THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST ACTS 1:6-11

ACTS 1:6-11 6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 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.”

THE ASCENSION WHAT IS THE ASCENSION? WHAT DOES IT TELL US ABOUT JESUS? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ME?

WHAT IS THE ASCENSION? The resurrected Jesus visibly departs the earth; to return to heaven to again be in the presence of God; to be crowned with glory, honor and authority; commencing His perpetual reign and intercession for His people to whom He has entrusted His Mission, in anticipation of His eventual return to earth to fully establish His Kingdom.

FACTS ABOUT THE ASCENSION Historical event- Time: 40 days after Resurrection; Place: vicinity of Bethany (Luke 24:50); Eyewitnesses: the 11 Apostles Fulfilled Prophecy: Psalms 110; Jesus Referred to by every Gospel writer, Paul, Peter, and John in Revelation Important part of preaching/motivation/ apologetic of the early church

THE CONTEXT OF THE ASCENSION: HUMILIATION & EXALTATION Incarnation Rejection Passion Death “Exaltation” Resurrection Ascension Enthroned/Session Return

HUMILIATION 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,     he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

EXALTATION  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11

HUMILIATION & EXALTATION The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12

WHY JESUS ASCENDED The story requires it: One of the best ways to read, understand and use the Bible is as a story Not just any story, but the story, a meta-narrative Not just a meta-narrative but the true story of the universe

ASCENSION EXPLAINS: Where Jesus is now: Heaven What He is doing now: King, Great High Priest The continued impact He is having: Lives in us, works through us What to expect in the future: His Return Our part of the Story

WHY JESUS ASCENDED Completes Jesus’ earthly ministry Reveals/confirms Jesus’ true identity Begins the Last Days So the Holy Spirit could come Church begins her ministry Jesus begins a new ministry Prepare a place for us

WHAT DOES THE ASCENSION TEACH US ABOUT JESUS 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. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” Acts 2:32-36

WHAT THE ASCENSION TELLS US ABOUT JESUS Exalted to the “right hand of God”: Permanent place of favor and delegated authority Total Approval of God of Jesus saving work Place of intercession as High Priest New title “LORD” & “Christ”

JESUS AS “LORD” Same as “God” The highest name, signifying the highest position of authority Authority over all living and dead The right to be exclusively worshipped and obeyed Triumphant over any other power or principality

“PROOF” JESUS IS ALIVE & KING D. James Kennedy: What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? John Ortberg: Who Is This Man?: The Unpredictable Impact of the Inescapable Jesus

JESUS AS HIGH PRIEST 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

WHAT THE ASCENSION MEANS FOR US Worship & obedience Joy & Hope Help in time of trouble Judge Rewarder

JESUS SHARES HIS GLORY WITH US Jesus became as we are in order that we might become as He is! Athanasius

OUR HUMILIATION,OUR EXALTATION As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

4 But because of his great love for us,God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians

JESUS SHARES HIS MISSION WITH US 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 12

JESUS EQUIPS US TO DO HIS MISSION For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

THE POWER OF IDENTITY

OUR NEW IDENTITY: “IN CHRIST” And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor. 3:18 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Cor. 5:17

LIVING YOUR NEW IDENTITY “IN CHRIST” Read the New Testament Notice any time you encounter the phrase “in Christ”, “in Him”, “in Whom”, “by Christ”, “by Him”, “through Christ”, “through Him” Keep a list; Meditate: what would this look like in my life; begin to think, act Pray God would make it a reality Know some already: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me; We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us; there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus