Luke 24:44-53; Ephesians 1:15-23   This Sunday we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord Sunday. This is basically Jesus’ goodbye to the disciples and when the power of God which raised him from the dead, raised him up into heaven. Jesus makes a promise to them that in a little while they will be “clothed with power from on high.” This refers to the day of Pentecost which we will be celebrating next week when Jesus keeps his promise and God sends them and all who believe the Holy Spirit. Paul writes the Ephesians years after Pentecost has happened and he tells the Ephesians how thankful he is for the faith and love of all of them. He wishes great things for them – the things Jesus promised in our Luke passage. One is a spirit of wisdom. Luke tells about how Jesus opened up the disciples’ minds to understand the scriptures. This is something the Holy Spirit does for us today when we study God’s word. Paul then prays for their hearts to be enlightened that they will realize ...

  Acts 17:22-28; John 14:15-21 In Acts17 Paul is addressing an audience by an altar inscribed “To an Unknown god.” Paul rectifies this by telling them of the true God not made by hands who you don’t need to worship in shrines made by humans. He gives a spiel about the one true God, our creator, life giver, and Lord of all nations who is near us and available for those who search for God. Paul then delivers a powerful statement quoting an unknown source, “In Him we live and move and have our being.” Many interpret this as God giving us life since we are God’s offspring – yet I see a spiritual life given to us through the Spirit of God that lives within us. The Holy Spirit is the one Jesus promised in our John passage. The Spirit of truth, and our advocate will be us, abiding within us. Jesus didn’t leave them orphaned but gave them and gives us one part of the Trinity. Because Christ will be resurrected and will live, we will also live. Jesus says he is in my Father and you – us...

  John 14:1-7; Acts 7:55-60 In our John passage Jesus is comforting the disciples. He tells them not to worry – be troubled since he is preparing a place for them. In his Father’s house are many dwelling places. After he prepares this place for them, he will come again for them and take them to himself. Thomas is confused when Jesus tells them they know the way to which he responds, “No we don’t.” Jesus answers with one of the famous, “I am” passages: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Through him people will come to the Father in a place he has prepared for them. Now this is before the crucifixion where Jesus does provide the way to God the Father by dying for everyone’s sins. He then is the way – paving the way to a relationship to God and being able to dwell in one of the eternal dwelling places he has gone and prepared for them. In this way no one can come to the Father except through him. Fast forward pass the crucifixion and Christ’s resurrection to the days of ...