Revised Common Lectionary for Sixth Sunday of Easter, 25 May 2014 & Revised Common Lectionary for Ascension of the Lord Thursday, 29 May 2014

Revised Common Lectionary for Sixth Sunday of Easter, 25 May 2014

PRAYER: Thematic

Mighty God,

in whom we know the power of redemption,

you stand among us in the shadows of our time.

As we move through every sorrow and trial of this life,

uphold us with knowledge of the final morning

when, in the glorious presence of your risen Son,

we will share in his resurrection,

redeemed and restored to the fullness of life

and forever freed to be your people. Amen.

OR

Living God,

long ago, faithful women

proclaimed the good news

of Jesus' resurrection,

and the world was changed forever.

Teach us to keep faith with them,

that our witness may be as bold,

our love as deep,

and our faith as true. Amen.

OR

Creator of the universe,

you made the world in beauty,

and restore all things in glory

through the victory of Jesus Christ.

We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured

by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,

the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,

to the glory of your name. Amen.

Intercessory

O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection,

teaching them to love all people as neighbors.

As his disciples in this age,

we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe

in which we are privileged to live

and our neighbors with whom we share it.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Open our hearts to your power moving

around us and between us and within us,

until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy,

in communities transformed by justice and compassion,

and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen.

OR

Holy God,

you have called us to follow in the way of your risen Son,

and to care for those who are our companions,

not only with words of comfort, but with acts of love.

Seeking to be true friends of all,

we offer our prayers on behalf of the church and the world.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Guide us in the path of discipleship,

so that, as you have blessed us,

we may be a blessing for others,

bringing the promise of the kingdom near

by our words and deeds. Amen.

OR

Sisters and brothers in Christ,

God invites us to bring our doubts and fears,

our joys and concerns, our petitions and praise,

and offer them for the earth and all its creatures.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Receive these prayers, O God,

and transform us through them,

that we may have eyes to see and hearts to understand

not only what you do on our behalf,

but what you call us to do

so that your realm will come to fruition in glory. Amen.

Scripture

Living and gracious God,

through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

you have brought us out to a spacious place

where we are called to live as those redeemed.

Empower us by your spirit to keep your commandments,

that we may show forth your love

with gentle word and reverent deed

to all your people. Amen.

Lectionary Scriptures for:

*Acts 17: 22 Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus, and said, “You men of Athens, I perceive that you are very religious in all things. 23 For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I announce to you. 24 The God who made the world and all things in it, he, being Lord of heaven and earth, doesn’t dwell in temples made with hands, 25 neither is he served by men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he himself gives to all life and breath, and all things. 26 He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the surface of the earth, having determined appointed seasons, and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 that they should seek the Lord, if perhaps they might reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live, and move, and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also his offspring.’ 29 Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. 30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked. But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.”

Psalm 66: 8 Praise our God, you peoples!

    Make the sound of his praise heard,

9 who preserves our life among the living,

    and doesn’t allow our feet to be moved.

10 For you, God, have tested us.

    You have refined us, as silver is refined.

11 You brought us into prison.

    You laid a burden on our backs.

12 You allowed men to ride over our heads.

    We went through fire and through water,

    but you brought us to the place of abundance.

13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings.

I will pay my vows to you, 14     which my lips promised,

    and my mouth spoke, when I was in distress.

15 I will offer to you burnt offerings of fat animals,

    with the offering of rams,

    I will offer bulls with goats.

Selah.

16 Come, and hear, all you who fear God.

    I will declare what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth.

    He was extolled with my tongue.

18 If I cherished sin in my heart,

    the Lord wouldn’t have listened.

19 But most certainly, God has listened.

    He has heard the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God, who has not turned away my prayer,

    nor his loving kindness from me.

1 Peter 3: 13 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled.”[a] 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear: 16 having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing well than for doing evil. 18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ship was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

Footnotes:

a. 1 Peter 3:14 Isaiah 8:12

John 14: 15 If you love me, keep my commandments. 16 I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor,[a] that he may be with you forever,— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”

Footnotes:

a. John 14:16 Greek παρακλητον: Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, and Comforter.

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John Wesley’s Notes Commentary for:

*Acts 17:22-31

Verse 22

[22] Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Then Paul standing in the midst of the Areopagus — An ample theatre; said - Giving them a lecture of natural divinity, with admirable wisdom, acuteness, fulness, and courtesy. They inquire after new things: Paul in his divinely philosophical discourse, begins with the first, and goes on to the last things, both which were new things to them. He points out the origin and the end of all things, concerning which they had so many disputes, and equally refutes both the Epicurean and Stoic.

I perceive — With what clearness and freedom does he speak! Paul against Athens!

Verse 23

[23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

I found an altar — Some suppose this was set up by Socrates, to express in a covert way his devotion to the only true God, while he derided the plurality of the heathen gods, for which he was condemned to death: and others, that whoever erected this altar, did it in honour to the God of Israel, of whom there was no image, and whose name Jehovah was never made known to the idolatrous Gentiles.

Him proclaim I unto you — Thus he fixes the wandering attention of these blind philosophers; proclaiming to them an unknown, and yet not a new God.

Verse 24

[24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

God who made the world — Thus is demonstrated even to reason, the one true, good God; absolutely different from the creatures, from every part of the visible creation.

Verse 25

[25] Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;

Neither is he served as though he needed any thing — or person - The Greek word equally takes in both.

To all — That live and breathe;-in him we live; and breathe - In him we move. By breathing life is continued. I breathe this moment: the next is not in my power: and all things - For in him we are. So exactly do the parts of this discourse answer each other.

Verse 26

[26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

He hath made of one blood the whole nation of men — By this expression the apostle showed them in the most unaffected manner, that though he was a Jew, be was not enslaved to any narrow views, but looked on all mankind as his brethren: having determined the times - That it is God who gave men the earth to inhabit, Paul proves from the order of times and places, showing the highest wisdom of the Disposer, superior to all human counsels.

And the bounds of their habitation — By mountains, seas, rivers, and the like.

Verse 27

[27] That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

If haply — The way is open; God is ready to be found. But he will lay no force upon man; they might feel after him - This is in the midst between seeking and finding. Feeling being the lowest and grossest of all our senses, is fitly applied to the low knowledge of God; though he be not far from every one of us - We need not go far to seek or find him. He is very near us; in us. It is only perverse reason which thinks he is afar off.

Verse 28

[28] For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

In him — Not in ourselves, we live, and move, and have our being - This denotes his necessary, intimate, and most efficacious presence. No words can better express the continual and necessary dependence of all created beings, in their existence and all their operations, on the first and almighty cause, which the truest philosophy as well as divinity teaches.

As certain also of your own poets have said — Aratus, whose words these are, was an Athenian, who lived almost three hundred years before this time. They are likewise to be found, with the alteration of one letter only, in the hymn of Cleanthes [(Cleanthes (331-232 B.C.) was a disciple of Zeno the Stoic. He considered the universe a living being and said that god was the soul of the universe and the sun its heart.)

Most glorious of the immortals, invoked by many names, ever all-powerful,

Zeus, the First Cause of Nature, who rules all things with Law,

Hail! It is right for mortals to call upon you,

since from you we have our being, we whose lot it is to be God's image,

we alone of all mortal creatures that live and move upon the earth.

Accordingly, I will praise you with my hymn and ever sing of your might.

The whole universe, spinning around the earth,

goes wherever you lead it and is willingly guided by you.

So great is the servant which you hold in your invincible hands,

your eternal, two-edged, lightning-forked thunderbolt.

By its strokes all the works of nature came to be established,

and with it you guide the universal Word of Reason which moves through all creation,

mingling with the great sun and the small stars.

O God, without you nothing comes to be on earth,

neither in the region of the heavenly poles, nor in the sea,

except what evil men do in their folly.

But you know how to make extraordinary things suitable,

and how to bring order forth from chaos; and even that which is unlovely is lovely to you.

For thus you have joined all things, the good with the bad, into one,

so that the eternal Word of all came to be one.

This Word, however, evil mortals flee, poor wretches;

though they are desirous of good things for their possession,

they neither see nor listen to God's universal Law;

and yet, if they obey it intelligently, they would have the good life.

But they are senselessly driven to one evil after another:

some are eager for fame, no matter how godlessly it is acquired;

others are set on making money without any orderly principles in their lives;

and others are bent on ease and on the pleasures and delights of the body.

They do these foolish things, time and again,

and are swept along, eagerly defeating all they really wish for.

O Zeus, giver of all, shrouded in dark clouds and holding the vivid bright lightning,

rescue men from painful ignorance.

Scatter that ignorance far from their hearts.

and deign to rule all things in justice.

so that, honored in this way, we may render honor to you in return,

and sing your deeds unceasingly, as befits mortals;

for there is no greater glory for men

or for gods than to justly praise the universal Word of Reason.] to Jupiter or the supreme being, one of the purest and finest pieces of natural religion in the whole world of Pagan antiquity.

Verse 29

[29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

We ought not to think — A tender expression especially in the first per son plural. As if he had said, Can God himself be a less noble being than we who are his offspring? Nor does he only here deny, that these are like God, but that they have any analogy to him at all, so as to be capable of representing him.

Verse 30

[30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The times of ignorance — What! does he object ignorance to the knowing Athenians? Yes, and they acknowledge it by this very altar.

God overlooked — As one paraphrases, "The beams of his eye did in a manner shoot over it." He did not appear to take notice of them, by sending express messages to them as he did to the Jews.

But now — This day, this hour, saith Paul, puts an end to the Divine forbearance, and brings either greater mercy or punishment. Now he commandeth all men every where to repent - There is a dignity and grandeur in this expression, becoming an ambassador from the King of heaven. And this universal demand of repentance declared universal guilt in the strongest manner, and admirably confronted the pride of the haughtiest Stoic of them all. At the same time it bore down the idle plea of fatality. For how could any one repent of doing what he could not but have done?

Verse 31

[31] Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

He hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world — How fitly does he speak this, in their supreme court of justice? By the man - So he speaks, suiting himself to the capacity of his hearers.

Whereof he hath given assurance to all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead — God raising Jesus demonstrated hereby, that he was to be the glorious Judge of all. We are by no means to imagine that this was all which the apostle intended to have said, but the indolence of some of his hearers and the petulancy of others cut him short.

Psalm 66:8-20

Verse 10

[10] For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Proved us — As it were in a burning furnace; and with a design to purge out our dross.

Verse 11

[11] Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

Net — Which our enemies laid for us.

Verse 12

[12] Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

To ride — To use us like slaves.

Verse 15

[15] I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. /*Selah*/.

I will go — One speaks in the name of all the rest.

Incense — With the fat of rams, which is no less pleasing to God than incense.

Verse 18

[18] If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Iniquity — Any sin.

In heart — If my heart had been false to God, although I might have forborne outward acts. If I had been guilty of that, by heart was set upon sin, or I desired only that which I resolved in my heart to spend upon my lusts.

1 Peter 3:13-22

Verse 13

[13] And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

Who is he that will harm you — None can.

Verse 14

[14] But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

But if ye should suffer - This is no harm to you, but a good.

Fear ye not their fear — The very words of the Septuagint, Isaiah 8:12,13. Let not that fear be in you which the wicked feel.

Verse 15

[15] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts — Have an holy fear, and a full trust in his wise providence.

The hope — Of eternal life.

With meekness — For anger would hurt your cause as well as your soul.

And fear — A filial fear of offending God, and a jealousy over yourselves, lest ye speak amiss.

Verse 16

[16] Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Having a good conscience — So much the more beware of anger, to which the very consciousness of your innocence may betray you. Join with a good conscience meekness and fear, and you obtain a complete victory.

Your good conversation in Christ — That is, which flows from faith in him.

Verse 17

[17] For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

It is infinitely better, if it be the will of God, ye should suffer. His permissive will appears from his providence.

Verse 18

[18] For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

For — This is undoubtedly best, whereby we are most conformed to Christ. Now Christ suffered once - To suffer no more.

For sins — Not his own, but ours.

The just for the unjust — The word signifies, not only them who have wronged their neighbours, but those who have transgressed any of the commands of God; as the preceding word, just, denotes a person who has fulfilled, not barely social duties, but all kind of righteousness.

That he might bring us to God — Now to his gracious favour, hereafter to his blissful presence, by the same steps of suffering and of glory.

Being put to death in the flesh — As man.

But raised to life by the Spirit — Both by his own divine power, and by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Verse 19

[19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

By which Spirit he preached - Through the ministry of Noah.

To the spirits in prison — The unholy men before the flood, who were then reserved by the justice of God, as in a prison, till he executed the sentence upon them all; and are now also reserved to the judgment of the great day.

Verse 20

[20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

When the longsuffering of God waited — For an hundred and twenty years; all the time the ark was preparing: during which Noah warned them all to flee from the wrath to come.

Verse 21

[21] The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The antitype whereof — The thing typified by the ark, even baptism, now saveth us - That is, through the water of baptism we are saved from the sin which overwhelms the world as a flood: not, indeed, the bare outward sign, but the inward grace; a divine consciousness that both our persons and our actions are accepted through him who died and rose again for us.

Verse 22

[22] Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Angels and authorities and powers — That is, all orders both of angels and men.

John 14:15-21

Verse 15

[15] If ye love me, keep my commandments.

If ye love me, keep my commandments — Immediately after faith he exhorts to love and good works.

Verse 16

[16] And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

And I will ask the Father — The 21st verse, John 14:21, shows the connection between this and the preceding verses.

And he will give you another Comforter — The Greek word signifies also an advocate, instructer, or encourager.

Another — For Christ himself was one.

To remain with you for ever — With you, and your followers in faith, to the end of the world.

Verse 17

[17] Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Spirit of truth — Who has, reveals, testifies, and defends the truth as it is in Jesus.

Whom the world — All who do not love or fear God, cannot receive, because it seeth him not - Having no spiritual senses, no internal eye to discern him; nor consequently knoweth him.

He shall be in you — As a constant guest. Your bodies and souls shall be temples of the Holy Ghost dwelling in you.

Verse 18

[18] I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

I will not leave you orphans — A word that is elegantly applied to those who have lost any dear friend.

I come to you — What was certainly and speedily to be, our Lord speaks of as if it were already.

Verse 19

[19] Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

But ye see me — That is, ye shall certainly see me.

Because I live, ye shall live also — Because I am the living One in my Divine nature, and shall rise again in my human nature, and live for ever in heaven: therefore ye shall live the life of faith and love on earth, and hereafter the life of glory.

Verse 20

[20] At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

At that day — When ye see me after my resurrection; but more eminently at the day of pentecost.

Verse 21

[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

He that hath my commandments — Written in his heart.

I will manifest myself to him — More abundantly.

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Sermon Outline – Title: No Harm – No Fear – Yes Hope

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Theme: The follower of Jesus will have no harm to come to them while having no fear as the world has fear, but has hope in the promises of God.

Purpose: The reality that God is fully in control no matter what we go through in this life.

Introduction:

How often do we live in fear for harm for our lives when God says not to? God gives us a way to have hope no matter what our current experiences may be. We come to realize that God is the one we are to fear as we are guided by His Holy Spirit to live the Truth of Jesus’ Words for Holy Living. There are many trials and sufferings that come our way, but God promises to have no harm to us as the world may not understand no harm. He gives us hope in His presence in this life that we will be strengthened us to endure whatever may come our way. We look at God’s Promises even at Jesus’ death He visited the people who were locked in a prison to hear the Message of God for them and for us. We may not be in a prison after death if we embrace the Message Jesus in this life that removes us from the prison of sin to live as servants of Jesus of His Love and Holiness. How often do we struggle with whether or not we are able to endure whatever comes our way when God gives us His Spirit to strengthen us for the long haul or long obedience in His way! Will you come to a relationship with Jesus that we allow to live in the hope that He gives His children? What will it take to realize His promises are true even for our generation and for all generations? I am reminded of the words of Mark Farner in one of his songs that talks about there has been no new temptation that previous generations have not had, but there is a God who allows us to resist temptation to continue enduring in the faith He gives us and grows as we fully obey His Words and Way of Love and Holiness. Come us celebrate in the participation in the Lord’s Supper.

I.      There is no harm that can come to us

A. Even in our suffering, we will have no harm to us.

B. Even if others see harm happening to us, there is really no harm in our spiritual life.

C. God will bring us through al we go through.

II.    There is no reason to fear anything in our lives as others may have fear.

A. We do not have any reason to fear what other people without God fear.

B. God gives us freedom from fear as the world knows fear.

C. Our fear is of God in our disobedience rather than obedience to His way and will.

III.  God gives us hope in his message of salvation for now and for all eternity

A. The hope is in being with Jesus forever after we endure in obedience to him in this life.

B. The hope comes in that Jesus descended to a prison where people who were disobedient to God were placed from before Noah to preach God’s Message of possibly salvation.

C. God gives us hope for this life and the life of eternal life in our embrace Jesus’ Message and obedient to His Laws and Way of Holy Living.

Conclusion: We come to realize that we do have a hope for this life and we should not having fear that harm will comes to us due to our obedience to God’s Way of Holiness. The only fear is of God if we live in disobedience rather than obedience.

Invitation: We are invited to remember the death, resurrection, ascension of Jesus as well as the sending of the Holy Spirit to teach us His truth for Holy Living in coming to the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in eating His Body and Drinking His Blood be represented by the Bread and Wine or Juice. We come singing the Hymn “No Other Life” by Ken Bible

1. No other life,

No other love,

No other comfort or peace

But You who died,

Were crucified.

No other Lord.

No other Lord.

2. No other pride,

No other goal,

No other glory or joy

But You who died,

Were crucified.

No other Lord.

No other Lord.

3. No other holiness,

No other righteousness,

No other worthiness

But You.

Through all eternity

Unchanging love for me;

All my security

Is You.

Benediction: May we go from this place and live the hope that God gives us that we live with no fear of any harm coming to us because of His words.

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Revised Common Lectionary for Ascension of the Lord Thursday, 29 May 2014

PRAYER: Thematic

Risen and ascended Christ,

you surround us with witnesses

and send us the Counselor

who opens our minds to understand your teaching.

Bless us with such grace

that our lives may become a blessing for the world

now, and in the age to come. Amen.

Intercessory

We offer our prayers on behalf

of our neighbors whose needs are known to us.

We pray both for the sisters and brother we know

and for those who are strangers.

Prayers of the People, concluding with:

Open our minds to understand the scriptures, O God,

so that when sin cripples our hope,

we may discover the freedom of your forgiveness;

when suffering and death overtake our lives,

we may know the joy of the risen Christ;

and when we feel abandoned,

we may comprehend the power of the promised Spirit,

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture

Precious love,

your ascended Son promised the gift of holy power.

Send your Spirit of revelation and wisdom,

that in the blessed freedom of hope,

we may witness to the grace of forgiveness

and sing songs of joy with the peoples of earth

to the One who makes us one body. Amen.

Lectionary Scriptures for:

*Acts 1: 1 The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach, 2 until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 To these he also showed himself alive after he suffered, by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking about God’s Kingdom. 4 Being assembled together with them, he commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

6 Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”

7 He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold,[a] two men stood by them in white clothing, 11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Footnotes:

a. Acts 1:10 “Behold”, from “ἰδοὺ”, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

Psalm 47: For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by the sons of Korah.

1 Oh clap your hands, all you nations.

    Shout to God with the voice of triumph!

2 For Yahweh Most High is awesome.

    He is a great King over all the earth.

3 He subdues nations under us,

    and peoples under our feet.

4 He chooses our inheritance for us,

    the glory of Jacob whom he loved.

Selah.

5 God has gone up with a shout,

    Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.

6 Sing praise to God, sing praises.

    Sing praises to our King, sing praises.

7 For God is the King of all the earth.

    Sing praises with understanding.

8 God reigns over the nations.

    God sits on his holy throne.

9 The princes of the peoples are gathered together,

the people of the God of Abraham.

    For the shields of the earth belong to God.

    He is greatly exalted!

Psalm 93: 1 Yahweh reigns!

    He is clothed with majesty!

    Yahweh is armed with strength.

The world also is established.

    It can’t be moved.

2 Your throne is established from long ago.

    You are from everlasting.

3 The floods have lifted up, Yahweh,

    the floods have lifted up their voice.

    The floods lift up their waves.

4 Above the voices of many waters,

    the mighty breakers of the sea,

    Yahweh on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes stand firm.

    Holiness adorns your house,

    Yahweh, forever more.

Ephesians 1: 15 For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, 16 don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 18 having the eyes of your hearts[a] enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might 20 which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. 22 He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the assembly, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Footnotes:

a. Ephesians 1:18 TR reads “understanding” instead of “hearts”

Luke 24: 44 He said to them, “This is what I told you, while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me must be fulfilled.”

45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. 46 He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50 He led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was carried up into heaven. 52 They worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary for:

*Acts 1:1-11

Verse 2

[2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

After having given commandment — In the 3d verse Acts 1:3 St. Luke expresses in general terms what Christ said to his apostles during those forty days. But in the 4th Acts 1:4 and following verses he declares what he said on the day of his ascension. He had brought his former account down to that day; and from that day begins the Acts of the Apostles.

Verse 3

[3] To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

Being seen by them forty days — That is, many times during that space.

And speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God — Which was the sum of all his discourses with them before his passion also.

Verse 4

[4] And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.

Wait for the promise of the Father, which ye have heard from me — When he was with them a little before, as it is recorded, Luke 24:49.

Verse 5

[5] For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost — And so are all true believers to the end of the world. But the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost also are here promised.

Verse 6

[6] When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?

Dost thou at this time — At the time thou now speakest of? not many days hence? restore the kingdom to Israel? - They still seemed to dream of an outward, temporal kingdom, in which the Jews should have dominion over all nations. It seems they came in a body, having before concerted the design, to ask when this kingdom would come.

Verse 7

[7] And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

The times or the seasons — Times, in the language of the Scriptures, denote a longer; seasons, a shorter space.

Which the Father hath put in his own power — To be revealed when and to whom it pleaseth him.

Verse 8

[8] But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

But ye shall receive power — and shall be witnesses to me - That is, ye shall be empowered to witness my Gospel, both by your preaching and suffering.

Psalm 47

Verse 3

[3] He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.

Subdue — He speaks this in the name of the whole church, to which all particular believers were to submit themselves in the Lord.

Verse 4

[4] He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. /*Selah*/.

Chuse — He will appoint and bestow upon us.

Inheritance — The presence and worship, and blessing of God. This God had chosen for the Israelites and resolved to chuse or set apart for the Gentiles.

Of Jacob — Of the people of Jacob or Israel, who are frequently called Jacob, for these did actually enjoy the presence of God in his sanctuary.

Loved — Not for any peculiar worth in them, but for his free love to them, as he declareth, Deuteronomy 7:7,8.

Verse 5

[5] God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.

God — This is meant literally of the ark: but mystically of Christ's ascension into heaven, as may be gathered by comparing this with Ephesians 4:8, where the like words uttered concerning the ark upon the same occasion, Psalms 68:18, are directly applied to Christ's ascension.

Verse 7

[7] For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

The king — Not only ours, but of all the nations of the world.

Sing — Not formally and carelessly, but seriously, considering the greatness of this king whom you praise, and what abundant cause you have to praise him.

Verse 8

[8] God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

The throne — Heaven is often called God's throne, whence God is said to behold and to rule all nations; of which general dominion of God, he here speaks. And Christ sits at his father's right-hand, for that purpose.

Verse 9

[9] The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.

The princes — The Gentiles, who were divided in their principles, and interests, and religions, are now united and gathered together to Christ, laying their scepters at his feet, and jointly owning his worship and service. And altho' he mentions their conversion only, yet the conversion of their people might reasonably be supposed.

Of the God — He doth not say the people of Abraham, lest this should be appropriated to the Israelites; but the people of the God of Abraham who worship the God of Abraham, whether they be Jews or Gentiles.

The Shields — The princes or rulers, who are called shields, Hosea 4:18, because by their office they are the common prosecutors of all their people. These are the Lord's, at his disposal, or subject to his dominion, both as to their hearts and kingdoms.

Exalted — By this means God shall be greatly glorified.

Psalm 93

Verse 1

[1] The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Clothed — That majesty and strength which he always had, he will shew in the eyes of all people.

Moved — He will overrule all the confusions in the world, so that they shall end in the erection of that kingdom of the Messiah, which can never be moved.

Verse 3

[3] The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Floods — The enemies of thy kingdom.

Verse 5

[5] Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Testimonies-Thy promises, which no less than the precepts are God's testimonies, or the witnesses, or declarations of his will to mankind. He seems here to speak of those precious promises concerning the erection of his kingdom in the world by the Messiah.

Holiness — It becometh thy people to be holy in all their approach to thee.

Ephesians 1:15-23

Verse 15

[15] Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Since I heard of your faith and love — That is, of their perseverance and increase therein.

Verse 16

[16] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

I cease not — In all my solemn addresses to God.

To give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers — So he did of all the churches, Colossians 1:9.

Verse 17

[17] That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

That the Father of that infinite glory which shines in the face of Christ, from whom also we receive the glorious inheritance, Ephesians 1:18, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation - The same who is the Spirit of promise is also, in the progress of the faithful, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; making them wise unto salvation, and revealing to them the deep things of God. He is here speaking of that wisdom and revelation which are common to all real Christians.

Verse 18

[18] The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

The eyes of your understanding — It is with these alone that we discern the things of God. Being first opened, and then enlightened - - By his Spirit.

That ye may know what is the hope of his calling — That ye may experimentally and delightfully know what are the blessings which God has called you to hope for by his word and his Spirit.

And what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints — What an immense treasure of blessedness he hath provided as an inheritance for holy souls.

Verse 19

[19] And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

And what the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe — Both in quickening our dead souls, and preserving them in spiritual life.

According to the power which he exerted in Christ, raising him from the dead — By the very same almighty power whereby he raised Christ; for no less would suffice.

Verse 20

[20] Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

And he hath seated him at his own right hand — That is, he hath exalted him in his human nature, as a recompence for his sufferings, to a quiet, everlasting possession of all possible blessedness, majesty, and glory.

Verse 21

[21] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion — That is, God hath invested him with uncontrollable authority over all demons in hell, all angels in heaven, and all the princes and potentates on earth.

And every name that is named — We know the king is above all, though we cannot name all the officers of his court. So we know that Christ is above all, though we are not able to name all his subjects.

Not only in this world, but also in that which is to come — The world to come is so styled, not because it does not yet exist, but because it is not yet visible. Principalities and powers are named now; but those also who are not even named in this world, but shall be revealed in the world to come, are all subject to Christ.

Verse 22

[22] And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

And he hath given him to be head over all things to the church — An head both of guidance and government, and likewise of life and influence, to the whole and every member of it. All these stand in the nearest union with him, and have as continual and effectual a communication of activity, growth, and strength from him, as the natural body from its head.

Verse 23

[23] Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

The fulness of him that filleth all in all — It is hard to say in what sense this can be spoken of the church; but the sense is easy and natural, if we refer it to Christ, who is the fulness of the Father.

Luke 24:44-53

Verse 44

[44] And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.

And he said — On the day of his ascension.

In the law, and the prophets, and the psalms — The prophecies as well as types, relating to the Messiah, are contained either in the books of Moses (usually called the law) in the Psalms, or in the writings of the prophets; little being said directly concerning him in the historical books.

Verse 45

[45] Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

Then opened he their understanding, to understand the Scriptures — He had explained them before to the two as they went to Emmaus. But still they Understood them not, till he took off the veil from their hearts, by the illumination of his Spirit.

Verse 47

[47] And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Beginning at Jerusalem — This was appointed most graciously and wisely: graciously, as it encouraged the, greatest sinners to repent, when they saw that even the murderers of Christ were not excepted from mercy: and wisely, as hereby Christianity was more abundantly attested; the facts being published first on the very spot where they happened.

Verse 49

[49] And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Behold I send the promise — Emphatically so called; the Holy Ghost.

Verse 50

[50] And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

He led them out as far as Bethany — Not the town, but the district: to the mount of Olives, Acts 1:12, which stood within the boundaries of Bethany.

Verse 51

[51] And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

And while he was blessing them, he was parted from them — It was much more proper that our Lord should ascend into heaven, than that he should rise from the dead, in the sight of the apostles. For his resurrection was proved when they saw him alive after his passion: but they could not see him in heaven while they continued on earth.

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Sermon Outline – Title: Jesus’ Ascension with His Promise

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53 & Acts 1:1-11

Theme: The last sermon and promise as Jesus ascended to the Father in Heaven.

Purpose: The awareness that Jesus taught about Him in the Holy Scriptures of the Hebrew Bible and Teachings.

Introduction: We have in the end of the first letter of Luke, Luke 24, and beginning of the second letter of Luke, Acts 1, the ascension story. In both, we see that Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives in the District of Bethany teaching them from the Hebrew Bible about Himself as the Promised Messiah to live, teach, heal, suffer, die, buried, resurrected, and to ascend back to the Father in Heaven. Too often, we say that the Christian church is a New Testament Church, but actually we are an Old and New Testament church because the Old tells us about Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, ascension, and sending the Holy Spirit on all His people to be His witness to the whole world. The New Testament actually tells us the beginning of the New Israel or church in teaching from the Old Testament the salvation that Jesus taught His Father taught to the Jews. The Promise of the Holy Spirit is to all people who embrace who Jesus is and to give His people the power to be His messengers of His message of Love and Holiness for life in this world and the next. How do you embrace the teachings of Jesus as found in the Old Testament? Will you allow the Holy Spirit to open your minds and heart to this teaching? We come in anticipation not only of His fulfillment on our lives, but His church or the New Israel. We are truly Christian, but still connected with the Jews in teachings and practice of Holy Love and Holiness for living in this life in anticipation of our earthly death to be with Him or His actual return to make Earth as Heaven is. How are you living your life in participation of God’s transformation of Earth as it is in Heaven? Come, let us receive more Grace to live for Jesus in partaking of the Lord’s Supper.

I.      The leading of His Apostles to the Mount of Olives in the District of Bethany.

A. The final appearance of Jesus.

B. The leading to the Mount of Olives.

C. The presentation from the Hebrew Bible.

II.    The teaching of His life through the Hebrew Scriptures for coming to earth, living as a person, suffering unto death by crucifixion, his resurrection from the dead, and His promise of God’s Spirit after His ascension.

A. The showing of Jesus’ life in the Law.

B. The showing of Jesus’ resurrection in the Psalms.

C. The showing of Jesus’ suffering and ascension in the Prophets.

III.  The men in white confirming of Jesus’ Ascension and return to earth as He ascended.

A. Jesus was taken into Heaven as He was speaking to them.

B. The Men robed in white speaking of His return as He ascended,

C. The return to Jerusalem of the Apostles to wait for the Promise of God’s Spirit to be given.

Conclusion: We come to realize that Jesus is taught through the Hebrew Scriptures as to His whole life, suffering, death, resurrection, ascension, and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. We continue to search the Scriptures to discover the teachings of Jesus are embedded in what we call the Old Testament.

Invitation: We give thanks for God teachings about Jesus and we come to partake of the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist in eating the Body and drinking the Blood as represented as the Bread and the Wine or Juice. We come to receive God’s grace in singing the hymn “O Come, and Dwell in Me” by Charles Wesley

1.   O come and dwell in me,

Spirit of power within,

and bring the glorious liberty

from sorrow, fear, and sin.

2.   Hasten the joyful day

which shall my sins consume,

when old things shall be done away,

and all things new become.

3.   I want the witness, Lord,

that all I do is right,

according to thy mind and word,

well-pleasing in thy sight.

4.   I ask no higher state;

indulge me but in this,

and soon or later then translate

to thine eternal bliss.

Benediction: May we go and remember our filling of our lives by the Holy Spirit and pray for a new filling or a first filling of His promised Holy Spirit to be His witness of Holy Love and His Holiness to all people in what we do and say in every area of our lives.

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