Jesus, Where’d You Go?

The Ascension

Acts 1:8–11 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [Where’d you go!]

And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.””

1 Peter 5:6–11 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Where’d You Go?!

Have you ever had a time in your life where you were like, “Jesus, I’m out here struggling…I’m battling left and right...I need you right now…WHERE’D YOU GO!!??

Maybe some of you are feeling that right now!

This is ascension Sunday.

What I want you to see in the Ascension is that Jesus did not go away from us…

Jesus is resurrected Lord & King. Everywhere you are you can know Jesus is there…and he is Lord of that area in your life.

John 16:7 “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

[“Filled” Series] The disciples weren’t left alone. You’ve not been left alone. No matter matter what your facing, Jesus has the final say over your circumstances.

The Spirit-Baptized Church is the place where God’s people experience the future promise of heaven now while we still wait for its promised fulfillment yet to come.

The Spirit baptized church is not just a gathering of religious people. It is a people uniquely formed by God. A people with a new way of being. A people with a new language. We are different!

[From previous message] There should be a contrast to the way the church is in the world and the way the world is in the world.

Illustration: Dropping off Alex at a large elementary school near Raleigh, NC…I was aware that the influences on his life were not just Jennifer and me…somehow I needed him to understand that we were what Peter called “resident aliens”

1 Peter 2:11 (NLT)

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

The Church is an outpost of heaven…it’s a place suspended between the coming of Jesus and the second coming of Jesus.

If Jesus is the head of the church, the Holy Spirit is her Activator

Illustration: Mission trip drama using a chemical activator to change murky, dark water into clear water.

The Holy Spirit is like that…He is an activator that works within our divine design to change our spiritual DNA…and even change our mental, emotional, and physical DNA!

Christian cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf has presented several studies that show there are actual physical changes in the shape and structure of the brain when we practice the life habits of Scripture, prayer, and cooperating with the Holy Spirit.

7 Ways The Spirit’s Shapes the Church:

Let me say a couple things here…

You all (y’all) are God’s special people (sons and daughters).

This church has a place for you to experience the life of Jesus in your EVERYDAY life!!

The Holy Spirit leads us to Repentance.

“Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth. It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment:” (John 16:7–8, CSB)

The Spirit-Baptized church should be known for its humility and repentance, rather than its arrogance.

2 Chron 7:14 “[If] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

The Holy Spirit teaches us to Pray

“In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26–27, CSB)

There are a lot of good practices of prayer like reading prayers or using a prayer book....

But truly, the deeper relationship with God can only come when you simply say, “Holy Spirit, I am listening, teach me to pray your will today.”

The Holy Spirit points us to Jesus

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13–14, CSB)

Too often we think of Jesus more as an event in history (the cross) that we are hoping to get some use out of today.

But Jesus is not just a path to heaven....he is a liveable example for what it means to be part of the human race.

Ps 25:4-5 “Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long.”

The Holy Spirit Empowers us to New Life

“The Spirit is the one who gives life. The flesh doesn’t help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63, CSB)

Illustration: Over the years in churches where I’ve pastored there have always been back rooms full of babies running around from all the pastoral staff…loud, wild, FULL OF LIFE!

The Spirit-Baptized church should be a place full of energy, full of hope, full of birthing babies…it’s messy, and unpredictable, but FRUITFUL and JOYFUL!

That’s the way our lives should be!

New Life is MESSY!! But we love it!

The Holy Spirit Speaks the Language of Heaven

“They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:3–4, CSB)

So, there is a heavenly expression of language that comes from the Holy Spirit.

But the language of Heaven is also: Loving, Peaceful, Welcoming, Kind, Warm, Understanding, and Hopeful

Acts 2 tells us about the new language given to the church. But too many tongue talking pentecostals in the altar have been forked-tongued in the parking lot!

The Holy Spirit Manifests the Supernatural

“At the same time, God also testified by signs and wonders, various miracles, and distributions of gifts from the Holy Spirit according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:4, CSB)

With all our advances in human technologies we cannot become a people who does not expect and hope for the supernatural work of the Spirit in our world today!

I don’t always know how God will heal, or provide, or intervene, I just now he is faithful and his POWER is alive and active TODAY!

The Holy Spirit Releases a Special Grace to Every Believer

“Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different ministries, but the same Lord. And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:” (1 Corinthians 12:4–7, CSB)

I want you to remember that the Holy Spirit has not only made you a special people…he has also given each of you a special grace to live in such a way that points to Jesus and brings NEW LIFE to the world where you live.

The Table of the Lord

[Stand with me…]

Jesus is here at the Table. His presence is here to renew you, restore you, make you whole.

The Repentance: As we come to the table of the Lord, let us first repent and be forgiven.

Lord, we confess we have sinned against you and against our neighbor. We humbly pray for your forgiveness knowing you are faithful and just to forgive.

In repentance prepare our hearts to receive this meal. Your body and blood that brings healing to us and to the world.

Amen

The Prayers:

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself, and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

He stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself, in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.

Hear these words from the Scriptures:

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me."

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."

Consecration Prayer:

Lord, we celebrate the memorial of our redemption in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. 

Make these gifts holy and set apart by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the (†) Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of the new covenant.

Lord, as we receive them, as we take them into our bodies, make us also holy, set us apart for your work, so that we may serve you all the days of our lives until your soon coming return.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ.

AMEN!

Family, the gifts of God for the people of God. All is ready & all are welcome at the Lord’s Table.

[You may be seated.]

Instructions:

We will serve communion today at the front of each aisle if you will form the line at the front row. Please stay to your right as you come down the aisle. The communion minister will meet you there.

You can come with your hands held open to receive and the minister will deep the bread and place the elements in your hand for you.

After you receive communion our prayer partners are here at the altar to agree with you in prayer. If God is speaking to you today, if you have a need, I invite you after receiving communion to find a prayer partner and let them pray with you before returning to your seat.

[Worship Team Lead in Song]