Ascension Of Jesus P. 1 ASCENSION OF JESUS Int. 1. Aim: To show the facts about the ascension and why it happened. 2. Acts 1:1-11 He ascended up in the clouds. V. 9 NKJV Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 3. Jesus entered this world in a miraculous way and he departed this world in a miraculous way. - Luke 24:50-53 a. Christ frequently told His disciples that He did not really belong here on earth, and that He intended to return to His real home. b. And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:23 - Jesus was speaking. c. He came to this earth to seek and save the lost - Luke 19:19 d. When Jesus said, It is finished, His earthly mission was fully accomplished. e. His ascension was the final act in the fulfilling of all things. 4. Thoughts about the ascension a. The ascension is linked with the crucifixion, burial and resurrection. They are all meaningless without the ascension. b. Only two others have been taken bodily from the earth: (1) Enoch was translated - Gen. 5:24 (2) Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind - II Kings 11:1 (3) Several were raised from the dead - Lazarus and Tabitha are examples
Ascension Of Jesus P. 2 c. The ascension marked the end of his personal ministry and the beginning of His Heavenly ministry. (1) He had entered this world as a helpless infant. (2) His stay here was brief - only 33 years. (3) The last 3 years of his personal ministry were so outstanding that they changed the course of the human race. (4) He did so many things that John wrote - Jn. 21:25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. d. When Jesus left the earth nearly two thousand years ago, He did not take up retirement but rather He ascended to heaven to continue His service in our behalf e. The unique thing about Christ is that He died, was resurrected and then ascended into Heaven to begin His work for God and Man. 5. We will discuss Four questions about the Ascension: When? Where? What? Why?
Ascension Of Jesus P. 3 Discussion I. WHEN? Did He ascend? A. At the completion of his earthly ministry 1. John 19:30 at the time of his death He stated...it is finished... 2. Then He was resurrected on the 3rd day - 3. And Lived 40 more days on the earth a. Acts 1:3 b. At least 10 appearances are recorded of eye witnesses - one time in a group over 500 according to 1 Cor. 15:4-6 B. He ascended While witnesses were beholding him - Acts 1:9 1. No one saw Jesus rise from the dead - the evidence of his resurrection could be easily established by seeing him after he had risen 2. But the truth of his ascension could not be confirmed unless there were eyewitnesses 3. He ascended in open daylight, in the presence of his apostles, when they were wide awake watching him intently. 4. If he had just vanished secretly then they would have been confused and maybe doubted that he had ascended to heaven. 5. The disciples needed to know that he had not deserted them but had commissioned them to continue His work. 6. It prevented the disciples from wasting time looking for Him dead or alive. 7. While Jesus was talking to his disciples he was received up out of their sight. They continued looking hoping that they might catch another glimpse of him. Lk. 24:50-51 Acts 1:10-11
Ascension Of Jesus P. 4 8. Would not you too, be held by the spell of the moment to the spot on that little hill? a. To watch before you the bodily form of one you had known so well suddenly begin to rise from the earth; then to see His progress into the sky until He passed out of sight into a cloud? You would stand there for a while. b. It is true Jesus had told them, before He began this miraculous ascent, that He intended for them to promptly leave for the city - but who wouldn t have forgotten these words for a moment as he stood in the presence of such an outstanding event? II. WHERE? Did He ascend? A. Over against Bethany - Luke 24:50 1. This is where Jesus had rested in the home of his friends on several occasions 2. He had also performed his last great miracle there - Jn. 11 B. From Olivet Acts 1:12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey. 1. He had wept over the city and foretold her doom - Lk.19:37, 41-44 2. It was from here he had made the triumphant entry into earthly Jerusalem - Lk. 19:29,30 3. From this same spot he made the triumphant entry into the heavenly Jerusalem 4. Very near his birth place - Bethlehem
Ascension Of Jesus P. 5 III. WHAT? Happened to Jesus. A. To a place invisible to the mortal eye 1. A cloud received him out of their sight Acts 1:9 2. He did not go up into some mountain that was covered with clouds as some men have speculated. 3. Jesus was received up into glory. - I Tim. 3:16b B. Up into heaven - Luke 24:51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. 1. He is on the right hand of God 2. I Pet. 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. IV. WHY? Did He ascend? A. If Jesus accomplished so much while on this earth, then why didn't he remain on the earth? 1. If He were here today would not all men believe in Him, obey Him, and faithfully serve Him? 2. Did all men believe on Him while he was on the Earth? He came unto his own, and his own received him not. Jn.1:11 3. Isaiah had predicted that when Christ came into the world He would be Despised and rejected of men. Isa. 53:3
Ascension Of Jesus P. 6 4. If Jesus had remained on earth think of all the problems: a. Idolatry - His earthly possessions - home - Jesus Museum b. Security - threats - assassination attempts - hostage 5. Jesus died and was resurrected. Then 40 days later he ascended back to heaven. Why? B. For Man's Redemption # 1 1. Christ died on the Cross on Golgotha. But he had to ascend to heaven before that death would be accepted as final payment for sin. 2. God required that there be a sacrifice made for our sin. 3. Under the Law of Moses the high priest went into the Most Holy Place of the tabernacle or temple, with the blood of animals for the sins of the people. 4. Heb. 9:11,12 Under the priesthood of Christ we have a superior system: a. The blood of Christ is better b. That blood was taken into the holy place or heaven c. Heb 9:11-12 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 5. Christ ascended to heaven as the one who had paid the price for sin. When this atonement was complete God could forgive men of their sins and still be just. 6. Why didn't Christ stay on the earth? a. Because he had to make an appearance in heaven for us.
Ascension Of Jesus P. 7 b. Heb. 9:24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; C. To be our Advocate # 2 1. Christ went back to heaven to assist in keeping Christians saved 2. We are not sinless and perfect as Christians a. I John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. b. I Jn. 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. 3. But we are not all lost and without hope if we sin as a Christian. a. I Jn.2:1b-2 And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. b. Advocate = intercessor - comforter c. Propitiation = atonement or to cover over and from the sight d. Our sins are covered over and from God's sight by the blood of Christ e. I Jn. 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 4. Jesus paid the price for sin. He went to heaven as one who had paid that price and now since He is in heaven, he serves as an advocate for the Christian.
Ascension Of Jesus P. 8 D. So The Spirit Could Come # 3 1. Jn. 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. a. Expedient = better, profitable to your advantage NKJV b. Comforter = Holy Spirit 2. The Holy Spirit was to come and guide these apostles into all truth - but not as long as Jesus was on the earth 3. Jn. 16:13 NKJV However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 4. The Holy Spirit was the one through whom God's will was made known in the Old Testament - II Pet. 2:20,21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 5. Christ had to go back to heaven so the Holy Spirit would come and guide the apostles into all truth concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment- Jn.16:13,8-12 6. Jesus didn't stay on the earth because he had to go to heaven to appear in God's presence for us and the Holy Spirit had to come to reveal and confirm God's word which enables men to understand what God in love, mercy, and grace has done to ransom our souls from sin, and what men must do in order to be saved from sin by God's son.
Ascension Of Jesus P. 9 E. To Prepare A place for Us # 4 1. Jesus left earth to go and prepare a place for those who by faithful obedience prepare for that place. 2. Jn. 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. 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. 3. If Christ has gone to heaven, and He has; If He has gone to Prepare a place, and He said that He was; then Christ has gone to heaven to prepare a place for those who, by obeying and serving Him, prepare for heaven. 4. He said that if he goes to prepare a place that he will come again and receive them unto himself. 5. That place is heaven - not some kingdom on this earth with Jerusalem as the capitol where he will reign for 1000 years. That is not taught in the Bible! 6. Why didn't Jesus stay on earth? Because he went to prepare a place for those who will come unto the Father by Him. Conclusion 1. Christ existed before He came to this earth. He descended to this earth, via birth by the virgin Mary, lived on this earth 33 years then ascended back to heaven. 2. Eph. 4:8-10 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Ascension Of Jesus P. 10 3. The ascension of Christ is an important truth that makes the Gospel Complete 4. Without his ascension into heaven we would be lost. 5. Jesus has ascended up to the Father and we can some day go to be with him if we are prepared and ready. 6. Are you ready for that great day? Nelson Chapel Church of Christ, 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 Sunday Morning - December 24, 2017 www.nelsonchapelchurchofchrist.org Sermon by Arthur Pigman - 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art65ann@gmail.com