After The Resurrection
Acts 1:3-14
I. We See Him Appearing. V3
a. The Period In Which He Appeared.
There are two "forty" day experiences in the life of our Lord. The first forty day experience is seen at the beginning of his ministry and was a period of temptation.
The second forty day experience follows his resurrection, and was a period of triumph !
b. The People To Whom He Appeared.
The word tells us what our risen Lord was doing during these 40 days following the resurrection.
V3 ......"he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God"
He appeared to the women as they departed from the tomb. Matt 28:9
He appeared to ten of the disciples. Thomas was missing. John 20:24
He later appeared to all eleven as they ate. Mk 6:14
He appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. John 21:1-2
He appeared to Cleopas and another man as they walked on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:15
He appeared to over 500 at one time. 1 Cor 15:6
c. The Purpose For Which He Appeared.
1. He gave certainty to his disciples.
2. He gave commandments to his disciples.
3. He gave comfort to his disciples.
I am with you always.........
II. We See Him Ascending ! V9
Story: A bank in Binghamton, New York sent a floral arrangement to a business that had recently moved into a new building. There was a mix up at the florist, and the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.” The florist apologized, but became even more embarrassed when he learned that the floral arrangement sent to a funeral home read, “Congratulations on your new location.”
a. He ascended to a position.
Heb 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Joke: A little girl once stated to her parents after Sunday School......"I hope God is left handed" When asked why......the little girl responded..."Because my teacher said that Jesus is sitting on the right hand of God"
Heb. 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Why did the Son of God ascend ? He is seated at the right hand of God, and there he intercedes on our behalf. There is only one who serves now as our priest, and that is the ascended Lord !
b. He ascended with a promise.
John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you !
St Augustine reflects this benefit to us in a prayer: “You ascended from before our eyes, and we turned back grieving, only to find You in our hearts.”
The Lord ascended so that we might have the presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling us !
c. He ascended to make preparations.
John 14:2-3 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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
In Bible days, ships of course were not motorized but operated by the force of the wind. A big ship preferred to come into harbor during the daylight hours. If they approached the harbor at night, they would often wait offshore until daylight. However, they did not want to risk drifting offshore overnight. Too keep the ship from doing this, they would put the ships anchor into a smaller boat with a long roap attached to the ship. The smaller ship would then proceed to take the anchor on into harbor and drop it there. Thus the ship is outside the harbor, but the anchor is in the harbor keeping the ship stedfast until the ship comes in !
Our anchor, the Lord Jesus, has reached the harbor, he is there to keep us stedfast until we reach our harbor !
He is making preparations for our arrival !
III. We See Him Approaching ! V10-11
......"this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Our Lord was crucified on the cross for our sins, was buried, was raised after three days, and nights, showed himself alive for 40 days after his resurrection, was received up into heaven........and one day he’s coming again ! The day of his return is approaching ! It’s closer now than ever before !
As our Lord ascended they stood gazing up into heaven after him. They looked at him as though it was goodbye, and if they would never see him again. But the angel of God let it be known until them that he was coming again ! This morning we have not seen the last of Jesus ! He is coming again !
Are we gazing this morning ? Last week I asked you if you were living like he’s living ? Meaning.......does our life say to the world "Our Savior Lives !" Now I want to end this message with a similar question........Are we living a life that says to the world "He Is Coming !"
How shall we live with his approach in mind ?
a. Our lives should be one of abiding ! V13
Following the ascension, they gathered in the upper room, and they stayed there ! They waited for the promise of God ! They waited to be filled with power !
We shouldn’t leave this house this morning unless we’re filled with his Holy Spirit ! Perhaps this morning, we should come to this old fashioned altar and stay on our knees until we know that we have been filled with his Spirit, and endued with power !
b. Our lives should be one of accord ! V14
These all continued with one accord ! They were in agreement.......not about everything, but about this one thing ! They were in agreement that their Lord was coming, but until he did, they needed to be filled with his Spirit so that they could live like he was coming !
c. Our lives should be one of action !
They didn’t stay there in that upper room forever ! They didn’t hide behind the walls ! They only stayed until they were filled with the fullness of the Spirit ! And having, received that they proceeded to do what the risen Lord had told him to do. They proceeded to be witnesses unto all the world !
Do our actions shout........"He is Coming"
The day of his coming is drawing nigh ! Are you prepared to meet him ? Is he coming for you ?
Are you preparing others for his approach ?
