[00:00:00] Let us pray, Grant together on our knees. Let us pray, Grant together on our knees.
[00:00:14] When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, oh Lord, ever see all the need.
[00:00:27] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of harvest international.
[00:00:33] Our prayer is that the Bible Speaks will encourage you in your study of God's Word.
[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast and now here's Elgin.
[00:00:45] And being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father
[00:00:54] which he said you have heard from me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
[00:01:06] Therefore when they had come together they asked him saying, Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom of Israel?
[00:01:16] And he said to them, it is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in his own authority.
[00:01:25] But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me in Jerusalem and in Al-Judaya and Samaria and to the end of the earth.
[00:01:39] Now when he has spoken these things while they watched, he was taken up and the cloud received him out of their sight.
[00:01:48] Acts chapter 1 verses 4-9.
[00:01:53] Brothers and sisters, once again I have welcomed you in the name of our risen Savior Jesus Christ.
[00:02:00] And today is the final date that we are discussing post-resurrection. It is the ascension.
[00:02:10] The ascension of Jesus Christ occurring 40 days after his resurrection stands as a pivotal event in Christian theology, marking the culmination of his earthly ministry and his return to the Father in heaven.
[00:02:28] This moment detailed in the acts of the Apostles and alluded to in the Gospels signifies not only the glorification of Jesus but also sets the stage for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church.
[00:02:45] The ascension is more than a historical or physical event. It is a milestone that underscores Jesus's divine nature and his exaltation.
[00:02:59] By ascending to heaven Jesus fulfills his mission on earth having overcome death through his resurrection.
[00:03:08] This act confirms his identity as the Son of God sitting at the right hand of the Father, a position denoting power, authority and honor.
[00:03:19] The ascension therefore is not merely a departure but a transition to a new mode of presence and activity of Jesus in the world.
[00:03:29] It marks the end of his physical appearances and the beginning of his reign over heaven and earth, interceding on behalf of humanity.
[00:03:40] For the disciples, the ascension was both a moment of awe and a call to mission.
[00:03:46] While they may have initially felt abandonment, Jesus's departure was necessary for the coming of the Holy Spirit whom he had promised as their advocate and guide.
[00:03:59] The ascension shifted the focus from Jesus' physical presence to a spiritual presence that would empower them to carry out the Great Commission.
[00:04:09] The disciples had the gospel to all corners of the earth. This event transformed the disciples from followers and to leaders, charged with the foundation of the early church.
[00:04:20] It signified the transfer of responsibility from Jesus to His disciples, now apostles, to continue his work through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[00:04:31] Jesus's ascension is a cornerstone of Christian doctrine, affirming Jesus's divinity and His current reign as Lord.
[00:04:41] It is central to the understanding of Jesus as the mediator between God and humanity advocating on our behalf.
[00:04:50] Jesus has inaugurated the kingdom through His life, death and resurrection but its full realization awaits His second coming.
[00:05:00] The ascension therefore is a promise of hope and future glory for believers, affirming that we too will be raised and glorified with Christ.
[00:05:11] Finally, the ascension also profoundly impacted Christian liturgy and ecclesiology.
[00:05:19] It is celebrated as ascension day, 40 days after Easter, highlighting its importance in the liturgical calendar.
[00:05:30] The event has inspired countless works of art, hymns and prayers reflecting the significance in Christian worship and devotion.
[00:05:39] From the ecclesius side, the ascension underscores the role of the church as the body of Christ on earth.
[00:05:47] Call to live out the values of the kingdom of God and to witness to Christ's Lordship through service, worship and proclamation.
[00:05:58] Jesus ascending to heaven and the Holy Spirit coming down to dwell in us and not among us is the power that we need to go and share the gospel with everyone that we encounter.
[00:06:15] That we should not have fear for if God be with us who can be against us.
[00:06:22] I thank you for this time we spent together and I look forward to speaking with you again and until then, God bless.
[00:06:31] I have wandered far away from God.
[00:06:41] This program is cared for by listeners who care, your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air.
[00:06:50] We look forward to hearing from you and invite you to write us at Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478.
[00:07:01] Again, that's Harvest International Post Office Box 6690 Ocala, Florida 34478.
[00:07:20] Never want to roam.