The Significance of Christ's Ascension and Its Impact
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound significance of Christ's ascension, an event that is often overshadowed by His death and resurrection but is equally foundational to our faith and understanding of Jesus' ongoing ministry in heaven and its impact on us here on earth.
We began by reflecting on the physical act of Jesus' ascension as described in Acts 1:9-11, where He was taken up into heaven before His disciples' eyes. This moment marks not just a miraculous event but a pivotal transition from His earthly ministry to His heavenly ministry. It signifies the passing of the baton to His followers, empowering us through the Holy Spirit to continue His work.
The ascension is crucial because it inaugurates Jesus' role as our intercessor and advocate in the heavenly realms. As Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25 highlight, Jesus now intercedes for us before the Father, advocating on our behalf. This ongoing ministry is vital for our daily spiritual battles and our relationship with God, ensuring that we are represented before the Father by someone who is fully divine and fully understands our human experience.
Moreover, the ascension sets the stage for the fulfillment of many promises regarding the Holy Spirit. Acts 2 details how the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, fulfilling Jesus' promise and equipping them with power from on high. This empowerment is essential for our witness to the world, providing us with the necessary spiritual gifts and fruits to carry out God's work effectively.
We also delved into the implications of Jesus' heavenly ministry for the church. Ephesians 1 and Philippians 2 describe how Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, exercises authority over all realms. This assures us that Christ is actively involved in our lives, directing the affairs of the world and the church towards God's ultimate purpose.
Lastly, we discussed the hope of Jesus' return, which the ascension anticipates. Just as He ascended, He will return, not as a humble servant on a donkey, but as a conquering King on a white horse, as depicted in Revelation 19. This future event propels us to live with expectation and to align our lives with His kingdom values.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Ascension as Transition and Empowerment
The ascension of Jesus marks the critical transition from His earthly ministry to His heavenly ministry, empowering His followers through the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is essential for the continuation of His work on earth, enabling us to live out our calling with divine strength and guidance. [53:24]
2. Christ's Intercessory Role
In heaven, Jesus performs an ongoing intercessory role, advocating for us before the Father. This role is crucial for our spiritual life and growth, providing us with a direct advocate in the heavenly realms who pleads on our behalf and secures our standing before God. [59:58]
3. The Holy Spirit's Empowerment for Believers
The Holy Spirit, promised and delivered following Jesus' ascension, empowers believers for witness and service. This divine empowerment allows us to transcend our limitations and effectively minister the gospel, demonstrating the kingdom of God through our lives. [55:38]
4. Jesus' Authority Over All Realms
Ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus exercises sovereign authority over all realms. This authority reassures us of His active involvement and control over the happenings in our lives and the world, guiding everything according to His divine will. [50:36]
5. The Blessed Hope of Christ's Return
The ascension points us toward the blessed hope of Christ's return, where He will establish His kingdom fully and righteously. This hope motivates us to live in readiness and anticipation, striving to embody kingdom values in a world that desperately needs to see the reality of God's love and justice. [01:06:39]
### Chapters
0:00 - Welcome
42:38 - Reading from Acts 1:9-11
44:04 - Understanding the Ascension
58:06 - The Role of the Holy Spirit Post-Ascension
01:08:32 - The Transformative Power of the Ascension
01:10:35 - Prayer for the Week Ahead
01:11:47 - Intercessory Prayer for the Congregation
01:12:15 - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 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.'"
2. Romans 8:34 (ESV)
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
3. Ephesians 1:20-22 (ESV)
"That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church."
4. Revelation 19:11-16 (ESV)
"Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
### Observation Questions
1. In Acts 1:9-11, what physical actions are described as part of Jesus' ascension?
2. How did the disciples react to Jesus' ascension in Acts 1:9-11?
3. According to Ephesians 1:20-22, what authority is given to Jesus after his ascension?
4. What does Revelation 19:11-16 reveal about the nature and purpose of Jesus' return?
### Interpretation Questions
1. What might be the significance of Jesus being taken up in a cloud during his ascension as described in Acts 1:9-11?
2. How does Jesus' position at the right hand of God, as mentioned in Romans 8:34 and Ephesians 1:20-22, affect his relationship with believers?
3. In what ways does the description of Jesus in Revelation 19 contrast with common perceptions of him during his earthly ministry?
4. Considering Ephesians 1:20-22, what implications does Jesus' supreme authority have for the church today?
### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Acts 1:9-11, how can we shift our focus from merely waiting for Jesus' return to actively engaging in the mission he has given us?
2. Given that Jesus intercedes for us as described in Romans 8:34, how might this understanding change the way you approach prayer and confession?
3. With Jesus having all authority as stated in Ephesians 1:20-22, identify a situation in your life where you need to submit to his authority. What practical steps will you take to do this?
4. Considering the powerful return of Jesus described in Revelation 19, what changes might you need to make in your life to prepare for his coming? Identify one specific action you can take this week to align more closely with Jesus' kingdom values.
Devotional
Day 1: Empowered by Christ's Ascension
The ascension of Jesus marks a pivotal moment where He transitioned from His earthly ministry to a heavenly one, empowering His followers with the Holy Spirit. This empowerment is not just a historical event but a dynamic and ongoing process that equips believers to carry out God's work with divine strength and guidance. As Jesus ascended, He promised the coming of the Holy Spirit, who would provide the necessary tools and gifts for ministry and witness. This divine empowerment allows believers to transcend their limitations and effectively minister the gospel, demonstrating the kingdom of God through their lives. [53:24]
Acts 1:8-9 "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. 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."
Reflection: How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's empowerment in your daily tasks and interactions to better reflect Christ's mission?
Day 2: Christ's Ongoing Intercession
In His heavenly ministry, Jesus serves as our intercessor, advocating for us before the Father. This role is crucial for our spiritual life and growth, providing us with a direct advocate in the heavenly realms who pleads on our behalf. This advocacy ensures our standing before God and aids us in our daily spiritual battles. Understanding that Jesus is actively interceding for us should bring immense comfort and encourage us to rely on His support in our prayers and spiritual endeavors. [59:58]
Hebrews 9:24 "For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."
Reflection: How does knowing Jesus intercedes for you change the way you approach prayer and challenges in your life?
Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples, fulfilling Jesus' promise and empowering them with gifts from on high. This empowerment is essential for believers, enabling them to witness effectively and live out the values of God's kingdom. The Holy Spirit's role in our lives is transformative, providing not only comfort and guidance but also the power to enact real change in ourselves and our communities. [55:38]
Acts 2:1-4 "When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."
Reflection: In what ways are you allowing the Holy Spirit to transform your daily actions and decisions?
Day 4: Jesus' Sovereign Authority
Ascended and seated at the right hand of the Father, Jesus exercises sovereign authority over all realms. This authority reassures us of His active involvement and control over the happenings in our lives and the world. Knowing that Christ governs with supreme authority should inspire confidence and trust in His divine will, guiding everything towards His purposes. This understanding helps believers navigate life's uncertainties with faith and assurance. [50:36]
Ephesians 1:20-22 "That he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."
Reflection: How does the recognition of Jesus' authority over all realms influence your response to life's challenges and uncertainties?
Day 5: Anticipating Christ's Return
The ascension of Jesus not only marked His return to the Father but also set the stage for His future return as a conquering King. This blessed hope of Christ's return motivates believers to live in readiness and anticipation, aligning their lives with kingdom values. As we await His return, we are called to embody the reality of God's love and justice in a world that needs to witness genuine transformation. [01:06:39]
Titus 2:13-14 "Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
Reflection: What changes can you make in your life to better prepare for and reflect the reality of Christ's imminent return?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "All of the pain, all of the suffering, remove the dominion of sin from our lives. And we will be able to live righteously, purely, in glorified bodies, in honor to the king of kings and the lord of lords. When Jesus ascends, He is going to establish His kingdom here on earth for eternity. And that is our blessed hope." [01:08:32]
2. "The ascension of Christ is of utmost importance to us, and sometimes, we forget that, and we neglect that. When we look at the scripture, we only see it here in Acts chapter 1 verse. That's it, and also in the book of Luke." [45:06]
3. "The ascension should be more than just a footnote regarding the work of Christ. Because the ascension is actually what makes our transformation possible. When we're talking about being transformed by the renewing of our mind, when we're talking about being transformed by the infilling of the Holy Spirit in us, that can't happen unless Jesus ascends." [51:44]
4. "Jesus has to ascend for us to be transformed. So we can celebrate in the resurrection and we do that. And it's the most powerful, most important event that happens in all of humanity. And Paul tells us that if it's not for the resurrection, then everything that we believe is in vain." [52:37]
5. "And to him was given dominion and glory, and a kingdom that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." [48:35]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Through the power of the Holy Spirit working within us, we have the ability to do what God has called us to do. The ascension marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, but it also marks the beginning of our journey. That's earthly ministry. The second thing we need to understand about the ascension is that it marks the beginning of his heavenly ministry." [58:56]
2. "When Jesus ascends, He ascends into heaven, and what does he do? When he goes up, he passes the baton. He gives a commission. He puts us into motion. He has us go to work. We see that in Acts chapter 1, 4 through 5." [53:24]
3. "Jesus' ascension marks the establishment of His eternal reign as king. First of all, we need to understand that Jesus first assumes the role as the cosmic king, the eternal king, the one who is seated in the heavenlies." [01:04:07]
4. "All the power and authority as he sits in heaven. When he rose and ascended to heaven, now he's sitting in his rightful place at the right hand of the father, seated on the throne. When we look at revelations, we see the lamb, who's what? Seated on the throne." [01:05:15]
5. "The Holy Spirit begins to do what? Build fruits in us, right? Goodness, kindness, long suffering, patience. All kinds of good things begin to work in us. Lots of fruit that God is building in us, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us." [58:06]
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