ASCENSION DAY

G.I.J.N. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING. WHAT A BLESSING WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER TO WORSHIP IN THE JOY OF THE LORD. CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT OCCASION WE CELEBRATED 6 WEEKS AGO? EASTER.

WHAT ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO ? MOTHERS DAY -

WHAT ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO? ASCENSION DAY.

AS YOU MAY HAVE KNOWN - I WAS ASKED TO BRING AN ASCENSION DAY MESSAGE TO OPEN DOOR LAST THURSDAY EVENING - BEFORE BEING ASKED TO DO THIS ASSIGNMENT - I HAD NOT GIVEN A LOT OF THOUGHT TO WHAT ASCENSION DAY REPRESENTS OR THE SIGNIFICANCE OR BLESSING THIS EVENT HAS ON CHRISTIANITY. I DON'T REMEMBER BEING AT AN ASCENSION DAY SERVICE BEFORE SO I HAD NO GUIDE OR GAUGE ON HOW OR WHAT WAS TO BE EXPECTED AT A SERVICE LIKE THAT. SO IT WAS AN INTERESTING AND CHALLENGING STUDY = SO THIS MORNING I PLAN TO SHARE THE MESSAGE WITH YOU.

TO BEGIN - WHAT IS ASCENSION DAY?

THE DAY CELEBRATED WHEN JESUS ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN -JESUS IS ON EARTH AND IS LIFTED UP INTO HEAVEN- THERE WE GO - THAT'S A SIMPLE DEFINITION - THAT IS SIMPLE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND - I LIKE SIMPLE - SOMETIMES SIMPLE IS GOOD - CUTS DOWN ON CONFUSION - A DIRECT APPROACH CAN GET THINGS DONE IN A STRAIGHT FORWARD MANNER - SOMETIMES WE HEAR THIS STATEMENT -

THE BIBLE SAYS IT - I BELIEVE IT - AND THAT'S FINAL! -A SIMPLE BELIEVING FAITH IN GODS WORD.

JESUS TELLS US TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AS A CHILD IN Mark 10:15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”

I BELIEVE JESUS IS SAYING WE NEED TO HAVE THE SIMPLE FAITH OF A CHILD IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO ENTER HEAVEN. HOWEVER - ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AROUND CHILDREN ALSO KNOWS THAT THEY ARE VERY CURIOUS AND INQUISITIVE AND CAN BE VERY VOCAL IN THEIR QUESTIONS AND ARE NOT AFRAID TO ASK WHY ? SO THEN WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THE MEANING AND REASON OF WHAT WE BELIEVE AND PRACTICE.

PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO THE CHURCH AT CORINTH SAYS IN 1 Corinthians 14:20 “Brethren, be NOT children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

SO HOW DOES THIS WORK - JESUS I BELIEVE IS TELLING US TO HAVE THE FAITH OF A CHILD AND PAUL IS TELLING US TO HAVE THE FORGIVENESS OF A CHILD - FORGIVE AND FORGET AND LOVE THOSE AROUND US- NOT WITH EVIL INTENT, OR ILL WILL TO OTHERS. AND THAT WE ARE NOT TO BE IGNORANT AND HAVE NO UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS. IF WE GO TO THE VERSE BEFORE VERSE 20 - 1 Corinthians 14:19 “Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.”

AND I AGREE WITH PAUL - I WOULD RATHER SPEAK 5 WORDS OF VALUE THAN 10,000 WORDS THAT WERE NOT UNDERSTOOD - SO IF YOU LIKE SIMPLE HERE ARE 5 SIMPLE VERSE THAT TELL US THE LIFE OF CHRIST - AND THIS IS THE BEAUTIFUL THINGS OF THE BIBLE - DIFFERENT WRITERS TELLING OF THE SAME EVENT FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE AND MINDSET AND BACKGROUND. SIMILAR TO THIS MORNING - MY VIEW OR INTEREST ON THIS SUBJECT OF ASCENSION DAY WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT NEARLY EVERYONE ELSE HERE MAY BE -

5 VERSES ABOUT JESUS CHRIST - SIMPLE VERSES IN THE GOSPELS.

VIRGIN BIRTH - Matthew 1:19 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

BOY GREW - Luke 2:40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”

JESUS CRUCIFIED - John 19:18 “Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”

JESUS RESURRECTION - Luke 24:46 “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:”

JESUS ASCENSION - Mark 16:19 “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”

SIMPLE TRUTH - JESUS CAME TO EARTH - HE LIVED - WAS CRUCIFIED AND ROSE AGAIN AND WENT TO HEAVEN - .

THIS IS TRUTH - I BELIEVE IT - I WILL FOLLOW HIM AS MY MASTER - SO WE ALL AGREE - ALL DONE- WE CAN ALL GO LIVE AS CHRISTIANS?!?

HOWEVER WE ARE A FORGETFUL PEOPLE - ALSO WE ARE AN INQUISITIVE PEOPLE OF FREE CHOICE BY GODS DESIGN SO WE NEED UNDERSTANDING OF WHO AND WHAT GOD WANTS FROM HIS CHILDREN.

WHO REMEMBERS PLAYING OR HEARD OF THE GAME - WHO - WHAT - HOW - WHEN AND WHERE - SOMETHING THAT I REMEMBER PLAYING AS A YOUNG PERSON - TAKE A PIECE OF PAPER - WRITE WHO AT THE TOP - FOLD IT OVER - AND PASS TO THE NEXT PERSON AND THEY WRITE WHAT AND FOLD AND PASS AND AT THE END YOU HAVE A FUNNY STORY. WE STILL PLAY THIS AS ADULTS - WE CALL IT THE MENNONITE GAME - WHO ARE YOUR PARENTS - WHAT BRINGS YOU ....HOW DID YOU END UP....WHEN DID YOU....WHERE ARE YOU FROM....… SO WE HAVE THIS TO OUR ADVANTAGE OF VARIOUS WRITERS IN THE BIBLE -

TURN TO LUKE 24: 50-53 WHERE WE HAVE 4 VERSES AT THE END OF THE CHAPTER TELLING OF THE ASCENSION OF JESUS - AS I READ EARLIER - MARK 16:19 WE HAVE 1 VERSE TELLING OF THE ASCENSION OF JESUS - AND IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW THE BOOK ENDS WITH THE GREAT COMMISSION AND NOT WITH THE ASCENSION OF JESUS - SO LETS READ THESE 4 VERSES AS AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ASCENSION OF JESUS.

Luke 24:50–53 “And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

HERE WE HAVE A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF WHAT HAPPENED - LUKE TELLS US THAT JESUS LED THEM OUT - LIFTED UP HIS HANDS AND WAS BLESSING THEM AND WHILE HE WAS DOING IT - HE WAS LIFTED UP - ASCENDED UP INTO HEAVEN. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL , FITTING AND SO IMPORTANT CLOSING TO HIS BOOK ON THE LIFE OF JESUS OUR RISEN SAVIOR - THE ONE WHO DIED TO PROVIDE A WAY OF SALVATION - IS LIFTED UP FROM EARTH TO GO BACK TO HEAVEN TO BE WITH HIS FATHER. JESUS HAS COMPLETED HIS MISSION - HE WAS SUCCESSFUL - HIS WORK WAS DONE.

HOW MANY HAVE HEARD THIS PHRASE BEFORE - THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST IS THE “COOLMINATION” OF HIS MINISTRY.

I AM SIMPLE - SO - IT SOUNDS CLOSE TO THE WORD COMPLETE AND THAT MAKES SENSE - BUT THEN CURIOSITY COMPELLED ME LOOK UP THE WORD -

CULMINATION DEFINITION- THE HIGHEST OR CLIMATIC POINT OF SOMETHING, ESPECIALLY AS ATTAINED AFTER A LONG TIME.

ANOTHER MEANING: THE END POINT OR FINAL STAGE OF SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN WORKING TOWARD OR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN BUILDING UP.

SO SIMPLY STATED - JESUS ASCENSION IS THE CULMINATION OR COMPLETION OF HIS MINISTRY.

IS THAT TRUE? YES AND NO -YES - WE MAY SAY THIS MAY BE THE END OF HIS WORK ON EARTH - YET IS IT THE FINAL STAGE ON EARTH - NO - BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT HE IS COMING BACK TO EARTH TO EARTH IN LIKE MANNER AS HE LEFT. HOW MANY REMEMBER HEARING THAT BEFORE - SO WHERE DO FIND THAT INFORMATION? LIKE I SAID THIS IS THE BEAUTY OF THE INSPIRED WORD OF GOD.

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AT THE END OF THE BOOK OF LUKE I WROTE - TO BE CONTINUED: WHERE DOES LUKE CONTINUE HIS WRITINGS? ANYONE? IN ACTS - SO TURN TO ACTS CHAPTER 1.

I WANT TO MAKE A FEW NOTABLE MENTIONS OF LUKE - WHO WAS LUKE? - ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT HE WAS A PHYSICIAN OR DOCTOR- ONE WHO WORKED WITH PEOPLE AND NEEDED TO GIVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL - AND THIS HELPS TO MAKES HIS WRITINGS INTERESTING IN THAT HE INCLUDES MORE DETAILS ABOUT JESUS LIFE AND GIVES MORE DETAILS ON GEOGRAPHY.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS OF LUKE I FOUND IN MY STUDY - TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHY I APPRECIATE LUKE WRITINGS AND HOW HE GIVES HIS ACCOUNT.

1. Luke Was Likely a Gentile -SO HE DID NOT HAVE THE LAW AS A REFERENCE POINT 2. Luke Was a Physician - Colossians 4:14 “Luke, the beloved physician, and DEE-mas, greet you.” 3. Luke Wrote Two Books in the New Testament - LUKE AND ACTS 4. Luke Emphasized Jesus' Compassion 5. Luke Accompanied Paul on His Missionary Journeys 6. Luke's Gospel Has a Special Focus on Prayer 7. Luke Was Not One of the 12 Apostles 8. Luke Emphasizes the Role of the Holy Spirit 9. Luke's Writings Have Historical Accuracy 10. Luke Focuses on Jesus as the Son of Man

ANOTHER INTERESTING NOTE: LUKE’S WRITINGS ARE THE LARGEST IN THE NEW TESTAMENT. BOOK OF LUKE= 19,484 WORDS -BOOK OF ACTS -18,450 - MATTHEW = 18,364 - LUKE EVEN WROTE MORE THAN THE WHAT THE APOSTLE PAUL WROTE.

THIS GIVES PROOF THAT LUKE HAS A BURDEN TO GIVE AN EXCELLENT OR ORDERLY ACCOUNT OF WHAT HAPPENED AT THE TIME OF CHRIST.

WE SEE THIS COMMITMENT EXPLAINED IN LUKE 1:1-4 I WANT TO READ THIS IN THE NIV.

“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.” ‭‭Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I ENJOY LUKES ATTENTION TO DETAILS - SO OUR INQUISTIVE MINDS CAN KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EARLY CHURCH AS WE STUDY IT HERE THIS EVENING AS WE READ THE ACCOUNTS OF JESUS ASCENSION -

LETS GO TO ACTS 1 WHERE LUKE CONTINUES HIS WRITING - FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS ON WHAT TOOK PLACE AT JESUS ASCENSION.

ACTS 1:1-13

Ac 1:1 ¶ The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

6 ¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

12 ¶ Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.

SO WE HAVE A LOT IN THESE VERSES WE COULD LOOK AT -

V1 WE SEE LUKE’S BURDEN TO WRITE ALL ABOUT JESUS MINISTRY - NIV - IN MY FORMER BOOK - I WROTE OF ALL THE THINGS JESUS BEGAN TO DO.… AND SO IT SEEMS ACTS IS TO BE A CONTINUATION - ALSO TELLS US THAT JESUS WAS BUSY - ALL THE THINGS JESUS BEGAN TO DO.…

V2.... UNTIL HE WAS TAKEN UP - THEN AFTER THAT THE INSTRUCTIONS ARE TO BE GIVEN THROUGH THE HOLY GHOST TO THE APOSTLES WHOM HE HAD CHOSEN - LUKE EMPHASIZING THE WORK AND ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE TRANSITION OF A NEW WAY THE EARLY CHURCH WAS TO RECEIVE POWER AND GUIDANCE .

V3. THIS IS MY FOCUS VERSE. AFTER HIS SUFFERING AND OBVIOUSLY HIS RESURRECTION - IS SAY HE PRESENTED HIMSELF TO THEM - AND GAVE MANY CONVINCING PROOFS THAT HE WAS ALIVE IN THE FLESH.

I SEE THE HEART AND LOVE OF GOD THE FATHER SHOWING THROUGH THIS ACTION OF JESUS CHRIST - LAST PART OF THAT VERSE SAYS - HE APPEARED TO THEM OVER A PERIOD OF FORTY DAYS - AND SPOKE ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD.

SO LIKE I SAID I AM SIMPLE AND ALONG WITH THAT I LIKE TO BE PRACTICAL. SO THINK ABOUT THIS -

40 DAYS - DID JESUS NEED 40 DAYS TO GET READY TO GO TO HEAVEN? DID HE NEED TO RE-COOP HIS ENERGY - DID HIS BROKEN BODY NEED TIME TO HEAL? WAS HE POSSIBLY NOT READY TO GO TO HEAVEN - OR MAYBE HE DID NOT WANT TO GO YET? I BELIEVE WE CAN AGREE - JESUS DID NOT WAIT 40 DAYS FOR HIS BENEFIT OR THE FATHERS - BUT FOR OUR BENEFIT - FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE EARLY CHURCH.

2. WHAT DID YOU DO THE PAST 40 DAYS? WHAT DID YOU DO SINCE EASTER WEEKEND - WHAT DID YOU PERSONALLY DO AS A CHILD OF GOD - AS A CHRISTIAN -AS ONE WHO CLAIMS JESUS AS YOUR SAVIOR - THE ONE WHO DIED FOR YOUR SINS -HE DEFEATED DEATH AND ROSE AGAIN TO RENOUNCE SATAN AND ALL THE WORKS OF DARKNESS -SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE AS A CHILD OF GOD - REDEEMED INTO HIS KINGDOM. WHAT HAVE YOU DONE SINCE RESURRECTION DAY ? I WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT DID JESUS DO?

3. LETS TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER - WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN THE NEXT 40 DAYS - WHEN THE WEEK AFTER JULY 4TH WEEKEND COMES - WHAT WILL I AS A CHRIST FOLLOWER - A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST HAVE DONE FOR THE KINGDOM -AGAIN - WHAT DID JESUS DO - LETS READ V3 AGAIN.

VERSE - 3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion(NIV-SUFFERING) by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

HAVE I BEEN A WITNESS OR TESTIMONY FOR THE LORD SHOWING AND GIVING PROOF THAT JESUS IS ALIVE - THAT HE LIVES - THAT HE LIVES IN ME THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT - JUST AS WE HAD REJOICED AND PRAISED HIM ON EASTER SUNDAY FOR BEING OUR RISEN SAVIOR - HAVE WE TOLD ANYONE SINCE THEN - I SERVE A RISEN SAVIOR - WHO HAS ASCENDED TO HEAVEN PREPARING A PLACE FOR ME! - MAYBE WE TRY TO JUSTIFY OURSELVES - I AM SHY - I DON'T WANT TO PUT MYSELF OUT THERE FOR OTHERS TO SEE OR KNOW- OR THE PEOPLE AROUND ME KNOW WHAT I BELIEVE -JESUS COULD HAVE SAID THAT - I HAVE TOLD MY DISCIPLES SO MANY TIMES ALREADY- WHY SHOULD I STAY AND GIVE PROOF AND TESTIFY OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD - AGAIN -WHAT HAVE I DONE IN THE PAST 40 COMPARED TO WHAT JESUS DID???.

WHY HAVE I NOT BEEN SPEAKING OF THINGS PERTAINING TO THE KINGDOM OF GOD? WE ALL DESIRE TO GO TO HEAVEN - WE ALL DESIRE TO SEE GOD - WE ALL DESIRE TO SIT AT THE FEET OF JESUS -WE ALL DESIRE TO WALK THE STREETS OF GOLD - SO DID WE SPEAK ABOUT THOSE THINGS TO ANYONE? TO OUR FAMILY - TO OUR CO-WORKERS - EVEN TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY WHO WE BELIEVE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL AND INTEREST - IN THE LAST 40 DAYS HAVE I A SPOKE ONE WORD OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD TO OTHERS?

PRAISE GOD - THAT WE HAVE JESUS AS OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE TO SHOW US WHAT TO DO - SO THAT WE CAN KNOW WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE DONE IN THE PAST 40 DAYS - IF TODAY WAS OUR LAST DAY ON EARTH AS IT WAS FOR JESUS - WOULD WE HAVE LIVED OUR PAST 40 DAYS OR EVEN OUR LIFE DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT DOES THE 40 DAYS SIGNIFY - WE FIND THE WORD 40 OVER 150 TIMES (158) - THE NUMBER FORTY GENERALLY SYMBOLIZES A TIME OF PREPARATION - OR OF TRIAL OR PURIFICATION - OR A TIME OF TRANSITION. ALSO SYMBOLIZES A GENERATION OF MAN.

LETS THINK OF A FEW EXAMPLES OF THE NUMBER 40 BEING A TIME OF PREPARATION - OR PURIFICATION - TRANSISTION

- NOAH AND THE FLOOD - 40 DAYS OF RAIN TO PURIFY THE EARTH OF THE EVIL.

CHILDREN OF ISRAEL - 40 YEARS IN THE WILDERNESS TO DO ALL 3 -

MOSES ON MT SINAI - TWICE FOR 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS FOR INSTRUCTION OR PREPARATION FOR MOSES TO RECEIVE GODS LAW TO GIVE AND GOVERN THE ISRAELITE'S BY

ELIJAH WENT 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS IN 1 KINGS 19 WHEN GOD WAS PREPARING + TESTING HIM FOR A TRANSITION OF THE CALL TO ELISHA.

JONAH - 40 DAYS TILL THE DESTRUCTION OF NINEVAH. AGIN WE SEE ALL 3 - NINEVAH PREPARED THEMSELVES - PURIFIED AND TRANSITIONED TO A CITY BELIEVING IN GOD.

JESUS - ALSO AN EXAMPLE OF 40 - AFTER HIS BAPTISM - THEN JESUS WAS LED BY THE SPIRIT INTO THE WILDERNESS BE TEMPTED - Matthew 4:2 “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.” THIS IS WHEN THE DEVIL TEMPTED HIM - AND HE DID NOT SIN.

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE PAST 40 DAYS - IT DIDN'T RAIN FOR 40 DAYS LIKE IT DID FOR NOAH - WE MAY THINK SO - WERE WE ON THE MOUNTAIN TOP WITH GOD LIKE MOSES, RECEIVING HIS WORD? - WERE WE FASTING LIKE ELIJAH AND JESUS - WHERE WE EVEN PROCLAIMING LIKE JONAH - THAT THIS WORLD WILL EVENTUALLY BE OVERTHROWN - JONAH 3:4.

WHAT DID JESUS DO:

VERSE 4 +5 - JESUS GIVES THIS INSTRUCTION TO THE BELIEVERS - TO WAIT FOR THE PROMISE OF THE LORD AT JERUSALEM - WHAT IS THIS PROMISE -THAT THEY WOULD BE BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST - JESUS IS PREPARING THEM FOR A TRANSITION OF POWER - TELLING THEM THAT HE MUST GO SO THAT ONE WHO WOULD DO EVEN GREATER THINGS HE- CAN COME - WE UNDERSTAND THAT ONE ASPECT THIS IS THAT JESUS IN A PHYSICAL BODY FORM WAS BUT ONE PERSON AND THE HOLY GHOST COULD BE IN EVERYONE - AGAIN I SEE THE LOVE OF JESUS AND HIS DESIRE THAT ALL CAN BE CHILDREN OF GOD.

DO WE HAVE THIS BURDEN - FOR THE CHURCH - FOR OUR FAMILY -FOR OUR CO-WORKER AND OUR NEIGHBOR - TO NOT LOOK TO OURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY BUT TO PROMOTE THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE PART OF EVERYONE WE COME IN CONTACT WITH - HOW DEAD AND STAGNANT A PERSON OR- CHURCH- OR COMPANY BECOMES IF THEY JUST TRY TO DO EVERYTHING THEMSELVES - IT IS ONLY WHEN WE REACH OUT AND SHARE WITH OTHERS AND THEY TOUCH OTHERS THAT THE LOVE OF GOD CAN BE EFFECTIVELY SPREAD. DOES OUR LIFE SHOW AND OUR TALK BEAR TESTIMONY THAT WE WANT EVERYONE AROUND US TO HAVE THE JOY OF THE LORD IN THEIR HEART BY THEIR OWN PERSON RELATIONSHIP THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT TO JESUS CHRIST TO GOD THE FATHER.

VERSE 6 -8 HERE I SEE SOME MORE PREPARATION AND PURIFICATION TAKING PLACE - THE DISCIPLES ARE STILL LOOKING FOR AN EARTHLY KINGDOM -AT THIS PIVOTAL MOMENT OF TIME WHEN THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZING THE FULFILLMENT OF PROPHESY - WHAT ARE THEY CONCERNED ABOUT? AN EARTHLY SHORT-SIGHTED EARTHLY KINGDOM - YET HOW OFTEN DO WE LIVE AND ACT JUST LIKE THE DISCIPLES - BY THE WAY WE LIVE AND ACT AND INVEST OUR TIME AND MONEY INTO THE THINGS OF THIS WORLD - HOW OFTEN ARE WE FAILING OUR CALLING BECAUSE WE USE OUR RESOURCES FOR THE SUPPORT OF A TEMPORAL KINGDOM AND FOR MATERIAL GAIN INSTEAD OF FOR BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND SAVING SOULS SO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN CONNECTION TO GOD THE FATHER. WHETHER IF BE OUR FAMILY - THE BROTHERHOOD - OUR CO-WORKERS OR NEIGHBOR. WE SEE JESUS NEEDED TO PURIFY THEIR FOCUS -TELLING THEM - YOU DO NOT NEED TO CONCERN YOURSELF WITH GODS PLANS - BUT RATHER PREPARE YOUR HEARTS TO RECEIVE THE POWER AND THE HOLY GHOST - WHY - SO THEY CAN BE WITNESSES TO THEIR NEIGHBORS - AND IT EVERYONE FROM JERUSALEM TO SAMARIA - HE IS INSTRUCTING THEM THAT THE JEWS AND THE GENTILES ARE TO BE SHOWN THE POWER OF THE LORD - END OF V8 SAYS: EVEN UNTO THE UTTERMOST PART OF THE EARTH.

V8 - THIS IS A VERY SHORT VERSION OF THE GREAT COMMISSION — IF FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT IN MARKS ACCOUNT - JUST BEFORE JESUS GIVES THE COMMISSION - THAT JESUS REBUKES HIS DISCIPLES IN Mark 16:14 “Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them (REBUKED THEM) with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.” I HAVE TO WONDER HOW WELL THIS DESCRIBES OUR HEARTS - WE LIVE AS THOUGH JESUS IS NOT COMING BACK AND WE DON’T TAKE SERIOUSLY THE IMPORTANCE OF GOING TO THE UTTERMOST PARTS OF THE EARTH - ALONG WITH THAT - HOW DEEP IS MY BELIEF - DO I NEED PURIFICATION TO CLEANSE MY HEART OF SELFISH AND CARNAL DESIRES AND INTEREST - LET ME KEEP READING WHAT JESUS TELLS US WHAT A DISCIPLE AND BELIEVER IS AND WILL DO.

Mark 16:15–18 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; #1. In my name shall they cast out devils; #2. they shall speak with new tongues; #3.They shall take up serpents; #4. and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; #5. they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

SO HOW STRONG IS MY FAITH - HOW MUCH POWER FROM THE HOLY GHOST IS EVIDENT IN MY LIFE - WHAT IS MY TESTIMONY TO THE WORLD - AM I BEING A CHRISTIAN WITNESS - HOW MANY OF THESE HAVE I BEEN PART OF IN THE LAST 40 DAYS - OR DURING MY ENTIRE CHRISTIAN LIFE?

I WANT TO TOUCH BRIEFLY -ANOTHER THING JESUS DID - AND THAT WAS TO HAVE MEALS WITH THE DISCIPLES AS A WAY TO HELP THEM BELIEVE THAT HE WAS RISEN IN BODILY FORM AND IN JOHN 21 WE HAVE THE ACCOUNT OF JESUS MAKING BREAKFAST FOR A NUMBER OF THE DISCIPLES WHO HAD GONE FISHING - JOHN TELLS US THAT - JESUS IS SHOWING HIMSELF FOR THE 3RD TIME TO THE DISCIPLES - AND DURING THIS TIME OF HOSPITALITY HE USES IT TO REACH OUT AND CONNECT WITH PETER - IT SAYS : AND AFTER JESUS GAVE THEM BREAD AND FISH AND THEY HAD DINED - THEN IT BEGINS WITH THE CONVERSATION OF JESUS ASKING PETER IF HE LOVED HIM - AND THROUGH THIS DISCUSSION PETER IS COMMANDED TO CARE FOR THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST. CHRIST IS SHOWING BY EXAMPLE HOW TO TREAT OTHERS - THE DISCIPLES WENT OFF FISHING - DID JESUS COME AND REBUKE THEM? NO - HE SHOWED UP WITH BREAKFAST AND THEN DURING THIS TIME WHEN PETER IS WILLING TO ENGAGED IN CONVERSATION WITH JESUS - THEN HE CHALLENGES PETER ON HIS PRIORITIES AND COMMITMENTS AND PETER WAS RESTORED BACK INTO SERVICE FOR THE KINGDOM. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE JESUS IS FOR US.

THERE ARE MORE PIECES OF WHAT JESUS DID IN THE 40 DAYS BEFORE ASCENSION- ONE WE COULD LOOK AT IS WHAT PAUL WROTE IN 1 Corinthians 15:6 WHERE IT SAYS “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” SO WE KNOW THAT WERE MANY EYEWITNESSES TO JESUS RESURRECTION- AND IN THE VERSES SURROUNDING THIS -THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS NAMED WHO SAW JESUS - PAUL IS MAKING US AWARE THAT MANY SAW JESUS IN BODILY FORM NOT A SPIRIT OR GHOST -BUT THAT JESUS DIED AND ROSE AGAIN - PRAISE THE LORD!

I LIKE THE WAY JOHN IN THE LAST 2 VERSES OF THE BOOK - CHAPTER 21 CLOSES WITH THESE WORDS John 21:24–25 “This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

I SEE THAT JESUS WAS NOT SLACK DURING THE 40 DAYS BUT WAS VERY BUSY - THIS SHOULD BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT - JESUS HAD CONQUERED DEATH AND HAD EVERY RIGHT TO LEAVE AND GO STRAIGHT TO HEAVEN - YET HE SHOWS HIS COMPASSION FOR HIS FOLLOWERS AND REMAINS SO THAT MANY COULD SEE HIM AND HE COULD INSTRUCT AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO WAIT ON THE HOLY GHOST TO COME AND FILL THEIR HEARTS.

WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN AND WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED - SO BLESSED WE HAVE THE PROMISE FOUND IN

- ACTS 1: 9-11 WHERE LUKE GIVES US MORE INSIGHT TO WHAT HAPPENED - JESUS LIFTING UP HIS HANDS TO BLESS THEM WHOM HE HAD LED OUT TO THE MT OF OLIVES AND WHILE BLESSING THEM WAS CARRIED UP TO HEAVEN V9 SAYS : AND A CLOUD RECEIVED HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT. - NO CHARIOT OF FIRE OR WIND OR EARTHQUAKE OR RUSHING WATER OR FIRE - JUST THIS BEAUTIFUL COOLMINATION OF ALL THAT HAPPENED AND JESUS TAKEN UP TO BE WITH HIS FATHER. - Mark 16:19 THIS ONE VERSE MARK GIVES ON THE ASCENSION “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” PRAISE BE TO GOD!

WHAT DOES THE ASCENSION OF JESUS MEAN TO US A BELIEVERS - AARON LAPP IN HIS COMMENTARY OF LUKE GIVES 7 THINGS.

- IT FULFILLS THE PROMISE OF CHRIST

IT PROVES HIS SUPREMACY OVER THE WORLD OF PEOPLE - WHERIN HE CAN MOVE AS HE WILLS

IT ASSURES HIS RETURN TO EARTH TO TAKE UP THE SAINTS TO HIMSELF

IT BEARS WITNESS TO JESUS CHRIST BEING LORD OVER ALL CREATION, EFFORTLESSLY ROSE UP INTO THE SKY WITHOUT THE RESTRICTION OF GRAVITY.

THE DAYS BETWEEN HIS RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION REVEALS HIS INTEREST AND LOVE IN THE BELIEVERS.

IT HELPS US VISUALLIZE JESUS IN HEAVEN AS OUR HIGH PRIEST.

IT HELPS US TO PUT THE GOD HEAD IN A MORE PRACTICAL AND RELATIONAL TERMS - HE REPRESENTS GOD TO US AND US TO GOD.

SO WHAT SHOULD OUR RESPONSE BE-

IN CLOSING - A FEW CHALLENGES - TAKEN FROM THE THE DISCIPLES AND THOSE WHO WITNESSED JESUS ASCENSION.

WE NEED TO BE WATCHING - NOT STANDING GAZING INTO HEAVEN AS THEY DID IN V11 - BUT LOOKING FOR CHRIST IN BODILY FORM TO COME DOWN FROM HEAVEN SO WE CAN BE TOGETHER.

WHAT DID THEY WHO WERE WITNESS TO EVERYTHING DO IN VERSE 12 - THEY RETURNED TO JERUSALEM - THEN DROP DOWN TO VERSE 14 OF Acts 1:14 LUKE TELLS US “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” SO I SEE PRAYER BEING A PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

I WANT TO END BACK WHERE WE STARTED IN Luke 24:52–53 “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

WOULD THIS BE OUR TESTIMONY IN 40 DAYS.

WILL I BE OBEDIENT - WILL I GO - THEY RETURNED TO JERUSALEM AS JESUS HAD INSTRUCTED.

WILL I WORSHIP HIM - IN PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION LIKE ITS SAYS IN ACTS 1:14 OR CONTINUALLY BE PRAISING AND BLESSING GOD.

WILL I SHOW GREAT JOY! WILL MY LOVE FOR GOD FILL ME WITH THE DESIRE TO BE A WITNESS AND TESTIMONY OF THIS TREMENDOUS BLESSING OF CHRIST JESUS WHOM WE LOOKED AT THIS MORNING.

MY SIMPLE FAITH : IN MY JESUS - BORN OF A VIRGIN - GREW IN THE SPIRIT OF HIS FATHER - WAS CRUCIFIED - ROSE AGAIN AND ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN -

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!

WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 40 DAYS FROM NOW

WILL THE RECORD READ -

AND OF THE FOLKS AT NEW HAVEN LET THE RECORD SHOW ON THE WEEK OF JULY 7TH 2025

THAT THESE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD JESUS BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THEY WORSHIPPED CONTINUALLY WITH PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS AND THEY SERVED THE LORD WITH GREAT JOY.

SO WHEN JULY 4TH WEEKEND IS OVER AND MONDAY JULY 7TH ARRIVES LORD WILLING - ASK YOURSELF - HOW AM I DOING - HAVE USED OR MISUSED THE LAST 40 DAYS ?

AND MAY IT BE A TRUE STATEMENT:

THAT WE ALL CONTINUED WITH ONE ACCORD IN OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD JESUS BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND WE WORSHIPED CONTINUALLY WITH PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS AND WE SERVED THE LORD WITH GREAT JOY.

MAY GOD HELP US TO BE ON FIRE FOR HIS KINGDOM TILL WE MEET IN HEAVEN.

PRAYER -

AS I WAS THINKING AND STUDYING ON THE NUMBER 40 - WHETHER 40 DAYS OR 40 WEEKS, MONTHS OR YEARS - I KEPT THINKING OF THE SONG - WHERE WILL YOU BE A MILLION YEARS FROM NOW. WILL YOU BE SINGING - WILL YOU BE HAPPY? WHERE WILL YOU BE IN 40 DAYS FROM NOW?

NOW IS THE TIME TO TAKE ACTION TO MAKE YOUR CALLING AND ELECTION SURE.

I WANT TO THANK EACH ONE WHO HAD PART IN THE SERVICE - FOR BEING WILLING TO BE USED FOR THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM.

THANK EACH ONE FOR COMING OUT - MAY YOU BE ENCOURAGED AS YOU THINK OF HOW GREAT GOD IS BY HIS DESIGN AND PLAN OF SALVATION FOR ALL MANKIND BY THE MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST AND HOW THAT HIS ASCENSION IS THE FITTING AND PERFECT PLAN OF OUR LORD.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU GO FROM HERE AND SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY.

BENEDICTION

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”