Ascension of the Lord - Lives Transformed

Our lives can be transformed through faith in Christ's resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today’s scripture readings s from Acts 1:11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:15-23, and Luke 24:44-53 speak to us about Jesus being taken up into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. We are reminded that as humans, we are corrupted by sin and are spiritually dead and separated from God. However, through faith in Christ's resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be made new.

The Ascension is an important event in the life of Christ and the Church. It marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of his heavenly reign. It reminds us that Jesus is not just a historical figure, but a living and active presence in our lives today.

In the book of Acts, we hear the angels say to the disciples, "This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11) This promise of Jesus' return gives us hope and comfort, knowing that he will one day come back to restore all things. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit empowers us to live transformed lives and to be witnesses for Christ.

In Psalm 47, we read, "God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet." (Psalm 47:5) This imagery reminds us that Jesus' Ascension was a moment of triumph and celebration. It also reminds us that Jesus is not just a man, but God himself, who deserves all our worship and praise. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 47:7-9, "For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted." This psalm reminds us that God is the King of all the earth and that we are called to worship and praise Him. However, because of sin, we have become separated from God, and our relationship with Him has been broken.

In Ephesians 2:1-3, Paul writes, "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath." This passage reminds us that we were spiritually dead in our sin, but Jesus' death and resurrection paid the price for our sin and restored our relationship with God. Ephesians 1:15-23, Paul prays that we may know the hope to which we have been called, the riches of God's glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. This prayer reminds us that Jesus' Ascension was not just a moment in history, but a source of strength and power for us today. In Ephesians 1:21-23, Paul writes, "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." This passage reminds us that Christ is the head of the church, and we are His body. As we live transformed lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, we become the fullness of Christ.

In Luke 24:44-53, we hear how Jesus opened the disciples' minds to understand the Scriptures and then blessed them before he was taken up into heaven. This passage reminds us that Jesus is not just a teacher, but a savior who gives us understanding and blessings before he goes to prepare a place for us. Luke 24:44-48 tells us that Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection and opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. He reminded them that everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled. Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the Scriptures and paid the price for our sin, giving us the opportunity to be made new.

So how does the Ascension of Jesus affect our lives in the 21st century? It reminds us that Jesus is not just a distant figure from the past, but a living and active presence in our lives today. It gives us hope and comfort in the midst of a world that can often feel hopeless and uncertain. It reminds us that Jesus is not just a man, but God himself, who deserves all our worship and praise. It gives us strength and power to face the challenges of life with faith and courage. And it reminds us that Jesus is not just a teacher, but a savior who gives us understanding and blessings before he goes to prepare a place for us.

The story of Nick Vujicic.

Nick was born without arms and legs, and his parents were initially devastated by his condition. However, Nick found hope and purpose through his Christian faith, and he credits his relationship with Jesus for his transformation.

Through his faith, Nick learned to trust in God's plan for his life and to see his disability as an opportunity to share God's love with others. He became a motivational speaker and founded an organization called Life Without Limbs, which aims to inspire people to overcome their challenges and live fulfilling lives.

Nick's faith in Jesus' resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit has enabled him to overcome the obstacles he faced and to live a life of purpose and meaning. He has inspired millions of people around the world and has shown that with God's help, anything is possible. His story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith in Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Life Without Limbs was founded and is led by Nick Vujicic.

Nick, despite being born without arms and legs, has become one of the world’s most loved communicators.

His ministry mission is to cross boundaries and break down barriers, to build bridges that bring people to the love and hope found in Jesus Christ.

His ministry goal is to share the Gospel with one billion more people by 2028.

His ministry does this through Live and Digital Outreach Events, Outreach and Discipleship Training, Digital Ministry, Prison Ministry, and Prayer and Encouragement Ministry.

The story of the Apostle Paul. Before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christians. However, after his conversion, Paul was transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and became a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, dedicating his life to spreading the gospel and serving the church. My dear friends, we can be made new through faith in Jesus' resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray that we may have the faith to believe in Jesus' resurrection and the courage to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our lives. May we be empowered to live transformed lives and to be witnesses for Christ, that others may come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ. As we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord today, let us remember that he is with us always, even to the end of the age. Let us lift up our voices in worship and praise, knowing that Jesus is worthy of all honor and glory. And let us go forth with the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to all who will hear.

Dear God, Today we come before you in celebration of the ascension of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for his life, death, and resurrection, and for the promise of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live transformed lives. We acknowledge that we, as humans, have been corrupted by sin and are separated from you. We are grateful that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, the price for our sin has been paid, and our relationship with you has been restored. We pray that we may embrace the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we be filled with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge to discern your will for us. May we be guided by your love, mercy, and grace in our daily lives. We pray that we may be made new through faith in Jesus' resurrection and the power of the Holy Spirit. May our minds be renewed, our hearts transformed, and our lives be a living testimony to your glory. As we celebrate the ascension of Jesus, we are reminded that he is now seated at your right hand, interceding for us. We pray that we may always look to him as our savior and Lord, and that we may be guided by his teachings and example. In your holy name we pray, Amen.