The Ascension - Jesus' Goodbye Promises

Scripture: Acts 1:1-10 New International Version (NIV)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.”6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Apostles' Creed

1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:

2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:

3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:

4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:

5. The third day he rose again from the dead:

6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:

9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of saints:

10. The forgiveness of sins:

1l. The resurrection of the body:

12. And the life everlasting. Amen.

Title: Jesus' Good Bye Promises - 1. The Promise that God has everything under control 2. The Promise of a Better Life in the Holy Spirit 3. The Promise of being able to be a Global Witness

INTRO:

Good morning and what a joy to be with one another on the Lord's Day!

This morning, let me ask you a question. How do you rate your good byes? Last week many of us celebrated Mother's Day with our extended family members and friends. No doubt some of us were with family members that we may not see again for many weeks or months to come. After enjoying each other's company there comes that time when some have to leave and go back home. So, how do you say goodbye? How do you say good bye to people that you love and that it hurts to say good bye to?

Chelsea Fagan penned a recent article on the subject, entitled -" How To Say Goodbye To Someone You Don’t Want To Leave." ( see ThoughtCatalog.com) She and others on that site share a great deal about how goodbyes can be so difficult. You want to say the right words, after all, it may be the last time you talk to that person. You want to depart with the right atmosphere, the right attitude, and the right mood. You want your good bye to be memorable. You want them to connote something special to both you and the listener.

And so at times you mentally rehearse what you are going to say. You want your goodbye to be just as great as your first hello. You want to tell the person how much you love them and what a tremendous impact that they have had on your life. You want to express your appreciation for just being able to share life with them.

However, when it comes to that moment, we just mumble something. We open our mouths and meaningless dribble falls out. Subsequently, we get quiet as we begin to feel the ache of our oncoming separation. Quickly, desperation slips in because we know what we want to say but suddenly it seems awkward and uncomfortable. So, we leave it all unsaid only to later wish we had just shared everything our heart was thinking and feeling. Maybe we will text or write. We will do better next time.