Flint: The Ascension

Lk 24:50-53, Acts 1:1-11

1. The ascension caused worship, not sorrow. The apostles reaction was worship because they finally understood: they had a full understanding of the gospel. As a result of their understanding, they worshipped continually. Ps 47:5-9 The result of our own understanding should be constant praise and worship.

2. The ascension marked the completion of Jesus life on earth. Jn 17:1-5, Eph 1:19-23, Phil 2:9-11, Rev 5:11-13. Jesus is back in heaven, but is still interceeding for us.

3. The ascension was for our good because we received the Holy Spirit. Jn 3, Acts 1:8

4. The ascension comes with a great promise: Jesus will come back someday.  Acts 1:11, Jn 14:1-3

5. We are to be messengers of the good news of Jesus. Acts 1:8. Don't just long for heaven, tell others about Jesus!

Internal change By Scott Drachnick

We need more than an external change, we need the internal change that Jesus offers. 2Cor 5 :14-21
- New condition: it's an internal transformation based on what Jesus has done for us. Jer 31:31-33, Titus 3:4-7. Eternal life has already begun for us. Rely on the power of Jesus. Make a daily decision to live out our life in Christ.
- New purpose: we are to foster reconciliation with God and with others. Mt 5:9. Can people see the reconciliation with God and others in our lives? Col 3:22-13. Be a peacemaker. 2Cor 5:20-21
- New identity:

Flint: The Resurrection!

Jn 20:1-8
Lk 24:9-12
The question is - what happened on Sunday? Did the Romans steal the body, the Jews, the disciples?
No! The disciples all died because of their belief Jesus rose from the dead.
1Cor 15:3-8 Many people saw Jesus after the resurrection.

So what?
1Pet 1:3-5
- we've been given a brand new life and relationship with God v3.  If it's not true, we are crazy and still in our sin. 1Cor 15:14-17
The evidence for Jesus's resurrection would stand up against argument except for 2 things: it's a very unusual event, and if you believe it - you have to change your life.
- we have hope v3.  A living hope - it's true, you can be assured it is true. We put our hope in all kinds of craziness, but the only real hope is in Jesus.
- we have a future in heaven v4. There's a heavenly inheritance that will blow away anything this world had to offer. This inheritance does not depend on us, it's all through Jesus, and it will not spoil our fade.
Abba, I belong to you!

Flint: The Cross

Mk 15:16-24, Lk 23:32-49
The physical aspects of crucifixion were intense and terribly painful.
The cross is not a story of tragic defeat, but one of priceless victory.
Jn 19:30 He gave his life willingly.
Lk 19:10 He came to seek and save the lost.
Isa 53 5-10 He paid the price for our sins.
2Cor 5 :17-21 He became sin for us, took our sin upon himself.
Col 2:13-14 We were dead in our sins, but God made us alive through the death and resurrection of Christ. Our sins were nailed to the cross - the book of our sins was nailed to the cross.
Rev 20:11-15 Those whose names are not in the book of life, are thrown into the lake of fire.
Three responses:
Lk 23:48 People had an emotional response.
Lk 23:35-39 People mocked Jesus.
Lk 23:40-42 People realized Jesus was exactly who he said he was, and his blood was shed for them, and they were saved.

Flint: The betrayal and the denial

A walk through the trial of Jesus.
The betrayal: Mt 26:45-56, Lk 22:51
6 trials - half Jewish, half Roman.  All trials were unfair. First 3 trials took place at night, which was illegal. The Jews did not follow any of their own laws about trials.
Trial 1: Annas: Jn 18:12-13, 19-24
Trial 2: Caiaphas: Mk 14:53-65
Trial 3: Sanhedrin: Lk 22:66-71
Trial 4: Roman governor Pilate: Jn 18:28-38
Trial 5: Herod: Lk 23:6-12
Trial 6: Pilate: Mt 27:15-26
All of this fulfilled prophecy: Isa 50:6-7
All of this is true, Jesus did all of this for me, for us.

Flint: The cup and the garden

Jesus had such strength and power, compassion and love. There are so many stories that tell about these characteristics.
Mt 26:36-46 This story speaks of Jesus being overwhelmed and in agony.
Heb 4:14-15; 5:2, 7-9 Jesus can empathize with our weaknesses and temptation.
- This passage really highlights the ugliness of our sin. Our sin and God's wrath were in the cup that overwhelmed him. When he embraced that cup, he knew that there would be separation between himself and his Father.
- This passage highlights the incredible love of Jesus. v39, 42 He was willing to take on the cup because of his love for us.
- This passage highlights the love of the Father. v39, 42 The Father said nothing. He let his love for us overrule his love for his Son, Jesus. God allowed his Son to become sin. 2Cor 5:21; Isa 53:5-6, 10; Jn 3:16

Flint: The Last Supper

Lk 22:14-16

Jesus eagerly desired to spend this last supper with his disciples, even though they were common, imperfect men: ones who doubted and denied him, were impulsive and focused on themselves, sinners, those who betrayed him, were religious but had no true relationship with Jesus.

These are the people Jesus wanted around him, knowing exactly who they were. 

God wants us and loves us, just the way we are. He furiously longs to know us.