Ephesians 1 gives us a point of entry, for the uninitiated, to usher in new thinking about the Ascension of Jesus Christ. The Ascension is not just a random event that comes and goes, in and then out of history as an interesting and unexplainable event. It is the intentional product set out from before the creation, and still in play with consequences for us here and now. Here we take a 50,000 foot flyover view of the sweep of…
Pastor Matt discusses God’s intent for his people, and the mission to which he has sent us. Specific focus is on the Apostle Paul’s conversion experience as recorded in Acts 9. In Acts 9 we see that the Risen Lord – even after He has ascended and assumed the Throne – still wants our loving committed obedience in taking the Gospel out to a lost world in need of Grace and Mercy. (Acts 9)
Today, Pastor Matt talks about Jesus’ miraculous resurrection from the dead. He is not only alive, but repeatedly demonstrates this remarkable fact to His disciples. Thomas finally witnesses the risen Jesus himself, and confesses himself that Jesus is indeed Lord, and God. (John 20; Genesis 2:7; Psalm 35)
In today’s program, Pastor Matt looks at Jesus as Lord. as our Lord, Jesus achieved our justification with the Father through His sacrificial death on the cross; those who accept him are no longer guilty of sin having thus absolved us of all our sin, he opens up relationship again with the Father one becomes ‘saved’ upon acceptance of this holy justification Jesus then sends His Spirit to dwell in our hearts, leading us through the process of Sanctification Christians,…
Today, Pastor Matt discusses the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to His disciples, as as recorded in John 20, and His commission to them. the Lord commissioned them to go be witnesses, to give testimony of Him, his life, death and, most importantly, His resurrection Jesus, the creator of all things, initiates a new creation by being the RE-creator and He gives peace to those members of His royal priesthood of believers He has commissioned that royal priesthood to be about…
Today Pastor Matt explores the 40 day period between Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His ascension, 40 days later. Resurrection Sunday and the Ascension 40 days later are the two “bookends” of the physical, bodily Appearances of the Resurrected Jesus to His disciples In John 20 we see the initial conditions of Jesus’ appearances Many of the directives of our Lord during His appearances have to do with sharing the message and spreading the Word of Jesus and all…
Looking forward to Resurrection Day this coming Sunday, Pastor Matt today explores a number of aspects of Hebrews chapters 8 & 9. These chapters speak to the Anointed Life of Christ, His Death as Sacrifice, and His Resurrection as an Accomplishment Jesus’ Royal Ascension as Service The Gift of Salvation Hebrews describes the Better Promises and the Better Covenant that make the way for us into God’s presence once again And they describe the benefit of the advantage given to…
In today’s program, Pastor Matt explores our many spiritual benefits flowing from Jesus’s resurrection from the dead. The principal scripture for today is 1 Peter 1:1-12. The meaning and product of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead Resurrection is a work of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) Resurrection extends to our Salvation (our Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification) Resurrection extends to the Covenant by Grace through Faith Resurrection extends to our Present Works for our God and His purposes (1…
In this program, Pastor Matt examines the truth claims of Jesus Christ. Using historical investigation we can subject the Christian claims to truth tests When we do, we can see warrant and validity of those claims with lateral confirmations that Scripture records and affirms what accords with reality Jesus has, as a historical point of fact, risen from the dead That He is Lord indeed is the most natural extrapolation (Matthew 27:54-28:15)
In this program Pastor Matt explains some of the unique and exclusive attributes of Jesus: Jesus is the unique King of the World He is known to be the Great and long awaited Messiah, because He has defeated sin and death This victory is His victory that He shares as a gift for us You are invited to be a part of His Kingdom by Covenant with Him And you are invited into the work of the Covenant as a…