The Lutheran Church of the Messiah Sermons

Preacher: Pastor Martin Erhardt
Acts 1:6-14

1:6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" 1:7 He replied, "It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 1:8 But 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." 1:9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 1:10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 1:11 They 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." 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey away. 1:13 When 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. 1:14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
Ephesians 1:15-23
1:15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 1:16 I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 1:17 I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 1:18 so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 1:19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 1:20 God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 1:21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 1:22 And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 1:23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills allin all.
Luke 24:44-53
24:44 Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 24:45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 24:46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 24:47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 24:48 You are witnesses of these things. 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” 24: 50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 24:51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 24:52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 24:53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.