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)
• “This SAME JESUS… will come in LIKE manner.”
• His ascension guarantees His return.
WHY ARE YOU GAZING INTO HEAVEN?
• They watched until HE was out of sight.
• They looked up in wonderment
• The angels questioned them and gave them (and us) hope of HIS Return!
POINT: JESUS ascended as the reigning King, empowered His church through the Holy Spirit, and promised to return. Our calling is not to stand gazing but to go witnessing.
HE’s Alive
HE Empowers;
HE’s Coming Back.
We are not called to stand still, but to step forward.
APPLICATION
• Do I live with confidence that my KING is alive and reigning?
• Am I empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT, or by my own effort?
• Am I gazing… or going?
• Am I living ready for the KING’s return?
PRAYER PAUSE
KING JESUS, YOU reign from heaven and live in us through YOUR SPIRIT. Help us to live in YOUR Power, focus on YOUR Kingdom, and fulfill YOUR Mission until YOU Return in Glory. Amen.
Luke 24:50-53 THE ASCENSION (Mark 16:19, 20; Acts 1:9)
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.
Mark 16:19-20 CHRIST ASCENDS TO GOD’S RIGHT HAND (Luke 24:50–53)
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.
EXPLAINED
JESUS speaks His final words, blesses His disciples, and is taken up before their eyes. Two angels appear and declare, “This same JESUS, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner…”
This moment confirms three profound truths:
1. Christ is now enthroned as King.
2. He continues His ministry from heaven.
3. He is coming again.
Acts 1:9 “He was taken up… and a cloud received Him out of their sight.”
• This is not escape - it’s not disappearance. It’s enthronement. The cloud represents GOD’s glory.
• Not disappearance but enthronement.
• Daniel prophesied this moment:
“One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven… Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom.”
Fulfillment of Daniel 7:13-14 - the Son of Man comes to the Ancient of Days to receive dominion.
Daniel 7:13-14 13 “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man,
Coming with the clouds of heaven!
He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him.
14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.
His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.
• HE went up not to leave us, but to enter HIS throne room.
JESUS returns to the Father, not leaving us but entering HIS rightful throne room.
• Psalms 110:1 The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
• “Sit at My right hand…” - The King takes His seat.
The Cross was payment. The Resurrection was proof. The Ascension is promotion.
JESUS is not waiting to be King; HE reigns now.
TRANSITION:
If JESUS is truly KING and ruling right now, then what is HE doing from the throne? Let’s look at His heavenly ministry.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Our Compassionate High Priest
14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
2. THE HEAVENLY MINISTRY OF THE KING
JESUS didn’t ascend to retire; HE ascended to continue working for us from heaven.
TWO KEY ROLES:
HE IS OUR INTERCESSOR
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
• Intercedes for us - “ever lives to make intercession” (Hebrews 7:25).
• HE pleads our case before the FATHER.
• When we pray in HIS name, HE stands in agreement.
HE IS OUR FORERUNNER & BUILDER
• Prepares a place (John 14:2-3). “I go to prepare a place for you… and I will come again.”
John 14:1-3 1 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
• Sends the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, John 16:7).
John 16:7 Nevertheless 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 depart, I will send Him to you.
• Our King is actively working for us from the throne.
• JESUS is actively preparing our eternity.
3. THE KING ENTRUSTS HIS MISSION TO US
THE COMMISSION CONTINUES THROUGH US
• “You shall receive power… You shall be My witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).
• HE passed the work of spreading the Kingdom to His church.
• The KING entrusts HIS mission to HIS servants before ascending.
• HE didn’t leave us powerless… HE promised the HOLY SPIRIT.
• HIS power through the SPIRIT enables HIS people to spread HIS Kingdom.
• The KING empowers HIS people to extend HIS rule.
POINT: HE rules from heaven. We witness on earth.
HE ascended not to abandon, but to assure us of two things: HIS ongoing presence; and HIS future return.
4. THE PROMISE OF THE KING’S RETURN
Acts 1:11 “This same JESUS… will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”
• HIS ascension guarantees His return.
• The KING who ascended will descend in glory.
• Revelation 1:7 “Every eye will see Him.”
Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.
• Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
• Revelation 22:12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.
• HE Left as the Lamb, HE Returns as the Lion of Judah. (Revelation 5:5).
Revelation 5:5 But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 1:12-18
12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
THE KING IS COMING!
POINT: The disciples left looking upward. We must live looking forward.
CONCLUSION
JESUS ascended as King of kings, not leaving the earth but reigning over it.
He is:
• Seated with authority.
• Working on our behalf.
• Empowering His church.
• Returning soon.
SELF-REFLECTION & APPLICATION
• Do I live with the awareness that JESUS reigns right now?
Do I live as though JESUS is KING right now - or someday?
• Am I serving with urgency, knowing the KING could return at any moment?
• Do I rely on HIS heavenly ministry and power of the SPIRIT, or my own strength?
Am I depending on HIS intercession and SPIRIT?
• Is my life aligned with HIS Kingdom mission - being HIS witness?
Am I advancing HIS mission or my own?
• Am I living ready - knowing the KING is returning?
PRAYER
KING JESUS,
We acknowledge YOUR Reign today. YOU are seated at the right hand of the FATHER, ruling over every power and principality. Empower us through YOUR HOLY SPIRIT to live in full submission to YOUR Authority; Walking in YOUR Strength, Faithful to YOUR Mission. Keep our eyes upward in worship, outward in witness, and forward in expectation of YOUR Return. May we serve as YOUR True Witnesses until the day we see YOU coming in GLORY. In YOUR Majestic Name, Amen.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Bill
HYMNS
122 Crown Him with Many Crowns
111 All Hail the Power of JESUS’ Name
257 He Lives
