Sermon: June 5, 2011

Where Did He Go?

 Acts 1:6-14

Preached by Linda Jo Peters ~ June 5, 2011

Celebration of our Lord’s Supper

Introduction to Scripture
Acts 1:6-14:
The Ascension account may be familiar but not always accessible to many of us in the church. The occurrences of the past weeks have been nothing less than astounding to the disciples (and to us), yet the questions they pose betray an equally astounding lack of vision on their part. They are still hemmed in by the littleness of their aspirations and expectations, longing for the restoration of the Davidic monarchy and the glory of ancient Israel, the throwing off of Roman oppression and the raising up of their own nationalistic glory. They seem to be trying to make sense of all these impossible things, by thinking in terms that seemed possible. They seem unable to think in fresh new ways. As I read this passage, ask yourself, what might be a fresh new way to follow Jesus?

6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

Sermon
At Presbytery on Thursday, Pastor Gary Scroggins shared that he grew up in the area of Joplin, Missouri. After a time of prayer he wondered what it would be like to be a pastor in Joplin. Then he felt driven to contact the pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Joplin –Dave Burgess. Since the tornado they have been in conversation about what Gary could do to help. Earlier last week, Dave told him, just come. So with the help of the Presbytery, he will leave for Joplin this afternoon and he goes hoping to share the elements of communion from the Presbytery meeting with the people of Joplin. Jesus’ words from his ascension are: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” We don’t know where Gary’s journey will lead or what impact it will have, but it is a model for all followers of Jesus. When things amaze us like watching Jesus return to his heavenly father or things disturb us like watching the devastation in Joplin, devoting ourselves in prayer needs to be our first response. Then we have to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit to redirect our lives and send us where we are needed.

The people in white robes, tell the disciples to stop wondering where he went, or when he will return, and put into action what he taught them. Like on Easter morning when similar beings ask the women, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” Go and tell was their mission. Yesterday there were church members helping Nancy move into her new apartment. While life got crazy for me last week, Linda Yates stepped up and kept in contact with Vivian Bath while she was in the hospital. She is now at Southwood. Today people will gather to plan for the mission garden and VBS in July. Tomorrow saints of the church will be here early preparing a meal for the Custer family. It is ok to be just plain amazed or dumbfounded as to how to help. Just don’t stop there. Immerse yourself in prayer and do that regularly not just at times of crisis.

Where did he go? Through the power and movement of the Holy Spirit he went from his Father into all of us? Where did he go? He went right here among us, doing the mundane things that proclaim a new heaven and a new earth with a new way of being: Feeding, visiting, comforting and even challenging but always acting in a spirit of love with an attitude of prayer. If you wish to serve Jesus you will to devote yourself to pray, to listening to the prodding of the Holy Spirit. You might end up in Joplin or buying candy in Mexico, or digging a shallow well in Malawi or offering a strong arm to support another, a listening ear, telling a story about Jesus to a child. Maybe the question isn’t “Where did he go?” but “Where will we go to serve the Lord?” Any where he wants us! Amen.