The Asended Christ

Colossians 3:1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Lift up your eyes – behold the ascended Lord Jesus and focus on heavenly realities!

Psalm 110:1 The LORD says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”

5 Reasons the Ascension Is Essential to Our Faith

➊ Our ascended Christ has power and authority over all things! Ephesians 1:19-23 19 That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. ➊ Our ascended Christ has power and authority over all things!

➋ Our ascended Christ has an ongoing ministry as our mediator and intercessor! 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

➌ Our ascended Christ gives gifts to the Church! Ephesians 4:8, 11-12 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people.” . . . 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

➍ Our ascended Christ anoints us with his Holy Spirit! Acts 2:32-33 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Luke 4:18-19 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

➎ Our ascended Christ promises to return! Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

Christ’s ascension into heaven was the real commencement of his reign Christ’s ascension into heaven was the real commencement of his reign!” ~ John Calvin