Ascension on Air

Life in this world is a mixed bag. We cling to the good things – relationships, health, safety, security, and naturally so. But so much of life is characterized by interruptions to those good things, and, as a result all that’s unpleasant – like pain, suffering, and disappointment.

Sometimes this can be so severe that we view death as a reprieve. “It’s a good thing life doesn’t go on forever,” we might think, “because who would want to live forever in a world like this?”

And yet, the beating heart of the Christian hope is the resurrection from death, life that doesn’t end, a grave that doesn’t have the final word. What of such a resurrection? Is it more than merely a wistful hope? Could there be an embodied life we’d truly enjoy, forever, free from all the interruptions to what is good?

Jesus Christ has the answer for us. Now, on Ascension on Air: The Gospel Is Resurrection Reality.

Bible Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.

“Carpe diem,” wrote the Roman poet Horace. Seize the day, grasp the moment while it’s here. Or, as our contemporary culture would put it two thousand years later, YOLO. You only live once.

Whether it’s carpe diem, YOLO, strike while the iron’s hot, or some other turn of phrase, common advice points to making the most of the time at hand. And this is true also as a Christian. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians, “Make the most of every opportunity,” and in the context, he’s speaking particularly about opportunities to share Christ with those who don’t know him.

This kind of missional mindset is part of being a Christian. But it’s not necessarily easy. In fact, it’s far more natural to fall into a rhythm focused on self and unaware of the opportunities around us.

Thankfully, the Apostle Paul has some words of encouragement for you and me in this. And more than just encouragement, because Paul shows us the power of the gospel of Jesus to make the most of our moments for Christ. Now, on Ascension on Air: Live Intentionally Minded for Mission.

Bible Reference: Colossians 4:2-6

“No man is an island,” wrote the English poet John Donne in the 17th century. And it’s true. Not one of us is independent of others. We all exist because of others and by others. That we are born of a father and mother is simplest proof.

Some would say this is a bad thing. To be free of others, entirely independent – self-sufficient, self-directing, self-determining – this is the ideal of humanity, claim some.

But not only is such extreme individualism unrealistic and, truly, a lie – it’s also an empty shadow of what it means to be human. Of what God designed us to be as human.

Community – an interdependent whole – such existence is woven into our human nature. But more than that, it’s also the blessing that God designed us to enjoy. And so it is that God brings us to himself only together with others, joined together as a body… a body united by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And a body gifted to actively love the members of the body. Today, on Ascension on Air: Christ Ministers to and through His Body.

Bible Reference: Romans 12:3-13

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me” – or so goes the old childhood rhyme, as if what other say is of no consequence to us. The truth is, names – and words generally – have a lot of power. The words we speak and the words spoken to us can hurt deeply, as any child who’s been teased can confirm.

But the power of words to help and heal is also very real – and none more so than the power of the word about Jesus Christ. That’s why Paul wrote what he did in his letter to the Christians living in the Roman city of Colossae. “Let the word about Jesus dwell among you richly,” he said. Why? Because it was this word that was the power of God to give peace, real peace, lasting wholeness and restoration of relationship between God and among people.

And it is this word about Christ through which Christians root one another in the peace of Christ still today – and in so doing experience genuine Christian community. Now, on Ascension on Air: We root one another in Christ.

Bible Reference: Colossians 3:15-17

This episode of Ascension on Air begins a new series that’s all about a new component of ministry at Ascension: small groups. Over the next four episodes, we’ll introduce the concept of small group ministry and explore the unique blessings such ministry can bring.

In this first episode, we lay the foundation for it all. Everything that’s built needs a solid foundation to endure, including ministry opportunities, and the only foundation that’s truly solid is Christ. So in this first look at small groups, we consider the focus and emphasis of small group ministry. In other words, we consider what makes it ministry versus simply a gathering of like-minded people. And in keeping with the solid foundation of Christ, the focal point and heart and soul of this ministry is one thing alone: the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Now, on Ascension on Air: We Gather Around the Gospel.

Bible Reference: John 6:25-35,47-58

Have you ever had an epiphany, a sudden realization of some truth or reality that had been unseen or unknown up to that point? Sometimes that happens in school, when whatever you’re studying just “clicks” – it finally makes sense. You see connections and understand relationships and grasp ideas that eluded you before.

Epiphany is a useful word in Christianity, too. It describes a realization of who Jesus Christ was and is – that he’s not just anyone, but the Savior. This kind of epiphany is necessary if we really want to understand the purpose and goal of Jesus’ life on this earth.

In this week’s episode of Ascension on Air, we explore that epiphany from a particular perspective: that of disobedience. You see, Jesus was revealed as Savior not simply for people who found themselves in a bad way, but for people who brought that bad way on themselves. For disobedient people. People like me. People, I’d dare say, like you. People in need of mercy.

This is a critical epiphany that each of us must have to truly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today on Ascension on Air: God Desires Mercy for the Disobedient.

Bible Reference: Romans 11:13-15,28-32

On the first Christmas, an angel proclaimed good news of great joy to shepherds in a field. That same message of joy comes to us today - no matter where it finds us. Now, a special Christmas episode of Ascension on Air: Here Is Joy!

If you’ve spent any time in the Rockies of the western US, you know that generally there’s no straight path through them. At least, not naturally. Between the mountain heights and the deep valleys they form, it’s not easy to traverse your way from one point to another.

Such a seemingly insurmountable set of obstacles is an effective metaphor for any number of challenges in life – including human sin. Sin is like rough terrain that’s impossible for us to cross out of. Everywhere we look, there are jagged rocks or deep ravines that hem us in.

Which is what makes Isaiah chapter 40 so powerful – because it’s the promise that God would make a way through the wilderness to rescue his people. What a picture! Mountains crumbling down, valleys filling in, and a smooth road forming for God to come and save his own.

That same thing happens in each us, personally, as the Lord clears away the barriers of sin in our lives and makes a clear path for his beautiful gospel of forgiveness to reach our hearts. Now on Ascension on Air: The King is Coming to You – Prepare to Receive Him.

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

There’s more to see than meets the eye. This of course is something commonly true in life, which is partly why the phrase is so well known. You tap your device and this podcast starts – music and the sound of my voice comes suddenly into your perception. But what is unseen is everything going on behind the scenes to make it happen, from the communication of your device with the Internet to the sound waves traveling from speaker to ear drum to the quantum mechanics that undergird electromagnetic waves. There’s obviously a lot more to this moment than meets the eye.

What about the end? Not of this podcast, but the end – the end of life, the end of this world, the end of days? In Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 we see something overwhelming and not a little frightening. God’s glory. His power. His rule. His judgment at the end. A scene that we rightly sense the need to hide from.

But is there more to see here? Is there more to the end of days than fear? In this episode, we get important perspective on these questions as we look more carefully at these verses from Daniel. Now on Ascension on Air: The Day Is Ready to be Revealed.

Bible reference: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

If you were to take this past week and write it all out on a calendar, all the hours and how you spent them, all the time devoted to rest or work, to this task or that opportunity, what would it look like? Hopefully there would be sufficient time for sleeping, balanced by an appropriate effort at work or school. Maybe you’d have spent lots of time with loved ones, or spent lots of time on your own. Maybe you engaged in deep conversation, or lent a listening ear, did lots of thinking or enjoyed lots of day dreaming. Perhaps you found the week to be all too short; or perhaps, all too long if a vacation is coming up.

Now look at that whole week from one more perspective: that of service. Specifically, serving Jesus. What areas of your life were carved out for that? What time was dedicated to him? What skills and abilities and blessings and resources did you employ in the interest of Christ, his purposes, and his kingdom?

The answer may not be quite as simple as you thought. But no matter how you slice it, the question is critical – because during this time in between Jesus’ first and second comings, our Savior has called us to work. To serve. To use what he’s given us in passionate service to him.

Now on Ascension on Air: This is the time for passion in service to the Master.

Bible Reference: Matthew 25:14-30

There are plenty of things in life that can give us a false sense of security, from our jobs and income to our fitness and youth, even the people who care and provide for us. It’s important to recognize that all of those potential sources of security have their limits.

But this is even more critical when it comes to a false sense of security in our relationship with God. People tend to imagine God as they want him, and therefore don’t grasp what it means to know God on his own terms. This can lead to a false sense of a security. But those who have faith in Jesus? Well, that security is something that will never fail, even to the very end. Today on Ascension on Air: Find True Security in Christ.

What’s in a name? Well, of course, names are really quite powerful. The names we give ourselves or receive from others can both be an expression of identity as well as something that helps reinforce or form our identity.

But can a name do more than this? Can a name reach into the past and change it? Can a name run ahead of us into the future, charting a new course with a new destination? Can one’s name transform the way we look at the present with all its good, bad, and in between?

Names are powerful. But there’s only one name that can do all of that. The Apostle John introduces us to that name in this week’s episode of Ascension on Air – and shows us how great God’s love is that gives us such a name, child of God, in Jesus. Now on Ascension on Air, The Time in Between: How Great the Father’s Love for Us.

Bible Reference: 1 John 3:1-3

Our series, The Time in Between, is all about life right now, as we wait for Christ’s return. And while we’d like to be easy, the reality is quite the opposite. Jesus promised us it would be so – that just as he was hated by this world, so we will be.

Including by the secular powers of this world. We enjoy many protections in this country; but the Bible reveals that secular authorities will often oppose Christians, target Christians, and seek to silence Christians.

So, what does that mean for us? And how do we react? We explore that and more in this episode of Ascension on Air: God Will Save His Steadfast People.

Bible Reference: Daniel 6:10-23

This episode of Ascension on Air starts out a new series called The Time in Between. It’s a series that’s all about our lives in this unique period of human history, between Christ’s first coming – his life, death, resurrection, and ascension – and his second coming when he visibly returns to bring to his people final victory.

It’s a unique time to live in many ways, and we’ll explore various aspects of that over the next several weeks. This episode focuses on how Christians, though we live as members of God’s kingdom already now, still are also members of earthly kingdoms – like the United States, or Canada, or China, or wherever. And this dual citizenship means responsibilities in both kingdoms. Which raises a question: How then do we balance that? And how do we live as Christians especially when our government may be working to accomplish unchristian goals?

In this episode we glean some lessons on this very subject from Daniel, a young man who was challenged by the earthly kingdom he found himself in and his desire to remain faithful, above all, to the Lord.

Bible Reference: Daniel 1:3-21

In this episode of Getting to Know God, we’re talking all about direction - because getting to know God, as he truly is, means grappling with our direction in life apart from him and the shift in direction he brings. The truth is, when God steps into our life, when we get to know God, there is a true change in direction. There’s a change in orientation. That’s what the Bible’s concept of repentance is – a turning, a change. This episode explores the nature of that change, and challenges each of us to consider repentance, honestly, for ourselves.

In this second episode of Getting to Know God, we focus on the need for a shift, a change in the way we approach things when it comes to God and our relationship with him. And the reason is simple: We’re used to a work and reward way of doing things in this life. We do things, we get appropriate rewards or recognition. But God doesn’t operate that way. In fact, our relationship with God, if it were to be based on us in any way, well, there would be no relationship. Thankfully, with God it’s not about our work and reward; it’s about Christ, his work, and sharing in his reward.

This episode launches a four part series at Ascension called Getting to Know God.

In part one of this series we talk about God’s grace. There is perhaps no more critical aspect of God to grasp than grace. It’s the foundation of the gospel, it’s the reason any Christians exist. It explains why I’m doing this podcast and why you’re listening to this. It drives everything in the Christian life – and yet, so often we barely scratch the surface of it.

But in Jesus Christ, we truly grasp the nature, the depth, and the purpose of God's grace for you and me.

In this final episode of our Transformed series, we look at conflict and reconciliation, and how the gospel of Jesus transforms the Christian's approach to both of these. Our message is based on Matthew 7:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Satisfaction and contentment are elusive in this life – more than we realize, more than we want to admit. That’s what Solomon found. But he also discovered an answer to this, grounded in what God has been in Christ all along, that is truly enduring and lasting.

What does it mean for the gospel to transform sex within marriage? In part 3 of our Transformed series, we explore that topic based on Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5.

Despite our diversity, contemporary America shares a common human experience. We desire deep identity that often remains elusive. We idolize sexuality and suffer because of it. We chase contentment - a contradiction in terms. We need relationships and yet hurt the people we love. That's the way of our world. But Jesus Christ offers something better. Not a fix; not an enhancement. But a transformation - an altogether new orientation for genuine life.

In Transformed, we're exploring what this new orientation for genuine life looks like. In this episode we consider what an altogether new attitude toward sexuality means for the Christian and our identity in Christ.

Despite our diversity, contemporary America shares a common human experience. We desire deep identity that often remains elusive. We idolize sexuality and suffer because of it. We chase contentment - a contradiction in terms. We need relationships and yet hurt the people we love. That's the way of our world. But Jesus Christ offers something better. Not a fix; not an enhancement. But a transformation - an altogether new orientation for genuine life. 

In Transformed, we consider what this new orientation for genuine life is like, and in our first episode we consider identity.

Entropy means this world is falling apart. Steadily, over time, the useful energy of this world is conforming to a dull average. The ride's coming to an end.

So how can the Christian experience the opposite? How can it be that, in Christ, our life is improving instead of declining?

It sounds crazy, but that's what Paul writes to the Corinthians! That is, as we see Christ more clearly, we share in his glory more and more. It can't be measured biologically or demonstrated scientifically, but it's a very true reality: Life in the Spirit means life, more and more, glorified in the Spirit!

God has great plans for you. In Christ, you have grand purpose. Growing up into that purpose is what God desires for you.

Within the Christian is old and new. The old is as ugly as can be; the new loves what is truly good. The seeds for an epic struggle are sown. Paul's encouragement? Walk by the Spirit!

A Christian and a non-Christian, standing side by side, won't look any different from each other. They might speak the same language and come from the same background. They might work at the same job and drive the same car. They might be, at first look, mostly indistinct.

But then there's what is unseen by the naked eye. Before Jesus Christ returned to the Father, he promised that he'd send the Holy Spirit of God to live in his disciples. The Spirit would be their special companion and leader for the rest of this life. This Spirit would dwell within them, God with his people.

Christ still sends his Spirit to his people. The Holy Spirit still today dwells within Christians. And by the power of the Spirit, Christians live truly new, different, and altogether changed lives. Our first episode in this new series, Life in the Spirit, explores how this new life has begun and the unparalleled change it means for the Christian.

Preacher, minister, leader, clergy - there are many names for the person up at the front leading worship. But one of the most important? Pastor.

At Ascension, you don't just have a Sunday morning preacher, you have a pastor - and the difference matters.

Is the spiritual welfare of other Christians your responsibility? According to recent research, most American Christians would say no - which, isn't all that surprising, given our cultural emphasis in independence, freedom, and self-sufficiency.

The Bible, however, presents a very different picture. Not only does Scripture encourage an attitude of care and concern for one Christian to another, it also empowers and calls on Christians to actively build one another up in Christ. That's what Paul talks about in Colossians 3:16, and it's what we're focusing on in this message as we continue our series Vision.

Does church attendance matter?

Honestly, not so much if it's only about attendance. Gathering as the church is about far more than attending; it's about far more than simply showing up or going through the motions.

It's about what happens at worship.

It's about what Christ does for us.

And it's a critical part of our ministry at Ascension.

It's important to be connected to other people. We know it's true from experience. But oddly enough, in our hyper-connected culture, genuine connection can be hard to find, as we tend confuse the occasional like or share or retweet for truly shared living.

Does this influence what it means to be a Christian? What about the natural inward incline, the self-centered "me" syndrome that afflicts everyone? Christians can't afford to cast aside these questions as unimportant or secondary. On the contrary, connectedness is part of the Christian identity. Being connected in Christ is key to Christian purpose and experience. Being joined to Christ means being joined with, and for, one another.

This is the second message in our Vision series and explores Paul's words in Ephesians 4:7-16.

What does it mean to be Christ's Church? And what are we all about as Christ's gathered people at Ascension Harrisburg? 

In this inaugural message of Ascension's seven-part Vision series, we explore these questions as we cast a vision for our ministry here at Ascension. Vision isn’t about trying to predict the future – that’s in God’s hands. Rather, this vision is about faithfulness to the work Christ has given us - a faithfulness that leads us to consider our own capabilities as a church, to take advantage of the opportunities God places before us, and above all to deeply grasp who we are as Christians and what calling Christ has extended to each of us in this world.