Sunday, May 25, 2014

June 1, 2014 Ascension Sunday

Scriptures for June 1st: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53; Theme: Ascension Day; Song: He is Exalted Ephesians: The church of Ephesus was a very intentional community. Paul uses them as an example of what it means to live our life in Christ. That is Paul’s major point to all of us. That we can be nothing without Christ. But we are everything with Christ. And if we take on Christ as our inner being it effects who we are and how we treat other people. Paul was proud that when people talked about the Ephesians, they talked about how loving there were to each other and to others. When visitors came, they always felt welcome. Paul wanted to encourage them to continue to use this power. To continue to go further in Christ power to change the world. And when Christ takes full power of all of the earth and heaven you will be rewarded. Luke: This is the Sunday that we remember that Christ did indeed ascend into heaven as he promised. This is he scripture that he does ascend. Jesus wanted to make sure that his disciples witnessed this event and were able to tell others what happened. He even called all of them together. Jesus reminded them that he has taught them all that they needed to know. He had empowered them to do their job. They can go forward in peace. He also wanted them to know that he had given them all that they needed. He did not want to be the center of his disappearance. He did not want them to be paralyzed in grief. He wanted tem to jump in and get to work. He wanted them to rejoice, not to cry. He reminds them that they have to power of God to change the world. We to have that power. Questions: What is the reputation of your congregation? What do people say when they leave? What does it mean to live in Christ? How does hope make a difference in your life? How do we witness to Christ today? What do we need the power to change today? How are you a witness to Christ’s rising?

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