Sunday after Ascension, Date: May 12, 2013
– THE SERMON: Luke 24:44-53
Theme: Ascension Blessings
I. The Scriptures Were Fulfilled
II. Our Salvation Has Been Secured
III. Jesus’ Ascension Blessing – A joyful Faith
( Pastor Theodore Barthels )
Bulletin: Read Bulletin
Sermon: Read Sermon
THE ORDER OF SERVICE: p. 5 (237:1)
HYMNS: 212; 213; 216; 221:1,2
THE NEW TESTAMENT LESSON: Acts 1:1-11
In the opening chapter of Acts, Luke starts where he ended his gospel, with Jesus ascension. Jesus connected His ascension with the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ mission of our redemption was complete, now it was time for the Spirit’s mission of sanctification to come to the foreground. And so we are witnesses of Christ to the world until the end of the age. We are reminded by the angels’ message that Jesus shall return visibly at the last day. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)
THE EPISTLE LESSON: Ephesians 1:16-23
In Christ’s ascension God reveals the greatness of His power toward us who believe. God used His mighty power to raise Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand, placing Jesus above all power on earth or in heaven, now and forever. Jesus is head over all things for the good of His Church which is intimately connected to Christ, the church being His body, the fullness of Him who fills all things with His presence.
Sermon Text: Luke 24:44-53
44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. (NKJV)