1. Trying to Understand God’s Central Truth The Ascension of Our Lord May 20, 2007 - Luke 24:44 & 45

2. The Ascension Of Our Lord Acts chapter 1 Luke chapter 24

3. Luke 24:44 Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

4. Luke 24:45... Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures... ” “You are witnesses of these things”

5. Luke 24:50 When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

6. They Were His Witnesses He told them, This is what is written: Christ will suffer Christ will suffer Christ rise from the dead on the third day, Christ rise from the dead on the third day, Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name Repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name

7. The Suffering Sacrifice This is the plan of God from the beginning This is the plan of God from the beginning This is God’s answer to human disobedience and self will This is God’s answer to human disobedience and self will Jesus Christ paid the price for all humanity Jesus Christ paid the price for all humanity

8. The Resurrection On The Third Day This is also God’s plan from the beginning This is also God’s plan from the beginning Jesus conquered not only sin but also death Jesus conquered not only sin but also death Jesus says: “Because I live, you too shall live.” Jesus says: “Because I live, you too shall live.”

9. Repentance and Forgiveness People are sinners People are sinners People sin People sin We need a change We need a change We can be forgiven We can be forgiven God changes us God changes us

10. Central Truths The Christian faith involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ The Christian faith involves a personal relationship with Jesus Christ The nature of the Christian faith involves a change from the popular ideas about religion The nature of the Christian faith involves a change from the popular ideas about religion Jesus Christ makes an exclusive claim on his disciples Jesus Christ makes an exclusive claim on his disciples

11. A Personal Relationship John 17:3 John 17:3 The Christian faith is not a set of beliefs – it a relationship John 15:5, 6 John 15:5, 6 Our lives are grafted into Jesus Christ John 10:9-11 John 10:9-11 Jesus wants a personal relationship with us

12. Popular Ideas Of Religion Religion is a matter of personal preference Religion is a matter of personal preference People can work their way into goodness People can work their way into goodness The purpose of religion is to make us “better people” The purpose of religion is to make us “better people”

13. The Nature Of The Christian Faith 1 John 4:19-21 1 John 4:19-21 It is not natural, but comes from God Matthew 5:43, 44 Matthew 5:43, 44 It changes our view of people Romans 12:20, 21 Romans 12:20, 21 It changes the way we treat them

14. Christ Claims You Acts 4:12 Acts 4:12 There is only one name and one Savior – Jesus Christ John 14:6 John 14:6 There is only one way, one road, and one simple truth for God

15. God’s Central Truth People are created creatures People are created creatures Creatures who have rebelled and rejected the Creator Creatures who have rebelled and rejected the Creator Creatures who will run amuck if left on our own Creatures who will run amuck if left on our own

16. God’s Central Truth God, the Creator has made us for a purpose God, the Creator has made us for a purpose He wants a personal relationship with us, His creatures He wants a personal relationship with us, His creatures And he has gone to extraordinary lengths to pave our road to Him And he has gone to extraordinary lengths to pave our road to Him

17. God’s Central Truth This road was paved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who is the only- begotten Son of God This road was paved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who is the only- begotten Son of God This road is marked by faith, repentance and forgiveness This road is marked by faith, repentance and forgiveness

18. God’s Central Truth Faith is our desire for that personal relationship with the Creator Faith is our desire for that personal relationship with the Creator Faith is our commitment to God’s original purpose and relationship Faith is our commitment to God’s original purpose and relationship

19. As a witness to His Truth – God now sends you to share His message

20. Jesus said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

21. Amen