The Coolidge examiner., 1936-06-19

to Heaven.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR
| TOPIC-The Lord We Worship.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT
TOPIC-The Exalted Christ and the
Unfinished Task.
In order properly to view the
ascension of Christ into heaven, it
would be we'll to study his ministry
during the forty days prior to his
ascension.
|. The Walk of the Two Discour-
aged Disciples wv. 1850.
Emmaus was seven and a half
miles northwest of Jerusalem. Just
why these disciples were walking
this way we do not surely know.
Perhaps their home was there. Or
they were merely walking to seek
relief from their stunning sorrow.
Ii they had believed what Jesus had
told them about his death and res
direction, they would have escaped
this great disappointment. Unbelief
causes many heartaches and dis
appointments. The topic of CONVEX
sation was the tragedy of the cross
and the resurrection rumors. SO lit
tie had his teaching about the res
direction impressed the disciples
that the reports which the women
brought were as idle tales to them.
| If they had believed what he had
said about coming forth from the
grave, they would have been ex-
| pecting to hear just such reports
as were being circulated.
II. The Unrecognized Companion
wv. 1920.
l. Who he was ". 15). While
| they reasoned together on the won
| derful events of the last few days,
Jesus Joined them. When he ques-
toned them concerning their sad
ness they did not recognize him.
How often we are so engrOssed with
our sorrows and disappointments
that we fail to recognize Jesus, even
though he is walking by our side.
2. His question ". ~. Perceiv-
ing their sadness and perplexities, he
sought to help by calling forth a
statement of their grief.
3. Their answer ". 1S). His ques-
tions so surprised them that they
jumped to the conclusion that he
was a stranger in Jerusalem. The
condemnation and crucifiXion of the
great prophet of Nazareth were so
recent and notorious that no one
who had lived in Jerusalem could be
ignorant of them.
III. The Scriptures Opened wv.
25-3D.
l. His rebuke wv. $500. He
did not rebuke them for not believ-
ing the strange stories that they
had heard, but for ignorance of and
lack of confidence in the Old Tes-
lament Scriptures. They had only
accepted such parts of the Old Tes-
lament as suited their notions. The
very center and heart Of the Old
Testament Scriptures set forth the
death and resurrection of Christ.
ignorance of the Scriptures and un-
belief as to the wonders and COM
plete redemption wrought by Christ
robs us of many joys and deprives
us of power as workers for Christ.
2. Jesus Recognized. wv. 31-35).
While sitting at meat with the dis
ciples, their eyes were opened as they
saw him bless the bread and distribute
it to them. We too can see the Lord
on such common occasions as eating
meal If we have open eyes. In
deed, we ought to see him when eat
ing, buying, selling, and in our rec
reations, for he has promised his
abiding presence. They were so
filled with Joy over this revelation
Of the Savior that they hastened
back to Jerusalem to tell the other
disciples of his resurrection. Those
who have had the Scriptures opened
to them touching the death and res
direction of Christ, invariably hast
en- to make the truth known to
others.
w. Jesus Stands in the Midst Of
the Eleven wv. 36-4O. q
1. He said, peace be unto YOU
wv. SO, 81.
However, they were terrified and
affrighted. Sinful man in the pres
ence of a holy God is i'll at ease.
2. He showed them his hands and
his feet wv. 39-40). In order to
convince them of his personal iden-
tity, he gave them tangible evidence
that he was not a mere spirit.
3. He ate before them (vv. 41-45) &.
4. He commissioned them to evan
gelize the world wv. 46-49). They
were to testify concerning his shed
blood and resurrection, and on this
ground they were to preach repent
ance and remission Of sins to all
nations.
5. Jesus ascends into heaven
(vv. 50-53).
Having given them the parting
message to evangelize the world he
ascended into heaven. From his
place in heaven he continues to
carry on his work through his dis
ciples as they are energized by the
Holy Ghost. Just as we treasure the