Sunday Sermon - Lifted, Raised, Ascended

The sermon explores the profound significance of Christ's ascension not as a passive departure, but as the triumphant culmination of God's redemptive plan. The speaker argues that the cross, resurrection, and ascension are inseparable acts of divine victory—each fulfilling a critical role in redeeming humanity. Christ's lifting up on the cross was not merely a brutal execution, but the fulfillment of ancient covenants, where God alone walked between the animal halves, pledging to uphold His promises. Jesus becomes the ultimate sacrifice, bearing the penalty for sin so that humanity could be reconciled to God. His resurrection proves victory over death, but it is the ascension that confirms His sovereign rule—He is now seated at the right hand of God, actively interceding and governing all things. The early Christians lived with this truth as their foundation, embodying a radical identity: citizens of heaven, living in the world yet not of it. The ascension is not an end, but a commission: because Christ reigns, believers are called to live with purpose, hope, and joy in the present, knowing their future is secure in His eternal kingdom.