Joyful Ascent
I can remember it very clearly, as if it were yesterday, though it was 31 years ago. I was seated in a room with nearly 500 elderly people, listening to a presentation of the significance of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. The man speaking was also drawing and elaborate picture with chalk pastels. I had heard many of the “facts” before; I had even heard some of the stories; but, I had never really understood the significance of Jesus ascending into heaven.
As I write this note, it is what western church historians call Ascension Day, the celebration of Jesus being carried or taken up into heaven. (The story is recorded in the books of Mark, Luke and Acts.) I am reminded how on that evening many years ago I came to realize that when Jesus ascended into heaven, it opened the way for me to have a relationship with Him, the living God-man – and nothing has been the same ever since.
Do you believe that Jesus ascended into heaven 40 days after He was crucified and killed? Jesus’ ascent brought great joy to His disciples, though it meant they would never see Him again (Luke 24:52). It was and is great news because it points to the fact that He is going to return. Angels declared in Acts 1:11 that just as Jesus ascended into the clouds, so also one day He would return on the clouds. This means we will get to see Him when He returns.
Jesus ascent means that His life and sacrifice was in fact received by the Father. Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven (Colossians3:1). His ascent was a kind of the seal of approval from heaven. His substitutionary payment for our sin was received. You and I who believe are spiritually free; our accounts are “Paid in Full.”
Jesus’ ascension means that He does in fact always live to intercede for us. (Hebrews 7:25) He’s alive, and He is seated in heaven, and He prays for us! There is no one I would ever want more to pray for me than Jesus. You can rest assured in life when you really understand the intercession of Jesus on your behalf.
Jesus is the first-fruit of a new creation. His resurrection and His new body point to our resurrection and our coming new bodies. And … His ascension points to our ascension, our coming rapture. “The dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
He has ascended! You can know Him today, and you can ascend and be with Him tomorrow. Now, what greater hope is there than that!
Joyful in Christ with you,
Pastor Tom
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THIS WEEKEND:
SUNDAY (May 4)
* 10:00am - ” (Faith) Power and Proclamation Go Hand in Hand” Luke 5:17-26
- Communion
NEXT WEEKEND:
SUNDAY (May 11)
* 10:00am - “A Transformed Life Speaks a Powerful Message “ - Luke 19:1-10
EARLY MORNING PRAYER - Wednesdays 6-7am @ the Church Office - 406 South Huntington Ave.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
“MORE THAN MARRIED” Marriage Conference, hosted by Community of Faith Christian Fellowship (www.cfcfboston.org). May 2-3 Sponsored by: Intimate Life Ministries; Cost: $50 per couple; Location:Christian Pentecostal Church of Newton, 150 Lowell Avenue, Newtonville, MA 02460Conference times: Friday, May 2nd 6:30PM -9:30PM; Saturday, May 3rd 9AM- 3PM (break for lunch)
There will be childcare available for a cost. Email sandrah@cfcfboston.org to register for childcare.
“DISCIPLESHIP COUNSELING” Seminar - with Neil Anderson May 2-3. Sponsored by Covenant for New England
This conference is designed for pastors and ministry and church leaders, and key lay people who have a desire to know and minister the complete freedom we have in Christ.
Location: Leon de Juda; Cost: $50 (includes lunch and dinner)
Friday night 7-9pm; Saturday 9am - 9pm.
#1 Mental Strongholds
#2 The Battle for the Mind The spiritual battle for the mind, and how we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.
#3 Sanctification The sanctification process, the nature of the heart, and the need for repentance.
#4 Discipleship Counseling 1 The theology/rationale of Discipleship Counseling and the inclusion of God as the Wonderful Counselor with attention given to who is responsible for what in the help process.
#5 Discipleship Counseling 2 The actual process of discipleship counseling
#6 Video Presentation of an encourager session. Participants will observe Dr. Anderson lead a clinically depressed lady to liberation in Christ
#7 Dr. Anderson will take participants through the steps of Freedom in Christ.
* Brochures are available at church, or send a reply and I can attach one for you. (This will be good, yet intense.)
