Ascension on Air

This episode launches a four part series at Ascension called Getting to Know God.

In part one of this series we talk about God’s grace. There is perhaps no more critical aspect of God to grasp than grace. It’s the foundation of the gospel, it’s the reason any Christians exist. It explains why I’m doing this podcast and why you’re listening to this. It drives everything in the Christian life – and yet, so often we barely scratch the surface of it.

But in Jesus Christ, we truly grasp the nature, the depth, and the purpose of God's grace for you and me.

In this final episode of our Transformed series, we look at conflict and reconciliation, and how the gospel of Jesus transforms the Christian's approach to both of these. Our message is based on Matthew 7:3 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Satisfaction and contentment are elusive in this life – more than we realize, more than we want to admit. That’s what Solomon found. But he also discovered an answer to this, grounded in what God has been in Christ all along, that is truly enduring and lasting.

What does it mean for the gospel to transform sex within marriage? In part 3 of our Transformed series, we explore that topic based on Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5.

Despite our diversity, contemporary America shares a common human experience. We desire deep identity that often remains elusive. We idolize sexuality and suffer because of it. We chase contentment - a contradiction in terms. We need relationships and yet hurt the people we love. That's the way of our world. But Jesus Christ offers something better. Not a fix; not an enhancement. But a transformation - an altogether new orientation for genuine life.

In Transformed, we're exploring what this new orientation for genuine life looks like. In this episode we consider what an altogether new attitude toward sexuality means for the Christian and our identity in Christ.

Despite our diversity, contemporary America shares a common human experience. We desire deep identity that often remains elusive. We idolize sexuality and suffer because of it. We chase contentment - a contradiction in terms. We need relationships and yet hurt the people we love. That's the way of our world. But Jesus Christ offers something better. Not a fix; not an enhancement. But a transformation - an altogether new orientation for genuine life. 

In Transformed, we consider what this new orientation for genuine life is like, and in our first episode we consider identity.

Entropy means this world is falling apart. Steadily, over time, the useful energy of this world is conforming to a dull average. The ride's coming to an end.

So how can the Christian experience the opposite? How can it be that, in Christ, our life is improving instead of declining?

It sounds crazy, but that's what Paul writes to the Corinthians! That is, as we see Christ more clearly, we share in his glory more and more. It can't be measured biologically or demonstrated scientifically, but it's a very true reality: Life in the Spirit means life, more and more, glorified in the Spirit!

God has great plans for you. In Christ, you have grand purpose. Growing up into that purpose is what God desires for you.

Within the Christian is old and new. The old is as ugly as can be; the new loves what is truly good. The seeds for an epic struggle are sown. Paul's encouragement? Walk by the Spirit!

A Christian and a non-Christian, standing side by side, won't look any different from each other. They might speak the same language and come from the same background. They might work at the same job and drive the same car. They might be, at first look, mostly indistinct.

But then there's what is unseen by the naked eye. Before Jesus Christ returned to the Father, he promised that he'd send the Holy Spirit of God to live in his disciples. The Spirit would be their special companion and leader for the rest of this life. This Spirit would dwell within them, God with his people.

Christ still sends his Spirit to his people. The Holy Spirit still today dwells within Christians. And by the power of the Spirit, Christians live truly new, different, and altogether changed lives. Our first episode in this new series, Life in the Spirit, explores how this new life has begun and the unparalleled change it means for the Christian.

Preacher, minister, leader, clergy - there are many names for the person up at the front leading worship. But one of the most important? Pastor.

At Ascension, you don't just have a Sunday morning preacher, you have a pastor - and the difference matters.

Is the spiritual welfare of other Christians your responsibility? According to recent research, most American Christians would say no - which, isn't all that surprising, given our cultural emphasis in independence, freedom, and self-sufficiency.

The Bible, however, presents a very different picture. Not only does Scripture encourage an attitude of care and concern for one Christian to another, it also empowers and calls on Christians to actively build one another up in Christ. That's what Paul talks about in Colossians 3:16, and it's what we're focusing on in this message as we continue our series Vision.

Does church attendance matter?

Honestly, not so much if it's only about attendance. Gathering as the church is about far more than attending; it's about far more than simply showing up or going through the motions.

It's about what happens at worship.

It's about what Christ does for us.

And it's a critical part of our ministry at Ascension.

It's important to be connected to other people. We know it's true from experience. But oddly enough, in our hyper-connected culture, genuine connection can be hard to find, as we tend confuse the occasional like or share or retweet for truly shared living.

Does this influence what it means to be a Christian? What about the natural inward incline, the self-centered "me" syndrome that afflicts everyone? Christians can't afford to cast aside these questions as unimportant or secondary. On the contrary, connectedness is part of the Christian identity. Being connected in Christ is key to Christian purpose and experience. Being joined to Christ means being joined with, and for, one another.

This is the second message in our Vision series and explores Paul's words in Ephesians 4:7-16.

What does it mean to be Christ's Church? And what are we all about as Christ's gathered people at Ascension Harrisburg? 

In this inaugural message of Ascension's seven-part Vision series, we explore these questions as we cast a vision for our ministry here at Ascension. Vision isn’t about trying to predict the future – that’s in God’s hands. Rather, this vision is about faithfulness to the work Christ has given us - a faithfulness that leads us to consider our own capabilities as a church, to take advantage of the opportunities God places before us, and above all to deeply grasp who we are as Christians and what calling Christ has extended to each of us in this world.