2024/Ascension Day, May 9, 2024_transcript.txt

[0.00 --> 8.60]  In my opinion, the day of the day, the sun will be me, and I'm just going to be me.
[8.60 --> 14.20]  You know what, then I would suggest you go back there. I will never go back.
[14.80 --> 15.86]  You said it for a while.
[15.86 --> 17.60]  I'm sure that I'm going to go back.
[19.74 --> 22.54]  The truth you get, some people are going to be everywhere.
[22.54 --> 25.52]  You're sucking the bass every month I read in the book.
[25.52 --> 26.76]  It's right. You're not a friend.
[26.92 --> 27.66]  It's a total thing.
[27.66 --> 28.80]  I'm just paying thanks for everything.
[28.80 --> 30.80]  In my opinion, the other person wat
[30.80 --> 32.12]  executive secretary is on top of the board.
[32.12 --> 33.96]  So if I let the horn out, we'll end up here.
[33.96 --> 34.66]  I need a memory.
[34.66 --> 35.02]  Imay.
[35.02 --> 36.72]  To it's a beautiful north and north began.
[36.72 --> 38.10]  No pictures of their heads.
[38.10 --> 40.10]  It broke me so I don't believe it.
[40.10 --> 41.02]  It's a beautiful north.
[41.02 --> 43.22]  To it…
[48.58 --> 49.80]  Thank you and everyone.
[49.80 --> 52.46]  When you're in Example,
[52.46 --> 55.18]  if Sal 준비's dealing with the best.
[55.18 --> 56.58] 복 years to help.
[56.58 --> 58.58]  Is that what it looks like?
[58.58 --> 60.58]  It's a bird cloud.
[60.58 --> 62.58]  Yeah, you can see it.
[62.58 --> 64.58]  Oh, there's one hiding.
[64.58 --> 66.58]  Oh, yeah, there's one hiding.
[66.58 --> 68.58]  There's one hiding in the back.
[68.58 --> 70.58]  You can move it.
[70.58 --> 72.58]  There's a little E-tease.
[72.58 --> 74.58]  You're glowing.
[74.58 --> 76.58]  I mean, I'm going to show you how to side it.
[76.58 --> 78.58]  That's your girlfriend.
[78.58 --> 80.58]  I don't know.
[80.58 --> 82.58]  It's others.
[82.58 --> 84.58]  I don't know if you're close.
[84.58 --> 86.58]  I'm very happy.
[86.58 --> 88.58]  Very good.
[88.58 --> 90.58]  Everyone with you.
[90.58 --> 92.58]  Oh, boy.
[92.58 --> 94.58]  Oh, boy.
[94.58 --> 96.58]  Oh, well.
[96.58 --> 98.58]  There it is.
[98.58 --> 100.58]  Yeah.
[100.58 --> 102.58]  All right, then.
[102.58 --> 104.58]  Good.
[104.58 --> 106.58]  Okay.
[106.58 --> 108.58]  Good.
[108.58 --> 110.58]  And I'd like to be down.
[110.58 --> 112.58]  You can move that.
[112.58 --> 114.58]  Don't worry.
[114.58 --> 116.58]  Thanks, sir.
[116.58 --> 118.58]  It's ours.
[118.58 --> 120.58]  .
[120.58 --> 122.58]  They used it.
[122.58 --> 124.58]  .
[124.58 --> 126.58]  Yeah, I'm just getting .
[126.58 --> 156.56]  Thank you.
[156.58 --> 186.56]  Thank you.
[186.58 --> 216.56]  Thank you.
[216.58 --> 218.58]  Thank you.
[246.58 --> 248.58]  Thank you.
[276.58 --> 278.58]  Thank you.
[306.58 --> 308.58]  Thank you.
[336.58 --> 338.58]  Thank you.
[366.58 --> 368.58]  Thank you.
[396.58 --> 398.58]  Thank you.
[426.58 --> 428.58]  Thank you.
[456.58 --> 458.58]  Thank you.
[486.58 --> 488.58]  Thank you.
[488.58 --> 490.58]  Thank you.
[490.58 --> 492.58]  Thank you.
[492.58 --> 522.56]  Thank you.
[522.58 --> 552.56]  Thank you.
[552.58 --> 582.56]  Thank you.
[582.58 --> 584.58]  Thank you.
[584.58 --> 588.80]  and also welcome if you are joining us online.
[589.94 --> 593.30]  Tonight, as I trust you've seen, our format is a little bit different.
[594.44 --> 597.40]  It's always interesting to me that when you make changes,
[597.62 --> 600.68]  old habits die hard and the first people here sit in the back.
[601.80 --> 603.06]  Yeah, mom and dad, that was you.
[605.70 --> 609.48]  So the reason we wanted to gather in this more intimate way,
[609.80 --> 612.44]  in part is because we knew there would be fewer of us here,
[612.44 --> 622.96]  but also because we wanted to try and live into our rehearsing of the story of Ascension in a different way.
[623.40 --> 626.06]  And so we're unplugging our worship.
[626.42 --> 630.38]  There's no amplification for any of the musicians, just your voices.
[630.84 --> 633.26]  Your voices are the amplification.
[634.28 --> 637.88]  And so Karis, I'm requiring you to sing extra loud tonight.
[639.78 --> 641.54]  And we have no screen.
[641.54 --> 645.42]  And so we're going to move through the liturgy in the book that you have,
[645.54 --> 647.22]  and it's going to go page by page.
[647.94 --> 652.48]  And so if you didn't get one, there's many more available at the back.
[653.16 --> 655.64]  So go ahead and grab one of those.
[657.24 --> 659.82]  And then as we go, we will move.
[660.98 --> 664.78]  Pretty much the only announcement will be turning your page.
[664.78 --> 671.60]  And so follow along as we go in our worship this evening together.
[672.10 --> 673.76]  I'm going to invite you to stand.
[674.40 --> 678.42]  And we're going to begin our worship with a communal call.
[680.06 --> 684.86]  Following the call, I will welcome us in God's name.
[684.86 --> 692.32]  As mentioned, we are rehearsing together the story of the Ascension of Jesus.
[692.50 --> 697.78]  And so we start as our call with the story of the Ascension,
[698.22 --> 700.48]  recorded by Luke in the book of Acts.
[700.48 --> 730.46]  And after he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes,
[730.48 --> 733.74]  and a cloud hid him from their sight.
[735.06 --> 737.52]  Receive the greeting of our God.
[738.84 --> 745.52]  Grace and peace to you from him who is and who was and who is to come,
[745.88 --> 748.26]  and from the seven spirits before his throne,
[748.40 --> 751.34]  and from Jesus Christ who is the faithful witness,
[751.52 --> 755.72]  the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
[756.16 --> 758.38]  And all God's people said, amen.
[758.38 --> 762.62]  I invite you to welcome those around you in worship by saying,
[762.70 --> 766.06]  the Lord be with you, and then respond with and also with you.
[766.06 --> 781.28]  I'll just go let you say it first.
[783.74 --> 784.14]  Amen.
[784.14 --> 784.46]  Amen.
[784.46 --> 785.02]  Amen.
[785.38 --> 785.58]  Amen.
[785.58 --> 787.34]  Amen.
[791.50 --> 793.74]  Amen.
[793.74 --> 795.34]  Amen.
[795.34 --> 795.84]  Amen.
[795.84 --> 818.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[818.74 --> 838.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[838.74 --> 853.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[853.74 --> 860.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[860.74 --> 868.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[868.74 --> 875.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[875.74 --> 883.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[883.74 --> 887.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[887.74 --> 902.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[902.74 --> 921.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[921.74 --> 936.74]  Alleluia, Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[936.74 --> 942.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[942.74 --> 949.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[949.74 --> 951.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[951.74 --> 955.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[955.74 --> 960.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty Lautiēs.
[960.74 --> 965.74]  Alleluia, O Lord of mighty praise.
[965.74 --> 995.54]  Lord Jesus, we come to you tonight to worship you.
[995.54 --> 996.54]  We come to you as King.
[996.54 --> 1002.54]  You reign on high in heaven, Lord, and we fully await your return.
[1002.54 --> 1007.94]  Jesus, our Savior, tonight as we celebrate your Ascension to heaven where you are seated
[1007.94 --> 1014.94]  in all your glory on the throne of thrones, advocating on our behalf to our Heavenly Father,
[1014.94 --> 1017.94]  we can do nothing but give you glory.
[1017.94 --> 1024.30]  May we be affirmed tonight that we are your people and that one day we will be with you
[1024.30 --> 1026.30]  as co-heirs to all your kingdom.
[1026.30 --> 1032.10]  Christ, our King, send your Spirit here tonight to be with us and press on our hearts the things
[1032.10 --> 1035.30]  that are not of this world but are of your kingdom.
[1035.30 --> 1038.30]  Draw us closer to you, Christ, our King.
[1038.30 --> 1039.30]  We pray.
[1039.30 --> 1040.30]  Amen.
[1040.30 --> 1041.30]  Amen.
[1041.30 --> 1042.30]  Amen.
[1042.30 --> 1043.30]  Amen.
[1043.30 --> 1044.30]  Amen.
[1044.30 --> 1045.30]  Amen.
[1045.30 --> 1046.30]  Amen.
[1046.30 --> 1047.30]  Amen.
[1047.30 --> 1048.30]  Amen.
[1048.30 --> 1060.30]  All hail the power of Jesus, when red angels prospered fall.
[1060.30 --> 1069.50]  The power of Jesus did, let angels cross the call.
[1069.50 --> 1084.06]  Bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all.
[1084.06 --> 1099.06]  Bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all.
[1099.06 --> 1112.06]  O seed of Israel's chosen ways, now ransomed from the fall.
[1112.06 --> 1126.06]  Hail him who saved you by his grace and crown him Lord of all.
[1126.06 --> 1141.06]  Hail him who saved you by his grace and crown him Lord of all.
[1141.06 --> 1155.06]  Let every tongue and every tribe responsive to his call.
[1155.06 --> 1169.06]  To him all majesty asprung and crown him Lord of all.
[1169.06 --> 1183.06]  To him all majesty asprung and crown him Lord of all.
[1183.06 --> 1197.06]  Oh that with all the sacred cross we at his feet may call.
[1197.06 --> 1211.06]  We'll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.
[1211.06 --> 1223.06]  We'll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.
[1223.06 --> 1225.06]  To him all majesty asprung and crown him Lord of all.
[1225.06 --> 1229.06]  To him all majesty asprung and crown him Lord of all.
[1229.06 --> 1235.06]  as prayer asprung and crown him Lord of all.
[1235.06 --> 1240.06]  To him the Lord of all.
[1240.06 --> 1244.06]  To him the senate and crown him Lord of all.
[1244.06 --> 1254.64]  Awake my soul and sing of Him who died to me,
[1254.64 --> 1264.14]  Your Savior and Your matchless King through all eternity.
[1264.14 --> 1279.26]  Crown Him the Lord of life, triumphant o'er the grave,
[1279.26 --> 1290.14]  Who rose victorious from the strife for those He came to save.
[1290.14 --> 1300.14]  His glories now we sing, Who died and reigns on high,
[1300.14 --> 1312.14]  He died eternal life to bring, And lives that death may die.
[1312.14 --> 1324.14]  Crown Him the Lord of peace, His kingdom is at hand.
[1324.14 --> 1334.14]  Crown Gold to Poland, War-Ferr-Seas, And Christ rules every land.
[1334.14 --> 1346.14]  All hail, Redeemer, hail, For You have died for me.
[1346.14 --> 1358.14]  Your praise shall never, never kill Throughout eternity.
[1358.14 --> 1364.14]  We bow again once more.
[1364.14 --> 1368.14]  King of kings, who is crowned in glory, we praise Your name.
[1368.14 --> 1373.14]  So often, though, Lord, we put other things ahead of You.
[1373.14 --> 1380.14]  We worship idols of our own making, Of our own following, of our own desiring.
[1380.14 --> 1385.14]  As we humbly come before You, Lord, we pray for forgiveness.
[1385.14 --> 1390.14]  May we come to know and serve and love You more, Lord Jesus our King.
[1390.14 --> 1392.14]  Amen.
[1392.14 --> 1406.14]  May we come back again, Here at Your knees.
[1406.14 --> 1418.14]  May we come back again, Here at Your knees.
[1418.14 --> 1429.14]  Show me how much You love, You better teach.
[1429.14 --> 1454.14]  Lord, Spirit, lead us, come And lead me to The humble heart of love, I see in You.
[1454.14 --> 1476.14]  I'm the God of the broken, The friend of the weak, You wash the feet of the weary, Embrace the ones in me.
[1476.14 --> 1487.14]  I want to be like You, Jesus, To have this heart in me.
[1487.14 --> 1500.14]  You are the God of the humble, You are the humble King.
[1500.14 --> 1512.14]  O kneel me down again, Here at Your feet.
[1512.14 --> 1523.14]  Show me how much You love, Humility.
[1523.14 --> 1546.14]  O Spirit, be the star, That leads me to The humble heart of love, I see in You.
[1546.14 --> 1568.14]  You are the God of the broken, The friend of the weak, You wash the feet of the weary, Embrace the ones in me.
[1568.14 --> 1579.14]  I want to be like You, Jesus, To have this heart in me.
[1579.14 --> 1590.14]  You are the God of the humble, You are the humble King.
[1590.14 --> 1602.14]  You are the God of the humble, You are the humble King.
[1602.14 --> 1625.14]  And I want to be like You, Jesus.
[1625.14 --> 1632.32]  All my words fall short
[1632.32 --> 1637.24]  I've got nothing new
[1637.24 --> 1640.64]  How could I express
[1640.64 --> 1645.04]  All my gratitude
[1645.04 --> 1650.64]  I could sing these songs
[1650.64 --> 1654.64]  As I often do
[1654.64 --> 1659.84]  Every song I stand
[1659.84 --> 1664.24]  And you never hear
[1664.24 --> 1668.42]  So I throw up my hands
[1668.42 --> 1670.52]  Praise you again
[1670.52 --> 1675.42]  All that I have is
[1675.42 --> 1679.70]  Alleluia
[1679.70 --> 1683.94]  Alleluia
[1683.94 --> 1686.18]  And the noise of us
[1686.18 --> 1687.90]  Our love in us
[1687.90 --> 1689.14]  We've got nothing new
[1689.14 --> 1692.82]  Stand for our hearts
[1692.82 --> 1693.54]  Singing
[1693.54 --> 1697.54]  Alleluia
[1697.54 --> 1702.74]  Alleluia
[1702.74 --> 1709.94]  I've got one response
[1709.94 --> 1713.46]  I've got just one proof
[1713.46 --> 1717.94]  With my arms stretched wide
[1717.94 --> 1722.42]  I will worship you
[1722.42 --> 1725.66]  So I throw up my hands
[1725.66 --> 1729.90]  Praise you again and again
[1729.90 --> 1733.14]  So I throw up my hands
[1733.14 --> 1737.36]  Alleluia
[1737.36 --> 1741.52]  Alleluia
[1741.52 --> 1743.16]  And I know it's not eaten
[1743.16 --> 1743.78]  I know it's not flashed
[1743.78 --> 1744.10]  I know it's notWS
[1744.10 --> 1746.18]  I know it's Doch
[1746.18 --> 1746.96]  Can I possibly ask for a key
[1746.96 --> 1750.26]  Step for our hearts
[1750.26 --> 1750.38]  Singing
[1750.38 --> 1752.38]  in
[1752.38 --> 1754.38]  hallelujah
[1754.38 --> 1758.38]  hallelujah
[1764.38 --> 1766.38]  my soul
[1766.38 --> 1768.38]  don't you dare shine
[1768.38 --> 1770.38]  lift up your soul
[1770.38 --> 1772.38]  that you've got a lion
[1772.38 --> 1774.38]  inside those ones
[1774.38 --> 1780.38]  get up and praise the Lord
[1780.38 --> 1782.38]  oh come on my soul
[1782.38 --> 1784.38]  oh don't you dare shine
[1784.38 --> 1786.38]  lift up your soul
[1786.38 --> 1788.38]  you've got a lion
[1788.38 --> 1790.38]  inside those bones
[1790.38 --> 1794.38]  get up and praise the Lord
[1794.38 --> 1796.38]  oh come on my soul
[1796.38 --> 1798.38]  oh don't you dare shine
[1798.38 --> 1800.38]  lift up your soul
[1800.38 --> 1802.38]  oh don't you dare shine
[1802.38 --> 1804.38]  shine on him
[1804.38 --> 1806.38]  is that good song
[1806.38 --> 1808.38]  shine a lion
[1808.38 --> 1810.38]  inside those songs
[1810.38 --> 1814.38]  give up and praise the Lord
[1824.38 --> 1826.38]  so I've brought my hands
[1826.38 --> 1830.38]  and praised you again and again
[1830.38 --> 1834.38]  cause all that I have is a
[1834.38 --> 1836.38]  hallelujah
[1836.38 --> 1840.38]  hallelujah
[1840.38 --> 1844.38]  and I know it's not much
[1844.38 --> 1846.38]  but I'm nothing else
[1846.38 --> 1848.38]  before me
[1848.38 --> 1852.38]  except for a heart singing
[1852.38 --> 1854.38]  hallelujah
[1854.38 --> 1858.38]  hallelujah
[1858.38 --> 1860.38]  hallelujah
[1864.38 --> 1868.38]  oh
[1872.38 --> 1874.38]  As you take a seat
[1874.38 --> 1876.38]  let's come to God
[1876.38 --> 1891.94]  Jesus, you are our king.
[1893.76 --> 1897.00]  And so with humble hearts, we offer you all that we can.
[1897.00 --> 1902.76]  And maybe right now, all that that is, is hallelujah.
[1906.38 --> 1920.36]  Maybe right now, all that that is, is our presence here with you.
[1924.86 --> 1935.78]  Maybe right now, all that that is, is a crying heart longing to see more of you.
[1936.38 --> 1942.70]  So as we come to your word, may we hear your voice.
[1943.90 --> 1949.54]  As we come to these eternal truths, may we see in them your face.
[1949.54 --> 1961.22]  And as we reflect on the story of your ascension, as we reflect on the truth of your kingship,
[1963.06 --> 1967.88]  may our hearts be stirred to give you a more profound hallelujah.
[1968.82 --> 1975.56]  May our hearts be stirred to give you greater and more comprehensive praise in all that we do.
[1975.56 --> 1984.16]  May our hearts be stirred that our tears of sorrow might be turned to tears of joy.
[1985.12 --> 1991.20]  Because tonight we see you, Lord Jesus, on the throne of your grace as king.
[1991.20 --> 2000.74]  Speak now, we pray, Lord Jesus, directly to our hearts.
[2002.30 --> 2007.70]  That it might be applicable directly to our lives.
[2008.58 --> 2010.16]  In your name we pray.
[2011.06 --> 2011.44]  Amen.
[2011.44 --> 2011.54]  Amen.
[2011.54 --> 2024.14]  I don't know if you remember Easter or Palm Sunday or Good Friday, in between those two.
[2024.74 --> 2030.56]  But when we were here, every one of those services, we were looking at the story of Jesus in the gospel of Matthew.
[2030.56 --> 2034.74]  And we said that we were rehearsing the narrative.
[2035.50 --> 2038.64]  We were rehearsing the truths of Palm Sunday.
[2038.86 --> 2043.84]  And so when crowds of people walked with palm branches in our midst, they lived that out.
[2044.36 --> 2051.76]  On Good Friday, when we came and we spent time in silence and in that dark night of the soul in worship,
[2051.76 --> 2056.50]  we were rehearsing those who cried out at the death of Jesus.
[2056.50 --> 2063.98]  And on Easter Sunday, when we came, hundreds upon hundreds of voices joyfully singing praise to the Lord,
[2064.04 --> 2068.42]  we were shouting the empty tomb like those first disciples did.
[2070.02 --> 2076.96]  And tonight, we continue that act of rehearsing in our worship and for our worship
[2076.96 --> 2082.38]  in the themes and ideas of the ascension of Jesus.
[2082.38 --> 2098.18]  Now, Ascension Day in the Christian church isn't new, but very clearly, it's not as popular as Easter.
[2099.44 --> 2102.08]  It's not as well attended as Good Friday.
[2102.94 --> 2105.80]  And maybe it pales in comparison to Christmas.
[2106.94 --> 2108.32]  But why is that?
[2108.92 --> 2111.76]  And more importantly, should it?
[2112.38 --> 2125.50]  The Reformed Church has always held up Ascension Day as the day.
[2126.18 --> 2131.10]  On par, maybe even greater than Easter itself.
[2132.58 --> 2138.16]  What I want to do is just going to give you a quick little history of theology for a few seconds.
[2138.16 --> 2142.38]  But the reason I do that is because I'm going to quote from a few people here.
[2142.48 --> 2148.96]  But as I do that, please note that I get further and further back in history with these people that I talk about.
[2150.16 --> 2155.16]  And so, the first is a theologian named Herman Bavinck.
[2155.84 --> 2158.64]  He's a Dutch theologian in the late 19th century.
[2158.64 --> 2160.64]  And he said,
[2160.64 --> 2178.34]  And that idea of the humiliation of Jesus, the condescending of Jesus, the coming down in the incarnation,
[2178.70 --> 2184.02]  and his learning obedience, and his death on the cross being the road to his exaltation,
[2184.02 --> 2188.26]  is the theme that's going to run right through everything you hear from me tonight.
[2189.70 --> 2197.02]  Let's jump back 400 years before Herman Bavinck to a theologian named John Calvin,
[2197.82 --> 2202.38]  a Frenchman who lived and pastored in Geneva at the time of the Reformation.
[2202.38 --> 2211.60]  He says that our redemption was fully complete and finished then when Christ did ascend unto his Father.
[2215.02 --> 2222.58]  Without the ascension, our redemption, according to Calvin at least, is not yet fully complete and finished.
[2224.04 --> 2229.10]  And Calvin actually, he goes on in quite a voluminous manner to give us three reasons
[2229.10 --> 2235.82]  why the ascension of Jesus is vital for our Christian faith and for our life together.
[2236.48 --> 2238.98]  He says in his Institutes,
[2239.10 --> 2241.24]  Having entered the temple not made with hands,
[2241.34 --> 2246.34]  he constantly appears as our advocate and intercessor in the presence of the Father.
[2247.32 --> 2251.74]  So, if Jesus did not leave, we would not have a constant intercessor,
[2252.22 --> 2253.38]  like the book of Hebrews says.
[2253.38 --> 2254.38]  Right?
[2255.18 --> 2260.80]  We have a constant advocate in the presence of God our Father.
[2261.88 --> 2262.06]  Right?
[2262.08 --> 2265.30]  That the wrath of God for my sin is turned away
[2265.30 --> 2270.18]  because Jesus, right now in heaven, is standing front of the Father saying,
[2270.58 --> 2272.18]  Don't look at him, look at me.
[2273.36 --> 2275.56]  See me when you see her.
[2276.70 --> 2279.96]  See me and my perfection when you see his sin.
[2280.86 --> 2282.26]  That's what Jesus is doing.
[2283.38 --> 2286.30]  On your behalf, in front of the Father,
[2287.10 --> 2289.66]  with you on his mind and you in his heart,
[2290.64 --> 2293.64]  saying, Look at my perfection,
[2294.40 --> 2296.78]  not at their sin.
[2297.92 --> 2299.14]  Calvin goes on and he says,
[2299.56 --> 2303.26]  By his ascension, Jesus opened up access to the heavenly kingdom,
[2303.78 --> 2305.14]  which Adam had shut.
[2306.12 --> 2308.34]  And what Calvin means there, as he goes on to explain,
[2308.34 --> 2313.10]  is that Jesus is in heaven as a man.
[2313.60 --> 2313.86]  Right?
[2313.94 --> 2314.96]  As a human.
[2315.24 --> 2316.16]  Fully human.
[2316.16 --> 2316.70]  Right?
[2316.78 --> 2320.38]  We, as humans, people here and now on this earth and in this life,
[2320.74 --> 2323.02]  don't only have the hope of heaven,
[2323.18 --> 2327.62]  but in some way, part of us is already in heaven.
[2327.94 --> 2330.66]  Because if we belong to Jesus, we are part of his body.
[2330.66 --> 2334.22]  And as you know, Jesus is the head of the body.
[2334.38 --> 2338.12]  And so already now, your head is in heaven.
[2339.30 --> 2344.72]  Already now, a piece of who you are is in heaven.
[2344.72 --> 2350.00]  Without the ascension, that doesn't happen.
[2351.16 --> 2352.30]  That's not possible.
[2353.80 --> 2357.30]  Calvin goes on to say, he paraphrases Ephesians 4,
[2357.66 --> 2358.02]  he says,
[2358.22 --> 2361.50]  When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive.
[2362.48 --> 2364.24]  And I love that phrase.
[2364.34 --> 2366.36]  He led captivity captive.
[2366.80 --> 2367.00]  Right?
[2367.08 --> 2368.74]  Because Christ has ascended,
[2369.24 --> 2370.72]  we have been redeemed,
[2370.72 --> 2375.70]  and death has been given victory over,
[2375.70 --> 2378.16]  and he, by the Holy Spirit,
[2378.30 --> 2380.38]  now makes us alive.
[2381.64 --> 2386.16]  And so captivity, our slavery and deathliness in sin,
[2386.52 --> 2389.70]  has been made captive, has been killed.
[2389.92 --> 2393.02]  Death is dead because Jesus ascended.
[2393.26 --> 2395.28]  The Spirit is able to come,
[2395.36 --> 2397.50]  and we are made alive.
[2397.50 --> 2400.98]  Jesus himself says,
[2401.72 --> 2405.24]  Unless I go, I cannot send the Spirit.
[2406.36 --> 2407.66]  So your faith,
[2408.22 --> 2410.36]  any modicum of faith that you have
[2410.36 --> 2412.00]  as a gift from God
[2412.00 --> 2414.34]  is granted to you by the Holy Spirit
[2414.34 --> 2418.04]  that came precisely and only because
[2418.04 --> 2420.76]  Jesus was ascended.
[2420.76 --> 2425.84]  This actually perfectly paraphrases
[2425.84 --> 2428.60]  the teaching of the Heidelberg Catechism.
[2429.12 --> 2430.74]  And so when Kevin prayed earlier,
[2430.86 --> 2432.06]  you saw it in your booklets.
[2432.72 --> 2435.32]  Heidelberg Catechism question and answer 49
[2435.32 --> 2440.48]  says that the reason the ascension benefits us
[2440.48 --> 2443.20]  is because we have an advocate in heaven
[2443.20 --> 2444.44]  in the presence of our Father.
[2445.44 --> 2446.78]  It's exactly what Calvin taught.
[2447.42 --> 2449.32]  Second, we have our own flesh in heaven
[2449.32 --> 2451.30]  as a sure pledge that Christ, our head,
[2451.38 --> 2454.04]  will also take us, his members, up to himself.
[2454.34 --> 2456.78]  And third, he sends his Spirit to us on earth
[2456.78 --> 2458.16]  as a corresponding pledge.
[2458.52 --> 2460.30]  By the Spirit's power,
[2460.46 --> 2461.96]  we seek not earthly things,
[2462.24 --> 2463.20]  but the things above,
[2463.32 --> 2464.38]  where Christ is,
[2464.82 --> 2466.70]  seated at the right hand of God.
[2466.70 --> 2474.98]  Now, go a thousand years further back in history,
[2475.66 --> 2477.52]  into the fifth century,
[2478.04 --> 2481.08]  and you have a church father by the name of Augustine.
[2481.66 --> 2483.94]  Augustine is a church father from North Africa.
[2484.92 --> 2486.50]  He's named Bishop of Hippo,
[2486.92 --> 2489.58]  which is near the Mediterranean coast,
[2489.68 --> 2492.88]  a little bit west of Alexandria or Egypt.
[2492.88 --> 2500.06]  Augustine, in a sermon on Ascension Day,
[2500.14 --> 2501.90]  in one of his Ascension Day sermons,
[2502.08 --> 2502.38]  said,
[2502.76 --> 2504.70]  He, while he is there,
[2504.84 --> 2506.06]  is also with us,
[2506.14 --> 2507.76]  and we, while we are here,
[2508.16 --> 2509.68]  are also with him.
[2510.72 --> 2513.10]  And again, that's that beautiful exchange.
[2513.94 --> 2515.88]  That Jesus, though he is there,
[2515.98 --> 2517.62]  is here with us by the Spirit,
[2517.62 --> 2519.82]  and that we, though we are here,
[2520.14 --> 2520.86]  are with him,
[2521.00 --> 2522.56]  because as our head,
[2522.92 --> 2525.44]  he gathers us up into himself
[2525.44 --> 2530.28]  and brings us into the heavenly places.
[2532.38 --> 2535.70]  And go back even 500 years before that,
[2536.38 --> 2538.34]  and Jesus himself says,
[2538.88 --> 2540.62]  I must go.
[2541.14 --> 2543.24]  It is for your good, he says,
[2543.44 --> 2544.38]  that I go.
[2547.62 --> 2550.64]  So we've gone all the way back to Jesus.
[2551.94 --> 2553.24]  In preparing for this,
[2553.38 --> 2556.00]  I spent a little while
[2556.00 --> 2557.74]  digging through sermons
[2557.74 --> 2560.62]  from the third century on Ascension Day.
[2561.66 --> 2563.04]  And the reason I do that,
[2563.08 --> 2564.54]  and the reason I name that here,
[2565.10 --> 2566.72]  is because that means
[2566.72 --> 2570.16]  for at least 1,800 years,
[2571.00 --> 2572.16]  the Christian church
[2572.16 --> 2574.16]  has been gathering on this day,
[2574.16 --> 2576.20]  marking this truth
[2576.20 --> 2577.92]  of who Jesus is.
[2579.44 --> 2580.90]  What we do here
[2580.90 --> 2582.18]  is no small thing.
[2583.38 --> 2584.60]  What we do here
[2584.60 --> 2585.58]  is participating
[2585.58 --> 2587.84]  in the line of faith
[2587.84 --> 2589.18]  that has come before us,
[2589.26 --> 2590.38]  that great cloud of witnesses,
[2590.74 --> 2592.48]  and standing on that
[2592.48 --> 2594.66]  practice and truth.
[2596.02 --> 2597.32]  What we do here
[2597.32 --> 2598.92]  is not only rehearse
[2598.92 --> 2600.66]  the story of Jesus' life,
[2600.66 --> 2602.48]  but we participate
[2602.48 --> 2604.04]  in the rehearsing
[2604.04 --> 2606.08]  of the church's history.
[2608.18 --> 2610.82]  Make no small thing about it.
[2610.82 --> 2614.90]  This is a practice
[2614.90 --> 2616.20]  of the church
[2616.20 --> 2618.22]  that is deeply rooted
[2618.22 --> 2620.04]  and purposeful,
[2620.56 --> 2623.06]  and so gives us roots
[2623.06 --> 2625.34]  and purpose in life,
[2625.54 --> 2626.94]  especially in a time
[2626.94 --> 2628.32]  and a place in the world
[2628.32 --> 2629.68]  where everything is shaky.
[2629.68 --> 2630.76]  Right?
[2630.80 --> 2632.26]  Where the ground beneath us
[2632.26 --> 2633.44]  seems to move
[2633.44 --> 2634.40]  and flutter
[2634.40 --> 2635.46]  and shift
[2635.46 --> 2637.04]  even as we try to stand.
[2637.28 --> 2638.30]  Where we try to reach out
[2638.30 --> 2638.94]  and grab hold
[2638.94 --> 2639.78]  of something firm
[2639.78 --> 2641.12]  only to open our hands
[2641.12 --> 2642.04]  and like the teacher says
[2642.04 --> 2642.72]  in Ecclesiastes,
[2642.94 --> 2643.70]  to realize
[2643.70 --> 2645.02]  it's a chasing after the wind.
[2646.90 --> 2647.42]  This,
[2647.82 --> 2648.92]  what you do,
[2649.28 --> 2649.76]  here,
[2650.64 --> 2652.66]  is an established
[2652.66 --> 2654.48]  history.
[2655.56 --> 2656.18]  And my prayer
[2656.18 --> 2657.72]  is that it is part of God
[2657.72 --> 2658.62]  establishing
[2658.62 --> 2658.64]  establishing
[2658.64 --> 2660.50]  your faith.
[2661.62 --> 2662.60]  This is no
[2662.60 --> 2664.22]  small thing.
[2664.88 --> 2665.68]  And as we rehearse
[2665.68 --> 2666.34]  this story,
[2666.70 --> 2667.16]  know that
[2667.16 --> 2668.18]  in the incarnation
[2668.18 --> 2669.60]  and in Christmas,
[2669.88 --> 2670.10]  right,
[2670.18 --> 2670.90]  we proclaim
[2670.90 --> 2671.98]  that God has
[2671.98 --> 2673.32]  remembered his people,
[2673.64 --> 2674.42]  he has remembered
[2674.42 --> 2675.18]  his promise,
[2675.38 --> 2676.14]  and God,
[2676.22 --> 2676.82]  Emmanuel,
[2677.36 --> 2678.48]  has now come
[2678.48 --> 2679.88]  to be with us.
[2680.84 --> 2681.68]  And in the life
[2681.68 --> 2682.30]  of Jesus,
[2682.30 --> 2683.54]  we rehearse the story
[2683.54 --> 2684.80]  and we proclaim
[2684.80 --> 2685.96]  with Jesus
[2685.96 --> 2686.90]  that he is
[2686.90 --> 2688.10]  the obedient one,
[2688.22 --> 2689.90]  he is the perfectly
[2689.90 --> 2691.18]  righteous one,
[2691.24 --> 2692.26]  and that he is
[2692.26 --> 2692.86]  the fulfilling
[2692.86 --> 2693.96]  of the law
[2693.96 --> 2694.98]  that we could never
[2694.98 --> 2695.74]  keep.
[2696.68 --> 2697.72]  And in the death
[2697.72 --> 2698.40]  of Jesus,
[2698.78 --> 2699.86]  he proclaims,
[2700.00 --> 2701.08]  I have paid
[2701.08 --> 2701.70]  the penalty
[2701.70 --> 2703.18]  for all of your failings.
[2703.40 --> 2704.22]  I have lived
[2704.22 --> 2705.46]  the life you should have lived
[2705.46 --> 2706.34]  and died the death
[2706.34 --> 2707.28]  that you deserved.
[2707.50 --> 2708.34]  I have paid
[2708.34 --> 2709.68]  for your rebellion.
[2709.82 --> 2710.34]  The punishment
[2710.34 --> 2711.54]  that brought you peace
[2711.54 --> 2712.72]  is on my shoulders.
[2712.72 --> 2715.76]  And in the resurrection,
[2716.08 --> 2717.20]  Jesus proclaims,
[2717.56 --> 2718.50]  I have won.
[2719.10 --> 2720.38]  Death is dead.
[2720.56 --> 2721.88]  God is victorious.
[2722.16 --> 2722.80]  And then tonight,
[2723.20 --> 2724.06]  in the ascension,
[2724.22 --> 2725.56]  this same Jesus says,
[2726.02 --> 2727.64]  I am king.
[2728.68 --> 2730.18]  Come to me,
[2730.56 --> 2731.66]  all who are weary
[2731.66 --> 2732.44]  and heavy laden,
[2732.48 --> 2733.90]  and I will give you rest.
[2734.28 --> 2734.80]  Jesus says,
[2734.92 --> 2735.92]  I am king.
[2736.06 --> 2736.94]  All authority
[2736.94 --> 2737.86]  in heaven
[2737.86 --> 2738.38]  and on earth
[2738.38 --> 2739.48]  has been given to me.
[2739.88 --> 2741.06]  Jesus proclaims
[2741.06 --> 2741.76]  in the ascension,
[2741.76 --> 2743.14]  mine is the name
[2743.14 --> 2744.20]  above all names.
[2744.56 --> 2745.52]  Jesus proclaims
[2745.52 --> 2746.10]  in the ascension,
[2746.28 --> 2747.20]  I am the one
[2747.20 --> 2748.56]  to whom every knee
[2748.56 --> 2749.08]  will bow
[2749.08 --> 2750.00]  and tongue confess
[2750.00 --> 2750.46]  in heaven
[2750.46 --> 2751.00]  and on earth
[2751.00 --> 2751.84]  and under the earth
[2751.84 --> 2756.18]  that I am the one
[2756.18 --> 2758.16]  to the glory
[2758.16 --> 2760.30]  of God the Father.
[2762.08 --> 2763.42]  There is a road
[2763.42 --> 2764.80]  for each
[2764.80 --> 2766.74]  and we rehearse those
[2766.74 --> 2768.08]  in the lives of faith,
[2768.20 --> 2769.20]  firmly rooting ourselves
[2769.20 --> 2769.88]  in the history
[2769.88 --> 2771.12]  of the church.
[2771.76 --> 2774.98]  But what we have
[2774.98 --> 2776.38]  to see tonight
[2776.38 --> 2779.94]  is that there is
[2779.94 --> 2780.60]  a road
[2780.60 --> 2781.92]  for each
[2781.92 --> 2784.14]  that cannot be
[2784.14 --> 2785.26]  shortcut.
[2787.14 --> 2788.78]  So in Matthew 4,
[2789.02 --> 2789.88]  it's in your books,
[2790.72 --> 2792.76]  Jesus has gone
[2792.76 --> 2793.48]  into the wilderness
[2793.48 --> 2794.72]  after the baptism
[2794.72 --> 2796.18]  and he is tempted
[2796.18 --> 2797.32]  by the devil.
[2797.32 --> 2799.20]  right?
[2799.26 --> 2800.18]  The devil tempts him
[2800.18 --> 2800.64]  twice
[2800.64 --> 2801.46]  and in the third
[2801.46 --> 2802.10]  temptation
[2802.10 --> 2803.22]  we read
[2803.22 --> 2804.14]  in verses 8
[2804.14 --> 2804.92]  and 9,
[2804.92 --> 2805.92]  again,
[2810.06 --> 2810.90]  the devil took him
[2810.90 --> 2812.06]  to a very high mountain
[2812.06 --> 2812.78]  and showed him
[2812.78 --> 2813.62]  all the kingdoms
[2813.62 --> 2814.66]  of the world
[2814.66 --> 2815.72]  and their splendor.
[2816.22 --> 2816.82]  All this
[2816.82 --> 2817.68]  I will give you,
[2817.74 --> 2818.24]  he said,
[2818.32 --> 2819.82]  if you bow down
[2819.82 --> 2821.16]  and worship
[2821.16 --> 2822.42]  me.
[2822.42 --> 2826.28]  today,
[2826.64 --> 2828.96]  I had the chance
[2828.96 --> 2829.84]  to go with
[2829.84 --> 2830.62]  a friend of mine
[2830.62 --> 2831.10]  who's visiting
[2831.10 --> 2831.76]  from Ontario
[2831.76 --> 2834.54]  to Seymour Mountain
[2834.54 --> 2836.44]  and then took the trail
[2836.44 --> 2837.56]  to the Dog Mountain
[2837.56 --> 2837.94]  lookout.
[2838.50 --> 2839.12]  I don't know if any
[2839.12 --> 2839.68]  of you have ever
[2839.68 --> 2841.08]  done that trail,
[2841.54 --> 2842.64]  but as you stand
[2842.64 --> 2843.40]  on the Dog Mountain
[2843.40 --> 2843.74]  lookout,
[2843.88 --> 2844.86]  you're north of Vancouver
[2844.86 --> 2845.80]  looking south
[2845.80 --> 2847.26]  and you can see
[2847.26 --> 2848.78]  today was crystal clear.
[2848.92 --> 2849.68]  We could see
[2849.68 --> 2851.18]  the Olympic
[2851.18 --> 2852.80]  Peninsula Mountains
[2852.80 --> 2854.30]  as far
[2854.30 --> 2855.32]  as that
[2855.32 --> 2856.28]  and so we could see
[2856.28 --> 2857.16]  everything
[2857.16 --> 2858.88]  and we could see
[2858.88 --> 2859.38]  Vancouver
[2859.38 --> 2860.72]  laid out before us.
[2861.42 --> 2862.34]  Knowing that I was
[2862.34 --> 2863.40]  preaching on this text,
[2863.48 --> 2863.98]  I kind of thought
[2863.98 --> 2865.12]  this is what Jesus
[2865.12 --> 2865.98]  would have experienced.
[2866.12 --> 2866.56]  He stood
[2866.56 --> 2867.66]  at the high place
[2867.66 --> 2868.58]  and he saw
[2868.58 --> 2869.30]  the kingdoms
[2869.30 --> 2869.94]  laid out
[2869.94 --> 2871.00]  before him
[2871.00 --> 2873.08]  and the devil said,
[2873.38 --> 2873.86]  all this
[2873.86 --> 2874.76]  I will give you
[2874.76 --> 2876.42]  if you bow down
[2876.42 --> 2877.12]  and worship me.
[2878.10 --> 2879.24]  But Jesus knows,
[2879.98 --> 2880.32]  right?
[2880.38 --> 2881.04]  He knows.
[2881.24 --> 2881.92]  He knows
[2881.92 --> 2883.00]  that he will get there,
[2883.48 --> 2884.24]  right?
[2884.26 --> 2885.12]  We've already heard it
[2885.12 --> 2885.98]  from Matthew 28,
[2886.10 --> 2886.80]  all authority
[2886.80 --> 2887.72]  in heaven and on earth
[2887.72 --> 2888.74]  has been given to me,
[2889.12 --> 2891.12]  but Jesus knows
[2891.12 --> 2892.26]  there is a road
[2892.26 --> 2893.36]  for each.
[2894.58 --> 2896.20]  There is a right path
[2896.20 --> 2897.58]  to get there.
[2898.54 --> 2899.42]  The second text
[2899.42 --> 2900.22]  that's in your books,
[2900.42 --> 2901.08]  Hebrews 1,
[2901.86 --> 2902.20]  says,
[2902.32 --> 2902.50]  again,
[2902.64 --> 2903.36]  he will get there.
[2903.46 --> 2903.92]  The sun
[2903.92 --> 2904.92]  is the radiance
[2904.92 --> 2905.84]  of God's glory
[2905.84 --> 2906.62]  and the exact
[2906.62 --> 2907.16]  representation
[2907.16 --> 2908.12]  of his being,
[2908.26 --> 2909.52]  sustaining all things
[2909.52 --> 2910.74]  by his powerful word.
[2911.64 --> 2913.12]  And after he had provided
[2913.12 --> 2914.92]  purification for sins,
[2915.02 --> 2915.98]  he sat down
[2915.98 --> 2916.96]  at the right hand
[2916.96 --> 2918.02]  of the majesty
[2918.02 --> 2918.96]  in heaven.
[2919.74 --> 2920.70]  And so he became
[2920.70 --> 2921.52]  much superior
[2921.52 --> 2922.30]  to the angels
[2922.30 --> 2922.92]  as the name
[2922.92 --> 2923.90]  he has inherited
[2923.90 --> 2924.98]  is superior
[2924.98 --> 2926.06]  to theirs.
[2927.96 --> 2928.48]  Right?
[2928.52 --> 2929.22]  He gets there,
[2929.88 --> 2931.82]  but there's a road
[2931.82 --> 2933.12]  for each.
[2933.12 --> 2935.46]  And after he provided
[2935.46 --> 2936.16]  purification
[2936.16 --> 2937.08]  for sins,
[2937.22 --> 2938.10]  he sat down
[2938.10 --> 2939.36]  at the right hand
[2939.36 --> 2940.34]  of the Father.
[2941.20 --> 2942.36]  I don't think
[2942.36 --> 2943.26]  the author of Hebrews
[2943.26 --> 2944.80]  has only in mind
[2944.80 --> 2945.16]  there
[2945.16 --> 2946.28]  a chronology
[2946.28 --> 2947.12]  of events.
[2948.02 --> 2949.44]  I think the author
[2949.44 --> 2949.96]  of Hebrews
[2949.96 --> 2951.16]  has a necessary
[2951.16 --> 2951.82]  order
[2951.82 --> 2953.28]  in mind.
[2954.28 --> 2955.26]  Such that
[2955.26 --> 2956.02]  the road
[2956.02 --> 2957.80]  to heaven,
[2958.40 --> 2959.36]  the road
[2959.36 --> 2960.28]  to the right hand
[2960.28 --> 2960.96]  of the Father,
[2961.28 --> 2961.72]  the road
[2961.72 --> 2962.26]  for Jesus
[2962.26 --> 2963.14]  to that throne
[2963.14 --> 2964.28]  above all thrones,
[2964.62 --> 2965.12]  the road
[2965.12 --> 2965.58]  for Jesus
[2965.58 --> 2966.70]  to all authority
[2966.70 --> 2968.18]  in heaven
[2968.18 --> 2968.84]  and on earth
[2968.84 --> 2970.12]  had to go
[2970.12 --> 2971.88]  through the cross.
[2974.78 --> 2975.72]  What the devil
[2975.72 --> 2976.36]  offered him
[2976.36 --> 2976.84]  as he stood
[2976.84 --> 2977.50]  on that peak
[2977.50 --> 2978.20]  and looked out
[2978.20 --> 2979.80]  over the world
[2979.80 --> 2981.34]  was his.
[2982.56 --> 2982.78]  Right?
[2982.82 --> 2983.64]  The irony is that
[2983.64 --> 2984.50]  not only did
[2984.50 --> 2986.26]  he create it,
[2986.72 --> 2987.00]  right,
[2987.12 --> 2988.20]  for by him
[2988.20 --> 2988.90]  and through him
[2988.90 --> 2990.10]  are all things,
[2990.26 --> 2991.62]  like by the word
[2991.62 --> 2992.26]  of Jesus
[2992.26 --> 2992.96]  all things
[2992.96 --> 2993.60]  are created.
[2993.74 --> 2994.52]  The devil says
[2994.52 --> 2995.28]  to the one
[2995.28 --> 2996.04]  who created it,
[2996.24 --> 2996.60]  hey man,
[2996.64 --> 2997.52]  I'll give you this
[2997.52 --> 2999.38]  if you worship me
[2999.38 --> 3001.42]  and I can't imagine,
[3001.90 --> 3002.96]  I can only imagine
[3002.96 --> 3003.62]  Jesus going,
[3004.20 --> 3005.14]  you know I spoke
[3005.14 --> 3006.04]  this into being,
[3006.58 --> 3006.92]  right?
[3009.74 --> 3011.22]  But Jesus knows
[3011.22 --> 3013.40]  that the way
[3013.40 --> 3014.80]  to this
[3014.80 --> 3016.52]  all authority
[3016.52 --> 3017.82]  to this throne
[3017.82 --> 3019.20]  has to be
[3019.20 --> 3021.28]  through the cross.
[3022.92 --> 3023.58]  Kingship
[3023.58 --> 3025.20]  rightly belongs
[3025.20 --> 3025.76]  to Jesus.
[3026.22 --> 3027.14]  That's what we proclaim
[3027.14 --> 3028.00]  on Ascension Day,
[3028.12 --> 3030.08]  that Jesus is king,
[3030.22 --> 3031.50]  but the means
[3031.50 --> 3032.54]  of his being
[3032.54 --> 3033.14]  exalted
[3033.14 --> 3033.98]  and named
[3033.98 --> 3034.90]  as king
[3034.90 --> 3036.72]  cannot be
[3036.72 --> 3037.46]  cut short
[3037.46 --> 3038.32]  or shortcut.
[3040.64 --> 3042.00]  It has to go
[3042.00 --> 3042.72]  through the cross.
[3042.72 --> 3045.36]  And so,
[3045.74 --> 3047.06]  as we have seen
[3047.06 --> 3048.40]  and as the history
[3048.40 --> 3049.06]  of the church
[3049.06 --> 3049.86]  has affirmed
[3049.86 --> 3050.66]  and as the very
[3050.66 --> 3051.84]  liturgical practices
[3051.84 --> 3053.04]  that we have lived
[3053.04 --> 3054.54]  into and rehearsed
[3054.54 --> 3054.94]  tonight
[3054.94 --> 3056.34]  say over and over
[3056.34 --> 3056.72]  again,
[3057.02 --> 3058.28]  the Ascension of Jesus
[3058.28 --> 3059.84]  is a deep hope
[3059.84 --> 3060.66]  for you
[3060.66 --> 3061.58]  and for me.
[3061.82 --> 3062.76]  The Ascension of Jesus
[3062.76 --> 3063.82]  is a necessary,
[3064.28 --> 3064.80]  beautiful,
[3064.94 --> 3065.90]  gospel reality
[3065.90 --> 3067.34]  available to us.
[3067.34 --> 3070.22]  but I want to suggest
[3070.22 --> 3071.84]  that the Ascension
[3071.84 --> 3072.34]  of Jesus
[3072.34 --> 3073.30]  is also
[3073.30 --> 3074.26]  a pattern
[3074.26 --> 3075.76]  for us.
[3080.40 --> 3081.24]  Here's the promise
[3081.24 --> 3081.74]  of God
[3081.74 --> 3082.50]  for those of us
[3082.50 --> 3082.98]  who believe.
[3084.16 --> 3084.72]  That you will be
[3084.72 --> 3085.30]  granted heaven,
[3085.86 --> 3086.72]  that you will be
[3086.72 --> 3087.52]  given a reward
[3087.52 --> 3088.76]  and that you will know
[3088.76 --> 3090.60]  amazing glory
[3090.60 --> 3091.78]  and the infinite
[3091.78 --> 3092.84]  beauty of God
[3092.84 --> 3093.48]  our Father.
[3094.82 --> 3095.72]  In 1 Peter,
[3095.72 --> 3096.30]  we are told
[3096.30 --> 3097.58]  that we will receive
[3097.58 --> 3098.92]  a crown of glory
[3098.92 --> 3100.22]  that will never fade away.
[3101.36 --> 3102.64]  In Revelation 2,
[3102.72 --> 3103.24]  verse 10,
[3103.50 --> 3104.44]  the letter to the church,
[3104.84 --> 3105.90]  they are praised
[3105.90 --> 3107.14]  and they are promised
[3107.14 --> 3108.28]  that if they are faithful
[3108.28 --> 3108.90]  to the end,
[3108.98 --> 3109.76]  they will receive
[3109.76 --> 3111.00]  the victor's crown.
[3112.08 --> 3112.48]  James,
[3112.64 --> 3113.66]  talking about the same thing,
[3113.74 --> 3115.30]  calls it the crown of life.
[3115.66 --> 3116.72]  Timothy refers to this
[3116.72 --> 3118.22]  as the crown of righteousness.
[3119.74 --> 3121.34]  The truth of the gospel
[3121.34 --> 3122.30]  and the truth
[3122.30 --> 3123.46]  of what Jesus has done
[3123.46 --> 3123.94]  and the truth
[3123.94 --> 3124.64]  of his ascension
[3124.64 --> 3126.40]  is as 2 Timothy 2 says,
[3126.68 --> 3127.72]  if we died with him,
[3127.78 --> 3128.94]  we will also live with him.
[3129.14 --> 3130.00]  If we endure,
[3130.40 --> 3132.14]  we will also reign
[3132.14 --> 3133.42]  with him.
[3135.02 --> 3136.12]  The Bible ends,
[3136.16 --> 3136.68]  for those of you
[3136.68 --> 3137.22]  who haven't got
[3137.22 --> 3137.98]  to the end yet,
[3138.24 --> 3138.96]  the Bible ends
[3138.96 --> 3140.06]  in Revelation 20,
[3140.12 --> 3141.02]  21, and 22
[3141.02 --> 3143.00]  with all of those
[3143.00 --> 3143.56]  who believe,
[3143.66 --> 3144.54]  the bride of Christ,
[3144.82 --> 3145.28]  it says,
[3145.48 --> 3146.94]  reigning with Christ
[3146.94 --> 3147.92]  forever.
[3150.56 --> 3151.64]  The ascension
[3151.64 --> 3153.16]  is a guarantee
[3153.16 --> 3155.24]  of that future reality.
[3155.24 --> 3156.38]  The ascension
[3156.38 --> 3157.18]  is a guarantee
[3157.18 --> 3158.88]  of that crown of glory.
[3159.24 --> 3159.76]  The ascension
[3159.76 --> 3160.54]  is a guarantee
[3160.54 --> 3162.96]  of that promised future.
[3165.28 --> 3166.74]  But there is a road
[3166.74 --> 3168.36]  for each.
[3169.96 --> 3171.00]  And so even as
[3171.00 --> 3171.96]  the ascension of Jesus
[3171.96 --> 3173.44]  is a guarantee for us,
[3173.44 --> 3175.66]  we also have to see
[3175.66 --> 3177.36]  that just like for Jesus,
[3177.36 --> 3181.00]  we have to go through
[3181.00 --> 3182.72]  the cross.
[3184.10 --> 3185.52]  Jesus himself promised
[3185.52 --> 3186.44]  that in this world
[3186.44 --> 3187.40]  you will have trouble.
[3189.38 --> 3189.74]  Jesus,
[3190.14 --> 3191.74]  or 1 Peter says,
[3192.14 --> 3192.68]  dear friends,
[3192.82 --> 3193.92]  do not be surprised
[3193.92 --> 3195.24]  at the fiery ordeal
[3195.24 --> 3196.10]  that has come on you
[3196.10 --> 3196.90]  to test you
[3196.90 --> 3197.98]  as though something strange
[3197.98 --> 3198.86]  were happening to you.
[3199.66 --> 3200.48]  Peter's point there
[3200.48 --> 3201.68]  is this is normal.
[3202.40 --> 3203.72]  Don't be surprised.
[3204.60 --> 3205.46]  Over and over again,
[3205.52 --> 3205.88]  the Bible says,
[3205.88 --> 3206.74]  anyone who wants
[3206.74 --> 3208.18]  to follow after God
[3208.18 --> 3209.74]  is going to face opposition.
[3209.96 --> 3210.50]  Anyone who wants
[3210.50 --> 3211.18]  to be holy
[3211.18 --> 3212.70]  is going to face persecution.
[3213.60 --> 3214.28]  This is the truth
[3214.28 --> 3214.90]  of what it means
[3214.90 --> 3216.48]  to be a disciple of Jesus.
[3216.66 --> 3217.90]  Jesus himself said
[3217.90 --> 3218.58]  in Luke 9,
[3218.70 --> 3219.34]  whoever wants
[3219.34 --> 3220.26]  to be my disciple
[3220.26 --> 3221.82]  must deny themselves,
[3222.04 --> 3223.68]  take up their cross daily
[3223.68 --> 3225.32]  and follow me.
[3225.44 --> 3225.88]  Whoever wants
[3225.88 --> 3226.92]  to save their life
[3226.92 --> 3227.46]  will lose it,
[3227.54 --> 3228.32]  but whoever loses
[3228.32 --> 3230.14]  his life for my sake
[3230.14 --> 3231.86]  will save it.
[3231.86 --> 3236.20]  the end of the journey
[3236.20 --> 3237.20]  for the Christian
[3237.20 --> 3239.66]  is reigning in glory
[3239.66 --> 3240.80]  with Jesus.
[3242.48 --> 3243.74]  But the way there
[3243.74 --> 3245.86]  is to daily take up
[3245.86 --> 3246.44]  your cross
[3246.44 --> 3248.26]  and follow him.
[3250.20 --> 3251.68]  And so don't be surprised
[3251.68 --> 3253.48]  when this world
[3253.48 --> 3254.74]  challenges you
[3254.74 --> 3256.20]  or don't be surprised
[3256.20 --> 3257.64]  when this world
[3257.64 --> 3258.74]  offers you
[3258.74 --> 3259.76]  a way to shortcut
[3259.76 --> 3261.76]  that hardship.
[3263.06 --> 3264.28]  But it won't do.
[3265.44 --> 3266.38]  It can't do.
[3267.30 --> 3268.66]  The way to the crown
[3268.66 --> 3269.26]  of glory
[3269.26 --> 3270.04]  is only
[3270.04 --> 3271.98]  through the cruciform
[3271.98 --> 3272.92]  life.
[3273.82 --> 3274.86]  It's only through
[3274.86 --> 3275.62]  the dying
[3275.62 --> 3276.70]  to self
[3276.70 --> 3278.02]  and the daily
[3278.02 --> 3278.68]  rising
[3278.68 --> 3281.02]  with Jesus Christ.
[3281.02 --> 3283.20]  we live in a world
[3283.20 --> 3284.14]  and we live in a place
[3284.14 --> 3285.38]  where the two
[3285.38 --> 3286.82]  seemingly greatest
[3286.82 --> 3287.74]  temptations
[3287.74 --> 3289.24]  are comfort
[3289.24 --> 3291.82]  and power.
[3293.32 --> 3294.08]  Now those might
[3294.08 --> 3294.60]  look differently
[3294.60 --> 3295.04]  for you.
[3295.14 --> 3295.54]  You might have
[3295.54 --> 3296.26]  a different definition
[3296.26 --> 3296.82]  of comfort
[3296.82 --> 3297.88]  than is over here
[3297.88 --> 3298.42]  and you might have
[3298.42 --> 3299.44]  a definition of power
[3299.44 --> 3300.14]  or accomplishment
[3300.14 --> 3300.76]  or status
[3300.76 --> 3301.94]  than what's over here
[3301.94 --> 3302.82]  but ultimately
[3302.82 --> 3304.16]  comfort and power
[3304.16 --> 3305.02]  are on offer
[3305.02 --> 3306.46]  and Jesus says
[3306.46 --> 3308.84]  I will make you
[3308.84 --> 3309.52]  uncomfortable
[3309.52 --> 3313.40]  and Jesus says
[3313.40 --> 3314.16]  power isn't
[3314.16 --> 3314.74]  what you think
[3314.74 --> 3315.20]  it is.
[3315.92 --> 3316.74]  It doesn't look
[3316.74 --> 3317.68]  like what you
[3317.68 --> 3318.74]  think it looks like.
[3321.10 --> 3322.10]  My power
[3322.10 --> 3322.88]  is made perfect
[3322.88 --> 3323.72]  in weakness
[3323.72 --> 3325.30]  says God.
[3326.30 --> 3327.22]  The greatest
[3327.22 --> 3328.10]  of these
[3328.10 --> 3329.10]  must become
[3329.10 --> 3329.72]  the least
[3329.72 --> 3331.16]  says Jesus.
[3333.56 --> 3334.60]  My prayer
[3334.60 --> 3335.68]  for us all
[3335.68 --> 3337.18]  as we rehearse
[3337.18 --> 3338.10]  this story
[3338.10 --> 3339.16]  is that we will
[3339.16 --> 3341.08]  see that crown
[3341.08 --> 3341.82]  of glory
[3341.82 --> 3342.80]  and that we will
[3342.80 --> 3343.68]  see the Lord
[3343.68 --> 3344.48]  Jesus Christ
[3344.48 --> 3345.20]  that risen
[3345.20 --> 3345.96]  lamb
[3345.96 --> 3347.18]  and we will
[3347.18 --> 3348.74]  press towards him
[3348.74 --> 3349.78]  come what may
[3349.78 --> 3350.98]  as we daily
[3350.98 --> 3352.34]  take up our
[3352.34 --> 3353.12]  cross
[3353.12 --> 3353.82]  and follow
[3353.82 --> 3354.74]  him.
[3356.42 --> 3356.96]  Kingship
[3356.96 --> 3358.04]  rightly belongs
[3358.04 --> 3359.00]  to Jesus
[3359.00 --> 3361.52]  but having Jesus
[3361.52 --> 3362.20]  as your king
[3362.20 --> 3363.64]  means your life
[3363.64 --> 3364.24]  is going to look
[3364.24 --> 3365.14]  a little bit different
[3365.14 --> 3366.78]  than everyone else
[3366.78 --> 3368.10]  who doesn't
[3368.10 --> 3368.60]  yet know
[3368.60 --> 3369.46]  who Jesus
[3369.46 --> 3369.88]  is.
[3370.92 --> 3371.50]  And that's
[3371.50 --> 3372.30]  why we enter
[3372.30 --> 3373.28]  into this
[3373.28 --> 3374.04]  story
[3374.04 --> 3374.88]  again
[3374.88 --> 3375.82]  and again
[3375.82 --> 3376.68]  and again
[3376.68 --> 3377.94]  so that we
[3377.94 --> 3378.74]  can be grounded
[3378.74 --> 3379.96]  in the truth
[3379.96 --> 3381.30]  and in the person
[3381.30 --> 3382.08]  of Jesus
[3382.08 --> 3382.96]  and so that we
[3382.96 --> 3383.90]  together can be
[3383.90 --> 3385.30]  filled with his
[3385.30 --> 3386.04]  Holy Spirit
[3386.04 --> 3386.86]  so that we
[3386.86 --> 3388.34]  may endure.
[3389.40 --> 3390.34]  I pray
[3390.34 --> 3391.04]  that you
[3391.04 --> 3392.20]  will endure
[3392.20 --> 3393.24]  together.
[3393.98 --> 3394.26]  Amen?
[3394.26 --> 3394.40]  Amen.
[3396.32 --> 3396.92]  Let's stand
[3396.92 --> 3397.70]  as we pray.
[3402.34 --> 3403.38]  Lord Jesus
[3403.38 --> 3405.06]  move in
[3405.06 --> 3405.60]  us
[3405.60 --> 3406.38]  by your
[3406.38 --> 3406.86]  spirit.
[3407.98 --> 3408.94]  Move in
[3408.94 --> 3409.34]  us
[3409.34 --> 3409.70]  with
[3409.70 --> 3410.58]  your
[3410.58 --> 3411.44]  Holy Spirit
[3411.44 --> 3412.10]  power
[3412.10 --> 3413.06]  comforting
[3413.06 --> 3413.84]  us
[3413.84 --> 3415.14]  even as
[3415.14 --> 3415.58]  you make
[3415.58 --> 3415.82]  us
[3415.82 --> 3416.46]  uncomfortable.
[3418.86 --> 3419.58]  Move
[3419.58 --> 3420.48]  in us
[3420.48 --> 3421.80]  with a
[3421.80 --> 3422.32]  newness
[3422.32 --> 3423.04]  of life
[3423.04 --> 3424.06]  even as
[3424.06 --> 3425.36]  we face
[3425.36 --> 3426.04]  death
[3426.04 --> 3427.10]  all day.
[3428.60 --> 3429.18]  Move in
[3429.18 --> 3429.54]  us
[3429.54 --> 3430.02]  with a
[3430.02 --> 3430.86]  power
[3430.86 --> 3432.08]  unimaginable
[3432.08 --> 3432.70]  and a
[3432.70 --> 3433.18]  love
[3433.18 --> 3434.40]  incomprehensible
[3434.40 --> 3436.26]  so that as
[3436.26 --> 3436.90]  we go
[3436.90 --> 3437.94]  from this
[3437.94 --> 3438.42]  place
[3438.42 --> 3439.04]  we might
[3439.04 --> 3439.46]  go
[3439.46 --> 3440.70]  nourished
[3440.70 --> 3441.44]  and sustained
[3441.44 --> 3441.90]  that we
[3441.90 --> 3442.42]  might go
[3442.42 --> 3443.24]  buoyed
[3443.24 --> 3443.82]  in our
[3443.82 --> 3444.38]  lives
[3444.38 --> 3444.96]  of faith
[3444.96 --> 3446.30]  that we
[3446.30 --> 3446.86]  might go
[3446.86 --> 3447.56]  such that
[3447.56 --> 3447.98]  we can
[3447.98 --> 3448.42]  daily
[3448.42 --> 3449.08]  take up
[3449.08 --> 3449.74]  our cross
[3449.74 --> 3450.62]  and follow
[3450.62 --> 3451.70]  after you.
[3453.04 --> 3455.16]  if we
[3455.16 --> 3455.52]  endure
[3455.52 --> 3456.10]  with him
[3456.10 --> 3456.94]  we will
[3456.94 --> 3457.38]  also
[3457.38 --> 3457.98]  reign
[3457.98 --> 3458.76]  with him.
[3460.46 --> 3461.20]  And so
[3461.20 --> 3461.76]  Lord Jesus
[3461.76 --> 3463.58]  draw us
[3463.58 --> 3464.48]  to your
[3464.48 --> 3465.54]  victor's
[3465.54 --> 3466.12]  crown.
[3466.12 --> 3467.62]  Amen.
[3483.04 --> 3495.20]  death
[3495.20 --> 3496.62]  and
[3496.62 --> 3499.04]  remember
[3499.04 --> 3499.38]  I
[3499.38 --> 3507.38]  I've spent the day with the presence of Jesus as a ring.
[3507.38 --> 3517.38]  And wonder how he could love me, a sinner that loved me.
[3517.38 --> 3527.38]  Sing, how marvelous, how wonderful that my song shall ever be.
[3527.38 --> 3538.38]  How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me.
[3538.38 --> 3550.38]  He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them very whole.
[3550.38 --> 3560.38]  And he poured the word into Calvary, Unsuffered and died alone.
[3560.38 --> 3570.38]  Sing, how marvelous, how wonderful that my song shall ever be.
[3570.38 --> 3581.38]  How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me.
[3581.38 --> 3593.38]  And in the ransomed in glory, His face that I shall see.
[3593.38 --> 3602.38]  And will be my Lord in the angels to sing of His love for me.
[3602.38 --> 3612.38]  Sing, how marvelous, how wonderful that my song shall ever be.
[3612.38 --> 3621.38]  Sing, how marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me.
[3621.38 --> 3633.38]  Sing, how marvelous, how wonderful that my song shall ever be.
[3633.38 --> 3645.38]  How marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me.
[3651.38 --> 3661.38]  They were looking up intently into the sky as He was going,
[3661.38 --> 3665.38]  when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
[3665.38 --> 3669.38]  Men of Galilee, they said, why do you stand here looking into the sky?
[3669.38 --> 3675.38]  This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will come back
[3675.38 --> 3680.38]  in the same way that you have seen Him go into heaven.
[3680.38 --> 3685.38]  This is our greatest hope yet.
[3685.38 --> 3689.38]  That this same Jesus will come back.
[3689.38 --> 3695.38]  Until that day we go from here with God and so receive His blessing.
[3695.38 --> 3699.38]  May God go before you to prepare a way for you.
[3699.38 --> 3701.38]  May God go behind you to protect you.
[3701.38 --> 3704.38]  May God go beneath you to support you.
[3704.38 --> 3707.38]  And may God go beside you to befriend you.
[3707.38 --> 3709.38]  Do not be afraid.
[3709.38 --> 3711.38]  Let the blessing of God come upon you today.
[3711.38 --> 3713.38]  Do not be afraid.
[3713.38 --> 3718.38]  Go in peace to love and serve your King.
[3718.38 --> 3720.38]  All God's people said, Amen.
[3720.38 --> 3721.38]  Amen.
[3721.38 --> 3722.38]  Amen.
[3722.38 --> 3723.38]  Amen.
[3723.38 --> 3736.38]  Amen.
[3736.38 --> 3761.38]  Unto the King eternal, unto the King immortal, unto the King invisible, the only white child.
[3761.38 --> 3768.38]  The only white child.
[3771.38 --> 3789.38]  Now unto the King eternal, unto the King immortal, unto the King immortal, unto the King invisible,
[3789.38 --> 3796.38]  the only white child.
[3796.38 --> 3802.38]  The only white child.
[3802.38 --> 3817.38]  Now unto the King, be glory and honor, unto the King forever.
[3817.38 --> 3824.38]  Unto the King be glory and honor forever.
[3824.38 --> 3826.38]  Amen.
[3826.38 --> 3827.38]  Amen.
[3827.38 --> 3829.38]  Amen.
[3829.38 --> 3839.38]  Amen.
[3839.38 --> 3844.38]  Amen.
[3844.38 --> 3849.38]  Amen.
[3849.38 --> 3852.18]  Amen.
[3879.38 --> 3880.38]  Yes.
[3909.38 --> 3910.38]  Amen.