This message centers on the often-overlooked significance of Jesus’ ascension, showing that when Jesus was lifted into heaven and seated at the right hand of the Father, His saving work was fully completed and His authority firmly established. Rather than being absent, Jesus now reigns as King, intercedes for His people, and actively upholds all things, inviting believers to rest in His finished work instead of striving for identity, approval, or control. The sermon highlights that because Jesus ascended, the Holy Spirit was sent as our Advocate to dwell within us, defending us against fear, accusation, and temptation while continually pointing our hearts back to the truth of who we are in Christ. As the Spirit applies the work of Jesus in everyday life, believers are empowered to live with confidence, peace, and faithfulness, trusting that God is working all things for good and calling His church to bear witness to Jesus right where they are. 

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Thanks for joining us to further discuss Acts 1:1-8. 

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 In the opening message of our Acts series, we were reminded that Jesus’ ministry did not end when He ascended into heaven. Instead, it continues today through His people by the power of the Holy Spirit. Before sending the disciples out, Jesus told them to wait for God’s promise, not so they could feel spiritually ready, but so they could be empowered to be His witnesses. Rather than focusing on timelines or future outcomes, Jesus called them to be faithful right where they were, starting in Jerusalem and moving outward to the ends of the earth. The Holy Spirit gives us boldness to share what we have seen and experienced, and God is still at work, inviting each of us to be part of what He is doing in the lives of those around us. 

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 This sermon centered on anchoring our lives in our identity in Christ, reminding us that to live as a presence-centered people, we must first know who we are in Him. Walking through Ephesians 1:3–14, we were reminded that our identity is not shaped by circumstances, performance, or cultural pressure, but by what God has already done for us in Jesus. Paul points us to eternal realities—that we are chosen, loved, adopted, redeemed, forgiven, and sealed by the Holy Spirit—blessings that define who we are and give us confidence, security, and hope. When we live from this God-given identity rather than striving to earn it, our lives naturally respond in worship, deepen in prayer, and move outward in mission for the praise of God’s glorious grace. 

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 This Christmas Eve sermon traces the unbroken biblical story of God’s desire to be with His people, culminating in the miracle of the Incarnation. From God’s presence in the Garden, the Wilderness, the Temple, and the promises of the Prophets, the message arrives at its climax in John 1:1–14: the eternal Word who spoke creation into existence became flesh and “dwelt” among us—not temporarily, but relationally and personally. Jesus is God drawing near, not through power or distance, but through humility, taking on our humanity to know our suffering, bear our sin, and restore us to Himself. Christmas declares that God is not distant or demanding perfection first; He comes to us in our brokenness with grace and truth, offering forgiveness, healing, and hope. Because Jesus entered fully into our pain and weakness, He is present with us now—sympathetic, trustworthy, and near—inviting us to receive His love and live as children of God 

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Thanks for listening to the Encounter Podcast! Make sure to check out our social media channels to submit your questions for the question box episode. 

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The sermon traced the prophetic promise of Immanuel against the backdrop of Israel’s exile—a time marked by fear, compromise, and a fading awareness of God’s nearness. The people didn’t lose God’s presence so much as they forgot it: they forgot what He had done, who He is, and how to listen to Him. Their pursuit of power, security, and control led them to supplement God rather than trust Him, and in doing so, His presence grew faint. Yet even in their forgetting, God did not forget His people. Into their darkness and despair, He promised a Savior—One who would not be a place or a practice, but a Person. Jesus—Immanuel—is God’s answer to absence, the fulfillment of prophetic hope, and the assurance that God remains near, faithful, and present with His people. 

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Thank you for joining us for our week 9 conversation of the Encounter Podcast. 

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The sermon traced the Bible’s temple story from beginning to end, showing that God’s heart has always been to dwell with His people. From the Garden of Eden, to the tabernacle and temple, to Jesus Himself, Scripture reveals that the temple was never the final destination but a sign pointing to Christ. Jesus is the true and perfect temple—where God and humanity fully meet—and through His death and resurrection, access to God’s presence has been restored. Now, through the Holy Spirit, God no longer dwells in a building but in His people, calling us to honor His presence and carry it into every part of our lives. 

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Thanks for joining the conversation between Kyle, Tim, and Grayson about the Presence Centered Journey week 8 content. 

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