SPECIAL DAYS: Ascension Day, Memorial Day

LESSONS: Acts 1.1-14; Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

SERMON TITLE: This Same Jesus

INTRODUCTION:

1. A woman was in a jewelry store looking for a necklace.
1. She said to the clerk, "I'd like a gold cross."
2. The man behind the display counter looked over the stock in the display case and said: "Do you want a plain one, or one with a little man on it?"
3. A little man on it?
1. Doesn't he know who that is?
2. The cross is the most visible symbol of Christianity.
3. Everyone knows who Jesus is.
4. The woman felt his ignorance was indicative of the times in which we live.
5. Perhaps it is.
2. Jimmy Cagney's wife was very proud of her husband's memory. And she recalled one instance of it.
1. "One day," she said, "we were getting into a car in New York, and Jimmy saw a man across the street.
1. 'You see that fellow over there?' Jimmy said.
1. 'He sat next to me in school.
2. 'His name is Nathan Skidelsky.'
2. 'Prove it," she told him. 'Go say hello.'
3. So he did. And you know what? It was.
2. The only problem was Nathan Skidelsky did not remember who Jimmy Cagney was."
3. How could anyone not know who Jimmy Cagney was?
1. He had a long career on stage and in films.
1. Public Enemy
2. Yankee Doodle Dandy
3. Mr. Roberts
4. Ragtime.
2. His class mate could not remember who he was.
3. On this day, we are invited to remember why Jesus had to leave and why he promised to return.

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MAIN BODY:

1. In an eastern city there is the Church of the Ascension
1. In the church there is a painting of the Ascension
1. Jesus is floating up on a cloud in the sky
2. A little girl visited the church with her father.
3. "Why is Jesus up in the air?". she asked.
2. Here in the midst of our own concerns, problems, troubles, and needs, we find Jesus floating in the midst of the air.
1. What does that have to do with us?
2. Does event speak, within the context of our own experience, directly to us.
1. If we let it, it can.
2. There are important reminders.
1. Reminders of specific help.
2. Reminders of relationship.
3. The time had come for Jesus to leave.
1. There was no doubt that he was alive
1. They had seen him, talked with him, eaten with him.
2. He had talked with them about the kingdom of God.
3. He promised them the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
4. There are good reasons for Jesus to leave.
1. He is to enthroned at the right hand of the Father.
2. He has other work to do.
3. He is the mediator between you and me and the Father.
4. In his absence the Holy Spirit will be given to lead and inspire the followers.

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5. If Jesus stays:
1. He would not be available to all people.
1. Jesus would be confined to one location.
2. Access to the divine benefits would be limited.
2. There is the possibility of the development of a personality cult centered in Israel.
1. A guru surrounded by layers of sub-leaders.
2. Just think of how difficult that it might be to see him.
1. We have heard of Jim Jones.
2. We have heard of David Koresch.
3. It would not be like that, but it might be.
3. Misunderstanding of God's plans for humanity would continue.
1. Will you at this time restore the Kingdom
2. It is not for you to know the times and seasons that God has established.
4. People would become dependent on his powers and abilities
1. They would not do for themselves.
2. This would limit human ability and skills.
3. Disciples, of which we are a part (for better or worse), would not develop the leadership capacities of which they were capable.

Ill: Back when the West was being settled the major means of transportation was the stagecoach.

1. We've seen persons riding in stagecoaches in western movies.
2. What we might not know is that the stagecoach had three different kinds of tickets--first class, second class, and third class.
3. If you had a first class ticket, that meant you could remain seated during the entire trip no matter what happened.
4. If the stagecoach got stuck in the mud, or had trouble making it up a steep hill, or even if a wheel fell off, you could remain seated because you had a first class ticket.
5. If you had a second class ticket you also could remain seated--until there was a problem.
6. In case of a problem, second-class ticket holders would have to get off until the problem was resolved.
7. You could stand off to the side and watch as other people worked. You didn't have to get your hands dirty.
8. But second-class ticket holders were not allowed to stay on board. When the stagecoach was unstuck you would get back on and take your seat.
9. If you had a third-class ticket, you would definitely have to get off if there was a problem Why?
10. Because it was your responsibility to help solve the problem. You had to get out and push or help lift to fix a broken wheel or whatever was needed because you only had a third class ticket.
1. Disciples get out and push and prod, repair, and see to the operation and function of the coach, which in this case is the church.

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1. Another reason for Jesus ascension is that the human witness to the power of the Gospel would be limited.
1. The power of the promise would not be fulfilled.
2. The disciples stood gazing up into heaven.
3. We do not know how Jesus ascended.
1. It was more than a hot air balloon
2. The how is not as important as the what
4. While they are doing this two heavenly beings appear.
1. Their message is a comforting one.
2. This same Jesus whom you have seen leave
1. Will one day return.
2. The final restoration will take place.
5. This is the promise

(Revelation 22:12-14 NRSV) "See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. [13] I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." [14] Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.

(Revelation 22:16-17 NRSV) "It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." [17] The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.

(Revelation 22:20-21 NRSV) The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! [21] The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.

1. Then all the promises of the kingdom will be fulfilled.
2. The family reunion will be complete.

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CONCLUSION:

1. It was time for the annual family reunion to end.
1. The host members stood and watched the rest of the family get into their cars and leave for home.
1. There was no doubt where they were going.
2. Their addresses were known.
2. Even though the family went home, their presence lingers, the words they shared spoke of love and compassion and support.
3. We are the host family.
4. Jesus is leaving.
1. We may not know exactly where he is going.
2. What we do know is that through the Holy Spirit, he comes to us with all that he is and has.
3. This is the promise and the hope of Ascension Day, in which the Christian lives.

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