Ascension: Hope

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Context Second reading

Acts is Luke Part II.

The first book, Luke, the earthly ministry of Jesus. Acts, the spread of the gospel through the ministry of the church.

begins with the Ascension.

Notice that Jesus visibly rises from the earth, his return is promised, and the mission of the church is established.

TEXT

Acts 1:1–11 ESV

In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

INTRODUCTION

Cartoon. Ascension Deficit Disorder.

Ascension can be passed over quickly even forgotten, the significance unappreciated.

Yet a key piece of our faith

Ascension is explicitly referred to in almost all Presbyterian confessions...

Apostle’s Creed: on the 3rd day he rose again from dead, He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

Nicene Creed: on the third day he rose again according to the scriptures, he ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

Scots (Chapter XI) We do not doubt but that the selfsame body which was born of the virgin, was crucified, dead, and buried, and which did rise again, did ascend into the heavens...

All some variation of: We believe that our Lord Jesus Christ physically died and was buried, the physically ascended from the earth into glory.

What are we missing, if we miss Ascension?

EXEGESIS 1: Physical Ascension

Luke tells us that for 40 days Jesus visited with his disciples after his resurrection.

During this time he taught them many things about the kingdom of God.

Most importantly, gave them many proofs of his physical resurrection. Touch my hands and side. Watch me eat this food. See: Not just a spirit, not just spiritual life beyond the grave — that would still be “dead”. Resurrection. Reunited, immortal, spirit and body.

After the 40 day period, he gathered them together for this farewell.

He physically rose from the earth and was taken up into heaven, before their eyes.

This deliberate, visual ascension - was part of his showing them the FULL EFFECT OF RESURRECTION.

He really has broken the power of death. Death is by definition the separation of the soul from the body, leaving the body a lifeless thing. But Jesus takes up his body, from the grave first, and then to heaven, showing that life is now ETERNAL in him.

REDEMPTION TO TAKE HUMANITY INTO HEAVEN. FIT FOR HEAVEN.

Jesus had previously said, John 14:2-3. “In my Father’s house are many rooms. …I go before you to prepare a place for you so that you may be with me.” Now he shows himself going ahead of them.

There is a place for human nature in heaven. He is there right now.

APPLICATION 1: HOPE IN RESURRECTION

EE: My family lives in various locations. Find My App:

Find my wife, daughters. Friends. They are really there. Could see them by traveling.

If we did “find my” app with Jesus. It would show us where he is. He is separated by distance or dimension, but he lives and is real.

MORE: Jesus has taken our humanity up into heaven, like a place holder, a living symbol. Humans are welcome in heaven. All others are spirit, Jesus is flesh. WE will be welcome.

So sure is this promise, that Paul speaks of it as already accomplished.

Ephesians 2:5–7 (ESV)

[God] made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus saves us, he saves all of us. body and soul — to be alive.

HOPE: feel separate but connected. FIND MY WILL WORK!

Yet, Jesus is not just waiting passively, he is helping us on our journey now.

EXEGESIS 2: JESUS HIGH PRIEST

And a cloud hid him from their sight. An allusion to the OT.

Moses went into tabernacle to meet with God and a cloud hid him from the eyes of the people. He offered

prayers for forgiveness, protection, and guidance

Jesus performing an ongoing ministry in the presence of God.

Hebrews 9:24 ESV

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

One who is true God and true man, unites God and humanity, intercedes constantly for us according to our need and according to God’s love. Same prayers as ancient Moses:

Forgiveness, leading, protection

Romans 8:34 ESV

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Ephesians 1:22–23 ESV

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Jesus is apart from us, yet not disengaged. He is praying and interceding for us.

APPLICATION 2: HOPE IN HELP

Example of local politician races. One advertisement: Born and raised here. Military service abroad that enhanced his leadership. Now back to make a positive impact on his local family/community. I can help.

Jesus knows what we go through. He was born and raised in this world. And now he is in power for us. GOD HAS ELECTED HIM to ensure our eternal welfare.

Because we know Christ, we can appeal to God for help through Christ.

Where next God? Jesus was led into wilderness.

Help in this struggle? Jesus overcame temptation.

Help me to trust? Jesus had nowhere to lay his head yet God provided.

Help me to love and forgive? Jesus prayed from the cross.

Christ understands and takes action, he presents the interests of humanity in heaven, as a one of us.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Ascension HOPE: God in Christ really understands and helps.

For our sakes and for the sake of those around us…

EXEGESIS 3: JESUS’ RETURN

Two men in white appear. Angels like at the tomb on resurrection day.

Men of Galilee. They pose a rhetorical question. Why are you standing here looking into the sky? Just like at the tomb, why do you seek the living among the dead.

Promise: He will come back. Literally and physically. Just as he left.

1 Thessalonians 4:16 (ESV)

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God…

When he comes he will come not destroy but to resurrect. All of creation will be freed from sin and death and made eternally alive like Christ.

Revelation 21:1 ESV

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Their mission is not to wait it out, but to spread the hope of resurrection to all people:

Jesus seeks to continue on a global scale through his disciple community, what he began as an individual man. His reign is not just a kingdom of Isreal, but of all the earth.

You will be my witnesses to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth. That is what happens all through the book of Acts.

Through them Jesus will fulfill goal: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”” (John 12:32, NRSV)

Now: I am going to heaven, so you can give hope to the whole earth and all people with confidence.

APPLICATION 3: HOPE TO SHARE

Jesus is in heaven now. He is helping us now. Our task is to be witnesses to hope.

Not staring = not just escapism. Rather, having seen, refocusing occasionally (like today), we draw from heaven hope that God’s plans are working out and will work out.

Church a place of HOPE, as Paul prayed:

Ephesians 1:18 ESV

having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

Always a way forward and devoted to prayer, and encouragement.

“Jesus, we can’t see you, but we know you are with us…”

Locally. Everywhere someone feels isolated from the love of God and humanity, that is the ends of the earth.

Jesus died for you, Jesus rose for you….Jesus is ALIVE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

Far and wide. Phone video etc. witness platforms for hope. Often used for scaring, conflict, confusion. For us, to spread hope.

love will win. Good will win.

Mission of HOPE: God raised Christ from the dead, from earth to heaven, and so all will be well, and all will be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.

CONCLUSION

Rather than being Ascension deficient, let’s focus this week on the wonderful news that our Lord and Savior is not only risen from the grave, he has risen to heaven

Jesus shows us his ascension to give us a powerful hope.

Our hope in resurrection is sure.

Our hope in help is sure.

The hope we offer is sure.

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

Let us not cease to give thanks to God who has seated the resurrected and ascended Christ at the right hand of the Holy One in power and great glory. Let us pray.

We give thanks to you, O God, in this and every age, for the healing power at work in Christ to fill our world with grace. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

We pray for our world, for all leaders, people, and nations, that they we may exercise a spirit of wisdom as we serve the common good. Shield all who suffer from the terrors of violence and war; bring them to safety and new life in you. Make us one family gathered up in your love and clothed in the power of your peace. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

We pray for all who long to experience the immeasurable power of your love. Open our hearts to sing your praises and to share the story of your blessing, that all may come to know our living and ascended Christ. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

Bless your people everywhere with food, shelter, healthcare, and employment sufficient for our flourishing, that all may thrive together by the riches of your grace, and fill us with a joy for justice that inspires us to do our part for the prosperity of all. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

We pray for all in sickness or in need, that they may know your healing love and the power of Christ to bring life in the most difficult times. Keep us mindful of the hope and great power that we have in you as we offer your healing to others. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have died, that, together, you will bring us to our glorious inheritance of Christ, the one who fills all in all. Lord, you reign on high…hear our prayer.

All this we pray in the name of him who was raised to live and reign in power for us, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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