Ascension Today. Seeking to follow Jesus from the Edges –

Following Jesus From the Edges –

Pastor Calvin Cook

May 14, 2026

Everyday Ascension

Today is the day of Ascension. So, if you pull out your calendar and count it is 40 days since Resurrection Sunday.  What has happened in your life in these last 40 days. What have you learned from Jesus’s presence, teaching, direction, and fulfillment of scripture in these last 40 days? If you are saying nothing well my friend that is on you.

To me it has been a time of preparation for next. For the next moment and movement in God’s Master plan for the world.

The Ascension of Jesus is not just a story. It is historical evidence contained within the words of scripture of God’s plan. Today can not be just the next ordinary day but a day to be reminded of the teachings of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit revealed to us through scripture. It is a reminder of and an expectation of what is next. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to dwell within and not on us.

Take a moment to read the words from Acts 1:1-9 in respect and reverence to the Ascension –

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with[a] water, but in a few days you will be baptized with[b] the Holy Spirit.” 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (NIV)

Here is what I’m hearing very honestly the Holy Spirit speak to all of us this morning –

You have been given all the instructions, teachings, and knowledge that you need to get through life and prepare for eternity. Have you received it? Are you living in it and allowing the Holy Spirit to live out through you?

It is hearing God speak – “it is my way, not your way”. “It is my plan for you, not your plan for me”. It is about “thy will be done” being holy manifested for the transformation not only of your life but for the world.

It is receiving the power and the authority to be used for the purpose and mission of God and not for your own gain.

It is not about restoring once was but accepting the new thing that God is desiring to do through us. (side note – stop blaming God for what is happening and accusing Satan of having control of the earth – the world is the way it is because humanity has chosen to allow evil to take over)

The power of the Holy Spirit no longer has to be waited for it is right here, right now and desiring to live within us.

But here is the truth – we have to many other options! Options we have chosen instead of following Jesus’s teachings, instead of accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life, instead of experiencing redemption, instead of receiving the Holy Spirit, instead of striving to Know, Grow, and Go into the world. That honestly is why the world, our lives, our marriages, our families, our communities, and even our churches – yes even our churches, the bride of Christ, the image of Christ in the world today are in the shape we are in. And I hope you realize it is not God’s fault, it is ours.

Now let’s quit looking into the sky and wondering what happened and prepare to receive and be ready for the move of God that is taking place and is dependent on us living out the Great Commission –