Lessons for May 25, 2006 – The Ascension of Our Lord

The first lesson

Acts 1:1-11
 
Dear Theophilus: In my first book I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit. 3During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 
4In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before. 5John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"  7"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know. 8But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."  9It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud. 10As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them. 11They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky? Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven. And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"  (NLT)
 
Psalm 47 

L.  Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise! 
C.  For the Lord Most High is awesome.
L.  He is the great King of all the earth. 
C.  He subdues the nations before us, putting our enemies beneath our feet. 
L.  He chose the Promised Land as our inheritance, the proud possession of Jacob's descendants, whom he loves
C.  God has ascended with a mighty shout.
L.  The Lord has ascended with trumpets blaring. 
C.  Sing praise to God, sing praises; sing praise to our King, sing praises!
L.  For God is the King over all the earth. Praise him with a psalm! 
C.  God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne. 
L.  The rulers of the world have gathered together.
C.  They join us in praising the God of Abraham.
L.  For all the kings of the earth belong to God. He is highly honored everywhere.  (NLT)
 
The second lesson

Ephesians 1:15-23

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for Christians everywhere, 16I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. 18I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.  19I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms. 21Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. 22And God has put all things under the authority of Christ, and he gave him this authority for the benefit of the church. 23And the church is his body; it is filled by Christ, who fills everything everywhere with his presence.  (NLT)
The Gospel Lesson

Luke 24:44-53
 
Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true." 45Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures. 46And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day. 47With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: 'There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.' 48You are witnesses of all these things.  49"And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven." 50Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52They worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God.  (NLT)