["Pomp and Circumstance"]
You
Good evening and welcome to Verity Baptist Church. Let's go ahead and find our seats this evening
Find the seats and find a hymnal close to you and turn to page number one hundred and thirty four
Saw number one hundred and thirty four
We will open our congregational singing with my anchor hold saw number one hundred and thirty four
Let's go ahead and sing it out
on the first
You're safe and sure that can evermore endure
Any holes my anchor holds?
Blow your wildest an old gale
On my bark so small and frail
By his grace I shall not fail
for my anchor holds
My anchor
Saw number one hundred and thirty four I think you guys can do a little bit better
So y'all don't let me sing solos up here saw number one hundred and thirty four on the second mighty tides
about me sweet
Pairs lurk within the tea
Angry clouds or shade the sky and the tempest rises high
Still I stand the tempest sharp
For my anchor grips the rock
Any holes my anchor holds?
Boy, why is there no gale on my bar so small and frail?
By his grace. I shall not fail
for my anchor holds
My
Anchor
Sing it out on the third. I can feel the anchor fast
as I
sudden blast and the cable
scene
bears the heavy strain between
Those I say
Till the turning of
And it holds my anchor holds
Boy, why is there no gale on my bar so small and frail?
By his grace. I shall not fail
By
Oh sing it out on the last troubles almost well the soul
Never seek to lure a stray
song secure the light of day
But in Christ, I can be
I've an anchor that shall hold
Oh
My anchor holds
Boy, why is there no gale on my bar so small and frail?
By his grace. I shall not fail
for my
Oh
My
Amen great singing welcome to Verity Baptist Church here on our Wednesday evening service
We are glad to see everyone here this evening. Let's open the service with a word of prayer
Dear heavenly Father Lord, we come to you this evening or we thank you for everything that you've done throughout the week Lord
Pray that we thank you for the people that are here. Thank you for keeping us safe
I pray that you bless the service bless the singing bless the preaching come Lord. We love you in Jesus in my pray. Amen
All right, turn to page number 30
Almost slipped there and asked for favorites. So number 30
Sound number three zero. What can wash away my sin?
Nothing, but the blood of Jesus on number 30 on the first
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing, but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again
nothing, but the blood of
Jesus Oh
That makes me white as snow
No
Fount I know
Jesus on the second for my pardon this I see
Jesus
For my cleansing this I plea nothing, but the blood of Jesus
Precious is the flow that makes me white as snow
No
Founts I know
Nothing
Jesus we're gonna sing it out on the third, but not at the four
I asked by the Christian to raise it up a little bit. So on that force is the fourth. It's gonna go up
All right, so let's sing it out on the third
Nothing can force in a town
nothing, but the blood of
Jesus not of good
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
Oh
That makes me
No other founts I know nothing, but the blood of Jesus
key change
This is all my hope and peace
nothing, but the blood of
Jesus this is all my righteousness
Nothing, but the blood of Jesus
That makes me white as snow
No
Amen we want to welcome you to the midweek service here at verde baptist church. We're glad you're with us
Let's go ahead and take our bulletins. We'll look at some announcements real quickly tonight
If you do not have a bulletin just raise your hand and one of our ushers can get one for you
If you need a bulletin just put your hand up and we'll get one for you the verse this week first peter one three
Blessed be the god and the father of our lord jesus christ, which according to his abundant mercy have begotten us again
Until of lively hope by the resurrection of jesus christ from the dead and that's a good verse there
We like that if you open up your bulletin, you'll see our service time sunday morning service 10 30
Am and we had uh, we do invite you to be with us
Of course on sunday morning on the lord's day for church sunday evening service at 6 p.m
And we're glad you're here for the
Midweek bible study if you look at our soul winning times our main soul winning times on saturday mornings at 10 a.m
And then we have additional soul winning times on thursdays fridays and sundays at 2 p.m
So if you'd like to go soul winning
There'll be an opportunity for you to be able to do that tomorrow at 2 p.m
If you're a first-time guest if it's your first time here at verde baptist church, we're glad you're with us
We have a gift we'd like to give you
As you walk out of the church building tonight if you go out our main foyer
Or if you go to our secondary foyer, you'll see a little table set up and on that table
You'll see these little gift bags
Please grab one on your way out as a gift from us to you for being our guest tonight
There are several resources in this bag that we'd like you to have
But the one I like to highlight is this documentary that our church made it's called being baptist
It's very well made very interesting. We think you'll like it. I want to give you this gift
Uh tonight for being our guest and if you are a guest we'd ask that you please take a moment
You should have one of these cards. It says survey questionnaire on them
And if you take a moment to fill the card out we would appreciate it
We'd love to have a record of your attendance
We would actually like to send you a little gift, but we need your info to do that
So please take a moment to fill the card out
And when we're done with the announcement
We're going to sing a song and then we'll receive it the offering
As the offering plate goes by you can drop this card in the offering plate if you look at the announcements there
Of course, we had easter on sunday and that was a great success and praise the lord for that
I think we had like 270 in church on sunday morning or something like that
So praise the lord for that. And then of course, we've got a baby shower this saturday april 15th at 3 p.m
And uh, it's for miss karen. Jimenez. She has registered on amazon. She's having a boy
It is a potluck
So if you can please bring a dish to share and then there's other things there for you to look at
Of course
We have the ladies tea coming up and we invite all the ladies to come out to an elegant afternoon tea in honor of mother's
Day on saturday may 13th at 3 p.m. And then mother's day is on sunday may 14th at 10 30 a.m
Men's preaching and p tonight is on friday. April 21st at 7 p.m
And make sure you make plans to be here. Of course for that children's choir begins on sunday
April 16th at 5 15 in the playroom. They're going to start practicing for mother's day
Homeschool group other things they're free to look at. I think they've got pe is that tomorrow the 13th at 10 a.m
Please don't forget to turn your cell phones off or place them on silent during the service so that they're not a distraction to anybody
if you look at the back of the bulletin birthdays and anniversaries for the month of
April we have miss emily and julia gessler have a birthday today on april 12th
Daniel santos has a birthday today on april 12th as well
Miss christine ortiz has a birthday on april 15th and jabra free love has a birthday on april 15th praise report money matters
Are all there are other things for you to look at
I do want to uh, just real quickly i'm gonna mess up the ushers a little bit
But if you did not get a prayer sheet, would you raise your hand? We want you to have a prayer sheet
We're not going to go through the prayer sheet tonight
But I do want you to have a prayer sheet if you didn't get one. I apologize
I realize that's two weeks in a row
We'll make sure to go through that next week
But if you need a prayer sheet, please put your hand up and we will get one for you
I think that's it for all of the announcements. So we're going to go ahead and sing page number 15
page number one five
As we prepare to receive the offering tonight
page number 15
And we'll sing lead me to calvary page one five sing it out on the first
king of my life I crown thee now
Mine shall the glory be
Lest I forget thy thorn crown brow lead me to calvary
Lest I forget
70
Lest I forget my nagini
Lest I forget thy love for me
Lead me to calvary page number 15. Sing it out on the second
Show me the tomb where thou was laid
tenderly more than when
Left angels and road come wide arrayed
I forget
Lest I forget
Nagini lest I forget my love for me
lead me to calvary
Glory
Let me like mary through the gloom come with a gift to thee
Show to me now the empty tomb lead me to calvary
Lest I forget
My love for me
Lead me to calvary
Good sing it out on the last may I be willing lord to bear
daily my cross for thee
Even my cup of grief to share thou has borne all for me
Me
Lest I forget
Amen, all right
We'll have the guys come up and help us with the offering at this time
And let's go ahead and bow our heads and have a word of prayer heavenly father lord
We do thank you for allowing us to gather together tonight. Lord. We pray that you bless the offering the gift and the giver
In jesus name we pray. Amen
So
Please open mouths to luke 24
luke chapter number 24
If you need a bobby probably you can put your hand up and i'm not sure i'll bring you a bible
luke chapter number 24
If you need to keep your hand up on the show come by
luke 24 we're reading the entire chapter as our custom
Luke chapter number 24 beginning verse number one
Now upon the first day of the week very early in the morning
They came into the sepulcher
Bringing the spices which they had prepared and certain others with them
And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher and they entered in and found not the body of the lord. Jesus
And it came to pass
As they were much perplexed there about behold two men stood by them in shining garments
And as they were afraid and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them
Why seek ye the living among the dead?
He is not here but is risen
Remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in galley
Saying the son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and the third day rise again
And they remembered his words
And returned from the sepulcher and told all these things unto the eleven and to all the rest
It was mary magdalene and joanna and married the mother of james
Another woman that were with them which told these things unto the apostles
And their words seemed to them as idle tales and they believed them not
Then arose peter and ran into the sepulcher and stooping down. He beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves and departed
Wondering in himself that that which was come to pass
and behold
Two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about three square furlongs
And they talked together of all these things which had happened
And it came to pass that while they communed together and reasoned
Jesus himself drew near and went with them, but their eyes were holding that they should not know him
And he said unto them
What manner of communication are these that you have one to another as you walk and are sad?
and the one of them said
And the one of them whose name was Cleopas answering said unto him aren't that only a stranger in Jerusalem?
And it's not known the things which are come to pass there in these days
And he said unto them what things and they said unto him unto him concerning jesus of nazareth
Which is a prophet mighty indeed and worded before god and all the people
Now the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and have crucified him
But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed israel
And beside all this today is the third day since these things were done
In certain women also of our company made us astonished which were early at the sepulcher
When they found not his body they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels which said that he was alive
Concern of them which were with us went to the sepulcher and found that even so as the woman had said
But him they saw not
Then he said unto them oh fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken
I'm not christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory
And beginning at moses and all the prophets he expounded into them in all things in all the scriptures the things concerning himself
And they drew nigh into the village whether they went and he made as though he would have gone further
But they constrained him saying abide with us for it is toward evening and the day is far spent
And he went in to tarry with them
And it came to pass as he sat at me with them
He took bread and blessed it and break and gave to them and their eyes were opened and they knew him
And he vanished out of their sight
And they said one to another did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us by the way
While he opened to us the scriptures
And they rose up the same hour and returned to jerusalem and found the eleven gathered together and them that were with them
Saying the lord is risen indeed and appeared to simon
And they told what things were done in the way now. He was known of them in breaking of bread
And as they thus spake jesus himself stood in the midst of them and saith unto them peace be unto you
But they were terrified and affrighted and supposed that he had that they had seen his spirit
And he said unto them
Why are you troubled and why do thoughts arise in your hearts behold my hands and my feet that it is I myself
Handle me and see for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have
When you are thus spoken, he showed them his hands and his feet
And while they yet believed not for joy and wondering he said unto them have you here any meat?
And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish and oven honeycomb and he took it and did eat before them
And he said unto them these are the words which I speak unto you while I was yet with you
That all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of moses and in the prophets and in the psalms concerning me
Then opened here their understanding that they might understand the scriptures and he said unto them
Thus it is written and thus it behooved christ to suffer and to rise from the dead of the third day
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at jerusalem
And ye are witnesses of these things
And behold I send the promise of my father upon you
But tarry ye in the city of jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high
And he led them out as far as to bethany and he lifted up his hands and blessed them
And they came to pass while he blessed them. He was parted from them and carried up into heaven
And they worshiped him and returned to jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing. God. Amen
Let's pray heavenly father. Thank you for this evening. God. I thank you for your word
And for our church for him that's here tonight. God as he please give us the tender hearts of the message
I see a few other pastors to strengthen them and to fill them with spirit. We love you in jesus name. Pray. Amen
Amen
All right, we're there in luke chapter number 24
and tonight is a very special night because we are
Finishing up this uh sermon series that we've been in
if you
are
If you've been with us, you know that we've been
In a bible study in the gospel of luke we've called it journey with jesus
But it's really just been a verse by verse study through the gospel of luke
And we've been in this journey with jesus for quite some time. In fact, we began this series
in on uh, sunday november 21st of 2021
2021
And of course we took a lot of breaks in between
And we started it in november
In luke's chapters one and two, of course dealing with the christmas story in 2021
2022 we called it the year of jesus and we spent most of the year studying the life of christ together
And like I said, we've taken breaks here and there and at times I preached through luke on sunday mornings
Sometimes I preached through luke on wednesday nights. Sometimes we've done sunday morning sunday night and wednesday night
So it's just kind of been uh a different thing, but uh, we're finishing tonight. Of course we in january we took a break
from the gospel of luke and we I preached on different things from january to
The beginning of january to the end of march and we picked it back up
Right around the easter season. Uh, so some of you are like I didn't notice and that's you know concerning to me
But that's fine, that's fine
It doesn't matter if you know what i'm doing as long as the word of god is being preached and you're being ministered to
Uh, some of you still don't know that I preach through books of the bible, but that's all right
Um tonight is the final sermon in this uh book. It's actually the 95th sermon in this book
And we spent we've had 95 sermons through the gospel of luke before you judge me harshly just realize that it's 24 chapters
Every chapter has like anywhere between 50 and 80 verses
Um, and it's the longest the longest book in the new testament not by chapters, but by word count
Um, it's the longest book in the entire bible
So we spend a lot of time and I think it's fine to spend time studying life of christ, of course
But um, we'll be finishing up this study tonight tonight
We're going to look at this idea of the ascension of christ the ascension of christ. I'm like you notice there in verse number 50
Luke 24 and verse 50 in verses 50 51 52 and 53. We have the ascension of christ
I'm, not gonna necessarily preach through those verses tonight
we're gonna look at a lot of different passages, but I want you to just notice the ascension the bible says and he
The bible says led them and of course, this is the lord. Jesus christ
He led them as far as to bethany and he lifted up his hands and blessed them
And it came to pass while he blessed them. He was parted from them
And carried up into heaven and they worshiped him and returned to jerusalem with great joy
And were continually in the temple praising god and blessing
Praising and blessing god. Amen
Let me just begin just by way of introduction and say this if you're not sure what we mean by the ascension of christ
What we're talking about is right there at the end of verse 51 when it says that he was carried up into heaven
The ascension of christ is the event in which the lord jesus christ left this earth and ascended back
Into heaven it's spoken a lot of uh, the the bible speaks a lot about the ascension of christ. We're gonna see that tonight
But I would say that it is probably the event that is least
spoken
of in the life of christ is the event that we
Uh kind of study the least and talk the least about the ascension of christ, but it's very interesting
And I want to just
Give you some thoughts here and just real quickly
Like I said, we're gonna spend a lot of time in these specific verses
Let me just real quickly outline these few verses for you here luke 24 50 51 52 and 53
Why don't you notice when we look at the story of the ascension if you want to?
Outline it or if you want to maybe mark in your bible
Um in verse 50 there we see kind of the first step and it is that he led them
He led them out as far as to
Bethany and jesus at this time is really in every way shape or form their leader
And he's been their leader this entire time
And here the bible tells us that he led them and of course I was actually just recently talking with my wife about this
It's interesting to me
that
Jesus is probably I mean not probably he is for sure the greatest leader who ever lived
And but you'll notice that jesus never really speaks too much of himself as a leader
In fact what he said over and over and over again to the disciples was follow me
Follow me and his emphasis in leadership style for those of you that are interested was not on emphasizing his position as a leader
But emphasizing their positions as followers. We don't see him saying i'm the leader a lot, but we see him saying follow me
Obviously if somebody's following you and that makes you the leader
And that's just a thought for you husbands who feel that you constantly need to tell your wife that you're in charge
Uh, if you're having to always tell somebody you're the boss, maybe you're not the boss
But um here the bible tells us that he led them out as far as to bethany and if you want to outline this passage
Here's another point. He lifted up his hands. He lifted up his hand
So we see that he led them and then we see that he lifted up his hands
He lifted up his hands the bible tells us and blessed them and I just want you to notice
And I want you to see that when the bible says he lifted up his hands
It's literally referring to the fact that he lifted up his hands as you spoke to them and he
Began to bless them. He began to pronounce the blessing upon them what he said
We don't know for sure exactly what he said to them and what type of blessing he bestowed upon them
But we know that he lifted up his hands and blessed them
And I just want to bring out this thought in regards to this
That their last memory of jesus would be this because in verse 51 we're told and it came to pass while he blessed them
So as he was doing this as he lifted up his hands and began to bless them while he blessed them number three
He was parted from them and carried up into heaven
So in verse 50, we see that he led them in verse 50
We also see that he lifted up his hands to bless them and in verse 51 we see that he left them
He led them and he lifted up his hands and then he left them
But when he left he left with his hands lifted
I I want you to notice that because nothing in the bible is in there for no reason
The bible says that he lifted up his hands and blessed them and it came to pass while he blessed them
He was parted from them and carried up into heaven as he lifted up his hands and pronounced the blessing upon them
The bible says that he began to ascend up to heaven and he was carried up into heaven
And I just think it's interesting to know that the last memory that they would visually have of jesus
The last thing that they physically saw him do
Was to lift up his hands and to pronounce a blessing on them and that just shows you the grace and the mercy of christ
Because you would you would have thought
And before the resurrection they would have thought that maybe the last memory that they had of christ
Was of his hands stretched out on a cross
But instead of the last memory of marry his mother or the followers of christ instead of their last memory
Being of his arms and his hands stretched out on a cross
It was instead his hands lifted up in a blessing and I just think that's a beautiful thought to consider that
He was carried up into heaven
As he lifted up his hands and blessed them verse 52 and they worshiped him and returned to jerusalem with great joy
And we're continually in the temple praising and blessing god, amen
I want to speak to you tonight on the subject of the ascension
We see it here in luke 24. We're going to come back to luke 24
But we're going to look at other passages as well
And what i'd like to do is i'd like to just give you three words
That will serve as points or as pointers as markers to help us transition through this idea of the ascension and help you understand
What the ascension is i'll give you the words in advance so you can jot them down if you like
And that way you can tell as we mark our way through this idea of the doctrine of the ascension. The first word is
transition
And transition and if you're taking notes, you might want to jot that down. The second word is ascension
And then the third word is commission
transition
ascension commission in fact, let me
Flip that around
Transition commission ascension i'll give it to you in that order. Let me begin by explaining the transition
Obviously at the resurrection of christ there was a transition
between
how christ
met with and talked with and dealt with his disciples before
the crucifixion before the resurrection and after
And what I want you to understand and you may or i'm sure you already know this
This is a smart crowd that we've got around here. But some of you maybe don't know this so I want you to understand
the appearances of christ
after the resurrection were sporadic
Before the crucifixion. Jesus was with them every day
Jesus lived with them. They were together every day. They spent three years three and a half years however long his ministry was together
In a physical way, but after the resurrection he appeared to them
But those appearances of the risen christ were sporadic meaning they were not consistent
They were here and there he they saw him for a little while and then they would not see him again
You're there in luke 24, uh, go up to verse number 33 luke 24 in verse 33 just to give you an example
We've already seen the story, but I want you to notice the example in verse 33
The bible says and they and if you remember from
Sunday the they there is referring to the two disciples on the road to amaeus and they rose up the same hour
And returned to jerusalem and found the 11 gathered together and them that were with them verse 34
Saying the lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to simon
I just want you to notice that jesus, of course
We saw that story of the road to amaeus and he appeared to the disciples on the road and then vanished before their site
They went back to jerusalem
But by the time they got there they were already being told of another appearance of christ where he had appeared to simon
And they're telling him that simon has seen him verse 35 and they told what things were done in the way
And how he jesus was known of them. So these
Appearances of christ they are sporadic and I won't take the time to go through all the different stories, but
Even the story we saw on sunday where jesus appeared in the upper room the bible tells us in another gospel that
Thomas doubting thomas was not there
And then of course he said that he would not believe unless he saw it unless he touched jesus
With his own hands and the bible tells us that eight days later. He appeared unto them again
But this time thomas being with them and I only point that out to say this that when jesus rose from the dead
It was not this thing where it was like, okay guys, i'm back now
Let's keep traveling or let's keep going. He appeared to them but the appearances of the risen christ were sporadic
They were not consistent. They weren't with him every day. They saw him here
They saw him there as he appeared to them as he came to them
The second thing that I want you to understand regarding this transition
Is that not only were the appearances sporadic but the appearances were only to believers
Uh, go to first corinthians chapter 15. If you were would you're there in luke if you go past john acts romans into first corinthians
first corinthians chapter 15
In first corinthians 15 the apostle paul gives us a list of those who had seen the crucified christ
And here's what he says first corinthians 15 and verse 5
The bible says and that he was seen of cephas now we just saw in luke
How the two disciples on the road to mayas they they came back and the 11 told them that jesus had appeared
To simon that he had appeared to cephas and he appeared to peter here. We see it again that he was seen of cephas
Of course, this was referring to simon peter then of the 12 verse 6 after that he was seen of above
After that, he was seen of above 500 brethren at once
So here we're told that there's an appearance of christ where there are 500 but notice the word there brethren. That's believers. That's christians 500
Believers brethren are gathered together and jesus appeared to them at once of whom the greater part remained
unto this present paul is telling us at the time of his writing he's saying
Most of those 500 people are still alive
He says but some are falling asleep and that's paul telling the writers that you can check me on this
I'm, not making this story up. There was 500 brethren that saw him at once for seven after that. He was seen of james
That's of course the half brother of christ then of all the apostles
And last of all, he was seen of me paul says also as of one born out of due time
So I want you to notice that there's this transitional period after the resurrection
That leads us to the ascension during that period there are appearances of christ
but those appearances are sporadic and those appearances are only to
Uh believers go to the book of aks real quickly aks chapter one
If you go backwards from first corinthians, you've got the book of romans and then the book of aks aks chapter number one
and you you should understand that because of the fact that
Jesus did not rise from the grave and then go and appear to the pharisees and the sadducees
And and the and and the high priest and the levite, you know, and and the religious leaders
He didn't go and appear to them and say
You know here I am
I told you, you know, he didn't go and appear to pilot
He didn't go and appear to unbelievers because of the fact that the bible says that
That we must believe without seeing
The bible says that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen so he appeared
to people that had already placed their trust that are already believed on him and he was seen I mean
Of 500 brethren at once of the 12 and of cephas and of all the apostles all the apostles not just referring to the 12
referring to the 70 that are referred to as
apostles paul says and last of all
He was seen of me as one born of due time
And of course that was an appearance after the ascension when he appeared to paul or saul
on the road to damascus
But what I want you to understand is that jesus appeared sporadically and he appeared to believers and this happened
Over a period of 40 days acts chapter 1
If you're there look at verse 1
Acts 1 1 of course acts chapter 1 and verse 1 is an introduction to the book of acts
For those of you that are not aware. I just want you to understand the gospel of luke was obviously written by a man named luke
The book of alex was written by the same writer. It was written by luke
And in verse 1 of acts 1 he says
the former treaties
Have I made otheophilus of all that jesus began both to do and teach the word treaties?
There is a reference to a formal or systematic
Exposition and what he's referring to is the gospel of luke
He's saying the former treaties referring to the gospel of luke the book that we've been studying
He says have I made otheophilus of all that jesus began both to do and teach look at verse two
Until the day in which he was taken up notice that that is a reference to the ascension
Until the day that he was taken up after that
He through the holy ghost had given commandment until the apostles whom he had chosen to whom also he showed himself alive
after his passion by many
Infallible proofs being seen of them. I just want you to notice this being seen of them 40 days and speaking of the things
Pertaining to the kingdom of god. So jesus after the resurrection
Was on this earth for 40 days. He was not with them every day of those 40 days. His uh,
His his appearances were sporadic. They were only to believers, but they lasted for a period of 40 days
And of course the number 40 is a
Number that comes up a lot in the bible
There is some value to the number 40. Of course. Jesus, uh was in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights as he fasted
So was moses so was elijah
The the children of israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years the number 40 comes up a lot but
God chose for jesus to be on this earth for 40 days
In his glorified body and to appear to certain believers at certain times sporadically
This was a transitional period and I I want you to get that because the ascension just kind of ends
That transition and the ascension is important because of the fact that if jesus would have just kind of appeared
Here appeared there and just kind of appeared a few times and it just kind of trickled down
There really would not have been a finality to it
There wouldn't have been an end to it
The the beautiful thing about the ascension where he gathered the disciples together and he ascended up to heaven
He went back to heaven
Uh, and they visually physically saw that is that it brought an end a definitive end to that
Transitional period in which he was walking on the earth after the resurrection for 40 days
Just another thing for you to kind of and I realize tonight
It's maybe more of a bible study, but it's Wednesday nights. I think that's what we're supposed to be doing. But um,
Just so you can kind of put these uh, this the sequence into in into thoughts if you remember the day of pentecost
Was a celebration that happened 50 days after the passover
So 50 days it's called pentecost in the word penta meaning five or 50 in this case, of course like a pentagon
Right, um, so 50 days after the passover was the day of pentecost and jesus was with them
After passover, obviously, he died passover resurrected. He was with them for 40 days
So he left them really just right before the day of pentecost
Which is what we'll see when he sends them back to jerusalem to prepare for that day
So we have the transition and I hope you understand that period of time those 40 days
The appearances of the risen christ were sporadic the appearances of the risen christ were only to believers
And that time frame lasted for uh, 40 days. That's the transition
number two
Uh, the second word that I want to highlight for you and i'd like you to go to romans if you would romans chapter number
Eight you're there in the book of acts if you just flip over to romans
And do me a favor if you haven't flipped already keep your place in axis
We're going to leave it and we're going to come back to it throughout the sermon. I'd like you to be able to get to it quickly
romans chapter number eight
So
Obviously, we already saw in luke that jesus ascended up to heaven
And the question is where is jesus now
and
What is jesus doing?
And why did jesus go right? Why why even have the ascension and let me just answer that?
For you from the word of god here. Let's begin with this question. Where is jesus in romans 8 and verse 34 the bible says this
Who is he that condemned it?
It is christ that died
Yea, rather that is risen again
Notice this little phrase who is even at the right hand of god who also maketh intercession for us
So the bible very clearly and very consistently tells us that jesus is at the right hand of god
He has taken his place
In the throne room of god sitting at the right hand of god
Uh, and we we would call that he's god's right-hand man, right?
He's uh in heaven sitting at the right hand of the father go to first timothy if you would first timothy chapter number three
Uh, if you can find all the t-books, they're all clustered together first second thessalonians first second timothy titus first timothy chapter three
And look at verse number 16. I just want to show you i'm not going to show you all the verses on the ascension
Because there there's too many and we don't have the time to do it tonight
but i'd like to give you a lot of verses so that you can see how
Much this is spoken of throughout the bible first timothy 3 16
First timothy 3 16 is a verse that we often go to to prove certain things
Usually the deity of christ, but I want you to notice that there's something else in here that proves and talks about the ascension as well
First timothy 3 16 the bible says and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh
Of course, we usually use this verse to show that the fact that god was massive fast in the flesh and that speaks to the
Incarnation the fact that god became flesh
But then the bible says justified in the spirit scene of angels preached unto the gentiles believed out in the world
And I just want you to notice this little phrase receive received up into glory
And this is again a reference to the ascension. He was received up in to glory. He uh ascended in to
Heaven he is now sitting at the right hand of god go to hebrews chapter one
If you're there in first timothy you can go past second timothy titus philemon and then the book of hebrews hebrews chapter number one
And i'd like you to keep your place in hebrews as well if you can keep your place in acts
And then keep your place in hebrews. We're gonna
Be going back and forth to those books
for a little bit hebrews
1 3 hebrews chapter 1 and verse 3 notice what the bible says for being the brightness of his glory
And the express image of his person
And this is of course speaking about the lord jesus christ
And upholding all things by the word of his power
And I just want you to notice that the bible is telling us here that this is jesus. I don't you can read
the the two verses before that
If you don't believe that or you don't trust me
But it's a reference to jesus and it tells us that he is upholding all things by the word of his power
And of course, we know that he is the creator, but he is also the sustainer
He is the creator of the universe and he sustains the universe
He is upholding all things by the word of his power when he had himself purged our sins
That's a reference to the cross notice when he had by himself purged our sins
Sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high
So the bible consistently talks about the ascension the fact that he is sitting on the right hand of the father when he had by himself
Purged our sins and I love this little hebrews 1 3, you know, the bible is so deep
And sometimes we tend to only focus on one thing in a verse and we kind of use this proof text
mentality and I don't have a problem with us having proof text we need proof text but
Realize that there's so much in the bible. For example here
Obviously i'm showing to you the fact that he sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high
But this is a great thought when he had by himself purged our sins
And you know the bible tells us that he did it by himself this idea that uh, well I gotta help him
You know, he did some of it, but I gotta do my part. Isn't that what people tell us outdoor knocking?
Well, I gotta do my part. Well, no, no he had by himself
Purged our sins. He did it in his person, but he also did it by himself
And he sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high go to hebrews chapter 10. Look at verse 12
hebrews chapter 10 and verse 12
Hebrews 10 12 the bible says but this man
Of course referring to jesus he was 10 12, but this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever
sat down
On the right hand of god
So the bible is consistent about this idea that jesus if you want to know where is jesus?
He is sitting at the right right hand of the father. He is ascended into heavenly places. He has taken his place by
God, uh the father but then let's answer this question. Why did he go?
Why would jesus go?
What's the purpose for that and what's the point of that and we could look at a lot of passages tonight?
I'm, not going to do that. But let me just show you a couple things go to john chapter 16
If you kept your place in acts right before actually have the book of john
in john chapter 16
And look at verse number seven
John chapter 16 and verse 7
And like I said, we there's there's a lot more verses than just this one, but i'm just going to show you this one
John 16 7 the bible says nevertheless. I tell you the truth
It is expedient for you that I go away. This is jesus speaking to his disciples
He says I have to go away that is a reference to the ascension
He says for if I go not away
The comforter and the comforter is a reference to the holy spirit
You can study that word out later if you'd like and you'll see that the comforter is the holy spirit
Is the holy spirit
Will not come unto you, but if I depart I will send him unto you
So what we need to understand is that the reason that jesus left was so that he could give us the holy spirit
Because he had to go
in order
for
the holy spirit to to come
and of course jesus
Was with them
But jesus is a man he was 100 god and he's 100 man, but we know that he was physically in a body
And in his physical body, he was unable he spent three years with the disciples literally
physically with them but now he has to
ascend so that he can send the holy spirit of god so that the holy spirit can be
Indwelling every believer and see he left us physically
So that we could be indwelled and every believer could experience and have the presence of the holy spirit and have
The presence of god, uh with them. So why did he go he left to give us the holy spirit
But he also left
So that he can give us spiritual gifts
Go to ephesians real quickly ephesians chapter four you're there in john
Just go past the book of acts romans first second gradients galatians ephesians ephesians chapter four
And look at verse seven
Ephesians four and verse seven the bible says
But unto every one of us is given grace
According to the measure of the gift of christ and I want you to notice that
Unto every one of us is given grace
According to the measure of the gift of christ
We have been given gifts by christ
And according to that measure we've been given a certain amount of grace given to us for those gifts. Look at verse eight
Wherefore he saith
Notice it again
I just want you to see it because I think that you might have
Read the bible a lot before and read all these verses and not realize
That the ascension is being spoken of and being brought up a lot throughout the bible in verse eight
We're told wherefore he saith when he ascended up on high
There's a reference to the ascension
It's actually where we get the term ascension when he ascended up on high. He led captivity captive
And I don't have time to get into that that term and i've preached on that before
But let me just quickly explain that verse if you study that verse when it's brought up not brought up a lot throughout the bible
What is brought up a couple of times the idea is to lead captivity captive is to turn the tables around to
Uh for you to be captive and then the tables have been turned and now you're leading captive what was
Leading you captive and when the bible says here that he led captivity captive
The idea is that he was being held by death and now resurrected
He has the keys of hell and death
He is now leading the captivity that once led him. He led captivity captive notice what the bible says there in verse eight
and gave gifts unto men
Notice verse nine now that he ascended
What is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth and again i'm not preaching on this
I'm, just reading it for you. But here's another verse about about the fact that jesus went to hell
Now that he ascended what is it but that he also descended first before he ascended he descended
Into the lower parts of the earth and the lower parts of the earth is not a reference to a cave
a sepulcher that was hewn out of a stone in jerusalem
All right, the lower parts of the earth the nether parts of the earth
These are all terms used for hell throughout the bible verse 10 he that descended is the same also that ascended up
Far above all heavens that he might fill all things
So I want you to notice the ascension spoken of a lot but here we're told that he gave gifts unto men
So we know that he left so that he could give us the holy spirit and then he also
Gives us spiritual gifts through the holy spirit and I don't want to get into this and spend a lot of time on it
We've studied it before I did a whole series on the holy spirit. I don't know a couple years ago
The bible talks about the fact that there are spiritual gifts
That we have been given and every single saved individual has a spiritual gift
We don't all have the same gift
But we have different gifts and those are given to you by the holy spirit and they are meant to be used
In the ministry and in the work of god, did you know that god wants you involved in ministry?
God wants you involved in the work of god and he's equipped you and given you certain gifts and abilities
And those are given through the holy spirit
They are that we are given grace according to the measure of the gift of christ that he would give gives unto men
So if you want to know why did he go well
He left so that he could send the comforter and when he sent the comforter
Which is the holy spirit along with the holy spirit. He gave us spiritual gifts
Go back to john chapter 14 if you would go back to john
If you kept your place in acts right after right before actually have the book of john john chapter 14
Let's talk about what is he doing
So
In reference to the ascension
We're answering some questions number one, where is jesus we've already stated he is at the right hand of the father
We're asking the question. Why did he go he went to so that he could give us the holy spirit
And so that he could give us spiritual gifts through the holy spirit
And then we got to ask the question. What is he doing?
What is it that jesus is doing?
I want you to notice here in john 14 in verse 1
Jesus said let all your hearts be troubled you believe in god believe also in me
In my father's house are many mansions. This is of course referring to heaven
If it were not so I would have told you I go
to prepare
a place for you
If you were wondering what is it that jesus is doing in heaven?
He's obviously sitting at the right hand of the father. He's obviously sustaining the universe through his power
But there's actually some things that he has accomplished and he is doing and what he is doing is number one
He is preparing a place
The bible says that he goes to prepare a place for you verse three
And if I go and prepare a place for you
I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there he may be also so he is in heaven
Preparing a place for you what that means exactly. I don't know i'm not a hundred percent sure what that means
Obviously
God jesus is god
He can speak whatever into existence but the bible tells us that he's in heaven preparing a place for you
And what I like I like to think that he you know
He's preparing certain things for you and for me and certain things that he wants us to have and certain
Rewards that we might get in heaven. So here's what we know
We don't know exactly what it all entails
But we know that heaven is going to be more wonderful than anything that you can imagine
Heaven is going to be greater than anything you've ever seen and here's what I know if you ask the question
What is jesus doing right now? He is preparing a place
He's preparing a place
But that is not the only thing he is doing
Not only is jesus preparing a place
But I want you to notice go to romans. You're there in acts
Or if you're in john go past the book of acts into the book of romans
He's preparing a place
And then I want you to also understand that he is pleading your case
In romans 834 the bible says who is he that condemneth?
It is christ that died yea rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of god notice this phrase who also
Maketh intercession for us
Jesus is sitting
At the right hand of the father
Because he is making intercession for us. He is preparing a place and he is pleading your case
He's preparing a place and he's making intercession on your behalf. Go back to hebrews hebrews chapter 9
hebrews chapter 9
verse 24 hebrews 9 24 says for christ
Is not entered into the holy place made with hands
Which are the figures of the true
But into heaven itself
notice
Now to appear in the presence of god for us
The bible tells us that jesus is in heaven and he is pleading our case. He is our mediator
He is our advocate. He is our attorney if you will go to first john chapter number two first
John chapter number two you're there in hebrews you go past james into first and second peter
And then first john first john chapter number two
First john chapter two in verse one the bible says my little children
These things write i am to you that you said not
and if any man sin
Notice what the bible says
We have an advocate with the father
Jesus christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the sins
Of the whole world. So if you all know what it is that jesus is doing
He's not in heaven just simply relaxing or just waiting until it's time for him to come back. He is up there working
He's preparing a place. He's pleading our case. He's our advocate. He is our intercessor
He is making intercession, uh for us. He is helping us in other passages
I won't take the time to go there. In fact, please go go back to acts acts chapter one in other passages
We are told that
He is our suckerer. The bible tells us in hebrews that we have not an high priest
Which uh is not touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He understands us and as a result
He is helping us. He is ministering to us. He is leading us and guiding us
He's praying for us. Look the bible tells us that the devil is the accuser of the brethren
The bible tells us that the devil is going to and fro on this earth
But we also know from the book of jobe that he goes up to heaven and he accuses the brethren and look when you and I sin
And this is what
John is telling us
He I'm not telling you this to excuse your sin my little children these things write unto you that you said not
It'd be better if you don't sin
But here's what I know about you and here's what I know about me that we're sinners
And if any man sin we have an advocate with the father
And you know the devil is up there and he's accusing the brethren and every time you mess up and every time I mess up
We may be giving the devil an opportunity to go up to heaven and throw it in god's face and say look what they're doing
Look what they did last night. Look where they went
Look what they they they got themselves into and he's accusing the brethren
But i'm here to tell you something that we have an advocate with the father up in heaven
Pleading our case and every time the accuser the brother who shows up and wants to accuse you that advocate the lord
Jesus christ shows up as your representative
as your attorney
And when the devil says look at that sin, jesus shows up and says it's been paid
It's clear
It's gone. We have an advocate with the father. He is interceding on our behalf. He is praying on our behalf
He is, uh helping us so he's up there
Preparing a place and pleading our case
Until the day that he returns
Go to acts chapter number one
Let me give you the third word tonight
The first word is transition
We know that there was a transitional period between the resurrection and the ascension it lasted 40 days
The appearances of the risen christ were sporadic and they were only to believers
Then there was an ascension
There was a finalizing of jesus's ministry upon this earth. He ascended up to heaven
And he went to the right hand of the father
He left so that he could give us the holy spirit
And so that he could give us spiritual gifts through the giving of the holy spirit
And if you want to know what he's doing in heaven, he is preparing a place and he's pleading our case
Then the third word is this and it is commission
commission
In act chapter one in verse eight
We see another passage in scripture where we see the ascension of christ
But act chapter one in verse eight is not known for the ascension of christ. It is known for the commission
or the great commission
And that's fine because the ascension and the commission are connected
in the sense that
Right before jesus left we know that he lifted up his hands and blessed them as he departed out of their sight
But right before he left he left them with a commission
Acts chapter 1 verse 8 the bible says but ye shall receive power. This is jesus speaking
After that, the holy ghost has come upon you
And he shall be witnesses
Notice how it's not an option
If you want
If you can roll out of bed on a saturday morning, that's not what it says
And he shall be witnesses unto me
Both in jerusalem and in all judia and in samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth
And when he has spoken these things while they beheld notice the ascension he was taken up
And a cloud received them out of their sight
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up behold two men stood by them in white apparel
Which also said even of galley why send you gazing up into heaven this jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall
so come in like manner
As you have seen him go into heaven
I want to highlight that for you because that's important
The angels told the disciples
The way that he left is how he will come back
They said this same jesus which was taken up from you into heaven
Shall so come in like manner
That's what the bible says in revelation
The bible says that he's going to come in the clouds behold
He cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him and all kindreds of the earth
Show well because of them so don't let some clown on youtube tell you, you know, i'm jesus
Or I saw jesus or I met jesus because the bible says that he's going the the way that he left this same jesus
Which is taken up from you into heaven. So
Shall so come in like manner he left in the clouds. He's coming in the clouds
He ascended in the clouds and he is descending in the clouds, but from here till then
He left us a commission
Now it's interesting to me
because
The same commission we see here in acts 1a
But you shall receive power after the holy ghost has come upon you and you shall be witness to them to me both in
Jerusalem and in judia and in samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth. It's the same thing that is highlighted
at the end of luke
Right before the ascension of christ. So in acts 1 8 we have the great commission
And then acts 1 9 we have the ascension if you go back to luke keep your finger there in acts
We're going to flip back and forth go back to luke 24
And luke 24
In verses 47 and 48 and 49
You have the commission
And in verses 50 51
52 and 53 you have the ascension
Let me just point out the similarities for you
Look at verse 45 just to get the context luke 24 45
Then open he their understanding that they might understand the scriptures and he said unto them
Thus it is written and does it behoove christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day
I want you to notice first of all, there's a plan look at it in verse 47
and that repentance
And remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations beginning at jerusalem
You say what is the plan?
What is the plan that we're supposed to be?
executing that repentance
Notice it doesn't say repentance of your sins
Repent simply means to turn from and when it comes to salvation we turn from unbelief to belief
Or the wrong belief to the right belief
That repentance and remission. What does the word remission mean? It means the cancellation of a debt
It means that something has been canceled you used to owe now
You don't owe that repentance and remission of sins should be preached
Preached in his name among all nations beginning at jerusalem
Now notice how that's similar to acts 1 8 look at acts 1 8 real quickly
But you shall receive power after that the holy ghost has come upon you and you shall be witnesses unto me
Notice what he says both in jerusalem
luke 24 47 among all nations beginning at jerusalem acts 1 8 both in jerusalem and in all judia and in samaria
And unto the uttermost part of the earth you say what is the plan the plan is that repentance and remission of sins?
Should be preached starting at jerusalem and then going out into judia
Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth that is the plan
He left
And he said look I can only be with with a few of you
I can be with 12 of you. I can be with 500 of you
Maybe at one time but what we need to do is we need to reach the world
He says the plan is to start right here in jerusalem
And then go out to judia and go out to samaria and go out to the uttermost part of the earth
He says among all nations beginning at jerusalem
And for that reason he said i've got to ascend that I might send the holy spirit and the holy spirit will
Indwell you so that you can go
into the world
That's the plan
You say that sounds like a nice plan
Well, who's supposed to do it? Well notice what jesus says
in luke 24 48
In verse 47, we have the plan in verse 48. We have the personnel
Luke 24 48 and ye are witnesses of these things
He says here's the plan and you're gonna do it
He says here's the plan and here's what I want you to do and you are witnesses of these things notice
How this matches acts 1 8 look at it again acts 1 8, but ye shall receive power after that
The holy goes to come upon you and ye shall be
witnesses unto me
Now he's told him. Hey, you have seen the resurrected christ
You saw me die and you see me alive. You are witnesses of these things. I want you to go out into jerusalem
I want you to go out into samaria into juda and into the uttermost parts of the earth with this message
And if you read the book of acts you'll notice that that's exactly what they did
They went out into the city of jerusalem and they said we have seen the risen savior
We have seen jesus. He is lord. He is christ. He is the son of god and they preached jesus
Unto their community. They were witnesses, but let me tell you something. This is not just for them
He says ye are witnesses and he's speaking to all christians
Amen
You say I wasn't there when jesus died. I wasn't there to see him rise
But you know what? I was there when he saved my soul
And I may not have witnessed
The resurrected christ, but I witnessed salvation
My faith in him and the word of god and I can now serve as a witness to go out and let others know
Amen
And you know for those of you who just refuse to be soul winners
Let me just say it as plainly as I can you're selfish
I don't understand this idea how somebody would say well
I was a sinner on my way to hell and somebody gave me a free gift
They told me that I could be safe. They told me that jesus loved me
They told me that jesus died on the cross for my sin. I received that through faith now i'm safe
But i'm not gonna tell anybody else let them all die and go to hell
I don't know what other word you can use but selfish
See the plan is
That repentance and remissions should be preached to all nations and the personnel is you
And me
He's called us to do it
We see the plan
We see the workers the personnel
I want you to notice lastly the power
Look at luke 24 49
And behold
That's why he had to leave right?
I
Send the promise of my father upon you
But tarry ye in the city of jerusalem
He's referring to the day of pentecost until ye be endued with power from on high
Notice how that matches acts 1 8
But ye shall receive power
After that, the holy ghost has come upon you
And he shall be witnesses unto me
Both in jerusalem and in all judea and in samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth
See the truth is
That he's given us a plan
The beautiful thing about the ascension
Is that it marks two things for us
when he left
And he was caught up in the clouds
And we are waiting for when he returns
And he comes back in the clouds
And the point is this
What are we to do?
between those markers
What are we to do between those points?
Well, I I just want to show it to you real quickly and we're going to finish up acts 1 look at verse 11
Which also said
Remember they saw jesus ascending up to heaven, right?
He said but you shall receive power after that the holy ghost will come upon you and he shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem and in judea and in samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth verse 9
And when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received them out of their sight
And while he looked steadfastly toward heaven
He went up behold and behold, excuse me
Behold two men stood by them in wide apparel, which also said ye men of galilee
I want you to get the picture
I want you to understand it. Jesus is talking to them. He led them out
He lifted up his hands. He blessed them and then he says to them but ye shall receive power
After that, the holy ghost has come upon you and he shall be witnesses unto me both in jerusalem
And in all judea and in samaria and into the uttermost parts of the earth literally the last words that we have of christ
Pen down on earth
I'm not saying they're the only they were the last words that he said to them
But they're the last words that we have accounted for and let me tell you something his last words need to become our first priority
Amen
He says go out into jerusalem and in all judea and in samaria and into the wonderful part of the earth
And then when he had spoken these things while they beheld he was taken up and a cloud received them out of their sight
Get the picture. Jesus ascends up
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, I mean isn't this what you'd be doing?
We'd be just looking
He's taking up in a cloud and they're just staring they're just trying to still see him
Maybe they're just seeing a little bit of him and while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up behold two men
Stood by them in wide apparel, which also said ye men of galilee
Don't miss the question. Look at it the gentle rebuke from the angels. Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?
I say why are you standing there?
This jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall come in like manner
As you have seen him go into heaven
This is their way of saying
He just told you what to do
Why why why why are you standing there?
Why standing up gazing into they're literally looking up to heaven
Trying to like still make an image and the question that is asked is why standing gazing up into heaven?
He's told you what to do. Just go do it. You know, this is a question that I want to ask the average christian
The average christian who likes to talk about the hope that we have and the blessed hope and maybe jesus will come back today
I want to ask you the question. Why are you just gazing up into heaven?
He's already told you what to do
He's already told us what to do. He's given us a plan. He has the personnel. He's given us the power
Our job is to make it our priority
To get it done
So we see the transition
We see the ascension
But we see the commission
Because he left in a cloud and he's coming back in a cloud
And between those two markers
We are to go out and spread the good news
Go back to luke 24 real quickly. I just want to read these verses and we'll finish up
95 verses over a year studying the gospel of luke together
We're done right here
Luke 24 50
And he number one led them
Out as far as to bethany
He led them because they were his followers
And he lifted up his hands and blessed them and he came to pass while he blessed them
Then he left them
He was parted from them
And carried up into heaven
And they worshiped him and returned to jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple
praising and blessing god
amen
And you shouldn't write this in your bible
I mean you can if you want to just as a note, but we could add
Right at the end of verse 53 here as a note not as an addition to scripture just as a note for ourselves
to be
continued
Inspire head to now go to prayer. I mean father
Lord we love you. We thank you for your word. We thank you for the bible
We thank you that you allowed us to study this great gospel of luke together
95 sermons
Many weeks many studies
Many thoughts many applications
And lord I pray that you'd use the word in our hearts
That we might say like these men on the road to mayas did not our hearts burn within us
As he opened up to us the scriptures
Lord I pray that you'd help us to draw close to you
And help us to make your last words our first priority
We thank you that jesus is in heaven preparing a place and pleading our case
He's our advocate with the father
He's our protector against the accuser
In the matchless name of christ we pray
Amen
We're gonna have brother rj come up and lead us in a final song. Just want to remind you that on sunday morning
We're starting a brand new sermon series. You should have one of these in your bulletin
Maybe and we're starting a series called helping people reach their full potential
And we're going to talk about how you can reach your full potential how you can help your wife husbands
We're gonna we're gonna i'm gonna teach the husbands how they can help their wife reach their full potential wife
I'm gonna teach you how you can help your husband reach his full potential
we're gonna talk to parents about helping their children reach their full potential we're gonna talk about how to reach your full potential as a
As a church member in a church. I hope you'll get excited about this sermon as we talk about reaching your full potential
I want to encourage you to be here and I want to encourage you to bring a friend invite somebody with you
On sunday morning as we start this brand new series if there's anything we can do for you, please let us know
Why would the rj come up and lead us in a final song?
Man let's grab our sound books and turn to page number 228
Song number 228
We will end the service with I love to tell the story song number 228
228
I want you to think of these words as you sing song number 228
Sing it out on the first. I love to tell the story
of us in things above
of
Jesus and his glory
of
Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
because I know
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do
I love to tell the story
dwell be my theme in glory
to tell the old
Jesus and his love on a second
I love to tell the story
What wonderful it seems
That all the golden fancies
of all the golden dreams
I love to tell the story
So much for me
And that is just a reason
I tell it now to thee
I love to tell the story
dwell be my theme in glory
to tell the old story
of Jesus and his love
I love to tell the story
This pleasant to me
What scenes which I might tell it more wonderfully sweet
I love to tell the story for some have never heard
The message of salvation
From god's own holy wood
I love to tell the story
My theme in glory
You guys are singing well, let's finish strong on the last I love to tell
Sing and firstly to hear it like the rest
And when it seems the glory I sing the new new song
Twill be the old story
That I have loved so long sing it out. I love to tell the story
So
Amen great singing if anyone here has questions about salvation baptism or church membership pastor would be at the door
They would love to talk to you or directly to someone who's trained to do that as well brother matt
Would you dismiss us with a word of prayer?
Say that we
Amen
So