Resurrection, Ascension, and Our Living Hope in Christ

Apr 05, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Resurrection Secures Our Forgiveness and Justification

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s public declaration that the work of salvation is complete. It is the divine stamp of approval on Christ’s sacrifice, confirming that our sins have been fully paid for. Through His victory over death, we are declared righteous and justified before God. This is not something we earn, but a gift we receive by faith. Our guilt is gone, and our standing before God is eternally secure. [01:03:35]

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2 ESV)

Reflection: When you consider the truth that you are fully justified and declared righteous before God, how does that reality change the way you view yourself and your relationship with Him on a daily basis?

Day 2: The Ascension Declares Christ’s Authority and Lordship

The ascension was not a quiet departure but a glorious coronation. Jesus Christ, the risen Lord, ascended to the right hand of the Father, establishing His supreme authority over all creation. This event declares that He is King and reigns over all nations, history, and our individual lives. Nothing we face is outside of His sovereign care and power. We can live with confidence under His gracious rule. [01:16:22]

And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23 ESV)

Reflection: What circumstance or relationship in your life feels overwhelming, and how can you actively trust Christ’s authority and lordship over that specific area this week?

Day 3: We Are New Creations with Resurrection Power

The resurrection does not merely make us better people; it makes us entirely new creations. The same power that raised Christ from the dead now lives within every believer, breaking the dominion of sin and offering freedom from its addiction. This power enables us to live a transformed life, healing our brokenness and redeeming our past. We are called to walk in this newness of life through surrender and dependency on the Holy Spirit. [01:13:30]

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4 ESV)

Reflection: In what specific area do you need to rely more on the indwelling resurrection power of Christ, rather than your own strength, to experience transformation?

Day 4: The Ascended Christ Intercedes for Us

Jesus Christ, our ascended High Priest, is actively interceding for His people at the right hand of the Father. He is our advocate, praying for us, sustaining us, and representing us before God. This means we are never alone in our struggles, prayers, or pain. He is intimately aware of our needs and is constantly working on our behalf, bending the Father’s ear for our good and His glory. [01:28:24]

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 ESV)

Reflection: How might knowing that Jesus is praying for you right now bring you comfort and hope in a current challenge you are facing?

Day 5: Our Certain Hope in Christ’s Return

The story does not end with the resurrection or ascension; Jesus Christ will return in the same way He departed. This is our sure and certain hope—a confident expectation, not a mere wish. This future promise secures our present and redeems our past. Because He is coming again, we have a mission to live for His glory, empowered by His Spirit and assured of our eternal home with Him. [01:31:37]

“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.” (John 14:3 ESV)

Reflection: How does the certain hope of Christ’s return shape your perspective on the purpose and priorities of your life today?

Sermon Summary

The resurrection proclaims a decisive victory over sin and death and stands as the divine seal on the once-for-all sacrifice. The empty tomb guarantees justification and secures believers’ standing before God; guilt no longer dictates identity because righteousness has been credited through Christ’s rising. The ascension crowns that victory by seating the risen Lord at the right hand of the Father, establishing Christ’s authority, initiating his ongoing intercession, and marking the opening for a worldwide outpouring of the Spirit. The ascended King now governs history, prays for every burdened heart, and empowers his people to live under his rule.

Resurrection power transforms present reality rather than merely improving behavior. Newness of life issues from identification with Christ’s death and rising; the Christian life flows from surrender to the Spirit rather than from striving under law. Addiction, shame, and past failures do not define a redeemed life because resurrection power redeems the past, heals brokenness, and breaks sinful domination. The Spirit who raised Jesus dwells within and gives life to mortal bodies, supplying endurance, hope, and the practical ability to embody Christ’s fruit now.

The ascension also releases the promised Helper. Because the King ascended, the Spirit could come to indwell and multiply Christ’s presence everywhere, not just in one place. That reality turns every believer into a witness and agent of grace in workplaces, neighborhoods, and homes. The pending return of the same Jesus who left in glory anchors a sure and certain hope that frames mission, comfort, and daily obedience.

Practical application flows from assurance: live boldly in the forgiveness already granted, depend on the Spirit for holiness, appeal to the interceding Priest when condemnation rises, and press into mission because the risen and ascended Lord reigns and will return. The circle of cross, resurrection, and ascension secures past redemption, present power, and future inheritance, inviting a life marked by confident surrender and gospel-driven love.

Key Takeaways

1. Resurrection secures legal justification The resurrection finalizes God’s verdict: guilt has been removed and righteousness declared. This legal standing means the believer’s identity rests on Christ’s work, not personal performance, so confidence before God arises from what Christ accomplished. Approach trials and accusations by claiming the verdict rendered at the empty tomb. [66:00]
2. Ascension establishes Christ’s lordship The ascension crowns Jesus as reigning King, moving him from earthly ministry to sovereign authority at the Father’s right hand. That enthronement changes the posture of prayer and obedience: approach God boldly because the risen Lord rules on behalf of his people. Live under that authority rather than under fear or self-rule. [77:02]
3. Resurrection empowers present transformation The same power that raised Jesus indwells believers to break chains and remake identity, not merely polish behavior. Transformation unfolds through surrender to the Spirit who brings new desires, endurance, and gradually completed sanctification. Expect real change: addictions can lose grip, shame can be covered, and brokenness can begin to heal. [69:09]
4. Ascension releases the Holy Spirit The ascension opened the way for Pentecost, sending the Helper to indwell every believer and extend Christ’s presence everywhere. That presence equips ordinary lives for extraordinary witness—workplaces, homes, and neighborhoods become mission fields. Dependence on the Spirit replaces isolation; obedience becomes the arena where God’s power works. [81:08]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:40] - Hope from Cross, Resurrection, Ascension
[10:46] - "Death Swallowed Up in Victory"
[11:33] - Jesus’ Humanity and Mission
[53:03] - Matthew 28: Resurrection Narrative
[56:53] - Angelic Witness and Earthquake
[60:28] - Resurrection: Finished Work Confirmed
[61:18] - Ascension and Intercession Introduced
[69:09] - Resurrection Power in Believers
[73:30] - New Creation, Not Moralism
[81:08] - Ascension Enables the Holy Spirit
[91:37] - Certain Hope and Final Return
[93:40] - Living Under the Ascended King
[103:11] - Commissioned to Go in Power

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
Romans 4:23–25 (ESV)
But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Romans 8:11 (ESV)
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Acts 1:9–11 (ESV)
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. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.”

Observation questions

According to Romans 4:25, what two specific purposes are given for Jesus being delivered up and raised?
In Romans 8:11, what does the Spirit dwelling in believers accomplish?
What did the two men in white robes tell the disciples in Acts 1:11 about Jesus’ return?
The resurrection is described as God’s public declaration that sin has been paid for once and for all [01:03:35]. How does this declaration change a believer’s standing before God?

Interpretation questions

How does the resurrection serve as the divine “stamp of approval” on Jesus’ sacrifice, and what does that mean for someone who feels their sin is too great to be forgiven?
If the same power that raised Jesus now lives in believers, what does that imply about our ability to overcome persistent sin or brokenness in our lives? [01:09:09]
Why was it necessary for Jesus to ascend in order for the Holy Spirit to come? What does it mean for us that Jesus is now everywhere by His Spirit rather than limited to one place? [01:22:41]
How does Jesus’ ongoing intercession for us affect the way we handle guilt, condemnation, or feelings of failure? [01:28:24]

Application questions

When guilt or shame rises, how can you actively “claim the verdict rendered at the empty tomb” instead of listening to accusations? [01:06:37]
In what area of your life do you most need to experience resurrection power—not just behavior improvement, but real transformation? What would it look like to surrender that area to the Spirit instead of striving in your own strength? [01:13:30]
How does knowing that Jesus is interceding for you right now change the way you pray about your burdens or unanswered prayers? [01:02:10]
Where is your “mission field” (workplace, neighborhood, home) and how can you rely on the Spirit’s presence to be a witness there this week? [01:23:53]
What does it look like to live “under the authority of the ascended King” rather than under fear or self-rule in your daily decisions? [01:17:02]
How can the certainty of Jesus’ return shape your priorities, mission, and comfort in the midst of difficult circumstances? [01:31:37]
When you feel tempted to measure your worth by your performance, how can you remind yourself that your identity rests on Christ’s work, not your own? [01:07:01]

Sermon Clips

54s

#ResurrectionPower

“The question is not do you believe the resurrection happened? The question is, have you experienced the power of the resurrection in your life? And we all can say, yes, yes, I'm different than what I was, and I'm becoming different every day because of his power and his grace. The God who raised Jesus from the dead fills us with resurrection power, power to live, power to endure, power to hope until the day we stand in his presence. And he said, he who began again work in you will perfect it, complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. I know people say we need to hold tightly to God. I I'm thankful God holds tightly to us.”

59s

#RighteousInChrist

“And he was resurrected, and forty days later, he ascended into heaven at the right hand of God. That's our savior. That's our king. That's the one you and I pray to, hope in, express our love for. And what we need to hear is him returning that to us. Don't let the enemy line up your performance. Anytime he starts to do that, say, wait a minute. Wait a minute. I'm gonna borrow this man here, the perfect lamb of God. Because all of what you just said is you you go to God the father with that, and he's gonna say, don't see that. I see the righteousness of my son.”

69s

#HolySpiritPresence

“The sweetness and the presence of God through the Holy Spirit, There's nothing like it. In all the world, there's nothing like it. The world has no party. It has no riches. It has no position. It has nothing that can thrill the human soul like the presence of Jesus through his holy spirit in our lives. Nothing. Nothing. Excuse me. I can't see now. The ascension gives us an advocate, an ever living intercessor. Jesus now has ascended, and he is interceding for us. Hebrews seven twenty five, he always lives to intercede for them. Now I'm gonna do the whole scripture in just a second, but I just wanted to capture that. You know this phrase, always lives to intercede for them.”

69s

#JesusReigns

“Paul says, I pray that they would know that when Jesus sees the gathering of the saints this morning at Calvary Chapel, Greenwood, he's pleased. It's his inheritance. And the surpassing greatness of his power toward us who believe, These are then in accordance to the working of his of his mightily strength his mighty strength. His strength is working within us, not I, but Christ who lives in me. Jesus is not alive somewhere. He is reigning everywhere. He's not off in a corner. He's sitting at the right hand of God interceding our history. He's reigning everywhere. He's reigning over our history, over nations, and over lives. The same Jesus who walked out of the grave now sits on the throne beside God the father. Nothing we face in our lives is outside the authority of Jesus Christ.”

45s

#JesusIntercedes

“And then as he sat at the right hand of the father on high, he made intercession for us, intercession of Jesus as our high priest says, you're not alone. We're not alone in this world. Martin Luther said in his life, Jesus is an example showing us how to live. He loved God, and he loved others. He is a sacrifice in his death, he is a sacrifice for our sin, satisfying for our sins. In his resurrection, a conqueror. In his ascension, a king. And in his intercession, a high priest. He prays for us even today at this moment.”

50s

#BaptizedToNewLife

“And they had this song, working hard to get to heaven. That was the chorus. I'm working hard to get to heaven. I'm so glad that song is as wrong as rain. You know? I'm believing. I'm trusting hard that what Christ did was all that it took. Praise the Lord. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father, we too might walk in newness of life. Because Jesus has buried our sin, and we identified with that as we are raised up. We now can walk in a newness of life empowered by his spirit.”

48s

#FaithGroundedInHistory

“He said our faith, listen to me, our faith is grounded in history. It's grounded in the dirt and the earth that we stand on. You and I today could go to Israel and see the places mentioned in the Bible, in the scriptures. And so here, the angel in this glorious moment is that he's risen, and oh, by the way, he'll meet you down there. He's gonna meet you in just a little bit. I love it. Jesus didn't just rise, he ascended. The resurrection declares Jesus is alive. That's what we're celebrating. The ascension declares Jesus is Lord, and the scripture then declares he's our intercessor.”

56s

#AscensionEmpowers

“The ascension releases the power of the Holy Spirit. I don't know if you've ever put these verses together. Acts chapter one one through nine, but when you But verse eight, but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria until the ends of the earth. After he had said this, they watched him as he was taken up, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Did you hear he's saying, listen, you wait in Jerusalem because just as I told you at the last supper, because that was in John 16, that whole section there is the last supper. He said, I told you that there's a helper coming. There's and so you wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come. I'm leaving now. See you later. And he ascended.”

Ask a question about this sermon

Calvary Chapel Greenwood This sermon · AI assistant

What does the ascension declare about Jesus?

What is the significance of Christ interceding for us

How does resurrection power transform sinful lives?