Believing In God Is The Foundation

Speaker: Archbishop Loren Thomas Hines

May 19, 2026

in Life Worth Giving

No Comments

92

May 17, 2026:

Readings: Daniel 7:9-14
Acts 1:1-11
Luke 24:49-53

7th Sunday of Easter – Feast of the Ascension 2026 Homily – Abp. Hines

Today is the 7th Sunday of Easter and we are also celebrating Ascension Day. For some reason, Ascension Day has not received the attention it should be receiving. When we listen to God’s Word, it only becomes useful when we make it into a lifestyle. Many times, we take in so much information, thinking that we’ll become smart, but it actually does not. Ascension is a mark upon humanity that Christ has finished the task. “It is finished” means Christ has fulfilled His mission. It is done. Christ had paid the penalty of our sin. Luke 24:38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

Luke 24:44 Now He said to them, “These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” And He opened their minds so that they would understand His sayings. The apostles were with Him every day for three years and yet they had difficulty believing. Isn’t this just like us? We’ve heard so many teachings and yet we still doubt His Word. Thus, it was written that Christ should suffer and rise on the third day. Repentance should be proclaimed starting in Jerusalem. Jesus said, “you are witnesses to this.” How many times have we read about God’s provisions? And yet we feel we do not have the strength, or we still lack in many things and we are not blessed. Jesus told His disciples that He will send them the promises of the Father. Ascension is telling us that He has completed the task, and that the promises of God will be given to them. Furthermore, He will send the Holy Spirit to empower them.

The Gospel isn’t just a book of history. It is a book of life. All the prophesies of the bible, and the psalms have to be fulfilled. Jesus anointed their minds to be able to understand this. 2 Peter 1: 2-4 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.

One word is needed for us to fully receive His promises- “Believe.” Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Believing in God is the foundation. It is not merely a mental assent, but it should be deeply entrenched in our hearts. The Holy Spirit will enable us to believe, having the total confidence in what He has done. The disciples were to receive gifts, and power from on high. When Christ was on the earth, He did everything in the flesh. Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Romans 12: 2 “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

Everyone who believes in His Name receives the forgiveness of our sins. We must believe that we are children of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit, making all things possible. As Christians, we should prove that God is real.