1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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. 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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."
9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10They 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." Acts 1
Ascension day! What’s that all about? It is a key doctrine of the Christian faith. The passage we just read from Acts 1 gives us the clear account of Jesus taken up to heaven. Sounds so fantastic. Hard to believe. First gotta believe Jesus rose from the grave. He defeated the very thing that afflicts all humanity, death! Resurrection victory! When was the last time you’ve seen anyone rose from the dead and then later beamed up into the sky? Yet, it is part of the ancient Apostles ’ Creed which dates from very early times in the Church, a half century or so from the last writings of the New Testament. This is what’s celebrated in churches today all over the world who believe in Christ. Easter’s resurrection hope, He is risen! This doctrine of Christ’s ascension in the Creed is stated as
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
The Ascension marks the exaltation of Jesus to His rightful place as God-sharing the heavenly throne with His Father.
Why is this doctrine so critical to us? Galen Hackman noted:
We note also in the text before us that the ascension of Jesus was visible and physical. In other words, it was such that it could be witnessed by people. This is significant. Just as it was important for Jesus to be seen following His resurrection, so it was necessary for Him to be seen as He ascended. This visible ascension brought to an end the earthly ministry of Christ. Had His appearances merely ceased, or had Jesus merely vanished without a trace-it would have been easy for the skeptics (then and now) to claim that the post-resurrection appearances (and consequently the resurrection itself) were mere fabrications. As it was, however, the unbelievers had yet another visible, tangible, physical event for which they could find no earthly explanation.
The words, "in the same way," imply that Jesus will return a second time in a manner similar to that in which He departed at the ascension. Specifically, Jesus will return in His glorified physical body in a way that is visible to all. His return will be literal and physical, just as His ascension was.
1. HOME with God: I will be in the Father’s house!
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. – John 14
It’s about the Father’s house! Always captivated by mansions, castles, soaring ceilings, the build quality, craftsmanship, details, carvings - WOW experience! His ascension means Jesus is serious about heaven as a place where you and I will feel at home. Heaven’s going to be a place where there’ll be WOW and peace, instead of war and pieces. Our longing for a permanent home where there’d be no mortgage hanging over our heads, will be met. A place to be at home with God who’s just pleased as punch to show us His glory, His home, His heaven. Remember the day we got our home in Richmond. Thrill and excitement! Kids running all over the place, rolling on the floor, checking out the rooms, and I just enjoyed the moment! Can a human heart take that much excitement? But that is exactly what Jesus promised His ascension would bring.
In midst of betrayal Jesus spoke a word of grace – Jesus just predicted in previous passage that Peter would betray Him and yet He said “don’t let your hearts be troubled.” He says to Peter, Trust me! You’ll get home, just trust, don’t let your feelings destroy your trust or undermine the reality of home. He spoke of His objective...
2. Objective of Jesus: “I am going there to prepare a place for you” – Jesus is doing an extreme makeover: the heaven edition. Seen expressions of delight, disbelief, pure whooping joy, jumps up and down, tears of delight, ecstatic joy, the OMG - worship! What’s your perfect room? Jesus will be there!
3. Power of hope: I have a glorious inheritance
18I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms (Eph.1)
Ascension day of Christ tells us of God’s power. It brings us hope to know we’re not left with no meaning or no purpose. We’ll enjoy inheritance that’ll be so rich and glorious.
Ascension day of Christ tells us of God’s power. It brings us hope to know we’re not left with no meaning or no purpose. We’ll enjoy inheritance that’ll be so rich and glorious.
Frederick Langbridge –
“two men look out through the same bars; one sees the mud, and one the stars.”
Yes, let’s see the stars! We are in the world but not of this world (Jn.17:13-19). We are to set hearts on things above, rather than be trapped in a rut. Riveted by vision of Christ’s glorious inheritance which He has won for us thru’ the cross and the promise of Easter. Look up eyes of faith, know the hope which he has called you. Set your sights above, especially when work, financial difficulties, relational breakdowns, burdens begin to demoralize, raise your eyes then! Look up! For Christ has ascended, blazing a trail to follow, choose the see the stars, not the mud! Get a right outlook on life! Destiny not mud, but the ascended Christ. Celebrate the glorious inheritance we do have in our Lord!
4. Empire of God: I will basked in the joy of the glory of God.
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven (Heb.1:3)
God will rule. Right hand – speaks of authority and active rulership of God. He rules! Place of distinction, power and influence!
Concluding Thoughts:
Ascension reminds me that God wants me
Gone to prepare a place for us, take us to be with him, he will return in the same way, very visible, very tangible, very real as real as the day He walked this earth in his sandals.
The Bible says...
God our Savior, 4who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Tim. 2)
How clear is that? God wants you and I – ALL to be saved!!!
Did you hear that? Hearts troubled? Do not be! Lift up your eyes to Jesus. The cross on which he died says to us. Do not be troubled. His blood spilled to forgive – to wipe away sins forever. What can make us whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus! He now sits at the right hand of majesty mediating for us. Do we believe that God is good?
60On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? 62What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. 64Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. – John 6
Context of Jesus teaching he is the bread of life, feed on him to get life. His exaltation is proof that he has the power to back up his hard teaching. So what say you?
Sad to say some will choose not to believe. It is a hard teaching, resurrection and ascension. It’s death and life stuff. It’s deadly serious if this is the word of God for they contain words that are spirit and life.
From the pages of Scripture, we have found HOPE! Rejoice! If you have wavered in faith, Jesus will mediate for you. There is great hope! He has ascended. He has the Father’s ears, he will speak for you. Most of all, Jesus promised this, He will come back for you! Banish those fears.
Lastly, Jesus ascension means as He says “It is for your good that I am going away.” Read John 16:7 if you want to know about it more, the coming of the Spirit of God, which is next Sunday’s message.
Hope again, keep the faith and God bless you all!
