I went to America to convert the Indians; but, oh, who shall convert me?

Transcription

1 I Believe in the Ascension of Christ Rich Nathan February 23-24, 2013 Lent: I Believe Series Acts 1:6-11 I d like to begin today by welcoming our Sawmill Campus, our Lane Avenue Campus, and our East Campus. I d also like to welcome our two campus initiatives in Circleville and Mansfield. We re glad to have you with us! How many of you are familiar with the name John Wesley? John Wesley would be on almost any list of the ten most influential Christians in all of history, ranking alongside of folks like Martin Luther, John Calvin, St. Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas. But Wesley didn t start off as a great man. Instead, Wesley is a great example of what many people call the U-shape life of the Christian. U The U-Shaped Life Let me describe Wesley s life so that you understand this pattern that we see throughout Scripture, that we see exemplified in John Wesley s life, the pattern of the U-Shaped Life. In 1735 Wesley, along with several other men, was invited to leave England and to go to the new British colony of Georgia as a pastor of some of the colonists. When Wesley got to Georgia, having just turned 32, he fell in love with a woman named Sophie, a beautiful 18-year old member of his congregation. But John Wesley was really inhibited, especially around women. He found it difficult to express his affections to Sophie. His inner turmoil was resolved when Sophie eloped with another man. John Wesley reacted in a very mature way by barring her from taking communion at church. He was then sued by Sophie s new husband for defaming his wife s character. This resulted in a Grand Jury indictment of John Wesley on twelve separate counts. The trial dragged out for months and after six months of harassment, Wesley fled Georgia in utter disgrace and failure. He said: I went to America to convert the Indians; but, oh, who shall convert me? He landed back in England in 1738 discredited, uncertain about his faith, uncertain about his future, and two years after this failure failure at love, failure at ministry became the leader of a tremendous revival that was to grown and spread under him for 50 years Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 1

2 The U-Shaped Life is not only found in the life of many Christians, it was modeled to us by Jesus himself. Here s what we read in Philippians 2:5-11: Philippians 2:5-11 In your relationships with one another, have the same attitude of mind Christ Jesus had: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. What we see is Jesus descending to the very depths, leaving heaven, forsaking all the rights of being God the Son, to be made man. And not only being made man, but taking the role of a servant; not only taking the role of a servant, but suffering and dying a humiliating death on the cross. And having hit bottom, being exalted to the highest place in being a name this is above every name. We re in the season of Lent now. This is the second weekend in Lent. Lent is the 40 day period between Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday, the night of Jesus Last Supper. And during this season thousands of us here at Vineyard, along with millions of Christians around the world, are engaged in a process of spiritual spring-cleaning, getting rid of some of the accumulated clutter in our lives. We re engaged in spiritual spring-cleaning, making more room for God. Some of us are abstaining from watching television during this season, others from using social media, others from drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes, eating sweets. We re also trying to engage more positively. Many folks during this season of Lent are choosing to join the church, or join a small group, or to volunteer. I began a series for Lent a few weeks ago from the Apostles Creed, a series that I ve titled I Believe. I m skipping ahead in the Creed past the cross of Christ and his resurrection. I will be picking up those phrases from the Apostles Creed on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. And so today I m moving ahead and discussing the phrase in the Creed that reads: The Apostles Creed I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 2

3 Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit Born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate Was crucified, dead, and buried He descended into hell On the third day he arose again from the dead He ascended into heaven And sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty From there he shall come to judge the living and the dead I believe in the Holy Spirit The holy universal Church The communion of saints The forgiveness of sins The resurrection of the body And the life everlasting. Amen. I ve called today s talk, I Believe in the Ascension of Christ. Let s pray. Now the exaltation of Christ did not end with his resurrection. It wasn t just that Jesus conquered death, he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God. The fact of his ascension The sacrificial Lamb became the conquering Lion of Judah. His crown of thorns was replaced by a crown of gold. His cross of shame was traded for a throne of glory. Dying alone, he now sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty and is worshipped continually by ten thousand times ten thousand holy angels. You know, there are some subjects that we shouldn t talk about except in the context of worship. The ascension of Christ is one of those subjects. We shouldn t just coolly analyze what does it mean that Christ now sits on a throne in heaven and that God has given him a name above every name, that he is surrounded by ten thousand times ten thousand holy angels. There are some subjects that we only ought to talk about in the context of worship. Some subjects that ought to cause us to shout praises to God. That s why I would like to read to you an extended portion of a great old hymn by Charles Wesley, John Wesley s brother, written back in It s titled Hail the Day That Sees Him Rise. Some of you may just want to close your eyes as I read this and allow your hearts to soar as you consider what it is that we Christians believe about the ascension of Jesus Christ. Hail the day that sees Him rise, To His throne above the skies, 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 3

4 Christ, awhile to mortals given, Reascends His native heaven, There the glorious triumph waits, Lift your heads, eternal gates, Christ hath conquered death and sin, Take the King of glory in, Circled round with angel powers, Their triumphant Lord, and ours, Conqueror over death and sin, Take the King of glory in! Him though highest Heav n receives, Still He loves the earth He leaves, Though returning to His throne, Still He calls mankind His own, See! He lifts His hands above, See! He shows the prints of love, Hark! His gracious lips bestow, Blessings on His church below, Still for us His death He pleads, Prevalent He intercedes, Near Himself prepares our place, Harbinger of human race, Alleluia! So we read he ascended into heaven. What is the meaning of his ascension? What does it mean for us? The meaning of his ascension We read in the Creed: He sits at the right hand of God the Father This idea that Jesus sits at the right hand of God is taken right from the Scripture. Here is what we read in Psalms 110:1: Psalms 110:1 The Lord says to my lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 4

5 Now, why is it so significant that the Lord says to my Lord, Sit at my right hand. The book of Hebrews finds great significance in the seated position of Christ. We read in Hebrews 10:11-14: Hebrews 10:11-14 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. What the book of Hebrews is saying is that Messiah Jesus work is a finished work. He is not standing offering sacrifices like the other priests day after day. He sat down because his work was finished. And friend, you do not understand who Jesus is or what he accomplished unless that word finished leaps into your mind. It says in John 19.30, John 19:30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, It is finished. With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. It is finished. There is just one word used in the Greek Tetelestai. Tetelestai Tetelestai. It is written in the perfect tense. It literally means It has been and forever will remain finished. Tetelestai. Never has one word contained so much meaning that this one Greek word, Tetelestai. Think about this. When Jesus died on the cross he was a young man. Traditionally, Jesus age at his death were pegged at 33. The painfulness of death seems to be exponentially increased when the person who dies does not die old and full of years, but dies prematurely as a child, as a young adult, as an adult well-before the natural time of their death. In recent years we ve seen the premature deaths of many celebrities Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse. And among those who hugely affected the world, we think of the murders of John Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Anne Frank. All young people who never got to live into old age. Who never seemed to have finished their race. Jesus died at age 33. Do you ever think about how young he was when he died? 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 5

6 Mohammed lived until age 60. Socrates lived until he was 70. Buddha and Plato lived past 80. Yet this young man who was nailed to a cross at age 33 could look back over the course of his brief life and, in particular, the last six hours of his life and with this one Greek word say It s finished. What other human being can, at age 33, say: It is finished. What person even at age 50, or 60, or 70, or 80 could say: It is finished. Some people have totally misinterpreted this and have interpreted his words as a cry of despair. It s all over. All the dreams of Messianic change have been dashed. My life is now over. None of these thoughts of failure could be further from the mind of Christ. It is finished are not the cry of despair or the cry of disillusionment. This cry was a cry of triumph. It is finished. What was finished? Every last word of prophecy that needed to be fulfilled in Jesus life and supremely in his death is finished. Consider all the Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled on the day of his death: I have been sold, Father, for 30 pieces of silver as the Old Testament said I would. I was betrayed by a friend. I have been judged to be a blasphemer. I have had my beard plucked out. I have been mocked. I have had my clothes taken from me. I have been hung on a tree. From the cross, I have made intercession for many, praying to you, Father, forgive them. I have been thirsty. I have been surrounded by enemies. Not a bone of mine has been broken. Every single Bible passage of prophecy that had to take place in the death of Messiah has been fulfilled. Finished. What was finished? It is finished regarding the Old Testament sacrifices and the need for the continual killing of bulls, goats, rams and lambs that never had the power to remove sin, but only covered it up. No more sacrificial system. No more earthly priests. No more earthly temple. No more need for yearly pilgrimages. It is finished. What was finished? No more wrath of God toward the sin of repentant sinners. No more judgment toward the repentant. No more punishment or penalty toward anyone who comes to Christ in faith. That is all finished with. Now it is pardon. Now is the time of forgiveness. Now is the day of access to God. The whole plan of God has 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 6

7 reached its terminal point. Finished. All the types, all the shadows, they have all found their fulfillment in Christ. Can you imagine this: At age 33 to be able to look up to God and to say I have thoroughly finished the work on earth that you gave me to do. That is what Jesus was saying. We could keep plumbing the depths of this. Never has one word, Tetelestai it is finished and forever will remain finished contained so much meaning as this one word. What is finished? Our attempts to grain God s favor by over anxious activity. No more singing for our suppers. It is finished! It is not Jesus work plus your tears; Jesus work plus your great sincerity; Jesus work plus your vows to do better in the future. It is Jesus finished work period. He sat down. It is done. Friend, do you rejoice in the fact that your King and Priest is now seated? Do you take confidence in the fact that Jesus work is finished? Christianity is good news. This is the difference between Christianity and every other religion and every other philosophy. Christianity equals good news. Every other religion, every other philosophy is good advice. Advice is something you need to do in order for it to work. News is something that already happened. You don t have to do anything; everything has been done by Jesus. You simply need to trust in the work of Christ. You simply need to rest on the work of Christ. You need to rely on the work of Christ. It is a finished work. He sat down! The Creed goes on and says: and sits at the right hand of God. Jesus sits at the right hand of God We read in Psalms 110:1: Psalms 110:1 The Lord says to my lord: Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. In the Bible to sit at someone s right hand means to sit at their right side which in the ancient world was a position of prominence, a position of favor. In the ancient world, if you were hosting a party and you sat someone next to you on your right side, you were saying: This is the honored guest of the party. This is the place of recognition and prestige. This is where Jesus is seated at God s right hand. Ephesians 1:18-21 I pray also that the eyes of your heart maybe enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 7

8 the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. What does it mean that Christ is seated at the right hand of God far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that can be given not only in the present age, but also in the one to come? To sit at God s right hand means: Jesus converts, preserves and protects us So often we Christians don t really understand what the Christian life is about at all because we don t grasp the power of Christ at work on our behalf. We put bumper stickers on our cars and I am not criticizing anyone who may have this bumper sticker on their car, but you see the bumper sticker that says: Christians aren t perfect, just forgiven. But that s not really the description of the Christian life. The Christian life is not just trying to convince yourself that you re forgiven and then moving on as best as you can. Look at this again with me in Ephesians 1: Paul says: Ephesians 1:19-21 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that can be invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. The Christian life becomes really exciting; the Christian life escapes from being constantly dragged down by our own inconsistencies and weaknesses, fears and doubts when we begin to grasp by faith the ascension of Jesus Christ and his incomparably great power for us, who believe. Where has Christ s power been shown? You see, if we just consider ourselves in our natural state, there is no way that you or I would ever follow Jesus. Look at this description of you and me in our natural states in Ephesians 2: Ephesians 2:1-3 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 8

9 following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. There is no way that a dead person can be converted just by hearing a sermon even if it is really a good sermon. You can t convert a dead woman by loving her, sharing the gospel with her, coming alongside of her with kindness and offers of childcare. Paul says we are dead! And not only are we dead, but stacked against us receiving the gospel is also the power of the world with all of its seduction and all of its false messages. What will convert a dead person, who also is enslaved by culture and habit? And on top of that we have a spiritual enemy, Paul says, that blinds our eyes and keeps us deaf to the claims of Christ? How can a dead, deaf, blind, enslaved person ever be converted? The only way that you or I could have ever been converted was by the incomparably great power of the ascended Christ. Friends, do you understand that it took as much of God s miracle working power to convert you even if you were raised in a Christian family and brought to church as an infant, as it did to convert me, who was raised in a secular Jewish family, or to convert a person sitting in a prison cell because of a felony charge? We were all born dead spiritually out of touch with God, unable to connect with him. Do you understand; do you appreciate the fact that the only reason you are a Christian is because of the ascended Christ s power and that it took as much power to make you a Christian even if you were raised in church as it takes to convert an orthodox Muslim or Hindu or atheist. Is it any wonder that you might live in the shallows and have a hard time really worshipping, or celebrating the utterly amazing fact of your salvation, if you thought: well, I m just naturally a Christian and you don t understand how far you were from God in your natural state. And God s power displayed in Christ s ascension is not only available to convert you, but to preserve you safe for his kingdom. You and I would not last an hour as a Christian were it not for the ascended Christ s power at work in our lives. Apart from the power of God, our situation would be utterly hopeless, if we had to rely on nothing but our own strength and our own wisdom. This is everywhere in Scripture. Or consider 1 Jn 4:4: 1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. Or 1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 9

10 inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. There is no way we could keep going on our own. But the ascended Christ has all power. He sits in the place of prominence. That s why we are able to be sustained as Christians. And not just individually, but it is the power of Christ that has sustained the whole church through the ages. In The Everlasting Man, The Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton GK Chesterton describes what he calls the five deths of the moments moments in Western history when Christianity seemed doomed to perish entirely, or else fade the margins of life. Chesterton says it would have been natural for the faith to decline and fall with the Roman Empire with all the barbarian hordes that swept in. Civilization collapsed. Everyone thought Christianity would go with it. But the church didn t die. It would have been natural for Christianity to disappear as the armies of Islam conquered the ancient homeland of Christianity in the Middle East and marched across North Africa and into Europe. But the church continued. It would have been natural for Christianity to dissolve along with the end of feudalism and the end of the reign of the church. But the end of the Middle Ages didn t kill the church. It would have been expected that with the rise of the enlightenment and revolutions and the sacking of churches, and the killing of priests, that the church would disappear. But the church didn t disappear. It would have been expected with the rise of communism and fascism and totalitarian governments that Christianity would have been swept into the dust bin of history. What has converted and preserved the church? The power of the ascended Christ, who sits at the right hand of God. What else does Jesus do at God s right hand? Jesus prays for us Here is what we read in Psalms 110:4: Psalms 110:4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 10

11 The power of Jesus priesthood, the effect of his prayers for us, his sacrifice, his representation of his people to God, and his representation of God to us the power of Jesus priesthood is not based on who his great-grandfather was back fifty generations. Jesus priesthood is not a matter of physical membership in a certain tribe. The power of Jesus priesthood was due to his own intrinsic person, what the author of Hebrews calls in Heb. 7.16, the power of an indestructible life. Hebrews 7:16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. What does that mean? Jesus, our high priest, is immortal unlike all the Jewish priests throughout the Old Testament who were mortal. Every other Jewish priest served for a period of time, then they died and disappeared from the scene. Jesus our high priest died, but then he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. His priesthood lasts forever. His life and intercession on behalf of everyone who turns to him can never be destroyed. Friend, do you understand why it is that a person who has fully surrendered their lives to Christ and who has been born again by God s Spirit will certainly inherit eternal life? Do you know why it is certain that if you have truly trusted in Christ for salvation you will absolutely be saved on the Day of Judgment? Your security before God, and my security before God, is based upon Jesus eternal priesthood. Here is what Hebrews 7:24-25 says: Hebrews 7:24-25 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. In other words his prayers for you will never be ended. I think of Jesus prayers for his people. On the night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus predicted that all of his followers would deny him. And everyone said, Not me, Lord, not me including Peter. Here is what Jesus said: Luke 22:31-32 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. The only reason Peter turned around after denying Jesus three times was because of Jesus prayers. The only reason you and I may turn around after we stumble and fall is because we have a priest right now in heaven praying for us. The only reason your faith doesn t collapse with every crushing disappointment in life, the only reason you keep 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 11

12 going despite tragedies and setbacks and doubts and our own unanswered prayers is Jesus prayers for us. Your prayers may be unanswered, but Jesus are always answered. And its not just Jesus prayer for you. Jesus adds his prayers to every mother s prayer for their child. Jesus adds his prayers for every wife and husband s prayer for their spouse. Jesus adds his prayers to your prayers for a friend or a girlfriend or a boyfriend. His fingers can never be pried off of your life. He has a grip on you that is eternal, if you ve turned to him in faith and repentance. Your salvation is as eternal as his priesthood. Do you thank God, those of you who have turned to Christ in faith and repentance; do you thank God that you are not being kept by your own efforts, but by the eternal priesthood of Jesus? Do you thank God that if you belong to him you may stumble, but you will never stay down because Jesus, your eternal priest, will come to your aid? Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Friend, your confidence before God is never based on you saying: I am able. It is based on you being able to say: He is able! Christ is able because he sits at the right hand of God and never ceases to pray for you and me. Friend, do you ever say to yourself: I could never save someone like me. I could never save someone like my loved one? My prayers could not save someone like me or my loved one? My persuasion could not impact my loved one. Thank God for the ascended Christ and his prayers. And as ascended Lord, Jesus gives gifts to us Ephesians 4:7-8 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people. Jesus was raised from the dead by the power of the Spirit. He ascended into heaven by the power of the Spirit. And the final activity of Jesus is to pour his Spirit out upon people from heaven and give us spiritual gifts. Jesus whole life his death, resurrection and ascension is all under the leadership and empowering of the Holy Spirit. That s why he is called Christ. Christ is not Jesus last name. Christos is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah which means anointed one. Jesus was the one who was anointed to be the bearer of the Holy Spirit. And when people become Christians, Jesus 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 12

13 invites them into his Holy Spirit anointed community. Christ, who is the bearer of the Spirit, pours out his Holy Spirit on human beings and we become the bearers of the Spirit in the world. Apart from the Holy Spirit, we Christians have nothing. The book of Acts communicates a simple message that apart from the Holy Spirit, we Christians have nothing, are nothing and can do nothing. Our coming to Jesus is the product of the Holy Spirit. Our Christian growth is a result of the Holy Spirit, our unity in the church is created by the Holy Spirit. Our evangelism is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Our knowledge of God s word is a result of the Holy Spirit. Our hearing from God, our healing, our casting out of demons, the restoration of marriages and families, our insight into the things of God, our servanthood, our Christian character. It all comes from the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is life in the Spirit. Back in the 13 th century there was a German emperor named Frederick the Second who wanted to know what language children would speak if no one ever spoke to them. The term experience is very appropriately and deliberately used by Fee because throughout the New Testament the Holy Spirit is not presented to us simply as a doctrine to be added to the end of a creed. The reason that Christianity has so little real impact on the way that Christians live is because for many Christians, Christianity is simply presented as a series of propositions to be believed. What does it mean to be a Christian? For many people it simply boils down to whether you can put a check next to certain propositions in the Apostles Creed? Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth? Check. Do you believe in Jesus Christ, God s only Son, our Lord? Check. Do you believe that Christ was crucified under Pontius Pilate? Check. Do you believe that Christ rose from the dead? Check. Do you believe he ascended into heaven? Check. Many of us have been told that if you believe these things, your life will change. But then we look at our lives and we say, But my life hasn t changed. What s wrong? There is more to Christianity than something to believe. There is also someone to receive, someone to experience. A Christian is someone who has received the Holy Spirit. Biblical Christianity goes beyond creeds and beyond propositional statements. It involves the experience of the Holy Spirit. You need to experience the Spirit and his gifts. There is a growing hunger inside of people for experience. Some of you have sought spiritual experiences through other religions, or through non-christian spirituality. People have gone into the woods, and pounded drums, sat in sweat lodges and then jumped into icy water. Why? Because they wanted some kind of experience. People want to feel something. Some of us have sought experiences through some sort of altered state of consciousness or the use of alcohol or drugs. Maybe you sought experience through 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 13

14 ever-more exotic sexual practices. Many seek near-death experiences through cliffjumping, rock climbing without rope, paragliding, wing-suit flying, and extreme snowboarding. What the Christian faith offers is an experience! Not just a creed, but an experience of God through the Holy Spirit and his gifts! This begins by you inviting the Spirit to live in your life when you surrender your life to the ascended Christ. Paul says in Ephesians 4 that the reason why we in the church today can receive spiritual gifts like prophecy, tongues, and messages of wisdom and messages of knowledge, healings, and miracles is because Christ is seated at the right hand of God as a conquering King and General. He is engaged in this triumphal march in which he freely distributes gifts to those who will receive them. Friends, the Christian life is a U-Shaped Life. Humiliation always precedes exaltation. We go through failure, sickness, disappointments, disease, heartbreak, persecution. There is only one reason why when a Christian is knocked down that they don t stay down and that s because Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. And friends, in that exalted place he preserves us, he protects us, he prays for us, and he pours out his Spirit and gives us his gifts. If you ve been knocked down, do not stay down. Today allow Christ to lift you up and to use you for his glory. Let s pray Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 14

15 I Believe in the Ascension of Christ Rich Nathan February 23-24, 2013 Lent: I Believe Series Acts 1:6-11 I. The fact of his ascension II. The meaning of his ascension A. Jesus sits B. Jesus sits at the right hand of God 1. Jesus converts, preserves and protects us 2. Jesus prays for us 3. Jesus gives gifts to us 2013 Rich Nathan VineyardColumbus.org 15