greater still 00:35:00.180 --> 00:35:03.340 the calm assurance 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:07.160 this child can face 00:35:07.160 --> 00:35:09.000 uncertain days 00:35:09.000 --> 00:35:10.000 because he lives. 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:12.000 Because he lives, 00:35:12.000 --> 00:35:13.000 because he lives, 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:17.000 because he lives, 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:20.059 I can face tomorrow, 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:25.219 because he lives, 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:29.280 all fear is gone, 00:35:29.280 --> 00:35:33.240 because I know 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:36.420 he holds the future, 00:35:37.740 --> 00:35:41.100 and life is worth the living 00:35:41.100 --> 00:35:44.760 just because he lives. 00:35:44.760 --> 00:35:49.240 And then one day, 00:35:49.239 --> 00:35:52.919 I'll cross the river, 00:35:52.919 --> 00:36:01.219 I'll fight life's final war with pain, 00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:05.639 and then as death 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:09.019 gives way to victory, 00:36:09.839 --> 00:36:13.379 I'll see the lights of glory 00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:15.079 and I'll know 00:36:15.079 --> 00:36:17.740 he lives. 00:36:17.740 --> 00:36:22.079 Because he lives, 00:36:22.200 --> 00:36:25.059 I can face tomorrow, 00:36:26.180 --> 00:36:30.079 because he lives, 00:36:30.440 --> 00:36:34.079 all fear is gone, 00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:36.980 because I know 00:36:36.980 --> 00:36:41.320 he holds the future, 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:45.720 and life is worth the living 00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:50.860 just because he lives. 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:00.580 Christians, lift your hands 00:37:00.580 --> 00:37:01.740 and receive a blessing 00:37:01.740 --> 00:37:02.539 not from me, 00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:03.760 but from the living God. 00:37:04.200 --> 00:37:05.960 The Lord bless you and keep you. 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.600 The Lord make his face 00:37:07.600 --> 00:37:08.519 to shine upon you 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.580 and be gracious to you. 00:37:10.059 --> 00:37:10.880 The Lord lift up 00:37:10.880 --> 00:37:12.039 his countenance upon you 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.860 and give you peace. 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:14.700 Have a happy Lord's Day. 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:15.539 Be well.