Introductory Considerations
1. This Thursday is ascension today - a day on which we remember Christ’s ascension into heaven. Used to be a special service - still for some. Last year someone mentioned that I had not even mentioned or preached on ascension since I had been here. Made promise that I would do so this year. May have approached this as a task I was obligated to do, but as prepared, it became a labour of love.
2. Reminded of the great impact that the ascension has upon our lives every day. And so today, I hope you will be blessed as I have been in my preparation. And while we may just be scratching surface of this area, may we together dig deeper down the road in our journey together.
3. We have been going thru Apostles Creed. We are talking about what we believe and how what we believe renews our minds to conform not to pattern of worldly thing but to that of Godly thinking. As will see, ascension means our whole outlook to life should change.
Teaching
1. We begin with the event itself. Had been 40 days since Jesus had risen from the dead. He had spent 40 days in desert before ministry and now spent 40 days with disciples after ministry completed.
2. For the disciples this event meant that Jesus was no longer there with them as he had been. Since it meant that they would begin the work, Jesus again reminded them of it. They would now carry out His work, but in the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. They were together when Jesus was taken up before there very eyes. It was a scene they would never forget. It was not a magic trick but the Father lifting His son back to His home. The time of God on earth as man was over.
4. Disciples stood watching.
a. Perhaps overwhelmed by the miracle they had just seen.
b. Perhaps hoping to catch a glimpse of him through a break in the clouds.
c. Perhaps just thinking back and remembering their time with Jesus.
d. Perhaps concerned about what lie ahead.
4. What was it that they had just experienced and how would it affect them?
5. Had Jesus not just promised in Mat 28:20 that he would be with them, to the close of the age?
6. To answer that we need to consider what the ascension means. Remember Jesus is God - always had been. He took on earthly flesh.
7. Does this now mean that Jesus shed His earthly flesh, his humanity and turned back to being God alone?
8. Remember as student working in bakery one summer. One man was named Alex. First time I saw him I figured He must have been owner or manager - dressed up in suit - looked more like a banker than a baker. Yet he went to locker near mine, took off suit and put on bakery pants, tshirt and apron. At end of day, he reversed the process. And this happened every day. Don’t know why, never asked, but seemed like he may have like he was a man of high position who took on role of lowly baker (like me) and then shed that role to go back home.
9. Jesus did no take off bakery clothes - his human flesh. He took His human flesh with Him into heaven.
10. Jesus is still man and God, but as man, Jesus is confined to heaven, since earthly flesh can only be in one place at a time. As God, Jesus remains with us in spirit. Does not mean Jesus is divided into 2 places, for as God He is everywhere. Body and spirit together but as God not limited to just being with the human nature - His risen body.
11. The implications for us - are first seen in His going to heaven - the act of the ascension. Paul refers to these implications in passage.
12. 1st (Eph 1:18) Paul prays that they may know the hope to which they have been called. (see also John 14:2-3)
a. This hope is not just something we wish for but an objective reality - something real. This hope is that we will experience - eternal life, a life that lifts us from the sin and the confines of this earth and lifts us to eternity in heaven with God.
b. Christ is the first man to ascend into heaven - not just talking about spirit but with a resurrected body. His body is in heaven - His flesh. We, as His body - the church - you and me - will ascend when Christ returns to get us.
c. This hope is something that changes how we view our life on earth and troubles etc. Temporary. Aliens in this world.
13. 2nd is the inheritance itself. We will experience the riches of the glorious inheritance in the saints. That inheritance is the kingdom of God along with all its blessings. While we begin to enjoy this inheritance as we experience God’s kingdom in our lives already as we know God more, we will fully possess this inheritance in heaven.
14. 3rd thing that Paul wishes Ephesians to know is His incomparably great power for us who believe. That means to know how great God’s power is but also to experience it.
a. We experience power thru Holy Spirit who enables us to see God’s power. (John 16:7; Acts 1:8)
b. Benefits manifold - discuss in couple of weeks.
15. But this has only to do with the act of the ascension. Why did Christ ascend to heaven?
16. Eph 1:21 says the Father seated Jesus at his right hand in the heavenly realms.
a. To be placed at one’s right hand is to be placed in a position of honour. (Mat 20:20-21). In 1Kgs 2:19 we read that Solomon’s mother was seated at his right hand, beside the throne.
b. A position of influence - close to throne, to king to give advise.
c. A position of action. It is the hand with which we carry out most things that we do. Christ carries out the will of His Father in the fact that He rules all creation.
d. Position of power. For most - right hand is stronger than left. It is in the right hand that the king holds his sceptre.
17. What does Christ’s sitting on God’s right hand mean for us?
18. He exerts influence on His father. (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). He always lives to intercede for them.
a. Couple of weeks ago you prayed for Synod meeting and for me. Often elders and deacons and others pray for me. It feels real special to have someone pray for me. Sometimes you tell me you could tell someone praying for you. Each of us has Christ Himself praying for us at the right hand of the Father.
b. We are told the prayer of a righteousman man availeth much - Christ is righteous and has become our righteousness.
19. 2nd thing His position in heaven benefits us is His rule. (Eph 1:21-22). God has placed all things, all authorities under His feet. Some people struggle with this. They look at world and figure world is under control, rule of the prince of this world - Satan and that Satan rules until Christ returns. Satan has influence but even He is subject to God. He had to ask God for permission to test Job.
a. This may lead to many questions. If Christ is ruling - why evil, etc.? As God told Job, who are we to question Him. We don’t understand many things but I’m glad Christ is ruling rather than you or me.
b. His rule is over all. Somehow that makes me look at all of life differently. When things fall apart - in world or in own life I need not feel like I am subject to whims of gov’ts or individuals or fate, but that the one who died for me is the one who rules and He has my best interests in mind.
20. And the amazing thing is this. READ vs. 22 again. Why doesHe rule? For the church.. May seem church is subject to society today, but society is subject to God who has His body’s interest at mind in His rule.
a. We fight issues, we deal with sin, but we do not despair for God will take care of in the long run
21. And endpoint of all that is the fact that Christ is the judge. He will judge the living and the dead. (1Pet 4:5-6)
22. Then we will understand His ways more fully. Means we will have to give account. For actions and for whom we place trust in - is faith real?
23. Praise God for the ascension. Praise Jesus for His reign.
