Preached at Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rocklin, California on The Ascension Of Our Lord, May 5, 2016, by Pastor Todd Peperkorn.

Sermon Text: Luke 24:44-53
Sermon Theme: “The Ascension of Our Lord”


First Lesson: Acts 1:1–11
Epistle: Ephesians 1:15–23
Holy Gospel: Luke 24:44–53

Christ Ascended Is with You Always

In His resurrection, the Lord Jesus presented Himself alive to the apostles, “appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). Then He ascended to the right hand of the Father, not orphaning His Church, but filling all things in heaven and on earth, and giving gifts to His disciples. So today, He continues to preach “repentance and forgiveness of sins” (Luke 24:47) through “the apostles whom he had chosen” (Acts 1:2), even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Jesus comes among us today by His Word and Spirit, whom He pours out upon “the church, which is his body” (Eph. 1:22–23). In His Church, He blesses us with forgiveness, lifts us up in His hands and seats us with Himself “in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:20).