[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.