Ascension

making you go up and down

check check check

okay guys we're going to talk about ascension because uh... ascension happens

forty days from Passover

and if you were to follow the christian calendar

it would fall on Thursday

and then fifty days after that you've got Pentecost

so we'll talk about that perhaps next week but

if you want to follow the christian calendar

ascension would fall on Thursday

let's look at

I mean it's a topic that's not talked about eh?

we go from good friday to resurrection

but very rarely do we spend any time looking at

ascension

and so uh... if you look at

luke 2451

and acts 1 9

luke 2451

and acts 1 9

if you combine them

here's what it would look like

and he let them out

as far as Bethany

this is Jesus

so Jesus let them out as far as Bethany

and he lifted up his hands and he blessed them

now when he had spoken these things

while they watched

he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight

if you combine luke 2451

and acts 1 9 this is kind of how it would read

and he let them out

as far as Bethany

and he lifted up his hands

and blessed them

and now when he had spoken these things while they his disciples watched

he was taken up

and a cloud received him out of their sight

crucifixion

brings you out of death and bondage

crucifixion brings you

out of death and bondage

crucifixion brings you

out of death and bondage

resurrection

gives you

new life

new name

new family

you have the life of Christ you are called a

Christian

and you have a new family called

people of God

crucifixion

breaks you out of death and bondage

and sin

resurrection gives you new life

that's why when Christ rose

you rise you are given new life

and then that's where we normally stop

but then there is ascension

ascension locates you

in a new home

with the father

we'll talk about that more

but ascension locates you in the new home

ascension locates you in the new home

are there parallels in the scripture if you look at the book of exodus

I mean the whole book of exodus is first

deliverance from bondage in exodus what's the first thing that happens

they have this passover

and after passover they all leave Egypt

Egypt is always connected

to bondage

and death

they leave Egypt

so that's the first part

then you come to the second part of the journey which is

going through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai to meet God

going through the Red Sea to Mount Sinai to meet God

and that is where a slave people

begin to receive a new name

they are not a slave people anymore

they are back to being

sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

they get a new idea of God

El Shaddai now becomes Yahweh

and they are now a new family

a nation drawn out of Egypt

to show the rest of the world what God is like

but even that

isn't the complete picture

you have to take it to the third stage

which is like ascension, it's a parallel

where they arrive at a land called Canaan

which is the promised land

their journey is not complete

if they go through the Red Sea and go to Mount Sinai and then say

great lovely mountain let's retire here

no there was a promised land that they were supposed to go to

ascension

is location

in a home that is yours from the beginning

Exodus shows us that

and that is where they were supposed to go

however they delayed it forty years by unbelief

they could have gotten there in fifteen days

they took forty years

it's very possible for us to study this

and have the same attitude

yeah all this is good, it's nice theology but

delayed by forty years, why? because some of us may live another forty years before we get there

but what if we took this

as reality today

I mean imagine me being like an orphan boy

in India

dying

and along come Anne and Elmer

who are visiting India

and so the first thing they do

is they want this Jacob as their son

and so they decide that they want to

pay whoever is

in charge

to adopt him

but it's a hefty payment

so they mortgage their home

they go to Shantel and her husband David and they say can we mortgage your home too?

and David says yes

and they sell both their homes, collect a huge amount of money and pay to the person

who's in charge of the orphanage

now I'm released

that's just crucifixion

now they start doing the papers of adoption, they give me

a new name, they call me Jacob Mebs

which is better than

slightly better than my last name

and

all that is done

all the paperwork is done

new life, new name

new hope

but that ain't enough because now they're flying back to Vancouver

and I'm still in India

and so they decide

we gotta change this, we can't have this long distance adoption

so they decide we'll get him a

Canadian passport

and guess what

they bring me to Canada and you guys are all at the airport waiting to see this

new amazing kid

and there I come

see that is the ascension part where you're located in

God's home

and we talk about that, it's fascinating what ascension does

in Ezekiel 16

Ezekiel 16:1–14

verse 1 to 14 you

there's this beautiful story, we rarely read Ezekiel

so let me read the whole thing

it's quite something

God's heart towards us

and in this case towards Israel

Ezekiel 16

an allegory of unfaithful Jerusalem so let me read it from the beginning

Ezekiel 16, 1 to 14

the word of the Lord came to me, son of man

confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices and say

this is what the sovereign Lord said to Jerusalem

now listen to it from here on

your ancestry and birth

were in the land of the Canaanite, your father was

an Amorite and your mother a Hittite

meaning your birth was

insignificant, pagan

on the day you were born

your cord was not cut nor were you washed with water to make you clean

nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths

no one looked on you

with pity or had compassion enough

to do any of these things for you

rather you were thrown out into the open field

for on the day you were born you were despised

then look at what God says

then I passed by and I saw you kicking about in your blood

and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, live

I made you grow like a plant of the field

you grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels

your breasts were formed and your hair grew

and you who were naked and bare

later I passed by and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love

I spread the corner of my garment over you

and covered your nakedness

I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you

I declared the sovereign lord and you became mine

I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you

and put ointments on you

I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you

I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments

I adorned you with jewelry, I put bracelets on your arm

and a necklace around your neck and I put a ring on your nose

earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head

so you were adorned with gold and silver, your clothes were of fine linen

and costly fabric and embroidered clothes

your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil

you became very beautiful and rose to be a queen

and your fame spread among the nations in account of your beauty

because the splendor I had given you

made your beauty perfect declares the sovereign lord

what a beautiful picture, man

ascension completes this

it's one thing to give you new life

it's another thing to make sure that you're adorned and ready

in his place of dwelling

this is why in Colossians 3, verse 1 it says

Colossians 3:1

Colossians 3, 1, it says

if then you were raised with Christ

set your mind on things above

where Christ is seated at the right hand of God

let me say that again

this is what, I mean, if there's anything, this is what God is

commanding us today

even right now, he's saying, hey, Acts 29

if you were raised with Christ

then seek, as in actively, diligently search

not for the sake of finding

but search for the sake of appropriating

when we say search, we look to find

when search and rescue people search

they look to find and retrieve

and he's saying here

seek those things which are above, where Christ is

and where is Christ sitting at the right hand of God

and then in verse 3 it says

for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God

for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God

which means wherever Christ is there I am

which we'll talk about a little more

any questions before we go on?

any questions?

okay, so the first thing ascension does, guys

is ascension puts me

ascension puts me

in the presence of the Father

if Jesus Christ hadn't ascended

then I would have new life

but I wouldn't be in the presence of the Father

big difference, guys

it would be like Elmer and Anne adopting me

but I'm in India

I never get to know what the Meb household

or the Meb's name actually looks like

I carry the name but I don't know its character

I'm an orphan with a family but I'm still an orphan

ascension brings me

hey Heidi, Gina's here

hey Gina, good to see you

ascension brings me into the presence of the Father

look at Acts 1.9

Acts 1.9

Acts 1.9 says that

where is it?

after he said this

he was taken up from before their eyes

and a cloud hid him from their sight

a cloud hid him from their sight

so now that Christ is going to verse 10

they were looking intently up into the sky

as he was going when suddenly two men dressed in white

stood beside them

men of Galilee they said

why do you stand here looking into the sky?

the same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven

will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven

is there anywhere in the Bible where someone was taken up into the clouds?

Elijah went in a whirlwind

Enoch we don't know how or what happened

someone who disappeared into a cloud

Moses, Exodus 24

Exodus 24 verse 15 actually says it

Exodus 24:15

it says when Moses went up to the mountain

when Moses went up on the mountain

the cloud covered it

this is in Mount Sinai

in Exodus 24

when Moses went up on the mountain

the cloud covered it

and so what was Moses doing there?

Moses was ascending the mountain

on behalf of God's people

guys remember this

here is Israel

God descends on Mount Sinai

Israel doesn't want to go near him

so what do they say?

they say Moses you go

and so Moses becomes a mediator

and so Moses goes on the mountain

and the cloud covers him

and he goes before God on behalf of Israel

change the scene now

forward about 3,000 years

and what do we have?

we have Jesus

a mediator who goes up

and the clouds cover him

and what is he doing?

he's going before God on behalf of who?

not on behalf of Israel

on behalf of all mankind

before whom?

before God

guys when you look at the New Testament

and the Old Testament

you'll find that everything

in the Old Testament

was meant to point you towards

what Christ would later do

and so just as Moses goes up

and is hidden by a cloud

here Jesus ascends on man's behalf

to come before God

where he's hidden by the cloud

look at Hebrews 9 24

Hebrews 9 24

Hebrews 9 24

and it says there

for Christ did not enter

a man-made sanctuary

that was only a copy of the true one

he entered heaven itself

now to appear for us in God's presence

I love that

he entered heaven itself

now to appear for us in God's presence

hey guys here's the line

I want you to remember

my presence before God

is as certain

my presence before God

is as certain as Christ's presence

before God

my presence before God

is as certain as Christ's presence before God

you must understand

where you are constantly located

this is why we keep singing songs

with say I will I mean

I mean there are statements we've made

where we are ever present before God

you you can be as certain

of your presence before the father

as you can be of Christ's presence

before the father

we know Christ has risen

we know Christ has entered heaven

we know Christ is seated

at the right hand of the father

we know that he beholds the father

24 seven

in which case I want us to know

without a shadow of a doubt

that 24 seven regardless of where you are at in life

if you have received Christ into your life

you are ever present

before the God of the universe

and you can be as certain

as your presence before God

as Christ's presence before God

you don't know what that can do to you guys

when you're feeling down

when you're feeling lousy

when things are not going well

when you have aches and pains in your body

when your mind is confused

when people have done you harm

when all that happens

you know one thing remains

and is constant

that I am ever present before the God of the universe

this is my condition

because this is Jesus's condition

the only time you will cease to be in the presence of God

is when Christ is not in the presence of God

and guess what it ain't happening

do you know that the next time God

Jesus Christ steps out of heaven

and he will

because it says Jesus Christ will return

do you know that the next time he steps out of heaven

and leaves the presence of God

that he's bringing heaven with him

even then he will be before the father

he is never going to leave

the presence of God

which means for the rest of your life

if you have received Christ

you are never going to leave

even for a micro second

the presence of God

if you have received Christ into your life

think of that guys

ever present

I just marvel at this man

that for the rest of my life

Jacob is actually

yeah sure Jacob is walking the earth here in Vancouver

but Jacob doesn't matter when he's flying

where he is going

which country

how bad things get

how good things get

one thing remains

Jacob will always be present before the father

because Jesus Christ is always present before the father

it is as true as

if you think you are saved

why are you saved

because Jesus Christ died

your sins were paid for

and you died with him

if that is true

then let's take it to the next stage

why do you have new life

because Jesus Christ rose again

he has life

therefore you have new life

then let's take it to the third stage

if Christ is now seated in the heavenlies

the bible says you have been raised up with him

and you are ever present before the father

guys you think

you know the old testament was a poor example

the old testament was like

remember iphone 3

that was the old testament

it was this

I mean

when the iphone 3 came up

everybody was very excited

I mean you could show stuff and all

but now when you look at the iphone 3

you can't sell it man

you have to put 20 dollars with it

and nobody takes it

they take the 20 dollars

so the point being

the old testament is like the iphone 3

and yet look at what happened in the old testament man

look at exodus 24 9 to 11

exodus 24 9 to 11

if this happened in the old testament

you think this is not our present reality before God

where we are ever present before him

exodus 24 9 to 11

here's what it says

this happened to actual physical people

Moses and Aaron

Nedab and Abihu

and the 70 elders of Israel

went up

and they saw the God of Israel

under his feet

was something like a pavement

made of sapphire

clear as the sky itself

but God did not raise his hand

against these leaders of the Israelites

they saw God

and they ate

and they drank with him

in the old testament

hey guys

begin to

in your times of prayer

in your times of worship

understand that

you are not worshipping

someone who's far away

you're worshipping someone who is in you

and you're worshipping someone in whom you are

ever present before God

this is why

in Ephesians 2 5

no in Ephesians 1 3

in Ephesians 1 3

here's what it says

you are blessed with every spiritual blessing

in Christ Jesus

in the heavenlies

you are blessed

with every spiritual blessing

in Christ in the heavenlies

how?

because you're ever present before the father

guys understand this

it may take time

but once we grasp it

you will begin to take things out of your bank

like you

I mean you will begin to take things out of heaven

like you take money out of the bank

all the benefits of heaven

and all the spiritual blessings that the father had

are yours for the taking

because you are ever present before him

when I go to my sister's place

she'll stock the cupboards with

junk food and stuff

because they normally don't eat junk

and so when I come they make sure everything is there

and I'll get up late and I'll come down

and everything is spread out

everything is spread out

this is how God does things man

he said listen

you are ever present before me

I know what is good for you

but begin to ask me

begin to take from me

begin to take from me

the saddest thing is

when children do not take advantage of their parents

when they behave like servants

or they don't know what their rights are

that's what happens to orphans

orphans go into a house

and they don't know what is theirs

because they are scared

when in the orphanage

when they would take something

you would have a slap

it happened to Oliver Twist

who is by the way fictional

and it's different when you get adopted

any questions before we go on

remember in John 16

this is what Jesus said to the disciples

he said hey guys

once I go away

I don't want you to worry about asking me

don't even ask in my name

just ask the father directly

because I'm going to the father

once I've risen and I'm with the father

don't even bother asking in my name

just ask directly

because everything that the father asks me

I ask him directly

I ask him directly

because everything that the father has in heaven is yours

so what do you want

what spiritual blessing

what physical blessings do you want

healing

you think heaven doesn't have that

provision

you think heaven doesn't have that

you think the jobs we heard about today

six or seven jobs

you think it came out of your employer

who commands the universe

who decides to feed every sparrow every day

who decides which leaf will fall off the tree

who decides that the fingerprints of every boy

or girl born today will be different

who decides that we will breathe

who decides that the heart should beat

who decides that the sun will go down at six

14 today

who decides it will come up at 5 13 tomorrow

who decides how much rain Vancouver should get

who even decides that I should learn how to speak

who gives me vocal chords

what is it that God does not command and control

and if so this God is your father

and you are ever present before him

you are as certainly present before him

as Christ is present before him

guys if we begin to think like this

no we will begin to take of what the father has for us

and there'll be times when he'll say not yet Jacob

and that's fine with me

but what a pathetic life I will live if I don't explore

and exploit the father

and I meant that word exploit

my dad used to love it

when I would take things from his wallet with his knowing

any questions

okay so ascension declared

puts me in the presence of God

the next thing ascension does

is ascension declared that Jesus Christ is Lord

ascension declared that Christ is Lord

ascension declared that Christ is Lord

ascension declared

that Christ that Jesus

is Lord

the word Lord comes from a Greek word

Kyrios

which means absolute sovereign tyrant

it carries the sense of being a tyrannical absolute ruler

the only difference is Jesus is super benevolent

but it talks about being Lord and master

so what do you mean Christ became Lord and master through

it

Mark

Mark

Mark

Mark

Mark

oh this is being taped so it'll come on

Mark

don't worry Wayne

as long as it's being recorded it's fine

all those sounds will add to the

yeah

okay Mark 16 19

just follow me with these through these verses hey

Mark 16 19

so here's what happens in Mark 16 19

Mark 16 19 it says

Mark 16 19

and after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them

he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God

go to Philippians 2 9

Philippians 2 9

Philippians 2 9

Philippians 2 9

here's what it says

let's start at verse 8

and being found in appearance as a man

he humbled himself and became obedient to death

even death on a cross

therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and look what God did

he gave Jesus the name that is above every name

this is the whole idea of being Lord and master

he gave Jesus the name above every name

that at the name of Jesus

hey whether people like it or not

today or tomorrow this will happen

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow

in heaven and on earth thanks Wayne

and under the earth

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

to the glory of God the father

let's look at another words Ephesians 1 20

Ephesians 1 20

I love how Ephesians 1 20 is written in the message

look at look at what it says in the message

Ephesians 1 20

here's what it says

rule and not just for the time being

but forever

you're talking about someone who's absolute Lord man

nobody behind him

nobody beside him

let's look at another one

Hebrews 2 9

Hebrews 2 9

I so enjoyed these scriptures earlier today

and I was going through them

Hebrews 2 9

here's what it says

but we see Jesus who was made a little lower than the angels

now crowned with glory and honor

because he suffered death

so that by the grace of God he may taste death for everyone

and then it goes on to say where is it

in bringing many sons to glory

verse 10

it was fitting that God for whom and through whom everything exists

should make him the author of their salvation perfect through suffering

I was expecting something else

I don't know where I lost that verse

anyways

oh yeah yeah it's in verse 8

in putting everything under him

ah I love this

in putting everything under Jesus

God left nothing that is not subject to him

next one

first Peter 3 20

first Peter 3 20

first Peter 3 20

and then we'll go back to

where is Peter

we don't have a Peter in church right

first Peter 3 20

the second part of it

should be first Peter 3 20

yeah

3 21 and a half and 22

22

it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

verse 22

Jesus Christ who has gone into heaven

and is at God's right hand

with angels authorities and powers

in submission to him

guys look at it this way

there is no power that exists here on earth

that exists except through Jesus's permission

and all the powers that exist

every name that exists

every demonic force that exists

every false god that exists

everything gives him

fawning

what's the right word

gives him

it's fawningly subservient to him

if if Gisela is the master of everything

we will fawningly come

and be subservient before her

we won't even lift up our heads

Eddie always talks about chieftains in South Africa

when you go to meet a chieftain in South Africa

Eddie did this

Eddie had to go with a couple of people

to meet the Zulu chief

and when he went to the

meet the Zulu chief

you had to make sure

that you did not look at him

initially for the first little while

you had to go backward

and then you keep your eyes down

you're not supposed to look at him

this is a Zulu chieftain

very human in South Africa

why

because it shows your absolute subservience

to the monarch

we're not talking about a Zulu chieftain

we are talking about someone

who runs the galaxies

who runs government

who has got a name

that is above every name

there is no power that exists except us

this is why during times of worship guys

explored in worship

you don't need to feel anything

you need to acknowledge it in our hearts

and in our minds

acknowledge it in your heart

process it in your minds

and worship him

if a Zulu chieftain

demands that I do not look at him

this God is very different

he says I am absolute sovereign

but sure look at my face

because you're mine

but come on

we got to do better than

what we sometimes do guys

and the beautiful thing is

this Jesus Christ who is now Lord

because he's defeated everything

and he's ascended

this Jesus Christ is Lord for the church

not off the church

he is

but for the church

this Jesus Christ is Lord for the church

it would be like

let's assume

I'm just going to pick on you Lorian

let's assume that

Lorian is the head of Vancouver airport

and I lost my tickets

and I'm at the airport

and I've got a few minutes

before my flight leaves

now she is Lord of the airport

but guess what

because she knows me

she becomes Lord of the airport for me

and she prints me an extra ticket

hurries me through the baggage

gets security to clear me properly

and gets me on the plane in time

the point being Jesus Christ

who has all this power

is Lord for the church

which is why I stand here

with absolute confidence saying

there is nobody in this church

that needs to be sick

that needs to be demonized

that needs to be impoverished

that needs to be depressed

that needs to be sad

that needs to be resigned

that needs to be defeated

nobody in this church

not because Jacob can do squat

but because Christ who is the supreme head

of the galaxies and the universe

is absolute Lord for Acts 29

yeah man

and it is it is his intent to help

which is why it doesn't matter

what our problems are

there is someone in this church who can help

I'm screaming my lungs out

not because I want you to hear

because I can't understand this man

this is just magnificent

so what if we got the fifth pick

in the draft yesterday

things will get better

oh you don't worry about that one

how could the Canucks do that hey

I mean you were third pick

and then you in the lottery

you lose and you go to the fifth pick

let's get back to more important things

I couldn't believe that

you should have seen travel indian's face

his lower lip was quivering man

I felt bad for him

but let's get back here

hey Daniel talked about this Lord

in Daniel 7 13 to 14

look at it it's so beautiful

I just love how scripture just weaves itself

in and out so beautifully

Daniel 7 13 to 14

Daniel 7 13 to 14

and Winnipeg got the second pick

Daniel 7 13 to 14

it doesn't bother me at all

but it might come up a few times

Daniel 7 13 to 14

okay here goes Daniel seeing a vision

in my vision at night I looked

isn't this working

in my vision at night I looked

and there before me was one like the son of man

coming with the clouds of heaven

aha there we see it again

he approached the ancient of days

and was led into his presence

he was given authority

glory and sovereign power

all peoples nations and men of every language

worshiped him

his dominion is an everlasting dominion

that will not pass away

and his kingdom is one that will never pass away

one that will never be destroyed

wow brilliant guys don't get tired guys

scriptures don't make you tired

stay next one ascension promises his return

ascension promises his return

what do you mean

acts one versus 10 and 11

so these disciples are watching

they must have been fascinated

one moment Jesus is with them

and he's talking to them

and the next moment

Jesus raises his hand

and he blesses them

and the next moment they see him lifting off

no smoke no mirrors no nothing

just going straight up

and they're watching him go

as he disappears a cloud comes and covers

so they can't see it anymore

and just when they think

okay what happens next

you've got these two angels

I mean this is amazing

that the bible even dares to share stories like this

you've got these two angels who appear

and they say hey jillian

what are you looking up for

because the very one who went up

and was covered by a cloud

will return the same way from the clouds

ascension promises a return

Jesus Christ is coming back

and he's coming back physically

in a body he is coming back

John 14 verse 1 and 2

John 14:1

I am going to my father to prepare a place for you

and if I'm going to prepare a place for you

know that I will come back

John 14 verse 24

John 14:24

John 17 verse 24

John 17:24

he's praying to the father

Jesus is preaching prayer in John 17

and what does he say

hey father these ones that you've given me

can you make sure that they see my glory

they see my glory

and could you make sure that Rachel and Matt

will be with me where I am

what a brilliant plan he has for us man

Christianity is so much more than Sundays

oh so now you're getting picky huh

next one ascension

yes someone cares thank you Gisela

I'm just preparing for India next week

I believe it's 45 degrees

so I'm getting used to the whole sweat thing right now

ascension relocated this is this is another one

we talked about this as a young adult

ascension relocated paradise to heaven

ascension relocated paradise to heaven

ascension relocated paradise to heaven

what do you mean

guys when before Jesus Christ died

if any believer died

anyone who believed in God

anyone who practiced the law

anyone who was righteous

if they died guess where they would go

they would go to this place called paradise

no one would ever go to heaven

how do we know that

Luke 23 verse verse what

Luke 23 verse 43

Luke 23:43

what did Jesus say to the thief on his right side

today you will be with me in heaven

no today you will be with me in paradise

so nobody could enter heaven before Christ died

because nobody's sins were paid for

but there were believers who died

there were righteous people who died

so what would happen to them

they would go to this place called paradise

but when Christ rose

now that he had justified everybody who had believed in him

when their sins were paid for

the Bible says he took captivity captive

so where do you think Abraham was

where do you think Moses was

where do you think David was

where do you think Samuel was

where do you think Joseph was

when they died

all of them were in paradise

they couldn't enter heaven

because regardless of how righteous they were

man their righteousness was like filthy garments

once Christ died they were justified

and now paradise was located in heaven

where do we go when we die

as believers if you die

what does Paul say in first Corinthians 5 8

he says to be absent in the body

is to be present with the Lord

because this tent that I am in is groaning

and I want to be unclothed

so that I might be clothed with something new

that's what it says

absent in the body present with the Lord

if I die tonight I ain't going to paradise

I'm going straight to heaven

ascension relocated paradise to heaven

otherwise they'd all be still there

yep, yep

two more and we are done

for those who are thinking when will this be done

which none of you are thinking except perhaps Don

so I'll just letting Don know

the ascended Jesus

the ascended Jesus

is king

priest

and man

the ascended Jesus

is king

priest

and man

and he's still at work

this is nuts

the ascended Jesus

is king

priest

and man

he is the king of kings

he is the high priest of our faith

interceding for us

and he is man

that sounds so odd

we'll study that over the next few weeks

but I'll give you three verses

which just begin to show you a glimpse

and then we'll

remember we started a series called king priest

and so we'll revisit that in two weeks

and continue talking about Jesus as king priest and man

look at Luke 9.35

here is another place where the cloud thing happened

before Jesus rose

Luke 9.35

let's start at verse 29

or 28

Luke 9.28 to 35

about eight days after Jesus said this

he took Peter, John and James with him

and went up onto a mountain to pray

as he was praying

the appearance of his face changed

and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning

two men, Moses and Elijah appeared in the glorious splendor

talking with Jesus

they spoke about his departure as in his death

when he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem

Peter and his companions were very sleepy

but when they came fully awake

they saw his glory

and the two men standing with him

as the men were leaving Jesus

Peter said to him

master, it is good for us to be here

let us put up three shelters

one for you

one for Moses and one for Elijah

he did not know what he was saying

verse 34

while he was in the temple

verse 34

while he was still speaking

and again you see this whole cloud thing

while he was still speaking

a cloud appeared and enveloped them

and they were afraid as they entered the cloud

a voice came from the cloud saying

this is my son whom I have chosen

listen to him

guys, this verse that came out of the cloud

is a verse that any Jew would have recognized

as a verse that is always spoken over a king

when he is being crowned

go to Psalm 2

Psalm 2

Psalm 2

this verse was always spoken

when Solomon was crowned

it was spoken

when David was crowned

it was spoken

whenever a king was installed

this verse would be spoken

so for the disciples or for any Jew

to hear this verse

was a declaration of the kingship of Jesus

look at what it says in Psalm 2 verses 6 and 7

Psalms 2:6

it says there

I have installed my king on Zion

my holy hill

I will proclaim the decree of the Lord

he said to me

you are my son

today I have become your father

what is happening here

is a declaration of Christ's kingship

let's look at another word

that talks about his priesthood

Hebrews 4 14

Hebrews 4 14

Hebrews 4 14

Hebrews 4 14

man when I listen to the tape

sometimes I think to myself

I repeat these verses so many times

Hebrews 4 14

there I go again

Hebrews 4 14

oh shucks again

so here goes

I got to say it one more time

Hebrews 4 14

okay

therefore since we have a great high priest

who has gone through the heavens

Jesus the son of God

let us hold firmly to the faith we profess

some other scriptures

some other versions say

therefore since we have a great high priest

who has ascended into heaven

Jesus the son of God

let us hold firmly to the faith we process

guys understand this

when he ascended

he isn't sitting there with his feet up

he may be

but he ascended there

to be our high priest forever

Jesus is our high priest forever

and you will find out in the coming weeks

how important that is to your existence here on earth

Jesus is our high priest forever

ever interceding

ever before the father

we'll talk about that another time

and the last one is

Jesus Christ is forever man

which is a scary thought

you might think so what is he

five foot eight five foot nine

that's another point

we'll talk about that too

but not today

and he's not

we're not talking about physical stature guys

but he is forever man

1st Timothy 2 5

1st Timothy 2 5

1st Timothy 2 5

I mean that's just one of the scriptures

there are at least six or seven others

1st Timothy 2 5

for there is one God

and one mediator

between God and man

who?

the man Christ Jesus

look at that man

it's in the scriptures

for there is one God

and one mediator

between God and man

that's like saying

there is only one cure for cancer

and I have it

there is no other name

by which man can be saved

no Allah

no Buddha

no whatever

nothing can save you man

because there is only one mediator

between God and man

no Pope can save you for sure

there is only one mediator

between God and man

and it says who?

the man Jesus Christ

or they?

he forever will be man

now we'll talk about that

we'll talk about that

in the weeks to come

fascinating thing happened man

when he decided

to take on a body

and come down here

fascinating thing happened

I mean just go look at that scripture

it was in Hebrews 2

just go to Hebrews 2 for a second

you'll see a bit of it

Hebrews 2 14

and then we'll go to the last point

Hebrews 2 14

look at what it says

since the children have flesh and blood

he too shared in their humanity

so that by his death

he might destroy him

who holds the power of death

that is the devil

and free those who all their lives

were held in slavery

by the fear of death

for surely it's not angels he helps

but Abraham's descendants

for this reason

he had to be made like his brothers

meaning me and you

in every way

in order that he might become

a merciful and faithful high priest

in service to God

and that he might make atonement

for the sins of the people

because he himself suffered

when he was tempted

he's able to help those

who are being tempted

and then it goes on to talk about

how he's forever a high priest

I will deal with that

two weeks from now

the last point

which is where we'll finish today

and start next week

the last point is ascension

ascension released

ascension released the Holy Spirit

on God's people

ascension released the Holy Spirit

on God's people

ascension released the Holy Spirit

on God's people

go to Acts chapter 2

Acts 2 · chapter mention

Acts chapter 2 verse 33

Acts 2:33

Acts 2 verse 33

Acts 2:33

Acts chapter 2 verse 33

Acts 2:33

let's start at verse 32

God has raised this Jesus to life

and we are all witnesses of the fact

exalted to the right hand of God

he has received from the Father

the promised Holy Spirit

and has poured out

what you now see and hear

and has poured out

what you now see and hear

go to John 16

sorry John 14 verse 28

John 14:28

John 14 verse 28

John 14:28

John 14 28

here's what it says

you have heard me say

I'm going away

and I'm coming back to you

if you loved me

you would be glad

that I'm going to the Father

for the Father is greater than I

I've told you now before this happens

so that when it does

you will believe

I will not speak with you much longer

for the Prince of the world is coming

he has no hold on me

but the world must learn

that I love the Father

and that I do exactly

what my Father commanded me to

verse 25

and all this I have spoken

while still with you

but the counsel of the Holy Spirit

whom the Father will send in my name

will teach you all things

and will remind you

of everything I have said to you

the point being guys

that Jesus had to go to the Father

so that the Father could send

the Holy Spirit

and we'll talk about that next week

because next week we'll

next week is in a way

Pentecost Sunday

it's Pentecost falls on May 11th

which is a Wednesday

so next week we'll talk about

the coming of the Holy Spirit

so I'd really encourage you

next Sunday when you come

at what time is the service Jeevan?

10.20 yeah

so when you come 10.20 next Sunday

come with your hearts prepared

to yield to the Spirit of God

does the Spirit live in you fully?

Absolutely

are you fully yielded to God?

are you fully yielded to him?

No

how do you know Jacob?

because I'm not either

so I would suggest to you

that when you come next Sunday

come saying Father

I know you live in me fully

by your Spirit

but could you

could you over this week

begin to prepare my heart

to be yielded

so that the Spirit of God

may begin to affect me

in a way that I've never been affected before

never been affected before

whatever you want to do with me

in terms of a change of character

a change of nature

a change of the way of thinking

a change of the way of operating on this earth

from this day on

in terms of gifts

of the Holy Spirit that you want to give

in terms of

places that you want me to go

in the power of the Holy Spirit

could you bring about

such a radical transformation in my life

as I prepare this week

to yield myself?

what is yielding then?

how do you prepare yourself to yield?

it is a decisive moment

by moment walk

where you decide

Father I do not want this

I want this

it's a yielding

yielding always is a decision

more than anything else it's a decision

worship is an expression

that may happen after yielding

but yielding is a decision

may our stubbornness not stand in the way

may your traditions not stand in the way

may your

knowledge of what you know till now

not stand in the way

may your moods and feelings not stand in the way

may what your fathers

and your pastors taught you

not stand in the way

may your culture

not stand in the way

may your gender

not stand in the way

may your own thoughts of whether you're

holy or not holy

pian of stand in the way

because you are ever present before the Father and Jesus Christ is the most powerful,

universal, sovereign head of everything and He can do what He wants.

But decide, make a decision as you come next week that I come to be yielded,

to be transformed, to be changed not by word that Jacob speaks or that anybody else does

but by a sheer work of the Spirit of the Living God.

Yieldedness is always met, always met, always met by God, always met.

He never turns yieldedness away.

What will happen to you then? You will look more like Jesus.

That's what yieldedness does. Yieldedness makes you look more like Jesus.

If this is all that you are yielded, then this is all that will be wet.

If this is how you are yielded, that is how you will look.

It's a very simple thing guys, but it's a decision.

It's a decision.

And I challenge you.

I want this badly for myself, but I would hate it if it was only the experience of a few.

I want it for us man.

Everything God does, He does as a people.

So Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I just thank you for these marvelous scriptures

that show us how much happened because Jesus Christ ascended.

In Ephesians 1, it says towards the end, towards verse 18 and 19,

that your great power raised him from the dead and then exalted him to the highest place.

Father, would you please make us, make me consciously aware of a need to yield more

so that I may decrease and you may radically, in giant steps increase.

Not incremental steps, no.

It doesn't have to wait till Sunday, but on Sunday we'll gather together.

And we'll open our hearts and our lives and say,

Holy Spirit possess what is rightfully yours and that has been paid for by Christ.

I do ask this for all of us seated here Father.

You deserve this.

This is duly yours.

You deserve this.

You have bought us.

We dare not hold ourselves back because of our stupid ideas Father.

And I deliberately use the word stupid because it is stupid.

You must have more of us.

We belong to you.

You paid the price.

Please have your way.

Please have your way.

I'm just angry at my own stubbornness.

And so we ask, granted I pray,

Father so I bless this church Abba.

I bless this church.

I thank you that they listen to hear.

Or they, yeah whatever Father, you understand what I mean.

They listen to hear and grasp and I bless them.

I just bless them.

I just bless them.

Anything else you want to do before we leave Father?

Amen.