What Now?
Notes
Transcript
I. Ascension from the Earth
I. Ascension from the Earth
Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.
a. Command that was Given
a. Command that was Given
Christ did not leave the disciples without guidance. The commander left marching orders for them to abide by.
“He had spoken these things”
What are these things?
And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
We have this same command!
b. Crowd that was Gazing
b. Crowd that was Gazing
Notice all the times their eyesight is referenced. Why is this important? They were eyewitnesses to this ascension.
Would you be willing to die for a lie? How did the disciples die? All were brutally murdered except John who was exiled to Patmos. Who would be that willing for something they knew was not true?
II. Anxiety from this Exit
II. Anxiety from this Exit
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
a. Thoughts of the Disciples
a. Thoughts of the Disciples
And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel,
They are wondering, “What now?”
Steadfastly means to look intensely and for a long time. Almost as if they are beginning to space out.
b. Question from the Angels
b. Question from the Angels
who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
This question is more so a rebuke than an inquiry. Didn’t Jesus give a command? Didn’t He already give the orders? There is work to be done!
What if we miss it? Oh, you’ll know.
III. Action to be Taken
III. Action to be Taken
who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
1.)First, receive the Holy Spirit
2.) Pray
3. Prepare
4. Witness