“Ascension – Going to the Father”.

The Topic of the Service of 12^th May 2013, at St. Margaret's UCZ Church was entitled: “Ascension – Going to the Father”.

Preacher:  Mr Harrison Mukanga

Scripture Reading:   Psalm 47: 1 – 9

                                     Acts 1: 1 – 11

                                     Luke 24: 44 – 53

SERMON SUMMARY

The three scriptures that we have just read are the basis of the theme of our service, which is: “Ascension – Going to the Father”. To ascend means to go up or to be elevated to a higher level.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 David looks at the victory of Jesus of how he has conquered the world. This victory has brought a lot of joy throughout the universe.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 we read that Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. He instructed them to go to Jerusalem and not leave it and wait for the gift that the Father has promised, which they have heard him speak about. “For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

In Luke 24: 44 – 53 we read that when the disciples heard that Jesus has died they were very afraid and they remained in one room, fearing to go out and face the wrath of the Jews.

Jesus then appeared to them and told them that “The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  You are witnesses of these things.  I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” He then ascended to Heaven and they were filled with joy.

Jesus did not go straight to heaven after his death but stayed on with his people for 40 days so as to familiarise them with the scripture that says that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and King of Kings.

In Psalm 47: 1 – 9 the Jews were delighted that the Messiah was going to restore their earthly kingdom, but they did not understand the reason of his coming.

In Acts 1: 1 – 11 the angel of the Lord told the disciples that “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

They then went to Jerusalem with great joy to wait for the promised gift of the Holy Spirit.

What does the Ascension mean to you and me today?

1.       The Ascension Is Unifying Factor

If Jesus did not ascend to heaven our gathering here at St. Margaret’s Church would be meaningless. Jesus has gone to prepare” mansions” for us in heaven. When he comes back he will take us up and live in these mansions forever.

1 Peter 3: 8 we are told that we should be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  This ascension should, therefore, bring us together.

2.       It Rekindles Our Hopes and Desires

In John 14: 13 Jesus says: “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We shall receive the best that God has to give us. In heaven there is no suffering as we are experiencing here on earth.

Our hope and trust should remain in us because he ascended to his Father to prepare a place for us. We are not orphans as we have a Father who is in heaven.

What joy do we have today? We have the joy because our Lord has conquered the world. This joy is of divine possession.

3.       It Invigorates The Spirit of Prayer In Us

What he has told us will come to pass. Matthew 21:22 says “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer" because we are worshiping a living God whose promises shall come to pass.

Our hope and desire must be based on the fact that Jesus has risen and ascended to heaven. Because of the ascension we know our destiny.

AMEN!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: (From the Church's Weekly Bulletin)

THE ASCENSION 

“And He lifted His hands and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up to heaven”. 

Whether or not we believe the legendary lifting off from Mount Olive is immaterial: What matters is the willing acceptance that He, in some fashion, departed; and if a heaven is somewhere in the sky seems rather implausible to some in this age, that need not affect our faith in a real elsewhere, even thong it lacks any kind of geography. 

So let the myth stand for what it signifies: time after all, is an adjunct of space, but eternity exists outside of time and space we may not need now to picture literal feet vanishing into a literal cloud; but we are much impoverished if we cannot still pin our trust on His actual return to His Father’s house, and hope ourselves to follow Him home.

To which end therefore, let us hold fast and fondly to that last moment, glimpsing the farewell: the green hill on a spring morning; and Him extending scarred hands in benediction, leaving His space with us forever as He fades from sight.

 

Adapted from:  John Reeves.  A Book of Hours, William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, Michigan/Cambridge UK, 2001, pp. 65-63 

AMEN!