The Ascension
Liturgical Sunday • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 9 viewsThe importance of the ascension in the life and narrative of Jesus
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6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight.
10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them,
11 and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
13 When they had entered the city, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying, that is, Peter, John, James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James.
14 All these were continually devoting themselves with one mind to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
15 At this time Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together), and said,
16 “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
This is the word of God for the people of God….
Are you ready for the message God has for us today?
When was the last time you considered the importance of the resurrection?
When we think of the life of Jesus and also the church calendar we tend to focus on the gospel events:
Christ’s Birth — Ministry — Death — Resurrection beginning with advent and ending with Easter.
There is more to His narrative:
Birth — Ministry — Death — Resurrection — Ascension — Pentecost — Return.
For a long time the church calendar did not include a Sunday between Easter and Pentecost for the ascension.
In the 4th century that changed.
Today I want to turn our attention to the ascension
The Context of Acts 1
The Context of Acts 1
Just think about what was happening in chapter 1
Jesus has spent the last 40 days teaching them and giving final instructions — develop
It seems the Apostles were in need of further correction on the Kingdom. — Acts 1:6
6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
Still can’t wrap their minds around the Kingdom — Explain
The focus of Jesus here is on the real time unfolding of God’s eternal plan — Acts 1:7
7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority;
They were going to receive further understanding when the Spirit would come upon them in Acts 2.
Remember Jesus promised them — Luke 12:11-12
11 Now when they bring you before the synagogues and the officials and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say;
12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
The Ascension Marks a Change
The Ascension Marks a Change
The ascension was important for the apostles and disciples.
The leaving of Jesus would mark the coming of the promised helper, the Holy Spirit. — John 14:26
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.
However, it marks something else.
Jesus is passing on the mantle of ministry to the apostles and the power of the Holy Spirit — Luke 4:1
1 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness
Develop this a little
Now as Jesus leaves he reminds them of the promise that they would receive guidance. — Acts 1:8
8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”
It is like when Elijah left and Elisha received the mantle of prophetic ministry — 2 Kings 2:9-11 develop
From this point Jesus is taken out of their sight and they begin leading and teaching and the church is planted! — Luke 24:52-53
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising God.
The Ascension puts the focus on Jesus
The Ascension puts the focus on Jesus
The ascension keeps our minds heavenward. — Colossians 3:1-2
1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth.
The ascension is part of Jesus being our high priest — Hebrews 4:14
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession.
For Peter the ascension becomes part of the message about Jesus. — Acts 2:32-33
32 It is this Jesus whom God raised up, a fact to which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
The ascension is the demonstration of Christ’s dominion
Conclusion
For Paul the ascension also is part of the revelation of the mystery of godliness — 1 Timothy 3:16
16 Beyond question, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.
Christ’s Birth — Ministry — Death — Resurrection — Ascension — Pentecost — Return
It is good news then Jesus is with his father in heaven currently seated at his right hand
The ascension also reminds us of the hope of His return!
People urgently need this good news — Jesus was not beamed up, or taken by space craft, He ascended right to heaven as only God can!
We can share this with others — Oikos!
Remember we are on mission 24/7!
