Message by Todd Crosthwaite, Lead Pastor

Nicene Creed

a rope that leads us home

RISEN, ASCENDED, COMING AGAIN

#1, Jesus is risen.

NOT:

- simply coming back from the dead

- his soul going to heaven

IS:

- the defeat of death

- new creation

1 Corinthians 15:54-57

We have victory!

#2, Jesus is ascended.

NOT:

- Jesus going home

- Jesus going away

IS:

- Jesus going to the throne

**See Matthew 26:63-66 // Daniel 7:13-14

- Jesus filling the world

Ephesians 4:8-10

...through the Holy Spirit

**See 2 Kings 2:9-11 // Acts 2:7-9

- Jesus empowering us

#3, Jesus is coming again.

NOT his revenge tour

IS Jesus putting the world right

**See Revelation 21:4-5

“God will do for the whole of creation what he did for Jesus on Easter.” [N.T. Wright]

Because Jesus is coming again, we have hope.

Julian of Norwich [1300s]

"...but all shall be well, all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.”