Livingston United Methodist Church Ascension of the Lord Sunday Intrusion of Heaven Livingston United Methodist Church Ascension of the Lord Sunday

Dark energy and dark matter Normal matter = < 5%! Universe expanding Galaxies spin slowly What we cannot see makes a difference on what we can see

Ephesians 1 For this reason because I have heard of your trust in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints I do not stop giving thanks for you. Remembering you in my prayers. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ – the Father of glory – will give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation for knowing him. Ascension Sunday = Jesus returns to/into/unto heaven

Apostles’ Creed Early summary of Christian faith I believe in God the Father Almighty creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord. He suffered under Pontius Pilate. Was crucified died and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven. And is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Acts 1 After his suffering and death Jesus presents himself alive to his friends by many proofs. He appears to them over forty days and talks about the kingdom of God. What about us?!? How do we know? Cannot and must not try to prove Christian faith and teaching

Back to Ephesians 1 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ will give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you will know him. That the eyes of your heart will be enlightened. That you will know the hope to which he has called you. What are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. And what is the greatness of his power in us who believe. We show the Christian faith “You have shown me what Christianity is”

Die himmlische Gemeinschaft Martin Luther ~ 1500 Church = heilige Gemeinschaft Holy community (that can be seen) How about Die Kirche ist die himmlische Gemeinschaft? Heavenly community

Problem and promise Christ no longer visibly/physically present How will we be his witnesses? Christ present in/through Christian church = his body God = personal reality Goal is to know him – not that/about him!

How do we know? Dark matter and dark energy -> difference in physical universe World sees that we know God Eyes of our heart full of light We know hope Power of God in our lives together Same power in resurrection and ascension!

Where earth and heaven meet “The Church, guided by the Holy Spirit down through the ages, is meant to be the special place where earth and heaven come together. In good preaching, in great art, in the architecture of our places of worship, in our works of mercy and service to others, in the lives of the saints, and perhaps especially in the liturgy – in our ritual worship -earth and heaven meet” (Robert Barron)

Intrusion of heaven Kingdom of heaven shines/pushes into this world We are the intrusion of heaven