Here is a recent message from a series called Foundations of the Cross. In it,
we look at the significance of the ascension of Jesus Christ.
Message Outline
INTRODUCTION
Opening Verses – Acts 1:6-12 and Luke 23:45-53
It has been 40 days since Jesus rose from the dead & first appeared to the women at the tomb. Jesus met with over 500 people. He preached, taught, and performed miracles.
The Ascension is the last, single, earthly event of the Ministry of Jesus. It is the completion of the resurrection.
Verse - John 6:38
5 REASONS THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST IS SIGNIFICANT
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS MARKS THE COMPLETION OF CHRISTS WORK OF SALVATION
Jesus completed His work, and now it was time to go home.
Verse: John 17:3-5
Verse Hebrews 10:11-12 - Before Christ, the sacrifice for sin was done over and over again. The work of the Priests in the Old Testament was never done. The reason was that these sacrifices only covered up sin but could never take away sin. But Jesus made one sacrifice for sins forever.
Verse 14:6 - He is the only way.
The first thing that the ascension marks is that all that Jesus needed to accomplish has been completed.
JESUS ASCENDED TO BECOME OUR INTERCESSOR
Verse – Hebrews 7:24-26
Jesus is still active in heaven. He is our high priest who is in a place of ministry. The word intercede, is in a very all-inclusive sense and highlights all that He is doing for us.
His continual presence fully declares the legal reason why we are saved and the confidence we can have. He defends us against Satan’s accusations and attacks. He protects us against all the assault of the enemy.
Verse – Romans 8:33-34 - If you fail you have an advocate in Jesus!
Verse – 1 John 2:1 - An advocate is someone who comes alongside another person in time of need to help.
Christ is always there for you.
JESUS ASCENDED TO HEAVEN SO THE HOLY SPIRIT CAN FULFILL HIS WORK IN US
Since He ascended into heaven to be at the right hand of the Father, God sent the Holy Spirit to do His work regarding salvation!
Verses – John 16:7 and John 14:16 & 19-20
Christ had to be exalted and return to heaven so that God could give us the Holy Spirit, who lives in and resides in us and is with us forever.
Through the Holy Spirit, we have resident in our lives the fullness of God living in us.
He guides us into all truth. He reveals Christ to us and in us.
He leads us. He sanctifies us.
He empowers us. He anoints us for ministry.
He washes and renews us. He is our guarantee and deposit of the future resurrection.
He quickens our mortal bodies. He reveals the deep things of God to us.
He brings freedom. He enables us to obey the truth.
He teaches us. He gives us peace and joy.
He comforts us.
The Holy Spirit is the agent by which God works all things in our lives. Christ left so that the Holy Spirit could come and dwell and be part of our lives.
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT ENABLES US FOR EVANGELISM
4 Main Purposes of the Church
Ministry to the Lord (Bride) - All things were created by God and for Him and for His pleasure.
Ministry to the Saints - God gifts us for ministering to one another.
Ministry of defeating/overcoming the Enemy
Ministry to the Sinner - The church is known as the body of Christ and is the extension of His ministry on earth.
Verse – Matthew 28:16-20 – the “Great Commission” – some of the last words of Christ
Verse – Luke 24:49
Evangelism/Witnessing is an essential objective of the Ascension. Verse - Acts 1:2 Jesus had given commandments through the Holy Spirit to the apostles (us), but we also see that it is through the Holy Spirit that He expects us to be equipped to fulfill what He asks us to do. Verse - Acts 1:8
Today we are called to carry the gospel to our world through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. This mission/purpose of the Church is given through the Ascension.
FINAL SIGNIFICANT REASON OF THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST IS HIS RETURN
Verse - Acts 1:9
Verse - Luke 24:52-53 – disciples rejoiced
Verse - Acts 1:10-12
Verse - John 14:1-3
There will be a day when Jesus returns for His Bride. There will be a day when comes, and we meet Him in the air. But there is also a day when He will come and physically stand upon this earth again.
“in like manner” – talking about Jesus.
-Jesus left in a glorified body, He will return in a glorified body.
-He left from the Mount of Olives, He will return to the Mount of Olives.
Verse – Zechariah 14:4
When will this happen?
Signs of the times are everywhere – Verse - Matthew Chapter 24
He must go so that He can come again.
Kommentarer