So, I’m listening to the audio of my talk, and I used the word “like” a lot. A lot a lot. More so than the infamous “umm”.
But… I’m 13 minutes in, and things seem to be going well. I’m actually kind of interesting… in my opinion… :)
As I mentioned, after sharing my testimony, I spoke on the ascension. Things came together pretty well and I feel I helped people understand the power Christ released to us through that act.
Then lo and behold, a few days later, I ran across one of the most powerful scriptures regarding the ascension, Eph. 4:7-11:
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says:
“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”(Now this, “He ascended”–what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
The ascension, it seems, is tied directly to the release of spiritual gifts, which goes along with some of the points I made when I spoke. Christ ascended to a place of authority… and we’re seated there with him, for he is our head and we’re the body (Eph. 1:19-23, 2:6). Since he has authority, we can move in that authority. Thus the supernatural spiritual gifts… those things we can’t do in our own power, like prophescying or performing miracles or moving in perfect love.
Always more to learn…
