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Jesus The King Ascended Acts 1.1-11
Contributed by William Akehurst on Nov 22, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: JESUS’ ascension confirms HIS Authority as KING, shifts HIS Work from earth to heaven, empowers HIS Church, and assures HIS Return. The KING reigns now - and will return in glory.
2025.11.23 Sermon Notes. Part 4 - JESUS THE KING ASCENDED Acts 1.1-11
SCRIPTURES: Acts 1:1-11, Luke 24:50-53, Mark 16:19-20, Daniel 7:13-14, Psalm 110:1, John 14:1-3, John 16:7, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 7:25, Revelation 1:7, Matthew 24:30, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 5:5, Revelation 1:12-18
KEY WORDS: Ascension, Kingship, Authority, Intercession, Holy Spirit, Power, Witness, Kingdom, Return, Glory
BIG IDEA: JESUS’ ascension confirms HIS Authority as KING, shifts HIS Work from earth to heaven, empowers HIS Church, and assures HIS Return. The KING reigns now - and will return in glory.
Introduction
Matthew ends with a powerful declaration: “All authority has been given to ME in heaven and on earth.” JESUS is KING. HE rose from the dead, met with HIS disciples, gave them the Great Commission and then something extraordinary happened. HE didn’t simply disappear. HE ascended.
Today’s message focuses on what the Ascension means for us.
• The Cross was the payment.
• The Resurrection was the proof.
• But the Ascension is the promotion - the King taking His throne.
ACTS 1:1-11 JESUS THE KING ASCENDED
1. THE ASCENSION - A CROWNING MOMENT
1-3 HE’S ALIVE
1 The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that JESUS began both to do and teach, 2 until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen,
3 to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of GOD.
JESUS’ EARTHLY MINISTRY WAS JUST THE BEGINNING (v.1)
• Vs 1 “What JESUS began to do and teach.”
• Acts = what He continues to do through the Church.
HE PROVED HIS RESURRECTION (v.3)
• Vs 3 “He presented Himself alive… by many infallible proofs.”
• Seen for 40 days.
• Many infallible proofs – faith is based on evidence.
HE SPOKE OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD (v.3)
• HIS FOCUS: not earthly kingdoms, but the spiritual rule of GOD.
POINT: HE’s Alive! Still leading, still teaching, still building His Kingdom!
APPLICATION
• Do I live as if the King is alive and active in my life?
• Is the Kingdom of GOD at the center of my priorities?
4-8 THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMISED
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
THE COMMAND TO WAIT BEFORE WORKING (v.4)
• “Do not depart… but wait.”
• “Wait for the Promise…
• “You shall receive power…” Vs 8
• Spiritual work requires spiritual power.
THE GREATEST PROMISE - GOD IN ME (v.5)
• Water baptism IS commitment
• Spirit baptism IS empowerment
POINT: The Greatest Promise – GOD IN ME!
THE PURPOSE OF THE POWER (v.8)
• Not power for ourselves, rather power to witness.
• Starts where you are and spreads outward.
APPLICATION
• Am I trying to serve GOD without His power?
• Am I waiting on GOD, or running ahead on my own strength?
• Is my life being used to witness for the King?
9-11 JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN (Mark 16:19, 20; Luke 24:50–53)
9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same JESUS, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
ASCENSION IS ENTHRONEMENT (v.9)
“He was taken up… a cloud received Him…”
• The “cloud” = GOD’s glory (Shekinah).
• Fulfillment of Daniel 7:13–14.
WRONG POSTURE: GAZING INSTEAD OF GOING (v.10–11a)
• They watched until He was out of sight.
• Angels asked, “Why are you gazing?”
POINT: Don’t get stuck staring at what GOD has done; Start walking in what HE’s called you to do.
THE PROMISE OF HIS RETURN (v.11)
