The Grounds of the Gospel 5j5r2q

Sermon by Fr. Carl Smith Ascension Sunday Discussion Questions: Jesus's primary role following his ascension is mediation, as stated in 1 Tim. 2:5-6: “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” Does this truth impact your sense of security and comfort as you live your life before God? Explain. Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. Did you find the acronym RIIBS helpful for the New Covenant works of the Holy Spirit (i.e., Regeneration, Indwelling, Baptism, Sealing)? Which of these works would you like to discuss further with your small group? Does it amaze you that Jesus was willing to turn over the ministry of the Gospel to the Apostles and the early church as he ascended to heaven? Does it amaze you that the church has survived and thrived for nearly 2000 years following this model? What does that tell you about the plan of God for his church and your role in it? The Jewishness of the Gospel is demonstrated in the grounding of Jesus the Messiah's ministry in the Jewish Scriptures, which are organized into three divisions: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings. What does the fact that Jesus held the Jewish Scriptures in such high regard as a testament to himself tell you about the importance of the Word of God? Does it give you greater appreciation for and confidence in the Word of God as a believer in Jesus?  Have you ever had an experience in which the Holy Spirit illumined a truth from the Word of God in such a way that "your heart burned within you" like the disciples on the Emmaus Road? Tell the group about that experience. While we can talk about Jesus's death and resurrection and what these events accomplished in many different ways, Jesus chose to summarize their effect in of the "forgiveness of sins." Do you think about your salvation in these ? What impact should this truth have upon how we live our lives and maintain our relationship with a holy God? 2e5471