2. Share an experience of someone departing to go somewhere far and how you felt saying goodbye.

4. Jesus’ ascension took place when He returned to heaven after giving instructions to His disciples.

7. The ascension of Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament as highlighted below

8. Psalm 68:18 (Read also Ephesians 4:8-10) 18 You have ascended on high, You have led captive Your captives; You have received gifts among men, even among the rebellious also, that the L ORD God may dwell there. The OT prophesied that the Messiah will return to heaven after finishing His earthly task.

9. Psalm 110:1 (Read also Acts 2:34-35) 1 The L ORD says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a foot stool for Your feet.” This was within the plan of God that the Messiah was to ascend to be enthroned.

13. After His resurrection Jesus appeared to many people for a period of 40 day. Acts 1:3 (Read 1 Cor. 15:5-8) 3 To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God.

14. He taught them once again about the Kingdom of God as He prepared them for His impending departure as He knew that He will be returning to heaven. Acts 1:2 2 until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen.

15. Jesus had taught His disciples about His ascension and the reason of His ascension I. To prepare a place for us John 14:2 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

16. Jesus also promised to send the Holy Spirit to be our helper and comforter II. To send the Holy Spirit John 16:7 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

21. Thus Jesus ascended as was prophesied (Mark 16:19, Luke 24:50-53, Acts 1:9-11).

22. His ascension and enthronement is confirmed by the Apostle Peter in his preaching. Acts 2:33a 33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God...

24. Stephen before his moment of death saw the ascended & enthroned Christ standing. Acts 7:55-56 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.

29. His ascension brings these blessings as we await His return: I. He is enthroned as both Christ & Lord. (Acts 2:36) II. He has given us His Holy Spirit as He promised (Acts 2:33) III. He will return again to take us to heaven. (John 14:3)

31. His ascension was the conclusion to His earthly ministry but the continuity of His heavenly ministry. His ascension has taken place and now we wait for His return to take us home.

35. Discuss the Following Reflective Questions: How does the promises of the ascended Christ empower you today as you face the various challenges of life?