Dear Christian Friends:
Ascension Day – an often overlooked Christian holiday is coming – Thursday, May 14, 2015.
Then Jesus took them out to a remote area, blessed them, and “was taken up into Heaven” (Luke 24:51) before their eyes. Joyfully they went back home and waited – waited for the gift Jesus had promised would come to them.
Before He departed, He commissioned them:
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything [He had] commanded [them]” And He added His promise, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” ( Matthew 28:19-20).
The book of Acts tells the story of what happened as those disciples, armed with Jesus’ promise to be with them, started their own community and then branched out into all nations, preaching and teaching, baptizing and discipling others, performing miracles in Jesus’ name, facing persecution and death for the sake of the Gospel.
The book of Acts ends after 28 chapters, but the work is not over. The story goes on through the lives and witness of the thousands of Christians who have picked up the task where the first disciples left off.
Your story may never be written down for other Christians to read, but those around you are seeing it unfold. They are hearing you speak the Gospel message; they are recipients of the good deeds you do in the Lord’s name; other workers for the Gospel are equipped by your financial and prayer support; they take notice of the stand you take in defense of Truth over the lies with which Satan would blind the world.
No, it’s not over. We have the privilege of carrying on Jesus’ work till He comes again to take us to Himself, saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
In the love of Christ, Pastor Hartwig