Pentecost Part 1 Of 2 - Ascension Day

2023.05.21 Sermon. Ascension Day. Part 1 of 2 for Pentecost

William Akehurst, HSWC

SCRIPTURES: Acts 1:1-11; Luke 24:50-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18; Matthew 22:37-40; Matthew 6:33; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; 1 Peter 1:3-9

BIG IDEA: Ascension Day, the day that JESUS ascended into the heavens. HE had to leave so that HE could come to us, as SPIRIT FILLED believers, and one day return to take us in that same way. Question is, are you Ready?

Acts 1:1-11

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.

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.”

JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN

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.”

Mark 16:19-20 19 So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of GOD. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Luke 24:50-53 50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing GOD. Amen.

Acts 1:11 This same JESUS, WHO was taken up from you into Heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw HIM go into Heaven.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of GOD. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

SO, in the same way that JESUS left, HE’s coming back for us to go with HIM in that same manner! This thought should bring excitement, expectation, hope, and be a comfort for every believer.

Acts 1:1-11

Let’s look at verses…1-3, 9-11

We’re going to keep verses 4-8 until next week for Pentecost Sunday.

Verses 1-2

JESUS taught and gave commandments through HOLY SPIRIT. The same SPIRIT, GOD used to raise JESUS from the dead. This same SPIRIT, GOD places in the heart of every SPIRIT FILLED Believer. (Galatians 4:6)

Verse 3 “After His suffering, [JESUS] presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of GOD.”

“AFTER HIS SUFFERING” – THE DISCIPLES KNEW ALL ABOUT JESUS’ SUFFERING:

• The Betrayal – Judas’ kiss

• The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane – sweat drops of blood

• The Many “Trials”, Pontius Pilate, Herod, the Sanhedrin

• Beatings by the Roman Soldiers

o Blindfolded beaten and mocked for who HE is

o Beard pulled out

o Crown of thorns beaten upon HIS head

o Scourging that left HIM almost unrecognizable

• Carrying the cross to Calvary – mere man would not have been capable