The Ascension (3)
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Introduction
Introduction
10,000 Sermon Illustrations Hearts Set on Heaven
Hearts Set on Heaven
In his classic devotional book titled The Saint’s Everlasting Rest, English Puritan pastor and author Richard Baxter (1615–1691) wrote:
“Why are not our hearts continually set on heaven? Why dwell we not there in constant comtemplation?…Bend thy soul to study eternity, busy thyself about the life to come, habituate thyself to such contemplations, and let not those thoughts be seldom and cursory, but bathe thyself in heaven’s delights.”
Our Daily Bread, July 28, 1997
In the OT, the glory of God descended upon his people in a cloud (, ; ; ).
It was no doubt the cloud of God’s glory that overshadowed the virgin Mary when Jesus was conceived in her womb ().
It was the cloud of God’s glory that overshadowed Jesus, Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration revealing the glory of Jesus ().
And it was in a cloud, as we see here in , that Jesus ascended to heaven.
This was no doubt the cloud of glory that surrounds the very presence of God.
But it’s funny how our hearts are pulled past to v. 10, which speaks about the return of Jesus.
We long for his return, so like those early disciples we are tempted to gaze into heaven longing his return.
We hear, however, the rebuke of the angels and are reminded that we have work to do, so our minds are drawn back before to v. 8.
It’s funny how our hearts are pulled past to v. 10, which speaks about the return of Jesus. We long for his return, so like those early disciples we are tempted to gaze into heaven awaiting his return. We hear, however, the rebuke of the angels and are reminded that we have work to do, which draws us back past v. 9 to v. 8. There we are told that will we be his Holy Spirit-empowered witnesses. But rather than be pulled past v. 9 to v. 10 or be drawn back from v. 9 to v. 8, we should sit awhile with v. 9, for it tells of an essential of the Christian faith--the ascension of Jesus.
There we are told that we will be his Holy Spirit-empowered witnesses.
But rather than be pulled past v. 9 or drawn back before v. 9, we should sit awhile with v. 9, for it tells of an essential of the Christian faith— an event just as fundamental to the Christian faith as the incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection— the event v. 9 talks about of course is the ascension of Jesus.
In his incarnation, Jesus came in the flesh and lived among us in spotless obedience to God. In his crucifixion, Jesus offered himself as the spotless sacrifice for our sins. In his resurrection, Jesus proved that those of us who believe in him have been made spotless before God. And in his ascension, Jesus brings to completion all that he has done for us on earth and begins to do even more for us from heaven.
On the Christian calendar, this past Thursday was Ascension Day, celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter.
[CIT] The ascension of Jesus is essential to the Christian faith, and it is a great encouragement to Christians in all ages.
On the Christian calendar, this past Thursday was Ascension Day, celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter.
[PROP] And what I hope is that by the end of this sermon we’ll be thanking God for the ascension of Jesus and finding encouragement in his ascension to walk more faithfully and joyfully with Jesus.
[INTER] So, why should we rejoice in and be encouraged by the ascension of Jesus?
[TS] As we look at several different passages of Scripture, we will think about several REASONS...
Completion
Glorification
Exaltation
Possession
Preparation
Commission
Major Ideas
Major Ideas
Reason #1: In his ascension, Jesus finished the work he did to save us ().
Reason #1: In his ascension, Jesus finished the work he did to save us ().
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
[Context] The book of Hebrews is a book that shows us that Jesus is greater. He is greater than angels, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, greater than Aaron or any other high priest for he is the high priest of a greater covenant, the New Covenant, which has been ratified by a greater blood-sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus himself.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
[Context] The book of Hebrews is a book that shows us that Jesus is greater. He is greater than angels, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, greater than Aaron or any other high priest for he is the high priest of a greater covenant, the New Covenant, which has been ratified by a greater blood-sacrifice, the sacrifice of Jesus himself.
[Exp] Every priest before Jesus offered sacrifices for his sins and then offered sacrifices for the sins of God’s people.
And he did this day after day, year after year because
[Exp]
And these priests did this standing daily at their service because the sacrifices of bulls and goats could never take away sins.
The ascension proves that Jesus’ death and resurrection were accepted by the Father.
But as says...
But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,
Now, notice the difference— in v. 11 the priest that offers bulls and goats stands, while in v. 12 Jesus sits after he has offered himself.
What’s significant about this?
[Illus] My wife likes to do chores. She actually likes to do LOTS of chores. Some mornings she wakes up and puts together a big chore list. She tries to get the kids excited about doing chores (and for the most part they usually are). But I’ll go to work and come back home hours later and Cheryl will still be doing chores! (That’s when I know I didn’t stay at work long enough!)
On some nights though, when we’re about to do our family devotion, Cheryl will finally plop down on the couch, and I know what that means—Cheryl is done with chores for the day.
Cheryl being Cheryl, if she wasn’t done, she wouldn’t have sat down. But when the chores are done, Cheryl sits down because she is finished.
It really is the same sort of thing when we read in and other Scriptures that Jesus sat down at the right hand of God.
Jesus sat down because he was finished.
[App] When Jesus ascended to heaven, he sat down at the Father’s right hand because his work on earth was finished.
The fact that the Father welcomed Jesus to sit at his right hand (a place of favor and authority), shows that the Father accepted Jesus’ work to save us as completed. As Hebrews 10:14...
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
We should rejoice in this aspect of Jesus’ ascension and be encouraged by it!
If we have trusted Jesus, we ought to rejoice because, although we aren’t home yet, we are fully and finally saved and nothing will ever be able to changed that!
How do we know that’s the case?
Because Jesus sat down at the Father’s right hand, and like a diligent wife and mother with a gargantuan chore list, Jesus wouldn’t have sat down unless the work was through!
Perhaps you’ve repented of your sins and you’ve trusted Jesus the best you know how. You’re trying to pray and you’re trying to study your Bible and you’re trying to tell people about Jesus. But more often than not you’re just trying to want to do those things.
This constant war within leaves you feeling down and at times feeling like perhaps you don’t belong to Jesus.
If you’ve trusted Christ and you’ve seen some growth in Christ, even if its minimal, but you’re feeling like you not always doing enough to prove your salvation, please look at where Jesus is seated.
If you trusted Jesus and you’re following Jesus even though imperfectly, the fact that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father is what proves your salvation is finished!
Sure, you must bear fruit in keeping with repentance, and you must strive for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord, but your salvation is ultimately not up to you. It’s up to Jesus!
And what Jesus said on earth about your salvation on the cross when he said, “It is finished,” he also said in heaven when he ascended and sat down at the Father’s right hand.
Our salvation is finished!
[TS] That’s REASON #1...
The ascension proves that Jesus was the firstfruits of the resurrection. In other words, his ascension assures us that we shall be raised as he was.
Reason #2: In his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us ().
Reason #2: In his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us ().
“I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you. “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
[Context] Every gospel in the NT (i.e., Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) shows Jesus at times frustrated with his disciples and at times very tender with them.
In John’s gospel, the raising of Lazarus, Jesus’ friend, meant that great crowds greeted Jesus when he rode into Jerusalem during Passover week, which was the final week of his life before his crucifixion.
During that week with his own death looming, Jesus spent a great deal of time being tender with his disciples.
He washed their feet as an example of servanthood to them.
He commanded them to love one another.
He spoke of himself as the true vine and they the branches that must abide in him.
But during that time Jesus also warned his disciples.
He said that one of them would betray him.
He said that Peter would deny him.
He said that the world would hate them.
It’s in the context of the world’s hatred toward the followers of Jesus that we find , the passage we just read.
[Exp] Jesus knew that his disciples would be persecuted. He also knew that if they could not endure persecution, they would fall away, which means they wouldn’t endure to the end and be saved.
He had withheld this information from them before because he was with them, but in v. 5, he speaks of his ascension when he says...
But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.
John 16:5
Did you hear what Jesus said? “It is to your advantage that I go away...” (v. 7). How could that possibly be true?
It’s actually quite simple when we think about it.
[Illus] Samuel Rutherford was a Scottish Presbyterian Pastor who served a small church in Anwoth for 9 years before being exiled from the town and church he so dearly loved.
He was exiled because he refused to conform to the errors of the religious authorities of his day. He choose instead to remain faithful to the Bible and to his conscience.
For 2 years he was exiled in Aberdeen after which time he returned to Anwoth only to be quickly moved by the Scottish Presbyterian leadership to St. Andrew’s as Professor of Divinity.
Both Rutherford and the church at Anwoth were heartbroken all over again.
In the end, however, moving Rutherford to St. Andrew’s was the right call for it was for the good of the church as a whole rather than just the church in Anwoth.
A professor of divinity, Rutherford was able to disciple future ministers and so have an impact in a great many churches in a great many places.
In a sense, through his position at St. Andrew’s, Rutherford was able to be in many pulpits every Sunday rather than just the one if he had stayed at St. Andrew’s.
The same sort of thing is going on here in with Jesus when he said to his disciples, “It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you,” ().
Jesus, being born in human flesh, could not be in all places at once. If Peter was in Jerusalem sharing the gospel and John was in Jericho doing the same, Jesus has to decide who to help because he could not help them both.
The Holy Spirit, however, could help every disciple of Jesus in all places at the same time!
That means as Peter, James, John, Matthew, and all the rest of Jesus’ disciples spread out to tell the world about Jesus, Jesus could help them all because the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, had come to dwell within them.
Just as Samuel Rutherford increased his impact by moving from Anwoth to St. Andrew’s, Jesus increased his impact; he took it from local to global in an instant by ascending to the Father and sending the Spirit to dwell within his disciples!
And he did it by sending his Spirit to live with each one of us who follows him!
[App] Now this is surely cause for rejoicing and a call to be encouraged!
The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Christ, the Spirit of truth, is our Advocate, our Counselor, our Helper ()!
He is Christ with us to the end of the age (; )!
He teaches us all things concerning Jesus ()!
He is the Peace that Jesus has left within us now that he has ascended to heaven ()!
He is the seal and guarantee of our salvation ()!
Perhaps you’re facing persecution like Jesus knew you would or maybe you’re just facing loneliness.
Because Jesus ascended to heaven and sent his Spirit to live within you, you can endure even in the face of persecution!
Because Jesus ascended to heaven and sent his Spirit to live within you, you can endure loneliness because, thanks to the Spirit, you’re never really alone.
Jesus is right there with you!
[TS] Reason #1: In his ascension, Jesus finished the work he did to saves us.
Reason #2: In his ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
Reason #3...
Reason #3: In his ascension, Jesus set the aim for our holiness ().
Reason #3: In his ascension, Jesus set the aim for our holiness ().
Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Reason #4: In his ascension, Jesus sets the course for ours lives ().
Reason #4: In his ascension, Jesus sets the course for ours lives ().
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
[Context] The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians was written to proclaim to them the preeminence of Christ and warn them against false teachers who might accuse them of being unsaved because they didn’t honor certain Mosaic laws regarding certain religious days and certain foods.
As Paul wrote in ...
Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
And then in he goes on to completely undue the teaching of the false teachers who had pounced upon the Colossian church...
If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Paul’s point was that the Colossians would not be saved or sanctified by ever more strictly obeying laws regarding feasts, festivals, and foods.
Rather they (and everyone else along with them) must look to the preeminent Christ alone for salvation and sanctification. That’s what he gets at in ...
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
[Exp] Now, in these verses God’s Word sets the sights of every believer on holiness by setting the sights of every believer on Jesus.
[Exp]
Every Christian is not to be earthly-minded but heavenly-minded because (and here’s the tie to the ascension) that’s where Jesus is, seated at the right hand of God ().
Just as looking to the crucified and resurrected Christ alone is the only way of salvation, so the only way of sanctification is looking to the ascended Christ alone!
Sanctification is of course the process of becoming more holy; the process of resisting sin and becoming more like Christ.
Why would we want to look to Jesus for help with sanctification? After all, he was sinless, so did he even deal with sin?
[Illus] A couple of weeks ago, I was reading an article about a pastor who had been fired from his megachurch due to abuse of authority, an inappropriate relationship, and other things.
The article was actually an interview with the former pastor, and he was offering all kinds of advice to pastors so they wouldn’t find themselves in a similar situation.
Now, much of what he had to say was good, and we can surely learn from the mistakes of others, but I’ve noticed something in our culture— people who fail in a particular area are suddenly considered experts on NOT failing in that area!
So for example, the guy who wasn’t faithful as a pastor can now tell you how to be faithful as a pastor!
Or the woman who wasn’t faithful as a wife, can now tell you how to be faithful as a wife!
I know of one marriage counselor who has been divorced three times!
One day, I was ranting to Cheryl about some of this and I said, “Do you know who I want to listen to about pastoral faithfulness or marital faithfulness or just faithfulness to Christ in general? It’s the person who has served his church faithfully for 30 years, loved his wife faithfully for longer, and walked with Christ faithfully for even longer. That’s the guy I want to hear from!”
I don’t want to listen to those who failed tell me how to be successful.
I want to listen to those who have been faithful tell me how to be faithful.
[App] Well, if I want to listen to the faithful tell me how to be faithful, then I had better listen to Jesus because he was perfectly faithful!
Why would we want to look to Jesus for help with sanctification, for growth in holiness? Because he was perfectly sanctified! He was perfectly holy! He was without sin! And yet, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses! Referring to Jesus, says...
Referring to Jesus, says...
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.
We look to Jesus because he can save us. We look to Jesus because he can sanctify us.
Rejoice and be encouraged
This must be the aim of our holiness from the moment we meet Jesus in faith to the moment we meet Jesus in the flesh.
We must seek the things that are above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
We set our minds on things that are above where Christ is in his ascension.
In this way, by setting our sights on Jesus, we are enabled to put to death whatever is earthly in us.
Rejoice and be encouraged
[TS] {on to number 4}
set your mind on heaven, where Christ is seated above
10,000 Sermon Illustrations Hearts Set on Heaven
Hearts Set on Heaven
In his classic devotional book titled The Saint’s Everlasting Rest, English Puritan pastor and author Richard Baxter (1615–1691) wrote:
“Why are not our hearts continually set on heaven? Why dwell we not there in constant comtemplation?…Bend thy soul to study eternity, busy thyself about the life to come, habituate thyself to such contemplations, and let not those thoughts be seldom and cursory, but bathe thyself in heaven’s delights.”
Our Daily Bread, July 28, 1997
Reason #4: In his ascension, Jesus went to prepare a place for us ().
Reason #4: In his ascension, Jesus went to prepare a place for us ().
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
[Context] As Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death, resurrection, and ascension, he told them two things which must’ve been so encouraging to them: (1) I’m going to prepare a place for you, (2) and if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come get you that where I am you may be also ().
[Exp] What does it mean that Jesus ascended to prepare a place for his disciples?
Well, it means that Jesus is not only sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for the saints, but he is also preparing our eternal heavenly home!
Now, think about this: we are told in and that everything that has been created was created by and through Jesus. That being the case, Jesus made everything we’ve ever known in 6 days by speaking into existence.
Even so, this world and its universe staggers us with its beauty!
Perhaps you’ve seen a sun rise or the stars on a clear night or you’ve been to some natural wonder in another part of the world and you’ve thought to yourself, “God is amazing! Jesus is amazing to have created all this!”
But don’t forget that every created thing so beautiful and majestic to our eyes was make in only 6 days by the words from his mouth!
If he could do all this in 6 days, imagine the place he has been preparing for us over the last 2,000 years or so!
[Illus]
The Bible names that place the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, which will be the most dazzling place anyone has ever seen because the glory of Jesus will refract off every precious jewel and metal used to construct the city!
But most glorious of all is what Jesus said in , “And if go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself...”
[App] Oh brother and sisters! Let’s rejoice in the ascension of Jesus!
Oh brother and sisters! Let’s rejoice in the ascension of Jesus!
He has gone to prepare a place for us! But when he comes for us, he will not just take us to a place, he will take us to himself!
That is cause for rejoicing and reason to be encouraged!
His ascension is the guarantee that we shall always be with the Lord!
[TS] {see below}
The ministry of Jesus
The glory of Jesus
The Spirit of Jesus
Conclusion
Conclusion
{prayer}
[Exp]
[Illus]
[App] Rejoice and be encouraged
[TS]