Our Re-Ascended Lord Blesses Us as We Re-Expand Our Ministry

Ascension Lutheran Church (Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)

May 24, 2020 Welcome to worship today at Ascension!

⌘ We rejoice to gather in the Lord’s house today as we continue to re-expand our worship after a significant time of greatly reduced gathering for public worship. For several months, our nation and our world have faced the Coronavirus pandemic, and state mandates issued in response to the virus have discouraged us from gathering here in numbers as a congregation. Although we have been strengthened by the gospel during this time, we have missed the cherished blessing of meeting together in God’s house with fellow believers to hear God’s Word, share in Christ’s Supper, and be encouraged by our fellowship together. These past weeks have provided time for honest personal reflection: Have we taken God’s Word and public worship for granted? Have earthly blessings and entertainment become a higher priority in our hearts than the gospel? Have we doubted the promises of our almighty God to accomplish his good and gracious will in all circumstances – even in this one? The Lord uses our troubles in this life for many purposes, especially the purpose of lovingly leading us to repentance and renewed trust in his Word. Today as we gather in God’s house, we also observe the Ascension of our Lord. It is the church holiday for which our congregation is named. What a fitting time to be focused on re-expanding our ministry! Jesus has ascended to his Fathers right hand! He has all authority in heaven and on earth, even over those things that can be an obstacle to our worship and to our ministry. He rules over all things for the benefit of his church – and that means Ascension congregation, too.

⌘ Our order of service today is written especially for this day. A very special thank you to Pastor Johnold Strey of Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Hubertus, Wisconsin, for his excellent work in writing this service. It has been only slightly adapted for our use today. Scripture readings are from the Evangelical Heritage Version. Liturgy and hymns that are not in the public domain are reprinted here under OneLicense #A-713900. Children’s activity sheets are printed under paid subscription to Sermon 4 Kids, Inc. ⌘Our Mission: Ascension exists to proclaim the joy of Jesus Christ in the Macomb County area by gathering to grow in the timeless truths of the Bible and by scattering to share the hope of heaven with everyone we meet. We are a mission congregation of the Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod

⌘ Would you like to know more about Ascension Lutheran Church?

Please contact Pastor Dan Simons at revdsimons@gmail.com. Phone or text him at 586-569-9895. Visit our website at www.ascensionmacomb.com Check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/ALCmacomb. For more about the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod visit www.wels.net.

⌘ Are you joining worship today online? Go to our website: www.ascensionmacomb.com. At the top of the home page you will see a tab labeled VIDEO. Click on that tab and it will take you to a video recording of his service. ⌘ Safe Worship Guidelines

• We ask that those with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have been in recent contact with someone has been tested for and diagnosed with COVID-19 refrain from corporate worship and Bible study.

• Attenders are welcome to wear a mask, as required in the current executive order. However, that executive order also indicates that no one will be subject to penalty for not wearing a mask. If you do not have a mask and wish to have one, there are hand-sewn cloth masks available at church.

• Greeters and ushers distributing service folders will be gloved and masked.

• Hand sanitizer will be available around the building, and attenders will be encouraged to use it.

• We will refrain from physical contact with fellow worshippers.

• We will observe 6 feet of personal space except for those who are in close contact on a regular basis, e.g. members of the same household. We will use alternating rows of chairs for seating during worship and kindly ask that worshippers sit 3 seats away from people other than family members with whom they live. We will reconfigure seating around the tables in the fellowship fall to maintain social distancing.

• Special care has been given to disinfect common surfaces before this worship service, e.g. door handles used by attenders, light switches, bathroom fixtures, table surfaces, etc.

Order of Worship

Invocation

P: In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

P: I rejoiced with those who said to me, C: “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122:1

P: How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty. C: My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord. Psalm 84:1,2

P: Blessed are those who dwell in your house. C: They are ever praising you. Psalm 84:4

Confession of Sins

All: Almighty and merciful Father, we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep. We have followed what we have devised and desired in our hearts. We have offended you and sinned against your holy law. We have done those things that we should not have done, and we have not done those things that we should have done. Have mercy on us, Lord! Spare us, forgive us, and restore us, according to your promises in Christ Jesus.

Silence for reflection.

Absolution

P: God, our merciful Father, has forgiven all our sins. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer and Savior. Jesus paid the penalty for our guilt by his death on the cross and freed us from death by his resurrection from the grave. We have peace with God now and forever.

C: Amen. Hymn To Your Temple I Draw Near Christian Worship #226

Dialogue for Ascension

P: Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above. C: Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Psalm 148:1-2

P: How majestic is the Lord’s name in all the earth! C: He has set his glory above the heavens. Psalm 8:1

P: For the Lord is the Most High over all the earth. C: He is exalted far above all gods. Psalm 97:9

P: God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets. C: God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne. Psalm 47:5,8

P: The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble. C: He sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. Psalm 99:1

P: The throne of our God will last forever and ever. C: A scepter of justice will be the scepter of his kingdom. Psalm 45:6

P: Praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted. C: His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. Psalm 148:13 Canticle This Is the Feast of Victory Christian Worship #265

Refrain

to Refrain to Refrain to stanza 4 to Refrain to Refrain

Prayer of the Day P: Let us pray.

Lord Jesus, King of glory, on this day you ascended far above the heavens and at God’s right hand you rule the nations. Leave us not alone, we pray, but grant us the Spirit of truth that at your command and by your power we may be your witnesses in all the world; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. First Reading Acts 1:1-1

I wrote my first book, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began doing and teaching 2until the day he was taken up, after he had given instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After he had suffered, he presented himself alive to the apostles with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and told them things about the kingdom of God.

4Once, when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what the Father promised, which you heard from me. 5For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6So when they were together with him, they asked, “Lord, is this the time when you are going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

7He said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9After he said these things, he was taken up while they were watching, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10They were looking intently into the sky as he went away. Suddenly, two men in white clothes stood beside them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing here looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Psalm of the Day Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.

Refrain God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Refrain

Second Reading Ephesians 1:16-23 God’s power in us reflects his power seen at Christ’s ascension

16I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, 19and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Gospel Acclamation

A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing (stanzas 1 and 3) Christian Worship #171

Gospel Luke 24:44-53 Luke’s first account of the Ascension

44He said to them, “These are my words, which I spoke to you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.”

45Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. 46He said to them, “This is what is written and so it must be: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49Look, I am sending you what my Father promised. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50He led them out as far as the vicinity of Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51And while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52So they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53They were continually in the temple courts, praising and blessing God. Amen.

Hymn of the Day On Christ’s Ascension I Now Build Christian Worship #173

Sermon Ephesians 1:16-23

One of the things we have most missed during these past several weeks has been the opportunity to spend time growing in the Word together in Bible study. In our sermon time today we are going to reclaim some of that enjoyment through an interactive study of our second reading today. Please see the enclosed discussion guide. Participate to the extent you are comfortable.

Apostles’ Creed I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Prayer of the Church P: Lord, hear our prayer. Listen to our cry for mercy. C: Let the morning bring us word of your unfailing love. Psalm 143:1,8

P: Lord God, your Son ascended into heaven and now sits at your right hand, ruling over all things for the benefit of the Church. Bless the proclamation of Christ’s gospel, especially during this present pandemic, that the good news of salvation may be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Heavenly Father, your Son came to seek and to save the lost. Reach out with your grace to those who do not know you or who have drifted from faith, that they may return to you and find peace in your gracious forgiveness. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Lord of the Church, you provide ministers of the gospel to teach and preach your saving truth. Bless all who serve your people with faithfulness to your Word and eagerness to proclaim the good news of salvation. Send your Holy Spirit on all who are about to begin public service in your kingdom. May their service to the Church extend your kingdom and glorify your name. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Compassionate Lord, your Son is the Great Physician of body and soul. Watch over all who are sick and suffering. According to your will, provide healing to their bodies and comfort for their souls. Bless the efforts of doctors, nurses, and all health care workers, that their work may be a blessing to those under their care. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Lord of the nations, you instituted government to establish peace and order in society. Give wisdom to all leaders in our nation, state, county, and city, that they may enact wise laws, enforce justice fairly, and serve with faithfulness and diligence. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Omniscient Lord, in your wisdom you make the troubles of this life serve for our eternal blessing. Fill our hearts with trust in your promise to make all things work for the good of your people. When we doubt or worry, forgive us. Teach us to look to you as our guide through life and source of all our blessings. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: God of all wisdom, you instill in us all good and useful knowledge. Bless our schools, teachers, parents, and students, as they complete the present school year under unusual circumstances. Fill them with eagerness to carry out the tasks before them. Give them patience especially during these challenging times. Bless especially those who are graduating from schools this spring, that they may faithfully use the knowledge and skills they have learned in the next phase of their lives. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Loving Lord, you are a refuge for all who are in distress. Send your divine comfort on all who experience emotional and psychological trauma because of the current pandemic. Provide them relief from their suffering, strength to bear their crosses, and assurance through your Word. Use us to support the depressed and anxious that they may be encouraged by our words of love and actions of compassion. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Gracious God, you are with your people in every situation. Be present with the members of our congregation who are with us in spirit even though health concerns keep them from being physically among us today. Embrace them with the warmth of your grace, and protect them from illness and harm. Keep them safe in your care so that, at the proper time, we may gather again as one body to worship you. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: God of all grace, even in these uncertain times, you bestow blessing after blessing on your people. We praise you for every good and perfect gift we enjoy from your generous hand. Teach us to value life, health, family, and all our “daily bread” as your gifts of grace to us. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Lord of life and death, we thank you for the faithful Christians who have gone before us, who served as examples of faith and love for us, and who now rest from their labors. Comfort those who mourn the loss of loved ones who have died in faith with your promise of the resurrection to eternal life. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

P: Almighty God, you have promised to hear our prayers and answer them according to your wisdom and love. Responding to your promise, we place these petitions before you and ask your blessing through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

C: Amen. Lord’s Prayer

P: Hear us, Lord, as we pray in your Son’s name: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is

in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Canticle We Praise You, O God Christian Worship, pages 48-49

Blessing

P: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord look on you with favor and ✠ give you peace.

C: Amen. Hymn A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing Christian Worship #171, stanzas 5-6

5 Be now our joy on earth, O Lord, And be our future great reward. Alleluia! Alleluia! Then, throned with you forever, we Shall praise your name eternally. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 O risen Christ, ascended Lord, All praise to you let earth accord. Alleluia! Alleluia! You are, while endless ages run, With Father and with Spirit one. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO SERVE US TODAY: Organist Gloria Aita Sound & Security Paul Fuller Recording Paul Kokesh Preacher, worship leader Pastor Dan Simons

LAST WEEK AT ASCENSION:

Worshipped in person 28 members Worshipped online 6 members, 8 RABNYM* Received hard copy 12 members, 1 RABNYM*____________ Worship Total 55

Offerings: (Not available at time of printing) *RABNYM = Repeat Attender But Not Yet Member

COMING UP AT ASCENSION:

Today 5/24, 9:30 a.m………...….….Worship live at church (recording posted on website) 10:45 a.m…..…No Confirmation Instruction Class due to Memorial Day Weekend

Monday 5/25…………………………………………………………...…….Memorial Day 7:00 p.m…………...………………..Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Ascension(?)

Thursday 5/28………………....Governor Whitmer’s Stay-Home order scheduled to expire

Sunday 5/31, 9:30 a.m…………...….Worship live at church (recording posted on website) 10:45 a.m………………..Quarterly Congregational Meeting with social distancing Noon…………………………………………..…….Confirmation Instruction Class

Sunday June 7, 9:30 a.m….Worship with Holy Communion (recording posted on website) 10:45 a.m……………………………………….…..Confirmation Instruction Class

Monday-Wednesday June 8 -10……………………………..Michigan District Convention Monday June 8, 7:00 p.m…………………..Alcoholics Anonymous meets at Ascension(?)

Sunday June 14, 9:30 a.m……..Worship with Rite of Confirmation (recording on website) Our 2020 Confirmands: Fabiola Hoxha, Nicholas Kardasz, Jillian Kulbacki, and Loralai Logan. HOLY COMMUNION NEXT SUNDAY: So that you may attend the Lord’s Supper here at church in safety and with confidence, your congregation’s leadership has developed these…

Safe Holy Communion Guidelines

• Those who are setting up the elements for Holy Communion will don a mask, use hand sanitizer, and wear gloves before preparing the elements and when storing the elements and communion ware after worship.

• For the foreseeable future, we will offer wine only by individual cup, separating the cups so that each communicant will only come into contact with the cup he or she is taking.

• The pastor will mask and hand sanitize before uncovering the elements, hand sanitize before distribution begins, and wear a mask during distribution. He will move his mask to commune and only remove his mask when the elements have been covered following distribution.

• Communicants who prefer to commune privately will arrange with Pastor Simons to do so. Pastor Simons will follow the same masking and sanitizing protocols described above.

• Our tables for Holy Communion will be limited to a maximum of 8 communicants with 6 feet of social distancing between. The floor will be marked to indicate where communicants may stand.

What is the Ascended Lord doing now?

With the guidelines and stay-at-home orders over the past several weeks, we’ve had little to do outside our own homes. Anything we did was to be of an “essential” nature. Now as we move into the next phase, things will be re-opening and there will be fewer restrictions. The re-opening phase will happen to slowly for some and too quickly for others. Today, as we observe the Ascension, we rejoice that Jesus’ Ascension into heaven in no way began a time of inactivity. In fact, he has been and is very active on our behalf, doing things that essential for our salvation. Today we explore that activity in this Interactive Sermon Guide on Ephesians 1:16-23

Ephesians 1:16-23 16I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep praying that the God of

our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is, 19and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

What is the Ascended Lord doing now?

The Ascended Lord is emboldening our prayer life! 16I never stop giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, will give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in knowing Christ fully.” Paul said “I keep praying”... Why is that a bold statement in light of Isaiah 59:2 - “it is your guilt that has separated you from your God, and your sins have hidden God’s face from you, so that he does not hear.” To whom does Paul say that that statement applies? - Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Read Paul’s word from Romans 8:32-34 – “Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also graciously give us all things along with him? 33 Who will bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies! 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus, who died and, more than that, was raised to life, is the one who is at God’s right hand and who is also interceding for us!” What part of those verses talk about how God removed the barrier of sin? What part of those verses connect the cross with the boldness with which we sinners can pray? Note how Hebrews makes this same connection! - Hebrews 4:15-16 “ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. 16 So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” The Ephesian congregation would have some problems. Read Revelation 2:4-5 – “But I have this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5 Remember, therefore, the state from which you have fallen! Repent and do the works you did at first. Otherwise I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, if you do not repent.” Explain the problem… The fact that God declared the Ephesian Christians holy in his eyes through Jesus affected the way “Pastor Paul” saw them, too. Where do you see that in verse 16? According to Paul, there was only one “cure” for their problem. What was that? How can we know better the One whom we have never seen because he has ascended into heaven? John 5:39 – “You search the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them. They testify about me!” 2 Timothy 3:15 – “from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Look again at v. 17 of our text. Whom does Paul pray would come and help us know the ascended Lord better? As Ascension congregation works to become more united in faith , more focused in our ministry together and re-expand after months of contracted ministry, what is the single most effective thing we can do to achieve those goals? The Ascended Lord emboldens our prayer life by assuring us that he hears our prayers for Jesus’ sake and gives us greater knowledge by the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God.

The Ascended Lord is preparing our glorious inheritance!

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, just how rich his glorious inheritance among the saints is,” In the next chapter of this letter Paul reminds us where we started out in life - Ephesians 2:12 “remember that at that time you were separated from Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of the promise. You were without hope and without God in the world.” In the very next verse of that chapter, Paul explains how that terrible predicament was changed for us - Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” To what event is Paul referring? Read verse 18 again… Since we can’t see our glorious inheritance with our eyes (yet!), how, according to Paul, can see it? Notice that here the word hope does refer to faith (with which we hope), but to the object of our faith (the thing for which we hope): “the hope to which he has called you” = “the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints.” How and when did God call us to this hope? - 2 Thessalonians 2:14 “For this reason he also called you through our gospel so that you would obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Name the two ways God uses the gospel to call people to faith: What’s the connection between your inheritance and Jesus’ ascension? Read: John 14:1-2 - “Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions.[a] If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.” Another place where God calls heaven our inheritance is in Matthew 25:34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’” Explain why “inheritance” is a wonderfully appropriate term to for us to use for heaven! Look again at Matthew 25:34 again. What surprising statement do you find about heaven, our inheritance? Where can our hearts look to see with certainty what that gloriously rich inheritance will be like? (Describe some things you know from that source that makes the phrase “the riches of his glorious inheritance” so appropriate!) Did you notice that this is the second time in three verses that Paul has pointed us to the Word of God? His implication is this: You can’t know Jesus and you can’t know what heaven is like unless you are in the Word!

The Ascended Lord is ruling the world for our good!

19”and just how surpassingly great his power is for us who believe. 20It is as great as the working of his mighty strength, which God worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion, and above every name that is given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way..” In verses 19-20 Paul explains why our glorious inheritance is so secure. Paul mentions just two of the things that God accomplished with his mighty strength. What are they? Paul uses a present tense in the phrase “surpassingly great his power is for us who believe…” The Bible talks about our present situation in present and in past completed action terms. Here are a couple of examples: 1 Peter 1:3-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 into an inheritance that is undying, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 Through faith you are being protected by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time.” What power shields our faith”? Colossians 3:1 - “Therefore, because you were raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” In what very real sense have you already been raised from the dead? Ephesians 2:6-7 – “He also raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 7 He did this so that, in the coming ages, he might demonstrate the surpassing riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” How does Paul emphasize the certainty of our own place at God’s right hand? Read verse 21 – The Bible describes Jesus as sitting at God’s right hand. That is not reference to some location. This verse gives us a good definition of what “sitting at God’s right hand” means”: Jesus assures us that even in this current pandemic that has felt so chaotic and out of our control, that he is still in control of all things. Even though it may seem that this episode has been a setback for the church – and for this congregation – Jesus will still bring out of it some benefit for the church. Consider Romans 8:28 – “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose,” “God also placed all things under his feet and made him head over everything for the church. 23The church is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way..” Give some example of things that sometimes lead us to believe that this truth does always not appear to be true:

What does God tell us in the following verses that explain why it will not always be apparent that verses 22 and 23 are true: Job 38:2 - “Who is this who spreads darkness over my plans with his ignorant words?” Isaiah 55:8-9 - “Certainly my plans are not your plans, and your ways are not my ways, declares the Lord. 9 Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my plans are higher than your plans.” Romans 11:33 - “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how untraceable his ways!” Life is not a matter of chance, fate, or luck. The Ascended Lord rules over all things for the benefit of his people, even at those times when we may not be able to see that benefit. His over-arching concern for us is our eternal life, and he will bend everything – even a pandemic – to serve that purpose. That takes the power of God, the wisdom of God, and the sympathy and compassion of God who became one of us! Conclusion:

The celebration of Jesus’ Ascension is not just remembering and celebrating of his “homecoming” to heaven. It is an event that emboldens us to pray because he sits at God’s right hand to carry our requests to God himself. It is an event that reassures us that there is a place in heaven ready and waiting for us, which Jesus himself prepared with the hands that were pierced to purchase that home or us. It is an event that comforts us with the knowledge that he rules over all things for the benefit of his people – for your benefit!