“The Ascension of Jesus”
(40 days after the Resurrection)
Acts 1:1-3
“In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven [Ascension]… 3 After his suffering, [Cross] he 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.
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:1
Luke wrote:
“He was taken up before their very eyes, and a CLOUD hid [Received into God’s presence] him from their sight.”
- Acts 1:9
Going
Following Jesus.
Make Disciples
Disciplined followers.
Baptizing
“Connecting” them to God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)
Not just a “spiritual washing”
Teaching them to obey
“Teaching to the Test”
“Practical teaching” Relevant
(No useless information)
Remembering...
that Jesus is always with us.
The Importance of the Ascension
1. Marks completion of his earthly work to sacrifice for our sin.
“My food,” [What mainly sustains him] said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
-John 4:34
2. It gives Jesus back the full glory he had before his birth in Bethlehem.
(John 17:4,5)
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
3. It establishes the universal and eternal worship of God.
(Philippians 2:8-11)
“… being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
4. It signals the sending of Holy Spirit.
“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.”
-Acts 1:8
5. It shows us how Jesus will come back on Judgement Day
(Acts 1:10,11)
“They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men [Angels] 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.”
What do you look longingly for?
Who needs to interrupt you and ask you the question that the angels asked the disciples?
6. Marks beginning of Jesus preparing our heavenly home.
“I go and prepare a place for you”
-John 14
7. Marks the passing of the torch to us to share the Gospel to others until we reach our heavenly home.
John 14:2
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. “My Father’s house [Heaven] has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there [Ascension] 3 And 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.” [HEAVEN]