Christ is Returning
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· 4 viewsA sermon urging the Church to be working when Christ returns.
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Good morning and Welcome. I am so glad that you chose to worship here at BFR this morning. I know God will bless you for taking the time to be in His house. And He will bless each of us if we are willing to listen to His Word and do what it says.
So, lets dive back into our study of the book of Acts. We are taking chapter one nice and slow because there is so much packed into a short little space. In the last few weeks, we have seen the power of God revealed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. We have seen Christ deliver instructions to the disciples to wait for the Comforter to come and empower them to reach the World, to turn the world upside down.
Today, we are going to look at the short passage where Christ returns to Heaven. We are going to look at why He left His disciples, where did He go and why? And what did it mean for those disciples and for us.
Our passage today is Acts 1:9-11.
But I want to recap just a little so I will read from verse 6.
Acts 1:6–11 (ESV)
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8 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.”
9 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.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 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.”
6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
8But 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.”
9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11and 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.”
When I was about 11 or 12 years old, I had a great 6thgrade Teacher. Mrs. Thurman. I just learned that Mrs. Thurman passed away in 2020. Mrs. Thurman was one of those stereotypical elementary teachers. She was tall and slender. Had a stern face and simple haircut. Her jaw was normally set, and she had thin lips there were usually pursed. She could communicate more in a single eye locked glare than most women could say in 10,000 words.
Mrs. Thurman was not a woman you would want to cross. But she was also one of the most compassionate and loving teachers one could ever have. No student in her class ever doubted if Mrs. Thurman cared for their wellbeing, their education, or their self-esteem.
My sixth-grade year was a pretty turbulent one. I had my tonsils out that year. I was sick a lot and had to miss class. I had a lot of trouble with bullies at the school. I was trying to figure out where I fit in with my peers and more than once fell in with the wrong crowd and chose to the wrong things.
Mrs. Thurman, however, was like the Rock of Gibraltar! She was unmoving, unwavering in her love for her students, her passion for education, and her demonstrated dominance of classroom control.
As I was reading this passage in Acts, I immediately thought of Mrs. Thurman. See, Mrs. Thurman would sometimes leave the classroom. I am not sure why she had to leave. She may have needed to go make copies, get a snack or a drink… It was the 80’s so maybe she needed to head down to the teacher’s lounge to grab a smoke! I do not know why she had to leave the class, but when she did, she would always say to us, “Look, I have to step out for a moment, but I will be right back. You all have work you should be doing. I fully expect you do be doing that work when I return. There should be no fooling around. You need to stay in your seats and do your work until I get back. There should be no talking. I will be listening; I will know if do not behave yourselves.” And then she would leave. She would just spin on her heel and walk out the door.
The classroom would stay quiet for a bit. Most of us would be studious and do the work that had been left for us to do. But there was always a clown or two who had to test the situation. At first it would be a random strawberry noise, or a spit ball would fly across the room. But if Mrs. Thurman stay away too long, eventually the classroom would descend into chaos and there would be students dancing on desks, running around playing tag, throwing paper airplanes…. You get the picture. Mayhem
It was at this moment that Mrs. Thurman would normally return. And let me tell you, you wanted to be the kid sitting at the desk doing work, not the kids running around or throwing things. Mrs. Thurman believed in using a paddle. She believed in writing lines on the chalkboard. She believed in sending assignments home to write lines to then have them signed by your parents! You did not want Mrs. Thurman returning to find you doing something other than what she had asked to do.
I doubt it was intentional, but Mrs. Thurman was a great example of what the disciples were learning in Acts chapter 1. Let’s look at the text again.
Acts 1:8–11 (ESV)
8 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.”
9 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.
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 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.”
8But 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.”
9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11and 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.”
I asked some questions at the beginning of this message this morning. I think we should revisit them. Why did Jesus leave His disciples, where did He go and why? And what did it mean for those disciples? What does it mean for us?
First, vs 9 reads,
9And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
Why did he leave his disciples? I think there are several reasons and all of them are really important. Look with me at John 16:5–11.
John 16:5–15 (ESV)
5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7 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.
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
5But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’
6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
7Nevertheless, 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.
8And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
9concerning sin, because they do not believe in me;
10concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
11concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
14He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
15All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
Jesus left so that the Holy Spirit could be sent into the world.
This was so important for the disciples to understand. While Jesus had work to do in Heaven, we will get to more that in a minute, He needed to also send the Holy Spirit to do work on earth, in their lives and in ours. This passage in John goes into detail about some of the work the Holy Spirit was going to do. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower the church for life and witness.[1] We are going to learn more about that when we study the passage on Pentecost in a few weeks. You will not want to miss that Sunday. That Sunday is going to Power Sunday!
It is important to note that the Spirit comes to the church and not to the world.[2] He came to be a helper to the disciples, not the Pharisees. He came to help the Church not the Roman Empire.
He sent the Holy Spirit to the Church in order to inspire the writers of the New Testament to WRITE! He came to fill the men and women of the Church to be a witness to the world. He sent the Holy Spirit to work in the lives of the people in the Church in such a way that would reprove and bring conviction to mankind. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the unbeliever of his or her unbelief. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the sinner of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is the Holy Spirit that convicts the sinner of the Judgement that is coming and of the victory that has been won in Christ Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is what empowers the believer and convicts the sinner at the same time, then brings together so that the miracle of salvation can occur!
There can be no conversion without conviction, and there can be no conviction apart from the Spirit of God using the Word of God and the witness of the child of God.[3]
Jesus had to leave so that the Holy Spirit would come.
Jesus Had to leave the disciples and return to Heaven to function as the High Priest for all believers.
Jesus left to function as the High Priest.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV)
14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15 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.
16 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.
14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
15For 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.
16Let 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.
Jesus had to leave earth to ascend into heaven to be enthroned on His throne of Grace. He is the High Priest that Aaron of the Old Testament pointed to. Never before in the History of the world, since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, has mankind had free access to God. Access to His mercy, to His grace. Only through an imperfect system of blood sacrifices and rituals did the nation of Israel, and other nations who would come to Israel, have access to God. And even then, that access was limited to certain days and to certain people. Only the High Priest could actually go into the Holy of Holies. No one had unfettered complete access…
Until Christ ascended. Once Jesus was back on His throne, with sin conquered, with death beaten, every single believer gained access to the Throne of God. And that throne is built out of the Mercy and Grace of God.
Because of the Ascension, because Jesus is now performing His role as the Great High Priest, you and I have unfettered, unlimited access to that throne. Because we have that access, “we can come boldly into the presence of God and get the help we need. No trial is too great, no temptation is too strong, but that Jesus Christ can give us the mercy and grace that we need, when we need it.”[4]
Jesus Had to leave the disciples and return to Heaven to function as the High Priest for all believers.
Jesus Had to leave the disciples to return to the Father to be an advocate for the disciples and for us.
Jesus left to be an advocate for the Church.
1 John 1:9–2:2 (ESV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
2He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Christ returned to Heaven to stand beside us in front of the Father as our advocate. He is the propitiation for our sins as John says. So imagine this story line if you will.
You are a sinner, just like me… and come before God and say, “God, I am a sinner! I want forgiveness of my sin. I am relying solely on the finished work of the Cross and the victory over sin that was won by your son Jesus Christ. I want to turn away from my sin and accept the free gift of Salvation that you have purchased by the shed blood of Jesus Christ.”
At this point our adversary, the devil, the great accuser, also stands before God and starts listing everything you have ever done wrong. Every single sin that you have committed that goes against the Perfect Law of the Holy Creator of the Universe. He explains to God that you are without hope, that you are a lost sinner and deserve punishment as a hopeless law breaker.
That is when our lawyer, our advocate steps in and says, “I object!” “This man’s sin, this woman’s sin has been forgiven.” Christ says, “Because of the finished work of my cross, my blood paid this man’s sins debt. I am the propitiation for this person’s sins. I have personally satisfied the requirements of the Holy Law of God!
“Jesus finished His work on earth, the work of giving His life as a sacrifice for sin. Today He has an “unfinished work” in heaven. He represents us before God’s throne. As our High Priest, He sympathizes with our weaknesses and temptations and gives us grace. As our Advocate, He helps us when we sin. When we confess our sins to God, because of Christ’s advocacy, God forgives us.”[5]
Jesus Had to leave the disciples to return to the Father to be an advocate for the disciples and for us.
Once Jesus left the Disciples, he continued to be of assistance to their ministry.
Jesus left, but continued to assist the Disciples’ ministries.
Mark 16:19–20 (ESV)
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
20 And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
19So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
20And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.
What an awesome thought it is to know that even now our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is willing and able to engage with us, to help us perform the tasks He has given us to do in this world. What a privilege it is to have our Lord working with us! This should motivate us to do our job of sharing the Gospel of Jesus to each and every person we encounter. He is there to help us!
I want to close out this message this morning by looking at the remaining two verses in our passage.
Acts 1:10–11 (ESV)
10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11 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.”
10And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,
11and 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.”
These verses are pretty self-explanatory. First off, I think the angels were bit hard on our friends the disciples here. I mean, Jesus just literally floated up and disappeared into the clouds. I would have stood there in awe and amazement myself. No doubt about it!
Why are standing looking into heaven? Because my best friend, my mentor, my God just floated up there and disappeared!
But then these angels give the disciples the best news, the greatest promise they had ever received. As he was taken up, he will come in the same way. In other words, He will be coming again from the clouds!
Matthew 24:30 (ESV)
30 Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
30Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
Matthew 26:64 (ESV)
64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
64Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (ESV)
1 Thessalonians 4:16 (ESV)
16 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...
16For 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…
Revelation 1:7 (ESV)
7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
7Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.
Now I am not going to get into the weeds on prophecy and end times. I am not going to try to figure out a time and a date. I am not going to tell you be a pre Tribber, a mid Tribber, or a post Tribber. Or any of that stuff.
I will tell you this. Jesus is coming back.
Jesus is Returning!
I am reminded again of Mrs. Thurman. Before she would leave that classroom, she would give an assignment. And as she would exit the door she would say, “I will be right back, and when I return, you had better be doing your work.”
In some ways, I think that is what Acts 1:6-11 is. Jesus is giving an assignment. Reach the World. Turn the world upside down. Spread my Good News, the story of my salvation gift.
I have to leave for a while. I have things I have to do. But I will be back. Make sure you are doing your assignment when I get back!
Matthew 24:44 (ESV)
44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
44Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Are you ready? What is Jesus going to find you doing when He returns? Will you be at your desk, working hard on your assignment? Or will you be blowing spit balls, dancing around, yelling and screaming creating havoc?
Will you be sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to your fellow man? Or will you be seeking after the goods of this world?
He is currently in Heaven doing His work. He has sent the Holy Spirit and He is doing His work. The question is, are you doing yours?
Let’s Pray.
[1]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 361.
[2]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 362.
[3]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 362.
[4]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 291.
[5]Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 482.