An Extraordinary Ascension Part 2

One reason for us to Jesus phone number for Rice to bring many sons and daughters to his ascension was one in creating the church body of Christ.

Only a few saw Jesus rise into the sky, a multitude no man can number will see him return from the Moody Church in Chicago. This is with Dr. Irwin, Sir teaching helps us make it across the finish line after loser does it matter, Christ is now seated in heaven rather than being on earth. It really does matter.

Dave and one of the reasons is because Jesus told the disciples, it is good for you if I go out and for if I do not go away. I will not send you the comforter.

What he was saying is that the Holy Spirit was going to be given to the people. After he left, and that now the Holy Spirit of God indwells everyone no matter where they are in any part of the world as long as they are believers in Jesus were here on earth he be localized in one place. Now he is everywhere.

How thankful we are for the ascension of Jesus Christ and by the way it is that ascension that gives us hope. I want to thank the many of you who stand with us regularly with your prayers and your gifts.

We call these people endurance partners. I like to think of them as members of the running to win family. If you want more information about the possibility of becoming an endurance partner go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337.

I'll be giving you that contact information once again at the end of this message. For now, listen carefully to the triumph of Jesus I want you to know today that Jesus Christ walks with you through that a know he is in heaven. His body is in heaven. He is here by his spirit and he is watching us every moment and knows all about us and our need the ascension of Jesus Christ was proof of his headship. As I mentioned a moment ago. It was also proof of ownership, thirdly, was proof of King ship King ship look at Ephesians chapter 1 again.

The passage that we read and sometimes we read these passages. All too quickly because there is so much in them notice what the apostle Paul says in verse 21, when Christ ascended, it was far above all rule and authority, not just about but far above says in the book of Hebrews. They passed through the heaven is that the writers of the New Testament are trying to convey is that a matter of distance not stop the distance that is important. It is the dominion that Jesus Christ has. It is a matter of triumph.

It isn't just a matter of traveling.

He's trying to say to us is that Jesus Christ is thoroughly and completely above anything else that exists. We read it didn't way far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named and that includes the names of other religious teachers and other religions. Jesus is exalted above all of them says in the book of Hebrews that he is crowned with glory and honor King of Kings and Lord of lords, you realize today that Jesus will never be any stronger than he is today because he is already omnipotent, infinitely powerful realize that Jesus will never learn anything and he will never have more knowledge someday than he has today because he is already on mission and that means that he knows everything, and his infinite wisdom that Jesus Christ will never have a dominion that is bigger than the one that he rules over today because he is omnipresent and exists everywhere and through his spirit fills the entire universe. He is King. I know what you're thinking.

You're saying well is it reverent to even ask the question, is he doing a good job.

Is he doing a good job. Look at the headlines of the newspapers look at what some of you have been through look at the abuse that some of you have experienced in Jesus didn't do anything to help you. You think look at the misery index among Americans. I heard of a man who wanted to divorce his wife so he left which is usually the first stage of the process, but that he was missing her and he wrote home to her and said that you know I'm so miserable without you.

I'm as miserable without you, as I would be if you were here, he said, what is Jesus doing in heaven. King of Kings, Lord of the Lord's, and look at what is happening on planet Earth, my dear friend, you need to be able to distinguish between the present rule of Jesus Christ in heaven, which is a rule of divine restraint. I'm going to ask you to turn to. One other passage, and that is to Hebrews chapter 10 which is going to shed a lot of light on what is taking place on planet Earth. Hebrews chapter 10 verse 13 it says having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time. He sat down at the right hand of God. Now word verse 13 Hebrews 1013 waiting from that time onward until his enemies be made up footstool for his feet. This is a time of waiting, waiting. He is King he is the Lord, but he is waiting. He is giving this planet an opportunity to prove that man cannot rule himself. God wants to prove that not only can men not rule themselves, but even men who are instigated and led by the devil cannot rule themselves. In fact, with that combination. The mass even becomes worse. As will become clear as we hasten on to the time of Jesus Christ return to Jesus said I'm in total control. This is a time of waiting at the distinguish between the time of waiting and then the time of the winning when Christ returns to this earth.

And then he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. There is a time coming when Jesus Christ will yet rule over this planet and men and women will be brought into subjection to him, and no one will ignore him.

That time is coming. It is the time when he also was going to come as judge when there will be that final grade separation between those who accepted him and those who rejected him.

That time is coming, and then throughout all of eternity. The kingdoms of this earth are going to be given to God the father and they will be ruled with God the son, and he will be King of Kings and Lord of lords over the universe. Time is coming, but here's what I want you to remember Jesus is just as much in control during the time when he is waiting as he is when he is winning. Jesus is just as much in control as he is ascended into heaven as he will be when he di San upon planet Earth. What does the text say in the book of Ephesians that all things have been made to subject to him whatever her name is named in this world and Paul make sure that we don't think that in the world to come. There's going to be a named crop up that will not be in subjection to Jesus Christ. He says throughout all of eternity. All things in subjection to this reason, triumphant ascended Christ is able pastor Luther, that's fine. But what does this mean to me, living with the pushes and pulls the miseries of this world what you mean first of all, believe it or not, it should mean ownership ownership. As the Bible says in the book of Hebrews that when Jesus ascended into heaven and went behind the veil. He was the forerunner he was the forerunner he ran ahead of us and he said before he left. Behold, I go to prepare a place for you and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you want to myself that where I am there. He made old so he is preparing a place for us and because he is there he is preparing it for his bride, that we might be with him and so we own heaven to really do. In heaven there is a crown that only you can wear. In heaven there is a condominium with your name on it and it says that there is a place reserved in heaven for you when you get to heaven you don't have all these long lines you do when you're at our ever else you may find yourself for efficient banks that we find in our society. You don't have that problem in heaven know we have a place reserved and we march on through and we take our residence that is been prepared by the forerunner.

What does it mean to you and to me ownership and you're just as sure that you are already in heaven. But you will be in heaven.

I should say as you can possibly be because your representative is there and he's making sure that every detail will be taken care of for your arrival means ownership.

It does not mean for us headship, but it does mean partnership and it also means for us King ship King ship now this is so staggering that I wouldn't even say it, unless it was in the Bible but repeatedly there are passages like those in Revelation chapter 22, where it says, and there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and to his servants shall serve him and they shall reign with him ever and ever.

Christ's ascension means ownership, but it also means for you and for me, King ship now get this. That which belongs to Jesus Christ by divine right is given to you and to me by divine grace. And when you stop to think of it, we shall never be what Jesus Christ is, for he is God, but we shall be able to enjoy all that Jesus Christ has, because we shall be heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ and his death and his resurrection and his ascension are proof that those promises can be counted on. You know that in these series of messages that I have given about Christ. Among other gods.

We pointed out before that one of the serious criticisms that is constantly leveled at Christianity is the very negative view it has in human nature.

Remember a few times ago where I emphasized and showed why human beings can have nothing to do with the doctrine of salvation except to receive the gift had to be totally of God because our own righteousness can never in any way reach the righteousness of God and other religions don't believe that they actually think that through meditation and transformation we can become better and eventually some even say we can become our own God. So Christianity is severely criticized. They say you know you believe in that terrible thing called total depravity.

I mean it even sounds awful will take a look into your heart. I know why it sounds awful, but I want you to know today that there is no religion in the world that has such a negative view of human nature. But there is also no religion in the world that so eventually exalts man and the teaching of the Bible is that we are taken from them, not to marble and we are lifted from the pit and we are taken to the palace.

No other religion says that someday we shall rule with our God for ever and ever in personal contact with him King of Kings and Lord of lords, and he is going to share with us the privilege and the honor of enjoying it with him.

Now let me ask you what you got going in your life that's miserable I want you to see it today as under the feet of a triumphant Christ Almighty Jesus isn't doing anything about it or at least not doing what you think you should peacekeeping records. He's got it all under control. He will never know.

As I mentioned earlier, you will never know more than he already does because he is infinite knowledge was a reformer by the name of savanna Rola worms, Germany there is a statute to Martin Luther and savanna Rola is one of the pre-reformers who also has a statue along with three others who are known as the pre-reformers savanna Rola LinkedIn Florence, Italy, and he instituted reforms in a very, very dark time in the Christian church in the fourth mean hundreds and he actually had a burning of all of the various artifacts and do sinful things that people were involved in at that time it was called the bonfire of the vanities here in the United States several years ago, a movie was made by that name. I have no idea what the movie was about, but I do know that that phrase is right out of savanna Rola, who had the people bring their lewd books and their gambling devices and everything and that a bonfire but eventually savanna Rola was executed. Now you know there's something that has never happened to you right you've never been executed. I've never been executed know people say will there's a lot of bad news today. Let me tell you something.

There is no such thing as news we call news is only the same old thing happening to new people. There is no such thing really is news. There's nothing that will ever happen to you. That hasn't happened to somebody else. Why do I mention savanna Rola when he was eventually put to death but before he died he said in the sermon and I guess come to think of that would be rather logical. He would say it before he died.

All of you with me this morning. Savanna Rola said he who believes that Christ is about need never fear what happens below King of Kings lowered of Lawrence God of very God and we belong to him and will reign with him for ever and ever. And if you believe that he is above even if you're executed, you need not fear what happened below and if you agree, let us pray our father. Today we want to thank you for the exalted triumphant Christ, Lord Jesus, we confess that during this time of waiting is so difficult, so difficult. We wish that this were a time of winning yet. Lord Jesus, we see you there is is absolutely triumphant and also triumphant over our circumstance over our heart aches in our pains and today. Father, we thank you for the fact that we belong to you. We pray, oh God, shall make us faithful. Other some of you here who do not know Christ as your Savior. I need to say that this message was not for you, but you could participate in its blessings. If you received Christ in your heart. Why don't you talk to him what you say something like this, Lord Jesus, I know that I'm a sinner. You say that in your heart to God. I know that I am a sinner. I know I can to save myself, but at this moment. I accept Christ as mine, but I my belong to him forever and participate in his rule in his name what my friend, this is Pastor Sir, have you been blessed as a result of the ministry of running to win when we exalt Jesus Christ and preach the gospel. I trust that you are edified and helped but you are helped because other people have invested in this ministry.

If you considered becoming a part of the running to win family so that many more might hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hold in my hands a letter from someone who listens in Nigeria by the way, running to win is now in Nigeria. Thanks to people like you. He writes I learned from the running to win messages that the birth of Jesus Christ was a promise made in the Old Testament and fulfilled in the New Testament. You have to understand that people are beginning to understand the history of the Bible it screws in its transforming power. If you'd like to help us get this message out. Here's what you can do to become an endurance partner go to RTW offer.com that's RTW offer.com or call us at 1-888-218-9337 become a part of the running to win family as we share the gospel in more than 20 countries of the world. It's time now for another chance for you to ask pastoralists or a question about the Bible or the Christian life. One of the 10 Commandments tells us to honor your father and your mother. This is not always easy as arriving to win listener named Misty tells us she asks how do you honor parents who were not honorable. My father is an alcoholic and my mother was married four times. Misty, first of all let me say that my heart goes out to you. I know how difficult it is for children to be in a home where they cannot be proud of their parents. In fact, I venture to say that you probably were brought up with the tremendous amount of shame in your home a couple of things. You know it's interesting in Matthew chapter 23 verse two. Jesus was speaking about the religious leaders and he said to the people he said to honor them practice what they say but do not do what they do because they say and they don't do what they say. In other words, they don't practice what they preach to. Here's my advice to you. First of all honor your parents as far as possible when they ask you to do something good you do it. There may be some things that they ask you to do that are wrong that you would be best off not to do, but for the most part be obedient to them. Show them respect, but at the same time you have to pity them. I mean, just think of how your father must feel is an alcoholic with all of that shame and your mother knows that she has drastically failed in terms of her marriages. They know all that. And so there's a sense in which you have to pity them in the direction that they have taken and who knows what kind of parenting they had, because it may well be because of their background that this contributed at least in some sense into the brokenness of their lives. But the bottom line for you is simply this, Misty God will never hold you accountable for doing a poor job of raising your parents, so there's a sense in which as you grow older you have to put boundaries between yourself and your parents and you have to walk away emotionally and spiritually from their direction continued to stay in touch with them. You can connect with them and respect them, but at the same time.

I hope and pray that you are going in a different direction and Misty God knows your circumstances. He knows your heart he knows your desire to serve him, he's going to help you through this and I know that you are going to live a very different life than your parents did some wise counsel from Dr. Erwin looks her thank you Misty for your question from Dr. Luther for your answer. If you'd like to hear your question answered. You can go to our website@rtwoffer.com and click on ask pastoralists are, or you can call us at 1-888-218-9337 that's 1-888-218-9337 you can write to us running to win 1635 N. LaSalle Boulevard Chicago, IL 60614. There is coming a day for believers in life's race will that day is the Christians right hope the day Jesus returns. The day will be like no other, before or since, and because scripture cannot be broken that promise is an Luke certainty. Next time I run into when Dr. Blitzer begins his final message to look at Christ's extraordinary return, this is Dave McAllister running to win is sponsored by the Moody Church