1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,439 Speaker 1: Let us pray teach them to observe all things whatsoever 2 00:00:05,480 --> 00:00:10,040 Speaker 1: I have commanded you, And lo I am with you always, 3 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:16,160 Speaker 1: even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew twenty 4 00:00:16,200 --> 00:00:23,000 Speaker 1: eight twenty. Dear Jesus, when you left the Disciples, you 5 00:00:23,160 --> 00:00:26,239 Speaker 1: promised one of the greatest comforters that will ever be, 6 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:31,280 Speaker 1: and that is your Holy Spirit. In the same way 7 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:35,760 Speaker 1: the Disciples waited in expectation for your Holy Spirit, I 8 00:00:35,920 --> 00:00:40,320 Speaker 1: too will wait in expectation each and every morning for 9 00:00:40,479 --> 00:00:46,680 Speaker 1: your Spirit to rest on my mind and heart. With 10 00:00:46,760 --> 00:00:51,000 Speaker 1: the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, I know that whatever 11 00:00:51,080 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: I put my hands to will go from natural to supernatural. 12 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:01,520 Speaker 1: No matter what I do, I will not move until 13 00:01:01,560 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: I feel your supernatural hand upon me. I will not 14 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: speak unless my words are empowered by your Holy Spirit. 15 00:01:12,800 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 1: Thank you, Jesus, that you haven't left me by myself. 16 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,760 Speaker 1: Thank you that even when you ascended to Heaven, you 17 00:01:20,920 --> 00:01:24,360 Speaker 1: cared enough about our lives to give us the one 18 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:30,400 Speaker 1: who puts power behind your word, the Holy Spirit. As 19 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:35,240 Speaker 1: I grow in my faith, Holy Spirit, teach me and 20 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: lead me into all truth in Jesus name. Amen. Listening 21 00:01:44,120 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 1: to these daily prayers strengthens your relationship with God. Continue 22 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: hearing from the Lord by listening to today's Bible in 23 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: a Year, brought to you by Bible in a Year 24 00:01:55,280 --> 00:02:02,680 Speaker 1: dot com. 25 00:02:03,320 --> 00:02:07,200 Speaker 2: I am with you. In our last story, we learned 26 00:02:07,200 --> 00:02:10,560 Speaker 2: about Jesus restoring the faith of Thomas and the failures 27 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:14,080 Speaker 2: of Peter. In this story, the ministry of Jesus on 28 00:02:14,120 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 2: Earth draws to a close and room is made for 29 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 2: the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit through the Apostles. 30 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: Jesus ascends into the heights of Heaven, leaving the disciples 31 00:02:24,960 --> 00:02:29,840 Speaker 2: eagerly awaiting a move of God's Spirit inspired by the Gospels. 32 00:02:32,360 --> 00:02:35,120 Speaker 3: Hello, this is Jack Graham with today's episode of the 33 00:02:35,160 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. Thank you so much for joining us. 34 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:41,959 Speaker 3: In our previous episode, we heard how Jesus appeared to 35 00:02:42,000 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 3: both Thomas and Peter and gave them exactly what they 36 00:02:45,480 --> 00:02:49,959 Speaker 3: needed to experience a renewal of their faith. Neither thomas 37 00:02:49,960 --> 00:02:52,720 Speaker 3: doubts or Peter's failures were too great for the risen 38 00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:56,639 Speaker 3: Christ to overcome, and as a result, both of these 39 00:02:56,720 --> 00:02:59,959 Speaker 3: men went on to do great things for the Kingdom 40 00:03:00,120 --> 00:03:03,320 Speaker 3: of God and to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 41 00:03:03,960 --> 00:03:07,080 Speaker 3: Today will hear as Jesus prepares the disciples for his 42 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:10,440 Speaker 3: return to heaven and the great mission he was giving 43 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:13,120 Speaker 3: them to go into all the world and proclaim the 44 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 3: good News. He would not leave them alone, however, because 45 00:03:16,720 --> 00:03:19,680 Speaker 3: he promised to send them the Holy Spirit, the helper 46 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:22,520 Speaker 3: who would be with them always. So let's listen now 47 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:23,600 Speaker 3: to today's reading. 48 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:28,680 Speaker 2: Jesus sat with his disciples once again at the Mount 49 00:03:28,720 --> 00:03:31,800 Speaker 2: of Olives. The sun was descending gently over the city 50 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,920 Speaker 2: of Jerusalem. The men gazed at the temple below, with 51 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:38,800 Speaker 2: the breeze dancing around them. The eleven remaining disciples sat 52 00:03:38,880 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: beside Jesus, listening to him speak on the Kingdom of God. 53 00:03:43,280 --> 00:03:46,120 Speaker 2: For forty days, they had been next to him, soaking 54 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 2: in every word he spoke. Jesus had also revealed himself 55 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,440 Speaker 2: to over five hundred others, and they all followed as well. 56 00:03:54,240 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: There they all sat, listening to their Lord and watching 57 00:03:57,440 --> 00:04:01,560 Speaker 2: the sunset. Lord, is it time for you to restore 58 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 2: the kingdom of Israel? 59 00:04:02,960 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 3: They asked. 60 00:04:04,240 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 2: Jesus gave his familiar smile, still peering into the distance 61 00:04:08,200 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 2: towards the temple. The grass danced around him. It is 62 00:04:12,320 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: not for you to know the time or season Jesus answered, 63 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 2: that is for God alone to know, and for me 64 00:04:18,480 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 2: to obey. The eleven were disappointed at his answer. Jesus, 65 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 2: knowing the fear that was in their hearts, reassured them 66 00:04:26,839 --> 00:04:30,119 Speaker 2: trust in me. You will receive power when the Holy 67 00:04:30,200 --> 00:04:33,919 Speaker 2: Spirit has come upon you. Jesus rose to his feet 68 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:37,680 Speaker 2: and turned towards the sun. The wind picked up, causing 69 00:04:37,680 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 2: his robes to flow like dove's wings. All authority that 70 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,240 Speaker 2: has been given to me I give to you. Go 71 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 2: therefore and make disciples of all nations. Go and baptize 72 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:50,960 Speaker 2: them in the name of the Father, the Son, and 73 00:04:51,000 --> 00:04:54,040 Speaker 2: the Holy Spirit. Teach them what I have taught you, 74 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 2: and obey what I have commanded. The disciples stood to 75 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: their feet. They watched as Jesus began and to walk 76 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 2: away from them. Jesus sensed their fear. He turned to 77 00:05:05,160 --> 00:05:09,280 Speaker 2: them and said, behold, I am always with you, even 78 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:10,599 Speaker 2: to the end of the age. 79 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: I am with you. 80 00:05:12,880 --> 00:05:16,000 Speaker 2: And as Jesus said these things, he was enveloped by 81 00:05:16,040 --> 00:05:20,680 Speaker 2: a bright cloud. It rolled gracefully around him, covering him 82 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:24,560 Speaker 2: from head to toe, and like a vapor, Jesus ascended 83 00:05:24,720 --> 00:05:29,440 Speaker 2: into the heavens. The eleven disciples and five hundred witnesses 84 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:32,720 Speaker 2: looked up to the skies in wonder. The sun had 85 00:05:32,720 --> 00:05:35,479 Speaker 2: turned the skies a deep orange, and the clouds that 86 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,760 Speaker 2: Jesus ascended upon dissolved into the horizon. They were on 87 00:05:39,839 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 2: their knees in complete awe of what had happened. The 88 00:05:43,080 --> 00:05:45,800 Speaker 2: followers of Jesus had their gaze so fixed on the 89 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:48,599 Speaker 2: skies that they did not see the two men standing 90 00:05:48,640 --> 00:05:53,000 Speaker 2: in white robes beside them. Friends, why do you look 91 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:56,839 Speaker 2: to heaven? He will come again? But you are to go. 92 00:05:58,040 --> 00:06:01,400 Speaker 2: With that command, the followers of Jesusesus descended down the 93 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:05,560 Speaker 2: mountain towards Jerusalem. They had a mission to fulfill, They 94 00:06:05,560 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 2: had a spirit to meet. The eleven returned to Jerusalem Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, 95 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:20,799 Speaker 2: the son of Alpheus, Judas the son of James, and Simon. 96 00:06:22,200 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 2: They sat in the upper room praying about their next steps. 97 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:29,120 Speaker 2: They devoted themselves to prayer, seeking the knowledge and guidance 98 00:06:29,120 --> 00:06:32,720 Speaker 2: of Christ. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there as well, 99 00:06:32,760 --> 00:06:36,640 Speaker 2: along with Jesus's brother. Peter stood up from among the group. 100 00:06:37,040 --> 00:06:40,520 Speaker 2: He was nervous. Jesus in many ways had been groomed 101 00:06:40,600 --> 00:06:43,599 Speaker 2: to lead the disciples as they pursued the Holy Spirit. 102 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 2: There were over one hundred twenty people in the room 103 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,400 Speaker 2: with them. All of them were wide eyed and hopeful 104 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 2: for the future, but afraid. He encouraged them with the 105 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: word of God. He spoke from the heart and declared 106 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,200 Speaker 2: the need for a new disciple. Among the twelve, they 107 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 2: chose a man named Mattias. Together, they sought God. They 108 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,560 Speaker 2: had no plan, they had no strategy. They simply waited 109 00:07:09,600 --> 00:07:13,080 Speaker 2: in that upper room for a move of God's Holy Spirit. 110 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 3: Today's scripture begins on top of the Mount of Olives, 111 00:07:19,360 --> 00:07:23,200 Speaker 3: which is in Jerusalem. This was the place where Jesus 112 00:07:23,200 --> 00:07:25,560 Speaker 3: had preached and taught, where he had prayed the night 113 00:07:25,600 --> 00:07:28,600 Speaker 3: he was arrested, and now it would become an even 114 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:33,400 Speaker 3: more strategic spot as Jesus prepared to return to the Father. 115 00:07:34,200 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 3: For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus had gone about 116 00:07:38,080 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 3: showing himself to people witnesses who would attest to his 117 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 3: resurrection and spread the words so that all could believe 118 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 3: he was there with the disciples, teaching and maturing them 119 00:07:49,720 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 3: in the faith. They wanted to know if he was 120 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 3: now ready to restore Israel's kingdom to them. Jesus was 121 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 3: still a messiah, a Jewish savior, and they expected that 122 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:04,440 Speaker 3: God would restore the glory to his chosen people. Jesus 123 00:08:04,480 --> 00:08:08,360 Speaker 3: replied that God's timing was not their timing. God had 124 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:12,760 Speaker 3: a much greater plan, a greater purpose, and a wonderful promise. 125 00:08:13,400 --> 00:08:17,480 Speaker 3: Christ's earthly work was finished, but these men still had 126 00:08:17,480 --> 00:08:20,720 Speaker 3: a great mission, one that could not be accomplished alone. 127 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:24,720 Speaker 3: So he assured them that they would receive the Holy Spirit, 128 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:28,680 Speaker 3: the power, and the presence of Christ in them. The 129 00:08:28,720 --> 00:08:32,040 Speaker 3: message of hope and salvation in Jesus wasn't meant to 130 00:08:32,080 --> 00:08:35,200 Speaker 3: stay in just a small corner of the world, or 131 00:08:35,440 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: to be only for the Jewish people. The Gospel is 132 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 3: for all the world. This wasn't a new plan or 133 00:08:42,840 --> 00:08:46,760 Speaker 3: a new strategy. It was God's plan all along. We 134 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:50,520 Speaker 3: know it as The Great Commission is found in Matthew 135 00:08:50,559 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 3: twenty eighth nineteen to twenty, and these are among the 136 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 3: most important verses in the Bible. Go therefore and make 137 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:01,600 Speaker 3: disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of 138 00:09:01,640 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 3: the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 139 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 3: teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, 140 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,480 Speaker 3: and behold, I am with you always to the end 141 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 3: of the age. After delivering to the disciples there and 142 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 3: our marching orders, these men watched dumbfounded as Jesus ascended 143 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 3: into the sky, high above the clouds, until they could 144 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 3: see him no more. This is the ascension of Jesus, 145 00:09:27,640 --> 00:09:30,360 Speaker 3: one of the most important events in all of the Bible. 146 00:09:30,840 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 3: The disciples and other witnesses stood amazed, looking up into 147 00:09:34,480 --> 00:09:38,280 Speaker 3: the heavens. They couldn't possibly understand at all, but they 148 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 3: knew that Jesus was Lord, and that he had given 149 00:09:41,080 --> 00:09:44,280 Speaker 3: them a mission and a promise. As they stood there, 150 00:09:44,520 --> 00:09:47,960 Speaker 3: two men appeared beside them. They asked the disciples why 151 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,120 Speaker 3: they were looking into the sky. Jesus would return, they 152 00:09:51,160 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 3: assured them, but it was not time to wait. It 153 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:59,120 Speaker 3: was time to go. These are important words for us today. 154 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:04,439 Speaker 3: As followers of Jesus. We live in anticipation and assurance 155 00:10:04,480 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 3: that one day Jesus is coming again, this time not 156 00:10:09,679 --> 00:10:12,720 Speaker 3: as a baby and a manger in a small, unremarkable town, 157 00:10:13,280 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 3: but as King of kings and Lord of lords, coming 158 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:19,960 Speaker 3: in the clouds to reign forever. It is such a 159 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,880 Speaker 3: great hope for every Christian. In fact, the Bible calls 160 00:10:22,920 --> 00:10:26,679 Speaker 3: it the blessed Hope. But just as the Disciples had 161 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,080 Speaker 3: a mission, we have a mission too, and that is 162 00:10:29,120 --> 00:10:31,600 Speaker 3: to carry out the Great Commission and to tell the 163 00:10:31,640 --> 00:10:34,480 Speaker 3: world who Jesus is and what he can do to 164 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:37,839 Speaker 3: change every life who will come to him. We are 165 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 3: to go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel. 166 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:44,679 Speaker 3: The Disciples returned to Jerusalem knowing only that they had 167 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 3: a mission and a promise. Soon they would receive the 168 00:10:47,679 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 3: Holy Spirit, the same spirit of God who was at creation, 169 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:54,640 Speaker 3: the one who surrounded and led Israelites in the deserts, 170 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:57,079 Speaker 3: and the one who spoke to Elijah in the desert 171 00:10:57,160 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 3: in a still small voice. God's Holy Spirit would be 172 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:04,760 Speaker 3: given to them, just as Jesus promised he would be 173 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:08,960 Speaker 3: with them always. And it is so important to remember 174 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:12,280 Speaker 3: that God has given his spirit to all who trust 175 00:11:12,320 --> 00:11:16,800 Speaker 3: in him, every believer. So they waited, just as Jesus 176 00:11:16,800 --> 00:11:20,280 Speaker 3: had commanded them to wait. And what would come next 177 00:11:20,360 --> 00:11:23,080 Speaker 3: would spark a new movement that would spread like fire, 178 00:11:23,320 --> 00:11:26,840 Speaker 3: changing the world forever. And we'll hear about that in 179 00:11:26,880 --> 00:11:31,440 Speaker 3: our next episode. Dear God, we thank you for the 180 00:11:31,480 --> 00:11:35,600 Speaker 3: truth that Jesus is Lord that he lived, died, rose again, 181 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 3: and ascended on high. We also thank you for the 182 00:11:39,200 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 3: mission that you've given us, and the commission to work 183 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 3: with your church and your people to take the Gospel 184 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 3: to the world. We're so grateful for the promise of 185 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:51,520 Speaker 3: your soon return, and until then, may we be busy 186 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:54,680 Speaker 3: about the work of your kingdom as we look forward 187 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 3: to seeing you face to face. In Jesus' name, Amen, 188 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 3: I'm really glad that you listen to today's Bible in a 189 00:12:03,160 --> 00:12:07,520 Speaker 3: Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham, pastor in Dallas, Texas. You 190 00:12:07,520 --> 00:12:10,600 Speaker 3: can download Theprey dot com app and make Bible study 191 00:12:10,640 --> 00:12:14,200 Speaker 3: in prayer the priority of your life. If you enjoyed 192 00:12:14,240 --> 00:12:17,360 Speaker 3: this podcast, please let others know about it. So many 193 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:20,679 Speaker 3: are joining us. In fact, millions of people have downloaded 194 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:23,760 Speaker 3: the Bible in a Year. Thank you for sharing the 195 00:12:23,800 --> 00:12:26,880 Speaker 3: good news of Jesus Christ. God bless you. 196 00:12:32,559 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 1: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 197 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:40,480 Speaker 1: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 198 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:45,000 Speaker 4: Welcome to the previous podcast, where hope is our only bias. 199 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:49,200 Speaker 4: Each day, we'll unpack the most prominent stories happening in 200 00:12:49,240 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 4: the news and offer a Christian perspective. We won't shy 201 00:12:52,840 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 4: away from the hard topics, and we won't dilute the 202 00:12:55,440 --> 00:12:58,920 Speaker 4: hopeful message of Christ. This is more than a daily 203 00:12:58,960 --> 00:13:01,520 Speaker 4: brief on the news. It's a way to be informed 204 00:13:01,720 --> 00:13:06,240 Speaker 4: and transformed. Listen to Pray News on the iHeartRadio app, 205 00:13:06,400 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 4: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.