Bridge Community Church | Ascension Sunday

Devotional

Day 1: Lifted Hands of Blessing

Jesus stood near Bethany with nail-scarred hands raised over His disciples. He blessed them as He ascended – not with finality, but as an ongoing promise. The same hands that bore the cross now stretched heavenward, pouring grace over fearful hearts. His last earthly act wasn’t rebuke but benediction. [01:09:30]

This blessing continues today. Christ intercedes for us at the Father’s right hand, His wounds eternally declaring our forgiveness. He doesn’t watch from a distance – His posture remains one of advocacy, not accusation.

When struggles make you question God’s heart, remember His uplifted hands. What lie about God’s character have you believed that His ascension blessing disproves?

“When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”
(Luke 24:50-51, NIV)

Prayer: Thank Jesus for His unending intercession. Ask Him to make His nearness tangible when you feel abandoned.
Challenge: Write “I am blessed” on your mirror. Declare it aloud each time you see it today.

Day 2: Seated Above Every Name

The disciples watched Jesus vanish into clouds, not as departure but coronation. Ephesians reveals He now sits above all powers – cancer cells, addiction cycles, political regimes. Ascension declares Christ’s authority supersedes every chain. [01:20:31]

This changes how we pray. We don’t beg a reluctant king but partner with a victorious Lord. His throne isn’t shaken by pandemics or personal crises. What He permits, He empowers us to overcome.

Where have you been pleading from beneath problems instead of proclaiming Christ’s supremacy?

“That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.”
(Ephesians 1:19-21, NIV)

Prayer: Confess one situation where you’ve felt powerless. Declare Christ’s lordship over it.
Challenge: Text a friend: “Jesus reigns over __[specific struggle]__.” Pray Ephesians 1:19-21 together.

Day 3: Temple of Continual Praise

The disciples returned to Jerusalem not mourning but singing. They camped in the temple courts, their worship fuel for Pentecost’s coming fire. Ascension didn’t empty their hearts – it filled their lungs. [01:26:03]

Worship is warfare. When we praise despite pain, we echo heaven’s reality. The disciples’ joy wasn’t denial but defiance – death had lost, their King lived, and His Spirit would come.

What circumstance tempts you to silence your praise?

“They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”
(Luke 24:52-53, NIV)

Prayer: Play one worship song aloud, even if you don’t feel like it. Let truth anchor your emotions.
Challenge: Set a 3pm alarm. Stop and whisper “Jesus reigns” for 10 seconds each time.

Day 4: Intercession in Real Time

As Jesus ascended, Hebrews says He began His eternal priesthood. Right now, He whispers your name before the Father – not as a distant memory, but as a living advocate. Your pain, your relapse, your doubt – He presents them with nail-pierced hands. [01:22:29]

This intercession isn’t passive. Ancient priests sacrificed animals; Christ offers His own blood. When you can’t pray, He prays. When you stumble, He steadies.

What burden have you carried alone that Jesus wants to lift?

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
(Hebrews 7:25, NIV)

Prayer: Sit silently for two minutes. Imagine Jesus speaking your needs to the Father.
Challenge: Write three words on paper: “He’s praying now.” Keep it in your pocket.

Day 5: Expectant in the In-Between

The disciples waited ten days between Ascension and Pentecost – praising without evidence, trusting without sight. Their worship wasn’t a reaction but a declaration: “Our King will finish what He started.” [01:30:16]

We live in the same tension – healed but still aching, delivered but still wrestling. Like them, our praise plants seeds for harvests we may not see.

What dormant dream needs your persistent praise today?

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
(Proverbs 18:10, NIV)

Prayer: Ask God to renew hope for one unanswered prayer. Thank Him in advance for His timing.
Challenge: Light a candle tonight. As it burns, name three future blessings you’re trusting God for.

Sermon Summary

Psalm 47 sets the frame: God has ascended amid shouts, trumpets, and praise, because God reigns and is seated on the holy throne. The Ascension declares that Jesus is Lord of all. Luke 24 shows the journey from the empty tomb to Emmaus, to a meal with fish, and then to Bethany where Jesus lifts his hands and blesses, is taken up to heaven, and is worshiped as his people return with great joy and keep on praising. The lifted hands become hands of blessing, not rebuke. The final earthly picture the disciples carry is pierced hands stretched over them in grace. The text insists that the blessing does not stop as he rises; it continues as he goes to the Father.

Romans 8 locates the risen Christ at the right hand, still interceding. Numbers 6 gives the priestly blessing that now rests on the church through the ascended Lord who keeps blessing with salvation, healing, restoration, deliverance, and the Holy Spirit. The church, then, learns to live as a blessed people, not a defeated people. Words carry weight, so speech that agrees with defeat yields to the promises of God. Thanksgiving at first light before screens and headlines trains the heart to look up and to speak blessing over family and the household of faith.

Ephesians 1 enthrones Christ far above all rule, authority, power, and dominion. The victory of the Ascension prepares the promise of Pentecost. Acts 1 announces power when the Holy Spirit comes, so the church leans into a Spirit-led life, connected in fellowship, fortified in a consistent prayer life that Clement of Alexandria called keeping happy company with God, an honest, open, respectful conversation. Hebrews 7 assures that Jesus always lives to intercede, so tired saints are carried by a living priesthood.

Luke 24 shows that the right response to the Ascension is worship, joy, and perseverance in praise. An eternal perspective steadies hearts in the waiting. Worship at the gathering and over the chopping board at home grows as knowledge of Jesus deepens. Psalm 47’s trumpets remind the suffering church to lift their eyes to the enthroned King, a strong tower and sure refuge. Expectant hearts refuse to limit God to personal plans and keep praising even without the visible breakthrough. Ascension faith learns to stay in the temple of praise, because King Jesus is alive, reigning, and soon to return.

Key Takeaways

1. Ascension with hands of blessing The lifted hands in Luke 24 are hands of impartation, not accusation. The blessing continues as he is taken up, revealing the heart of Christ and undoing the caricature of a God quick to condemn. The church lives under those hands, receiving mercy and the priestly benediction that gives peace. Speaking blessing, not defeat, aligns life with the Ascended One’s posture. [69:30]
2. Christ enthroned, interceding in power Ephesians enthrones Jesus far above every power, and Romans and Hebrews insist he intercedes right now. Nothing that harasses the church outranks the One seated at the right hand. The Spirit given at his Ascension empowers ordinary disciples with holy boldness and durable hope. Prayer becomes keeping happy company with God, not just a shopping list. [71:38]
3. Ascension births joy and worship The disciples answer the Ascension with worship, great joy, and continued praise in the temple. The absence of panic shows an eternal perspective that knows Jesus is alive and at the Father’s side. Worship in the waiting becomes witness, forming hearts that can suffer and still sing. Praise anchors the church in the victory already won. [86:03]
4. Live blessed and expectant, not defeated If Jesus ascended blessing his people, the church refuses a defeated mindset. Daily thanksgiving before the day’s noise lifts eyes and resets speech toward promise. Expectant hearts do not box God into preferred outcomes but stay open to his timing and gifts. Ongoing praise keeps hope warm until the door opens. [76:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:35] - Psalm 47 call to praise
[18:05] - Ascension prayer and invitation
[33:36] - Worship and ministry time
[44:34] - Greetings and next steps
[46:55] - Citywide Pentecost prayer invite
[60:04] - Offering and transition
[65:40] - Ascension declares Jesus is Lord
[67:53] - Three ascension truths preview
[69:30] - Hands of blessing over the church
[79:48] - Ascension enthrones Christ in power
[81:41] - Promise of the Spirit’s power
[86:03] - Joy and continued worship
[93:38] - Response and prayer ministry
[103:36] - Benediction and sending

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Luke 24:50-53 (ESV)
50 Then [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51 While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

Observation Questions

What specific action did Jesus perform as He ascended, and how did the disciples respond (Luke 24:50-53)?
According to the sermon, what does the imagery of Jesus’ pierced hands stretched in blessing signify about His character? [01:09:30]
How does Numbers 6:24-26 (the priestly blessing) connect to the ongoing work of Christ after His ascension?

Interpretation Questions

Why might the disciples have responded with "great joy" instead of fear or sadness when Jesus ascended? How does this reflect their understanding of His mission?
The sermon states, "The blessing continues as he rises; it does not stop." How does this truth challenge common misconceptions about God’s posture toward His people? [01:12:45]
What does it mean practically that Jesus "always lives to intercede" for believers (Hebrews 7:25), especially in seasons of weariness or struggle?

Application Questions

How can you intentionally shift your speech from declarations of defeat to affirmations of God’s blessing over your life, family, or community? [01:19:25]
In what areas of life do you struggle to maintain "great joy" while waiting for breakthroughs? How might an eternal perspective reshape your response? [01:31:29]
The sermon encourages starting each day with thanksgiving before engaging with "screens and headlines." What simple daily habit could you adopt to prioritize worship before worry? [01:18:58]
How can you cultivate "happy company with God" in prayer (as described by Clement of Alexandria) rather than treating prayer like a "shopping list"? [01:25:24]
When facing a situation that feels overwhelming, what practical step could you take to "lift your eyes to the enthroned King" instead of fixating on the struggle? [01:29:22]
The disciples stayed "continually in the temple" praising God. What rhythms of fellowship or worship could help you persevere in praise during seasons of waiting?

Sermon Clips

40s

“Jesus' ascension is a picture of victory and triumph, king of kings and lord of lords. And sometimes we do need to lift our eyes from the struggle and remember king Jesus is on the throne and will always be on the throne. And as we worship, we are grounded in his truth that his reign will last forever. And our struggles, our situations are part of a season, and by his grace, there will be a beginning and an end of that season. Praise the Lord for that.”

42s

“I wonder today, do you ever feel like your prayers are not being heard? Or maybe you feel distant from God because of a situation that you're facing and you're struggling with? But here we have this reminder that even as Jesus has ascended, he poured out his love and blessing, and that blessing did not stop for the disciples and will not stop for us, his church. We are all under his hand, and by his mercy, we are covered by his grace and blessings.”

42s

“The Ascension of Jesus was not the end. He came to earth as a baby in human form and walked the earth. By Jesus ascending to heaven, it shows that what he came to do on earth, he had successfully completed, and he returned to his father in heaven to be seated at his right hand as we read in his word, the continuation of his heavenly ministry. Jesus ascended triumphantly as our risen savior, conquering king and soon coming lord.”

40s

“Have you found that your worship has changed as you learn more about God and your relationship deepens with him? When I first think back to when I became a Christian and started exploring faith, I would sing the songs, not always understand all the words if I'm honest, but I would sing along and they were nice. But where I am now, when I worship God, for example, like this together during our song worship or even at home in my kitchen cutting carrots for tea, I'm worshiping God with all my heart and that is because I understand more and more of who Jesus is.”

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Bridge Community Church | Ascension Sunday

Devotional

Day 1: Lifted Hands of Blessing

Day 2: Seated Above Every Name

Day 3: Temple of Continual Praise

Day 4: Intercession in Real Time

Day 5: Expectant in the In-Between

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Bridge Community Church | Ascension Sunday

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