The Significance of Christ's Ascension and Its Impact

 

Summary

In our exploration of the ascension of Christ, we delve into a dimension of His work that is often overlooked yet profoundly significant. The ascension is not merely about Jesus going up to heaven; it is about what He ascends to and for. After completing His work of atonement and resurrection, Jesus returns to heaven, marking the pinnacle of His earthly mission. The ascension is a glorious event, as Jesus returns to the realm of glory, reclaiming the divine splendor He set aside during His incarnation. This return to glory is a cause for great joy among His disciples, who now understand the redemptive value of His departure.

The ascension also sets the stage for Pentecost, where Jesus sends the Holy Spirit, the other Paraclete, to empower the church. This empowerment is not just for comfort but for strength, enabling the church to fulfill its mission in a world that often stands in opposition. The Holy Spirit's presence is a testament to Jesus' promise that He would not leave His followers alone but would be with them to the end of the age.

Furthermore, the ascension signifies Jesus' coronation as King. He ascends to the right hand of God, where He is given dominion and authority over all creation. This enthronement marks the beginning of His reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, a reality that the church must grasp to understand the present kingdom of God.

Lastly, Jesus' ascension into the heavenly tabernacle as our High Priest is crucial. He intercedes for us, ensuring our perseverance in faith. His priestly ministry is not about offering sacrifices, as His atoning work is complete, but about interceding for His people, preserving them through His prayers. This ongoing intercession is a source of assurance and strength for believers, knowing that Jesus is actively involved in their spiritual journey.

Key Takeaways:

1. The ascension of Jesus is a return to His divine glory, a moment of exaltation that marks the completion of His earthly mission. This return to glory is a cause for joy, as it signifies the end of His humiliation and the beginning of His eternal reign. [08:51]

2. Pentecost, following the ascension, is a pivotal event where Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to empower the church. This empowerment is not merely for comfort but for strength, enabling believers to stand firm in their faith and witness to the world. [12:46]

3. Jesus' ascension is His coronation as King, where He is given authority over all creation. This enthronement marks the beginning of His reign, and the church must recognize the present reality of His kingdom. [16:01]

4. As our High Priest, Jesus intercedes for us in the heavenly tabernacle. His ongoing intercession ensures our perseverance in faith, providing assurance and strength for our spiritual journey. [19:07]

5. The ascension is a triumphant conclusion to Jesus' earthly ministry, highlighting His victory and ongoing work in heaven. It is a reminder of His active role in our lives and His ultimate authority over all things. [23:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Introduction to the Ascension
- [01:21] - Biblical Accounts of the Ascension
- [02:43] - The Shekinah Glory
- [04:10] - Disciples' Initial Sorrow
- [06:20] - Understanding the Joy of Ascension
- [07:08] - The Return to Glory
- [09:33] - The Significance of Pentecost
- [12:46] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [15:12] - Jesus' Coronation as King
- [16:45] - The Session of Christ
- [18:22] - Jesus as High Priest
- [19:48] - The Ministry of Intercession
- [21:42] - The Difference Between Judas and Peter
- [23:24] - Conclusion: The Triumph of the Ascension

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Ascension of Christ

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 24:50-53
2. Acts 1:9-11
3. John 16:16-22

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the accounts in Luke and Acts, what were the disciples' reactions to Jesus' ascension, and how did their understanding change over time? [04:10]

2. What is the significance of the cloud mentioned in Acts 1:9, and how does it relate to the Shekinah glory? [02:43]

3. In John 16:16-22, how did Jesus describe the disciples' emotional journey from sorrow to joy regarding His departure? [05:31]

4. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the life of the church following Jesus' ascension, according to the sermon? [12:46]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' return to glory, as described in John 17:1-5, impact the disciples' understanding of His mission and their subsequent joy? [08:51]

2. In what ways does the empowerment of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost fulfill Jesus' promise to His disciples, and how does this empowerment differ from mere comfort? [11:02]

3. How does Jesus' coronation as King, as described in the sermon, redefine the church's understanding of the kingdom of God? [16:01]

4. What is the significance of Jesus' ongoing intercession as our High Priest, and how does this provide assurance for believers? [19:07]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt sorrow or fear about a change in your life. How can the disciples' journey from sorrow to joy during Jesus' ascension encourage you in similar situations? [06:20]

2. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to stand firm in their faith. Identify a specific area in your life where you need strength. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area? [12:46]

3. Jesus' ascension signifies His authority over all creation. How does recognizing Jesus as King influence your daily decisions and interactions with others? [16:45]

4. Consider the role of Jesus as our High Priest who intercedes for us. How does this truth affect your prayer life and your confidence in God's faithfulness? [19:07]

5. The ascension marks the triumphant conclusion of Jesus' earthly ministry. How can you actively remember and celebrate this victory in your personal worship and community life? [23:24]

6. Jesus promised that He would be with His followers to the end of the age. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper awareness of His presence in your daily routine? [12:46]

7. Reflect on the difference between Judas and Peter as discussed in the sermon. How does understanding Jesus' intercession for Peter encourage you in moments of personal failure or doubt? [21:42]

Devotional

Day 1: The Ascension as a Return to Glory
The ascension of Jesus is a profound moment of exaltation, marking the completion of His earthly mission and His return to divine glory. This event is not just about Jesus physically ascending to heaven but signifies His return to the splendor and majesty He set aside during His incarnation. The disciples, who initially felt sorrow at His departure, come to understand the redemptive value of this event, finding joy in the realization that Jesus' humiliation has ended and His eternal reign has begun. This return to glory is a cause for celebration, as it highlights the victory and fulfillment of His mission on earth. [08:51]

"And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed." (John 17:5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you celebrate Jesus' return to glory in your daily life, acknowledging His victory and reign over all things?


Day 2: The Empowerment of Pentecost
Following the ascension, Pentecost becomes a pivotal event where Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to empower the church. This empowerment is not merely for comfort but for strength, enabling believers to stand firm in their faith and witness to the world. The Holy Spirit's presence is a testament to Jesus' promise that He would not leave His followers alone but would be with them to the end of the age. This divine empowerment equips the church to fulfill its mission in a world that often stands in opposition, providing the strength and courage needed to live out the gospel. [12:46]

"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." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's empowerment today to stand firm in your faith and be a witness in your community?


Day 3: Jesus' Coronation as King
The ascension of Jesus signifies His coronation as King, where He is given authority over all creation. This enthronement marks the beginning of His reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, a reality that the church must grasp to understand the present kingdom of God. Recognizing Jesus' authority and dominion is crucial for believers, as it shapes their understanding of His ongoing work and reign in the world. The church is called to live in light of this reality, acknowledging His sovereignty and aligning their lives with His kingdom purposes. [16:01]

"The LORD says to my Lord: 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.'" (Psalm 110:1, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to acknowledge Jesus' authority and align yourself with His kingdom purposes?


Day 4: Jesus as Our High Priest
As our High Priest, Jesus ascends into the heavenly tabernacle to intercede for us, ensuring our perseverance in faith. His priestly ministry is not about offering sacrifices, as His atoning work is complete, but about interceding for His people, preserving them through His prayers. This ongoing intercession is a source of assurance and strength for believers, knowing that Jesus is actively involved in their spiritual journey. His prayers sustain and uphold us, providing the confidence that we are not alone in our walk of faith. [19:07]

"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 does knowing that Jesus intercedes for you impact your confidence and assurance in your spiritual journey today?


Day 5: The Triumph of the Ascension
The ascension is a triumphant conclusion to Jesus' earthly ministry, highlighting His victory and ongoing work in heaven. It is a reminder of His active role in our lives and His ultimate authority over all things. This event calls believers to live in the reality of His triumph, recognizing His ongoing presence and work in their lives. The ascension assures us that Jesus is not distant but actively involved, guiding and sustaining us as we navigate the challenges of life. [23:24]

"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: How can you live in the reality of Jesus' triumph and ongoing work in your life, acknowledging His authority and presence in all things?

Quotes

"SPROUL: We're going to continue now with our study of the work of Christ, and today we're going to focus on His departure from this world in the ascension. If there's any dimension of the life and the work of Jesus that I think is woefully neglected in the life of the church today, it is concern for His ascension, and yet in New Testament categories, this is the acme of Jesus' work, in as much as after He finishes His task of the atonement and the resurrection, He returns to heaven." [00:00:08]

"And before I look at that, let me just read for you the brief description that we receive of the ascension of Jesus from the pen of Luke. He records the ascension both at the end of His gospel and also in the first chapter of the book of Acts. First, let's look at the record in the gospel of Luke, where we read, 'And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them, and it came to pass that while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God.'" [00:01:26]

"Now, there was a detail in the first reading that I went over rather quickly because I wanted to surprise you, but I want to go back to it and look again. In the book of Luke, it tells us that after Jesus was lifted up, that the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were constantly praising God. Now, the reason I want to look at that for a moment in its significance is when Jesus first told the disciples that He was departing, there was no sense of joy whatsoever." [00:03:39]

"And I think somewhere between Jesus explanation to His disciples that it would be an advantage to them that He departed and His departure, their whole demeanor about it changed radically from deep sorrow, from fear and disappointment, now they return to Jerusalem with great joy. Why? Were they happy to see Him go? Of course not. But they understood why he went and where he was going, and that was the cause, of course, for their great joy." [00:06:28]

"Now, I've written on the board four things that occur because of the ascension of Jesus, four things that fill up this idea of our advantage of having Him depart. The first I simply call glory. If we look at John, chapter 17, in the high priestly prayer that Jesus gives in the presence of His disciples in the upper room, He begins the prayer in this way, 'Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and He said, 'Father, the hour has come, glorify your Son, that your Son also may glorify you.'" [00:07:08]

"Now, Father, glorify me together with yourself, with the glory that I had with you before the world was created.' He left that glory in the descension, in the incarnation. And now Jesus prays in the upper room, 'Father, let me have the glory back. Let me enjoy the glory I had with you from the foundation of the world.' And so when Jesus departs this world on the Shekinah cloud, He's going back to the realm of glory." [00:08:42]

"In that same period of the upper room discourse that Jesus had with the disciples that's recorded for us in John, Jesus explains to His disciples that He's going away in order that He may send to them another Paraclete. Often when we use the word Paraclete we're thinking that we're referring simply to the Holy Spirit. No. The Holy Spirit is not the Paraclete. The Holy Spirit is the other Paraclete. The original Paraclete is Christ Himself, as we looked at as His being the Consolation of Israel." [00:09:55]

"The last question the disciples asked Jesus before the ascension was, 'Lord, will you now restore the kingdom to Israel?' And what did Jesus say? He as much as said, 'It's none of your business when I'm going to restore the kingdom of Israel, but your responsibility is this, you shall be my witnesses, after that the Holy Ghost has come upon you.' And so one of the most important reasons for Jesus' ascension to the right hand was that Pentecost would take place, that the Father and the Son would pour out the Holy Spirit upon the church." [00:13:05]

"Again, the church has failed to understand. Many people still look at the kingdom of God as something in the unfulfilled future. But the kingdom has begun. Why? Because the King has been enthroned. The King has gone to His coronation, and the Father has given Him His investiture service and handed over to Him all authority in heaven and earth. This is a cosmic event, the coronation of Christ. We call it the Session." [00:16:01]

"Finally, the fourth thing that takes place in the ascension is that Jesus as our High Priest enters into the heavenly tabernacle, into the Holy of Holies where He functions there as our Priest-King. He's the King and He is the priest. And having these dual roles is very significant for us because we have a Priest. We have a High Priest. We have a great High Priest, who has lived among us, who understands our feelings, who understands our infirmities, and He lives in the presence of God carrying on His princi -- His chief priestly work of intercession." [00:18:06]

"Let me finish this by just reminding you of an episode that took place on the night before Jesus died. When He was gathered with His disciples, He announced to them that one of them was going to betray Him, speaking of Judas. And after they went around the room, saying, 'Lord, is it I? Is it I who will betray Thee?' Finally, Jesus looked at Judas and said, 'Thou has said. And what you have to do, do quickly.' And he dismissed Judas to carry out his treachery, and we know that the end of Judas was catastrophic." [00:21:21]

"And that same Jesus is in heaven today interceding for you and for me, if indeed we belong to Him. So the ascension is a matter of glorious triumph of Jesus. It's kind of the exclamation point given to His earthly ministry." [00:23:14]

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Transcript
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