Comments on: The Ascension http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension Sniffing out the work of God in the world... Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:53:56 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Christian http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67794 Christian Thu, 27 Sep 2007 12:49:56 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67794 Good Day :) God is Love, May you experience God's Love this Day, may we really learn to Praise him in all things :) Lets Share God's Love today :) You are Loved! Good Day :) God is Love, May you experience God’s Love this Day, may we really learn to Praise him in all things :) Lets Share God’s Love today :) You are Loved!

]]> By: Robert Easter http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67740 Robert Easter Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:32:26 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67740 Jason, I can't pretend to understand this one any better than you. My only answer is to ask which is more genuinely loving- to allow someone the opportunity to receive and live in His love, or deny them them to have ever existed to protect them from the consequences should they choose to side with His enemies? Not, even, that He sits back and waits for us to figure it out, but He give us each His grace that makes us aware of His goodness, of His call to us, and gives us the grace to respond to that call. Again- not forcing us to respond. That is neither an honest response nor honest love in forcing it; but He gives us every grace to make that our one reasonable response. Jason, I can’t pretend to understand this one any better than you. My only answer is to ask which is more genuinely loving- to allow someone the opportunity to receive and live in His love, or deny them them to have ever existed to protect them from the consequences should they choose to side with His enemies? Not, even, that He sits back and waits for us to figure it out, but He give us each His grace that makes us aware of His goodness, of His call to us, and gives us the grace to respond to that call. Again- not forcing us to respond. That is neither an honest response nor honest love in forcing it; but He gives us every grace to make that our one reasonable response.

]]> By: Jason http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67739 Jason Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:14:13 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67739 Robert, my question is why prolong the world in its fallen state, allowing for a growing number of lost people and a growing amount of senseless evil when He could've simply renewed all things following Christ's resurrection? Robert, my question is why prolong the world in its fallen state, allowing for a growing number of lost people and a growing amount of senseless evil when He could’ve simply renewed all things following Christ’s resurrection?

]]> By: Robert Easter http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67713 Robert Easter Tue, 25 Sep 2007 00:52:48 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67713 Jason, I'm not sure where you're coming from, but from my guess, People are saved, and people are lost, every day. The point of that passage is that the Lord wants to give each person the opportunity to be saved, and not cut the time short on anyone who might have come to the Truth. One thing that tells us, as we see how desperately evil this world is (One preacher said, 30 years ago, that if God doesn't bring judgment on the US He's going to have to apologise to Sodom and Gomorrah!), we know two things. Judgment <i>is</i> coming, and for the effort God with which God is holding it back we need to be all the more diligent to know what the Gospel is, and to be preaching it for all we're worth. Jason, I’m not sure where you’re coming from, but from my guess,

People are saved, and people are lost, every day. The point of that passage is that the Lord wants to give each person the opportunity to be saved, and not cut the time short on anyone who might have come to the Truth. One thing that tells us, as we see how desperately evil this world is (One preacher said, 30 years ago, that if God doesn’t bring judgment on the US He’s going to have to apologise to Sodom and Gomorrah!), we know two things. Judgment is coming, and for the effort God with which God is holding it back we need to be all the more diligent to know what the Gospel is, and to be preaching it for all we’re worth.

]]> By: Jason http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67707 Jason Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:37:02 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67707 But, Robert, wouldn't people have perished over the past 2000 years? But, Robert, wouldn’t people have perished over the past 2000 years?

]]> By: Robert Easter http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67697 Robert Easter Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:34:27 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67697 Of course He's waiting because He's not willing any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but the most impressive thing is that Jesus ascended for the expressed purpose of sending His Spirit, and most people in the churches today would say they've never really met Him! Since Jesus said that our knowing His Spirit is the first thing before anything we be or do as the Church (as Christians!), that might be saying something. Something about that at my blog. Look it over and tell me your Of course He’s waiting because He’s not willing any should perish (2 Peter 3:9), but the most impressive thing is that Jesus ascended for the expressed purpose of sending His Spirit, and most people in the churches today would say they’ve never really met Him! Since Jesus said that our knowing His Spirit is the first thing before anything we be or do as the Church (as Christians!), that might be saying something. Something about that at my blog. Look it over and tell me your

]]> By: Jason http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67674 Jason Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:33:42 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67674 Make that "we're." Make that “we’re.”

]]> By: Jason http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67672 Jason Mon, 24 Sep 2007 14:13:49 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67672 As perplexing as the ascension is/was, I find it more perplexing that were all still waiting on whatever the renewal of all things or Second Coming may be. What need is there for the world to continue in its tainted state, for random evils to persist, if Christ triumphed over death? Why wait to restore things? As perplexing as the ascension is/was, I find it more perplexing that were all still waiting on whatever the renewal of all things or Second Coming may be. What need is there for the world to continue in its tainted state, for random evils to persist, if Christ triumphed over death? Why wait to restore things?

]]> By: Mike http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67662 Mike Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:29:28 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67662 Chris - no, I'm not. Chris – no, I’m not.

]]> By: Frank http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67647 Frank Sun, 23 Sep 2007 17:43:39 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67647 I think more emphasis on the Ascension and current intercession of Christ would lead us to ask not only WWJD? but also WIJD? What Is Jesus Doing? Richard B. is right about metaphors and the things of God. We just have to go with it for now. It's when people don't realize the inadequacy of language that we get into trouble. And what does that say, so to speak, about the condescension of God; that he would speak to us? I think more emphasis on the Ascension and current intercession of Christ would lead us to ask not only WWJD? but also WIJD? What Is Jesus Doing?

Richard B. is right about metaphors and the things of God. We just have to go with it for now. It’s when people don’t realize the inadequacy of language that we get into trouble. And what does that say, so to speak, about the condescension of God; that he would speak to us?

]]> By: Jeanna http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67640 Jeanna Sun, 23 Sep 2007 14:56:41 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67640 IMHO, while Jesus was here, He was limited by His human body, so He had the power & scope of 1 man. (Granted, He had powers greater than 1 man, but I mean that He didn't fly around to other countries, so He was limited in His travelling abilities.....or chose to be limited. Whatever.) Anyway...by ascending into heaven, He could send out His Spirit, thus multiplying His power on Earth. First to the 12 Apostles, and then by them making more discliples. Which is why He gave us the 'Great Commission'. He left it to us to take His spirit to those who need it. IMHO, while Jesus was here, He was limited by His human body, so He had the power & scope of 1 man. (Granted, He had powers greater than 1 man, but I mean that He didn’t fly around to other countries, so He was limited in His travelling abilities…..or chose to be limited. Whatever.) Anyway…by ascending into heaven, He could send out His Spirit, thus multiplying His power on Earth. First to the 12 Apostles, and then by them making more discliples. Which is why He gave us the ‘Great Commission’. He left it to us to take His spirit to those who need it.

]]> By: Deb http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67633 Deb Sun, 23 Sep 2007 07:52:44 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67633 This is such a fascinating discussion, thanks Mike! In light of the comments so far, I thought you might find it interesting that, in my church, our Collect for today (it's Sunday here) is the following: God, the giver of life, Whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church: By the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ And make us eager to do your will, That we may share with the whole creation The joys of eternal life; Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, Who is alive and reigns with you, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, now and for ever. ------------ This Sunday our focus has been on inviting and welcoming friends in the village who have not been to church in a while (or at all). We fellowship quite a lot, but it would be great to meet with and re-introduce many to corporate worship. The work of the Great Commission and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit manifests itself in many ways. May all be blessed! This is such a fascinating discussion, thanks Mike! In light of the comments so far, I thought you might find it interesting that, in my church, our Collect for today (it’s Sunday here) is the following:

God, the giver of life,
Whose Holy Spirit wells up within your Church:
By the Spirit’s gifts equip us to live the gospel of Christ
And make us eager to do your will,
That we may share with the whole creation
The joys of eternal life;
Through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
Who is alive and reigns with you,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit,
One God, now and for ever.
————

This Sunday our focus has been on inviting and welcoming friends in the village who have not been to church in a while (or at all). We fellowship quite a lot, but it would be great to meet with and re-introduce many to corporate worship. The work of the Great Commission and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit manifests itself in many ways.

May all be blessed!

]]> By: Katherine http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67626 Katherine Sun, 23 Sep 2007 03:07:18 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67626 I imagine our world look drastically different if he would have remained...although my first thought when I read this is that this is where faith comes in. If he were still here, would we believe in Him as much if He were walking among us? I don't know... I think it makes our ministry and belief more meaningful in some ways-though in other ways we can look crazy to believe and base our whole life on something that we have never seen for ourselves. The mystery is appealing and scary all at the same time... Instead of Him remaining in one place and people flocking to Him, we have been given the gift and task of taking Him wherever we go and sharing Him with the world. I love that He dwells within us-the light can shine out of us into the darkness. I think you might have a point, vapor... It is really hard to fathom and understand. There are times I would love for Him to literally be here right beside me, while other times I would be ashamed. Praise God that He is up there to help intercede for us and continues to guide us through His Spirit... I imagine our world look drastically different if he would have remained…although my first thought when I read this is that this is where faith comes in. If he were still here, would we believe in Him as much if He were walking among us? I don’t know…

I think it makes our ministry and belief more meaningful in some ways-though in other ways we can look crazy to believe and base our whole life on something that we have never seen for ourselves. The mystery is appealing and scary all at the same time…

Instead of Him remaining in one place and people flocking to Him, we have been given the gift and task of taking Him wherever we go and sharing Him with the world. I love that He dwells within us-the light can shine out of us into the darkness. I think you might have a point, vapor…

It is really hard to fathom and understand. There are times I would love for Him to literally be here right beside me, while other times I would be ashamed. Praise God that He is up there to help intercede for us and continues to guide us through His Spirit…

]]> By: Robert Easter http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67624 Robert Easter Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:21:40 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67624 Jesus said that it was necessary for Him to go to the Father so that He could pray that the Holy Ghost be given in fullness as He was/is. If Jesus had remained on Earth, the Kingdom would have been geographically centered on where He was rather than going out into all the world. We have fellowship one with another because of Christ in us through the Spirit. A slow read through John 17 can turn the contemporary ideas about the Indwelling on their ears! By the Spirit, we are <i>in</i> Christ, Christ <i>in</i> the Father, and Christ <i>in </i> us! If you ever think you have a handle on that, read a few pages of St. Macarius the Egyptian. That old guy made the medieval mystics look like novices, (and he's easer to read, too!) The coolest part is that Jesus, at the right hand of the Father, is not exalted as highly yet as He is going to be, but still every knee shall bow, every tongue confess to Him, to the glory of the Father, and as He inherits all things He has prayed that we be with Him where He is, so, like Peter wrote, "What manner of people ought we to be in all holy living and godliness?" Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! Jesus said that it was necessary for Him to go to the Father so that He could pray that the Holy Ghost be given in fullness as He was/is. If Jesus had remained on Earth, the Kingdom would have been geographically centered on where He was rather than going out into all the world. We have fellowship one with another because of Christ in us through the Spirit. A slow read through John 17 can turn the contemporary ideas about the Indwelling on their ears! By the Spirit, we are in Christ, Christ in the Father, and Christ in us! If you ever think you have a handle on that, read a few pages of St. Macarius the Egyptian. That old guy made the medieval mystics look like novices, (and he’s easer to read, too!)

The coolest part is that Jesus, at the right hand of the Father, is not exalted as highly yet as He is going to be, but still every knee shall bow, every tongue confess to Him, to the glory of the Father, and as He inherits all things He has prayed that we be with Him where He is, so, like Peter wrote, “What manner of people ought we to be in all holy living and godliness?” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

]]> By: Allison http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension/comment-page-1#comment-67619 Allison Sun, 23 Sep 2007 01:47:15 +0000 http://preachermike.com/2007/09/22/the-ascension#comment-67619 Vapor, What is meant by "coming of the Kingdom?" Vapor,

What is meant by “coming of the Kingdom?”

]]>