“When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud removed Him from their sight. While they looked intently toward heaven as He ascended, behold, two men stood by them in white garments. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.’” Acts 1:9-11 (Read verses 1-11)

Today is Ascension Day, a Christian festival that is often overlooked by churches today. It is the day to remember Jesus’ ascension into heaven and the fact that He now rules over and fills all things (Eph. 1:15-23) and will soon return to judge the living and the dead and establish His everlasting kingdom. Today, we consider the words of the angels to Jesus’ disciples when Jesus was taken up into heaven.

This Word of God teaches us that Jesus Christ will return visibly in the clouds of glory on the Last Day. The Bible also says this in Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.”

As Jesus ascended into heaven, so He shall return on the Last Day, the Day of Judgment. He will come again in clouds of glory. Every eye will see Him! His return will be no secret rapture — both the believer and the unbeliever will see Him coming in glory!

In Matthew 24:29-31, we read: “Immediately after the distress of those days, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”

Note that the angels will come with a great sound of a trumpet and gather the elect from the four winds at the same time that Jesus returns and the unbelieving people of this world mourn His coming.

In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, verses often used as a proof passage for a secret rapture, God’s Word says that the Lord Jesus “will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord.” And the next verses (in chapter 5) make clear that Jesus’ coming will be unexpected, like a thief in the night, for the unbelievers, but expected by those of us who believe and are awaiting His return.

My question for you is: Are you ready for His return and judgment? Are you prepared to meet Him?

Those who do not trust in Him for salvation will wail in sorrow at His return because they stand condemned for not trusting in the only begotten Son of God. In John 3:18, we read: “He who believes in Him is not condemned. But he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Mark 16:16 says: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved. But he who does not believe will be condemned.”

And, in 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, God’s Word says that “the Lord Jesus [will be] revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. They shall be punished with eternal destruction, isolated from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be marveled at by all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.”

But those who do believe in Christ Jesus as their Savior — trusting in God’s promise to pardon and forgive their sins for the sake of Christ’s innocent sufferings and death in their stead — will rejoice at His return because He comes to take them to be with Him forever in heaven.

In John 14:1-3, Jesus says: “Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, you may be also.” (Cf. Luke 21:25-28; Heb. 9:27-28; 1 Thess. 4:13-18.)

Do you acknowledge your sins and look to Christ and His cross for mercy and forgiveness? If not, the day of His return will be for you a day of sorrow and mourning as you face His eternal judgment and condemnation!

But, if you agree with God about your sins and trust in Christ and the atonement He made for the sins of the world when He died on the cross, that day will be a day of joy and gladness for you as you receive His mercy, His pardon, and life eternal in His glorious kingdom!

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, as You have ascended up into heaven to the right hand of God the Father, so come again and take us to be with You forever. Graciously keep us in the true faith so that, on that Day, we may greet You with joy and not with sorrow. Grant this to us for the sake of Your holy life and bitter sufferings and death upon the cross in our stead. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]

“According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, but another builds on it. Now let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no one can lay another foundation than that which was laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble, each one’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each has done.” 1 Cor. 3:10-13 (read 1 Corinthians 3)

The well-known hymn verse by Samuel Stone reads: “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is His new creation by water and the word. From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”

The church of Jesus Christ is built upon no other foundation than Jesus Christ and His cross. He gathered His church by dying on the cross and making atonement for the sins of all and then sending out His disciples with the good news of forgiveness of sins and life eternal through faith in His name.

As believers in Christ and members of His church, we are “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20). The “foundation of the apostles and prophets” is none other than their teaching, which is recorded for us in the Holy Bible, the Word of God.

And what is their teaching? It is Christ and His cross! It is the teaching that we are sinners who have come short of God’s holy demands, but that we have been redeemed by the shed blood of Christ Jesus, the only begotten Son of God. It is the teaching that through faith in the crucified and risen Christ, we sinners obtain forgiveness for all our sins and everlasting life in heaven.

In John 3:14-16, Jesus said: “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Are other foundations ever laid? Most certainly! But, when other foundations are laid, and Christ and His cross are no longer the foundation and chief cornerstone, those who are built upon those other foundations are not Christian; their assemblies are not the church of Jesus Christ in that place. Rather, their assemblies are cults — man-made organizations which, sadly, lead only to eternal destruction!

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And, the Bible also says, “There is no salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Apart from Christ and His blood, shed on the cross for the sins of the world, there is no salvation for sinners like you and me! No works which we can do, no religious acts or ceremonies of man, nothing but the holy life and innocent sufferings and death of Jesus Christ in our stead can save us from the wrath of God that we deserve on account of our sins. That is why it is so foolish for man to build upon any other foundation but Christ Jesus and His Word.

This is why St. Paul says to the church in Corinth: “According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, but another builds on it. Now let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no one can lay another foundation than that which was laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 3:10-11).

St. Paul preached “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2; cf. 1:23-24). He taught that all of us “have sinned and come short of the glory of God” but that all who believe are “justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 3:23-24; Cf. v. 19-28).

St. Paul taught that we receive this salvation through faith in Christ and not by any merit or work of our own. When we trust in Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness, God justifies us and gives us eternal life in heaven (cf. Rom. 3:28; 5:1-2; Gal. 2:16).

This is the foundation which Paul, by the gracious working of God, has laid. And, this is the only foundation upon which the church of Jesus Christ can be built and upon which we can rest securely and be saved!

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, grant us Your Holy Spirit that we might trust in You alone for our salvation and build upon You and Your cross as the chief cornerstone of all our teaching. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]

“Brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with superiority of speech or wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. My speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

We learn much about Paul’s ministry in Corinth from reading Acts 18, but here Paul shares an important truth: It is through the humble preaching of God’s Word that lost sinners are brought to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

As the Apostle Paul said, he didn’t come to them with “superiority of speech or wisdom” when he declared the Word of God. He focused on preaching “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” His words were with “weakness and in fear and in much trembling.” His words were not “with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”

In other words, Paul simply proclaimed God’s Word and let the Spirit of God work mightily by convicting the lost of their sins and guilt, but then comforting them with the grace and mercy of God in Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. Paul brought no one to faith by eloquent speech, convincing arguments, or enticing words. Rather, he preached Christ crucified for the sins of all.

And, as Paul says, the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the Corinthian believers through the humble preaching and teaching of the gospel. Therefore, the faith of the Corinthian believers was not dependent upon human wisdom and arguments but on the gracious and mighty working of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word.

And who received the glory? It was not the Apostle Paul. The glory is God’s for bringing the Corinthian believers to the knowledge of the truth by the humble means of preaching and teaching God’s Word and pointing people to Messiah Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross.

St. Paul wrote to the believers in Rome (Romans 1:16-17): “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. For it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. As it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

And what does this say to pastors and churches today? It is not through eloquent sermons, impressive church services, or uplifting musical performances that people are moved to repent of their sinful ways and trust in Christ. It is through the humble preaching and teaching of God’s Word that people learn the truth and are pointed to Jesus Christ and His cross.

Grant that I hear and share Your Word, O God, that others too might be brought to repentance and faith in the crucified and risen Savior, Jesus Christ, by the mighty working of the Holy Spirit through Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]

“But because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, whom God made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (Read 1 Corinthians 1)

Why is it that we who are Christians are saved? Can we boast of our goodness, our worthiness to be chosen, our wisdom, our decision, or our faith? What does the Bible say? “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

The apostle Paul points out to his readers in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:26-31): “For observe your calling, brothers. Among you, not many wise men according to the flesh, not many mighty men, and not many noble men were called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And God has chosen the inferior things of the world and things which are despised. Yes, and He chose things which are nothing to nullify the things that are, so that no flesh should boast in His presence. But because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, whom God made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.’”

The fact that any of us who believe have heard God’s Word and come to know the Lord God who created the heavens and the earth and all things, and to know and trust in His mercy toward us in Christ Jesus who died for our sins and rose again, is not because of anything good in us. Indeed, we were dead in our trespasses and sins until God graciously saved us by bringing us to faith in the Son and His atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world through the preaching of the Gospel (cf. Eph. 1:3ff.; 2:1ff.; Titus 3:3ff.). His election and calling are entirely of His grace and mercy toward us in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 1:9-10).

Thus, the apostle points out how God used the foolishness of the cross and the foolishness of preaching forgiveness of sins and life eternal through the shed blood of Jesus to save us. To the world, it remains foolishness. But to us, He has revealed it as the wisdom and power of God unto salvation. To us, who are counted fools by this world, God has revealed His wisdom. And Jesus Christ, the only-begotten of God the Father and born of the Virgin Mary, was “made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”

So, in what can we brag and boast? Only in the Lord! As it is written in the prophet Jeremiah (9:23-24): “Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, and let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, says the LORD.” And how is it that we can know these things and trust in the Lord? Entirely of His grace and mercy in Christ Jesus!

Therefore, “Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord!”

We praise You, O LORD God, and give You the glory for providing salvation for us in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and for bringing us to know Him and trust in Him as our God and Savior through the preaching of the Gospel. Amen.

[Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord. You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved, because He asked him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Lord, You know everything. You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:15-17

Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love Me?” Three times, Peter affirmed his love for Jesus and was commissioned by Jesus to feed and tend His sheep.

What is not so obvious in English translations are the different words behind the words “love” and “feed” or “tend.” Two times, Jesus asked Peter if he loved (agapas, or selflessly loved) Him, and Peter replied with the Greek word (philo) indicating that he had brotherly or reciprocal love for Jesus. The third time, Jesus also used the word for reciprocal love in His question to Peter.

In Jesus’ commission to Peter, He used two different words regarding caring for the sheep. Peter was commanded to feed (boske) Jesus’ lambs, to tend or shepherd (poimaine) His sheep, and to feed (boske) His sheep.

Peter was grieved that Jesus would ask him three times about his love for Him, for Peter had three times denied knowing Jesus or being His disciple (John 18:15ff.). Peter, in the strength of his own flesh, had before assured Jesus that he was ready to die with Him (Luke 22:31-34). But, of course, that dependence on his own will and strength failed Peter three times!

And Peter was now being recalled and commissioned by Jesus to bear witness to Him and testify of His person and work before the world — He was to tell all that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt. 16:16), and that Jesus suffered and died for the sins of all and rose again on the third day (cf. Luke 24:44-49). In fact, Peter would be called upon to suffer greatly for his testimony as a disciple of the Lord Jesus (John 21:18f.). He would need to love Jesus enough to die for Him, as Jesus had loved His sheep enough to die for them and redeem them (cf. John 10:11; Rom. 5:8).

What about us? How many times would Jesus have to ask us if we love Him? We may not have denied Jesus in the same way as Peter, but we deny Him when we fail to speak up in His name, when we fail to follow Him, when we go our own way instead of His, and when we disobey His commandments.

Without love for Jesus, how can we fully trust in Him for our salvation, deny ourselves and follow Him, obey Him and live according to His commandments, or be faithful to Him unto death? The Bible tells us that “love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom. 13:10; 1 Cor. 13:1ff.; 1 John 2:5; 5:2-3; Matt. 22:35-40; Rev. 2:10).

Indeed, Jesus’ love for me is selfless, undeserved love. My love for Him falls so far short of His love for me. It is reciprocal love at best — I love Him because He first loved me and gave Himself for me (cf. 1 John 4:9-10,19).

Every believer and disciple of Jesus is called to love the Lord Jesus and to love those for whom He died and rose again (1 John 5:1; Eph. 4:1ff.; 4:11ff.). Every believer is called to follow Christ, bear witness to Him, and suffer with Him. And it takes love for Christ to love those for whom He died. It takes love for Christ to be willing to give up ourselves and serve the needs of others. It takes love for Christ to be willing to suffer and possibly even die as His followers.

Jesus asks you and me, “Do you love Me?” He knows all things. He knows our hearts. Do we merely pay lip service? Or do we truly love Him enough to follow Him and serve him? Do we call upon Him who knows everything to search and test our hearts (cf. Psalm 139:23-24)?

And, if we find ourselves short in the love department, if our lives reveal a lack of love for Christ, what’s the answer? We can’t generate love by our own efforts or determination. Self-generated love will fail. True love for God is generated by the gracious working of the Holy Spirit through the Word (cf. Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Cor. 13:1ff.). “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

When the Holy Spirit reveals our utter sinfulness and unworthiness before God and then shows us God’s great love for us in Christ Jesus — sending His own Son into the world to suffer and die for our sins and rise again — the Spirit works faith in our hearts and love for Christ Jesus as a fruit of His great love for us sinners.

Therefore, if we desire to grow in our love for Jesus, the first step is to consider His love for us. As John writes: “In this way the love of God was revealed to us, that God sent His only Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10; cf. John 3:16; Rom. 5:5-9).

Grant us to know Your love for us, dear Savior, that we may love You, trust in You, and bear witness to You and the salvation You won for all. Grant us an ever-growing love for You. Amen.

[Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, Modern English Version, Copyright © 2024, 2017, 2014 by United Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House. All rights reserved.]