God's Kingdom: Ascended King

Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the eleventh sermon in our series on God’s Kingdom. This sermon is ‘Ascended King’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Luke 24:36-53

Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READING: Luke 24:36-53

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He 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.”

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 6 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

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. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: What is something about your Easter that you could share with someone on your frontline this week? Who could you invite to Alpha?

WARM-UP

1. What do you think your friends who aren’t Christians yet think about Jesus’ resurrection?

2. Before this passage, who has Jesus appeared to?

READ Luke 24:36-43

1. Why were the disciples frightened at the sight of Jesus? What does this tell us about their expectations or hope of resurrection?

2. What type of body does Jesus have here? What type of body will we have in our resurrection?

3. Why did Jesus eat in front of them? How were the disciples reacting at this point?

4. How is the resurrection of Jesus foundational to the hope that we have? What would be the point of our faith if Jesus didn’t rise?

READ Luke 24:44-53

1. What does it mean for Jesus to fulfil what was written about him?

2. Read Hebrews 10:5-10. How has Jesus fulfilled the law of the Old Testament?

3. Read Isaiah 11:1-3 and 53:7-9. How has Jesus fulfilled these prophesies? Do any other passages come to mind?

4. Read Psalm 22:1; 6-8 and Psalm 23. How is Jesus the fulfilment of these Psalms?

5. How should this principle of a ‘Christ-centred’ reading of the bible shape the way that we read and/or teach the word?

6. In what way does Jesus fulfilling the Old Testament give us assurance and confidence in our relationship with God? How could we incorporate this when we tell others about our faith?

7. How does V45 inform the way that we read God’s Word? What should we always do before doing so?

8. What caused the disciples doubt and fear to turn to joy and worship?

9. Why is it important that Jesus ascended? Where is Jesus now? How is this good news for us?

10. What does this passage tell us about the identity, role and victory of Jesus? What role should he have in our lives?

APPLY: What could help you see Jesus more clearly and continually worship him as Lord of all?

PRAYER

Gracious God, thank you that Jesus is alive! Thank you that you always had a plan for salvation for the whole world and that you didn’t leave humanity in its mess. Help us to continually grow in this knowledge, to grow in our love for you, to grow in our dependance on you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: Amongst holidays, what new opportunities do you have to visit, love, or listen to someone?

Listen, Watch, and Read:

• AUDIO: “The Plan and Purpose of God” by Alistair Begg

• AUDIO: “Grasping the Truth” by William Taylor

• AUDIO: “Luke 23:50-24:53” by Gary Millar

• ARTICLE: “Recovering the Forgotten Doctrine of Christ’s Ascension” by Patrick Schreiner
  

Series Resources:

Some helpful resources for our Series:

• OUTLINE: for Series with key verses, big ideas, and reflection questions:
  https://bit.ly/39w5Ggk

• FOR FAMILIES: Download the St Bart’s Kids Lego Devotional Guide: https://bit.ly/2YrP3Mf

• WEBSITE: “Gospel of the Kingdom of God” by the Bible Project: https://bit.ly/2NFP2SJ

• BOOK: “Goldsworthy Trilogy: Gospel & Kingdom, Gospel & Wisdom, the Gospel in Revelation” by Graeme Goldsworthy

• BOOK: “Luke for Everyone” by Tom Wright

• Course: “The Bible Overview” as part of the Ridley Certificate (6-week online course).
  https://bit.ly/3pGDVH7 (We’ll also be offering this in Term 3 of 2021 at St Bart’s.)

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

Bonus: Lego Devotional for Series