The power of the redemptive story part 2 The Ascension: Mark 16:14-20
It’s been quite a week. Kim Jung Un says he’s suspending any further nuclear trials. North and South Korea are going to enter into conversation. and imagine Donald Trump in the same room as Kim Jung Un. Add to that Lindsay Buckingham guitarist for Fleetwood Mac has been sacked only to be replaced with Neil Finn. Just wrong. That’s what happens when you spend six months in a leaky boat. Please, don’t dream it’s over.
1. His Commission to His followers vv 15-16 15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.
Mark 13:10 10 For the Good News must first be preached to all nations.
Matt 28:18–20 18 “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8 (NLT) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Now you must remember, these words were spoken to inexperienced, untrained, discouraged, fearful, struggling with unbelief followers of Jesus.
Job description – deaconesses…
Christian’s job description – Love the Lord your God…. Love your neighbor…
What does the Lord require of you? Do justice; love mercy; walk humbly with your God. Micah
Matthew 4:19 (NLT) 19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
… you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere
… go and make disciples of all the nations
… “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone…”
Intentional – Go – cliché: “A Ship In Harbour Is Safe, But That Is Not What Ships Are Built For” – John A. Shedd, an author and professor, coined this quote in 1928, in his book Salt from My Attic. (not W G T Shedd)
Inclusive – all the world… everyone: we’re quick to judge…
Instructional – preach the Gospel. It’s good news. You don’t have to convince people – the Holy Spirit does that.
Romans 10:9 (NLT) 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
I’mpowered – 20 And the disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them…
by the Holy Spirit – 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
John 16:7–8 (NLT) 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.
2. His Ascension 19 When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honour at God’s right hand.
Acts 1:9–11 (NLT) 9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
1 Peter 3:18–22
Ascension Day – Thursday 10th May – one of the earliest Christian festivals dating back to the year 68 AD. According to the New Testament, Jesus Christ met several times with his disciples during the 40 days after his resurrection to instruct them on how to carry out his teachings.
The ascension is a vital part of the redemption story. But if you’ve ever tried to explain it to people you get that look that says “right, yep, ok”.
Met with someone this week – so what do you do? What do you believe?…