April 28, 2019

Watch the Sermon

Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-11

1. One of the first things said by Pastor Zac was that we often make the Ascension an exclamation point added to the events of Christ’s death, burial, & resurrection. Why is the ascension more than just an accessory to the person & work of Christ, why is it important to the Christian faith?

2. Looking at Luke 24:50, we saw how things have come full circle in terms of the location. From the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane to the ascension…it all comes back to the Mount of Olives. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen so many ways in which the accounts surrounding the events of Passion Week (Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday) as well as the Ascension of Jesus connect…why is it helpful to see all these connections?

3. Also from Luke 24:50, we see Jesus carrying out the work of the office of priest by lifting his hands and blessing the people. Looking at 1 Timothy 2:5 & Hebrews 4:14, what is accomplished through Christ being the true & great High Priest? 

4. Pastor Zac brought up an interesting point from Luke 24:51 in terms of why Jesus’ chose to leave in this way…he spoke of how it highlights that Jesus rules & is in absolute authority. The importance of this authority is then unpacked in Ephesians 1:19-23…what are implications of Jesus’ ruling & reigning on the life of Christians, on the life of the church, on our ultimate hope for eternity?

5. Then we saw from Luke 24:52 the response of the witnesses to the ascension…worship & this was then connected to Acts 1:4 with obedience. How do obedience & worship complement one another? What are ways that we can worship God by being obedient in the matters of our lives? 

6. Finally, we looked at Luke 24:53 & saw that they met together to worship God. The book of Luke ends with the priority of worshipping together. We were then challenged to examine our own priorities. What would you say competes in our schedules with our involvement in the life & ministries of the church?

7. Pastor Zac ended by exhorting us to rejoice in light of eternity…that Christ will return. What are ways we can encourage each other to remember to live in light of eternity?