| • Discussion about being alone and going back to a place | |
| • Mention of people's presence everywhere | |
| • Reference to reading in a book and thanking someone | |
| • Discussion about memory and something beautiful | |
| • Comment about not believing something | |
| • Talk about clouds and birds | |
| • Discussion about relationships and being happy | |
| • Rehearsal of the story of Ascension without amplification or screens | |
| • The story of Jesus' Ascension as recorded in Acts | |
| • The apostolic benediction and its components (grace, peace, blessing from God and Christ) | |
| • Inviting congregants to worship with a greeting and response | |
| • Repeated declarations of praise and adoration to God through Alleluia chants | |
| • A prayer for the presence of God's Spirit in their lives and drawing closer to Jesus Christ | |
| • Singing hymns that declare the power and majesty of Jesus Christ as King and Lord | |
| • Worship and praise to Jesus Christ as King of Kings | |
| • Repentance for putting other things ahead of God | |
| • Asking for forgiveness and humility | |
| • Desire to be like Jesus in heart and spirit | |
| • Gratitude and thanksgiving to God | |
| • Expression of love and adoration through song and worship | |
| • Recognition that human words fall short in expressing gratitude | |
| • Acknowledgment of God's love and humility | |
| • Invitation to come before God with humble hearts and offer praise | |
| • The speaker prays for a deeper connection with Jesus and asks Him to speak directly to their hearts. | |
| • The church has been rehearsing the story of Jesus through various services, including Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. | |
| • Ascension Day is not as well-attended or popular as other Christian holidays like Easter or Christmas. | |
| • The Reformed Church places great importance on Ascension Day, considering it to be a day of equal or greater significance than Easter. | |
| • A theologian named Herman Bavinck discussed the theme of Jesus' humiliation and exaltation in his work. | |
| • John Calvin emphasized the importance of the ascension for our Christian faith and life together, citing three reasons: | |
| • The constant intercession and advocacy of Jesus in the presence of God | |
| • The turning away of God's wrath due to Jesus' standing before the Father | |
| • The opening up of access to the heavenly kingdom | |
| • The significance of Jesus' ascension and its benefits for believers | |
| • Calvin's interpretation of Ephesians 4:8-10, specifically "he led captivity captive" | |
| • The relationship between Christ's ascension and the Holy Spirit's presence on earth | |
| • The Heidelberg Catechism's teaching on the benefits of Christ's ascension | |
| • Augustine's views on the connection between Christ's ascension and his presence with believers through the Spirit | |
| • Jesus' own statement that his ascension is necessary for the believer's good | |
| • The importance of establishing roots and purpose in life, especially in uncertain times | |
| • The significance of the church's history and tradition as a source of grounding and identity | |
| • The connection between the incarnation (Christmas) and the church's mission to proclaim God's presence and promise | |
| • Jesus' role as the obedient one, perfectly righteous one, and fulfilling of the law | |
| • The meaning of Jesus' death on the cross: payment for human failings and rebellion | |
| • The significance of Jesus' resurrection: victory over death and God's triumph | |
| • The ascension of Jesus: declaration of his kingship and authority | |
| • The importance of understanding and following God's plan | |
| • Jesus' temptation by Satan in Matthew 4, specifically the third temptation | |
| • A personal experience visiting a mountain lookout and its connection to Jesus' experience | |
| • The concept that each person has their own path to follow and achieve their goals | |
| • Hebrews 1 and the role of Jesus as the radiance of God's glory | |
| • The ascension of Jesus is a necessary part of his journey to heaven and authority | |
| • Jesus' road to the throne above all thrones had to go through the cross | |
| • Kingship belongs to Jesus, but the means of his being exalted as king cannot be cut short or shortcut | |
| • The Ascension of Jesus is a deep hope for believers, a necessary gospel reality available to them | |
| • The promise of God to believers is a future reward, including heaven and a crown of glory | |
| • Various Bible references support this promise, including 1 Peter and Revelation | |
| • The ascension of Jesus is a guarantee of this promised future reality | |
| • To achieve this future, one must go through the cross and face opposition and persecution as a disciple of Jesus | |
| • Self-denial and taking up one's cross daily are necessary for following Jesus | |
| • The way to glory with Jesus is through daily taking up your cross and following him. | |
| • Living a cruciform life means dying to self and rising with Jesus Christ every day. | |
| • The two greatest temptations are comfort and power, but true comfort comes from Jesus' presence in weakness, not from worldly pursuits. | |
| • True power is found in Jesus, who says that the greatest must become the least. | |
| • Following Jesus as King means living a life that looks different from everyone else's. | |
| • Rehearsing the story of Jesus helps us see him as our crown of glory and enables us to press towards him. | |
| • Prayer for the Holy Spirit to move in believers | |
| • Request for newness of life and power to face death | |
| • Call to go forth nourished and sustained in faith | |
| • Reference to taking up one's cross and following Jesus | |
| • Promise of reigning with Jesus if enduring with Him | |
| • Invocation to draw near to Christ's victor's crown | |
| • Reflection on the love and sacrifice of Jesus | |
| • Reading of a hymn extolling God's love and redemption | |
| • Scripture reading from Acts 1:9-11, describing Jesus' ascension | |
| • Benediction asking for God's presence and protection | |
| • Praise to the King | |
| • References to the "only white child" | |
| • Repeated invocations of glory and honor for the King |