The Ascension

Going Up and Coming Back: The Ascension and Its Promise

Bible Passage: Luke 24:50–53, Acts 1:1–11

Summary: These passages detail the ascension of Jesus into heaven, emphasizing the significance of this event both for the disciples and for believers throughout the ages. Jesus commissions His followers and promises them the coming Holy Spirit, assuring them of His presence until His return.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand the transition from Jesus' physical presence to His spiritual reign and the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering them for ministry. It reassures believers of God's continued involvement in their lives and the hope of Christ's return amidst their struggles.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that the ascension is not the end of Jesus’ mission but the beginning of a new chapter in which believers are called to spread the Gospel under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, instilling hope and purpose in their daily lives as they await Christ’s return.

How this passage could point to Christ: The ascension underscores the divine authority of Christ as He takes His rightful place at the right hand of the Father. It connects to Old Testament prophecies and culminates in the New Testament promise of Jesus' return, highlighting His sovereign reign and the fulfillment of God's plan of redemption through Christ throughout Scripture.

Big Idea: The ascension of Jesus is a promise of His continued presence, empowerment through the Holy Spirit, and the certain hope of His return, prompting believers to live faithfully and missionally in the world today.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider diving into the significance of Jesus' ascension within the broader narrative of Luke and Acts, particularly in understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering the early church. Investigating scholarly articles in Logos regarding the historical context of the Jewish expectations of the Messiah could enhance your understanding. Also, examine potential translation differences in key terms related to ascension and authority to provide deeper insights into the text.

1. Ascending with Blessings

Luke 24:50–51

Perhaps you can explore how Jesus' act of blessing the disciples before ascending signifies His continuous intercession for believers. His ascent is not an abandonment but a transition to a greater engagement from the throne of grace. This assures Christians that in their struggles, Jesus blesses them and leads them with divine authority.

2. Worship with Joy

Luke 24:52–53

You could emphasize the disciples’ response to Jesus’ ascension, filled with worship and joy. This suggests that acknowledging Jesus’ lordship leads to a life of worship and daily devotion, joyfully anticipating His promise of returning. This can empower believers to find strength and rejoice daily in His spiritual presence.

3. Promise of Power

Acts 1:1–5

Maybe you can highlight how Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His followers before ascending. This promise reassures them of divine empowerment to fulfill the Great Commission. Believers are called to rely on the Spirit’s guidance for strength and wisdom in their mission, despite the challenges they face in life.

4. Purpose in Witness

Acts 1:6–8

You could delve into Jesus’ commission to His disciples, urging them to be His witnesses in the world. This mission directs believers to expand their vision and impact across cultures and communities—living out their faith actively. It assures Christians that their witness is empowered by His eternal sovereignty.

5. Promise of Return

Acts 1:9–11

Perhaps you can reflect on the assurance given by the angels regarding Jesus’ return. This promise encourages believers to live with hope, knowing Christ will return as He ascended. Amidst struggles, His promise strengthens the hope of redemption and restoration, compelling believers to persevere with unwavering faith.

Ascended but Present: Understanding Our Role in Christ's Mission

Bible Passage: Luke 24:50–53, Acts 1:1–11

Summary: These passages describe the moment of Jesus' ascension into heaven and how He commissioned His disciples, which marked a pivotal transition for the early followers of Christ. This event highlights not only the fulfillment of His earthly ministry but also establishes a clear directive for His followers to continue spreading the Gospel in His absence, with a divine promise of empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

Application: This sermon helps Christians recognize that while Jesus has ascended, He remains actively involved in their lives. By understanding the significance of their mission to witness for Christ, believers can find purpose and courage in facing challenges, knowing they are not alone in their efforts to evangelize and serve.

Teaching: The teaching centers around the importance of understanding the ascension as a pivotal moment that both concludes Jesus' earthly ministry and launches the church's mission. It emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit as the primary agent that enables believers to fulfill their calling as witnesses of Christ.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of Scripture, Christ's ascension signifies His exaltation, which fulfills God's redemptive plan and establishes His authority over the earth. The ascension also initiates the active work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, illustrating the connection between Christ's heavenly reign and the church's earthly mission.

Big Idea: While Jesus’ ascension marked His transition to heavenly glory, it simultaneously empowered His followers for a transformative mission on earth, urging them to continue His work with the assurance that they are never left without His presence.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the theological implications of Jesus' ascension in relation to His ongoing intercession for believers. It may be beneficial to study the role of the Holy Spirit in the mission of the church, analyzing various biblical texts and references in your Logos library. Delving into commentaries on Acts regarding the establishment of the early church can also provide insight into the impact of the Holy Spirit's empowerment.

1. Ascension: A Pivotal Transition

Luke 24:50–53

Perhaps you could illustrate how Jesus' ascension is more than a mere departure but rather a transition into His divine glorified role. You might explain that His ascension was a fulfillment of His earthly ministry and a pivotal point that empowers our current mission. Sharing this perspective can reinforce the perseverance and strength we receive because of His ongoing presence with us, even though physically absent, which assures His lordship and our calling in His kingdom work.

2. Assurance: Spirit Empowerment Promised

Acts 1:1–5

Maybe you could highlight how Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure by promising the Holy Spirit. Stating that the Holy Spirit is an essential part of fulfilling the mission of spreading the gospel can strengthen the understanding of relying not on personal strength but divine empowerment. This assurance will lead to an elevation in the confidence and courage of believers who may feel inadequate in their mission.

3. Assignment: Witness to All Nations

Acts 1:6–8

You could emphasize the importance Jesus placed on being witnesses in a wide-reaching mission, underscoring the scope of the task entrusted to the followers. By tying in the notion of Christ's dominion over all the earth, you could inspire believers to understand their role in a global mission that Christ endorses, encouraging them to seize the opportunities to share the gospel wherever they are.

4. Awaiting: Hopeful Promise of Return

Acts 1:9–11

Perhaps you could reflect on the scene of the ascension where Jesus leaves with a promise to return, motivating believers with hope and urgency in their mission. You could articulate that this forward-looking promise of Jesus' second coming serves as a catalyst for remaining steadfast and committed to the task at hand. His present spiritual presence assures that we are never alone as we engage in this divine mission.

From Earth to Heaven: The Power of the Ascension

Bible Passage: Luke 24:50–53, Acts 1:1–11

Summary: The passages illustrate the ascension of Jesus, focusing on not only His physical departure but what this means for the future of the disciples and the broader church. The ascension signifies the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry but also marks the beginning of a new phase where His followers are called to act in His name, with the promise of divine guidance and empowerment through the Holy Spirit.

Application: This sermon can motivate Christians to embrace their role as active participants in God’s mission. Understanding the significance of the ascension encourages believers to go forth with confidence, knowing they are empowered and commissioned by Christ to make an impact in their communities and the world, filling them with a sense of purpose.

Teaching: The teaching centers around the transformational call given to believers through the ascension of Jesus. It underscores the importance of understanding the disciples’ new identity and mission as ambassadors of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel and serve in love.

How this passage could point to Christ: Christ's ascension is a pivotal moment that underscores His deity and fulfillment of prophecy. In the grand narrative of Scripture, it connects the historic realm of Jesus’ ministry with His ongoing reign over creation, reinforcing the promise of His return, and setting the foundation for the empowerment of His church through the Spirit.

Big Idea: The ascension of Jesus empowers believers to live out their calling with confidence, transforming their understanding of mission and community, emphasizing that every Christian is a vital part of God’s divine plan in the world.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring theological implications of the ascension in relation to the work of the Holy Spirit within the church. Utilizing your Logos library, investigate the connection between ascension and missiology, specifically how this pivotal event informs our current mission. Analyzing commentaries on Acts could enhance your insight into the early church’s response to the ascension and the narratives that shaped their purpose and outreach.

1. Blessing Beyond Departure

Luke 24:50–53

You could focus on the act of blessing that accompanied Jesus' ascension. Highlight how Jesus lifts His hands in blessing as He departs, reassuring His followers of God's ongoing favor and care. This image of blessing serves as an empowerment, encouraging Christians to embrace their mission with confidence. Emphasize the joy and worship that follows His ascension, suggesting that His departure is not an end but a beginning filled with divine promise.

2. Promise of Empowerment

Acts 1:1–5

Perhaps, emphasize the promise of the Holy Spirit that Jesus gives to His followers before ascending. Explain that Jesus' physical absence does not mean abandonment; rather, it paves the way for divine empowerment through the Spirit. This promise assures believers that they are equipped for their mission, reinforcing the transformational nature of their calling.

3. Mission to the World

Acts 1:6–11

Maybe, center this point on the global mission Jesus entrusts to His disciples before His ascension. Highlight the call to be witnesses 'to the ends of the earth,' showing that the ascension propels the church outward. Discuss the significance of the angelic reminders of Jesus’ return, encouraging believers to live with the urgency and purpose His ascension imparts.