SESSION 7 ASCENDED LIKE NO OTHER 78 SeSSion 7
The Point Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. The Passage Acts 1:3-11 The Bible Meets Life We come to faith in Jesus when we realize we cannot come to God on our own. We are powerless to save ourselves. Yet, after coming to Christ, we often try to live for Jesus in our own power. Let s remember that Jesus has physically left the earth, but He has not left us alone. We can live for Him, we can do what s right, and we can face whatever life throws at us only because He has sent His Holy Spirit to us. The Setting Jewish officials did their best spin-doctoring in their effort to control and shape the message about the empty tomb. But they had no control over the resurrected Jesus. Over a 40-day period, Jesus appeared numerous times to various individuals and groups, presumably to encourage them and to teach them those things they had not been ready to learn before the crucifixion. At the end of 40 days, Jesus had one final appearance and one word of instruction before returning to the Father in heaven. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 79
What does the Bible say? Acts 1:3-11 (HCSB) The Father s promise (v. 4) Refers to the gift of the Holy Spirit Jesus had promised His disciples during the Last Supper (see John 16:5-15). This promised was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-13). 3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father s promise. This, He said, is what you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven. 80 SeSSion 7
THE POINT Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 67 of the PSG: Whose words always catch your attention? Notes GUIDE: Call attention to The Point at the top of page 68 of the PSG: Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. GUIDE: Direct group members to The Bible Meets Life on page 68 of the PSG. Continue the theme of Jesus ascension to heaven by reading or summarizing the text or by encouraging group members to read on their own. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): We can say that Jesus did not leave us alone because of the Holy Spirit s presence in our lives. However, we aren t always aware of the Spirit s work and influence. As a way of illustrating the Spirit s presence, bring a portable fan to the group meeting. Before moving into the main portion of this session, turn the fan to a low setting and position it so that group members experience a light breeze. Explain that the breeze should serve as a reminder of the Holy Spirit s presence as you continue studying the life of Jesus. ENHANCEMENT: Use Pack Item 5, My Witnesses, as a way to transition into the Scripture passage for this session. PRAY: Transition into the discussion by asking the Holy Spirit to make Himself known as your group works together to study His Word. Pray that He would grant you both understanding of the Scriptures and conviction of your sin. TIP: Evaluate yourself and your teaching often. Ask yourself: What seems to help group members connect with the study? BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 81
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Acts 1:3 3 After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God. READ: Acts 1:3 on page 69 of the PSG. Read the text out loud or ask for a volunteer to do so. GUIDE: Use the first and second paragraphs on page 83 of this Leader Guide to more fully explain the convincing proofs Jesus used when presenting Himself to His followers. RECAP: Highlight the third and fourth paragraphs on page 70 of the PSG: ALTERNATE QUESTION: What have you learned or heard about the kingdom of God? As we look at Acts 1, remember that the disciples had been with Jesus for three years of solid training. They saw Him perform miracles and heard Him teach. Yet, when we look at the disciples words and actions during Jesus trial, it would appear they never heard or saw much that made a difference to them. They doubted. Wandered. Feared. And ran. Thankfully, everything changed after their Friend and Savior rose from the dead. For 40 days, Jesus spoke to them and gave them a crash course in the kingdom of God. I suspect the disciples absorbed more in those 40 days than in their previous three years with Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus had their undivided attention. DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 70 of the PSG: If you had a limited time with Jesus, what would you most want to learn? Note: Another way to phrase this question would be: If you could have Jesus teach you one thing, what would it be? TRANSITION: As we continue with verses 4-8, we ll find Jesus powerful last words to His disciples and by extension, to us. 82 SeSSion 7
THE POINT Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. Acts 1:3 Commentary [Verse 3] Acts 1 and Luke 24 cover much of the same material, although Acts 1 summarizes what Luke 24 addresses in much greater detail. After His crucifixion, Jesus appeared to His disciples, showing Himself to be risen bodily with many convincing proofs. The term convincing proofs has the sense of irrefutable evidence which there was no way of getting around or away from. He appeared to them many times over a period of 40 days, most likely to strengthen their faith for their task of being His witnesses and helping them to deal with any lingering doubts they might have had (Matt. 28:17; Luke 24:38). Jesus took steps to demonstrate to His disciples that He had in fact been bodily resurrected (Luke 24:37 39). He invited them to physically touch Him; showed them His hands and feet, which would have borne the scars of His crucifixion; and ate with them (vv. 36 43). Luke records only three of Jesus many appearances to His disciples His appearance to Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus (vv. 13 32), His appearance to Simon (v. 34), and His appearance to the Eleven and those with them gathered together (vv. 33,36 49). The apostle Paul provides a more detailed list of Jesus appearances in 1 Corinthians 15:3 8. In addition to Jesus appearing to Peter and the other disciples multiple times, Paul relates that Jesus appeared to 500 of His followers at one time and to His brother James. Jesus was instructing the disciples during those 40 days concerning the kingdom of God, which had been the central theme of His earthly ministry from the very beginning After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of God: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the good news! (Mark 1:14 15). The kingdom of God is the exercise of God s sovereign rule. The promise of the kingdom of God became a reality in the presence and ministry of Jesus. The gospel was preached, prophecies were fulfilled, and demons cast out of people. Wherever Jesus ministered, the kingdom of God was manifest. Jesus crucifixion, death, and resurrection furthered the coming of the kingdom as Satan, sin, and death were defeated. Now God s kingdom would be spread through the coming of the Holy Spirit and the witness of the disciples to what they had seen and experienced in their time with Jesus. Luke s Gospel gives some additional insight into exactly what Jesus was teaching the disciples. Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures (Luke 24:27; also see vv. 44 47). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 83
10 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Acts 1:4-8 4 While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father s promise. This, He said, is what you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. READ: Acts 1:4-8 on page 69 of the PSG. DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 72 of the PSG: In your own words, how would you describe the presence and work of the Holy Spirit? ALTERNATE QUESTION: What are the similarities and differences between Jesus earthly ministry and the ministry of the Holy Spirit? GUIDE: Highlight the final two paragraphs on page 72 of the PSG to help group members explore Dr. Evans s description of the Spirit s presence and work. DO: Direct group members to complete the activity Plugged In? on page 71 of the PSG. If time permits, ask volunteers to share what helps them connect with the Spirit s power each day. The Holy Spirit is the main source of power for the Christian life. What helps you plug in to that power source in the following areas of life? At home At work At play TRANSITION: Let s continue the narrative by looking at verses 9-11. 84 SeSSion 7
THE POINT Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. Acts 1:4-8 Commentary [Verses 4-5] While Jesus was with His disciples, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem until they had received the Father s promise. This is a reference to the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:12; 24:49). In the upper room on the night of His arrest and betrayal, Jesus had told His disciples the Spirit would be coming to be with them forever when He left to return to the Father (John 14:16,26). Jesus reference to John baptizing with water recalls John the Baptist s declaration, I baptize you with water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). The word translated baptized means immersed or submerged. Used in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, the term refers to God s pouring out the Spirit on the disciples at Pentecost (Acts 2:2 4). [Verse 6] Jesus met with the disciples one final time before His ascension on the Mount of Olives. The disciples asked Jesus a question that revealed a major concern and a monumental misunderstanding. Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? The disciples appear to have interpreted Jesus words about God s fulfilling His promise and the Spirit s coming to mean the final coming of God s kingdom was about to occur. Jewish eschatology of that time associated both the coming of the Spirit and the fulfillment of God s promises with the apocalyptic Day of the Lord and the final salvation of the nation of Israel. The disciples were expecting the immediate, full, and final establishment of the kingdom of God, with Israel returned to a place of prominence and authority. [Verses 7-8] Jesus shifted the disciples focus. They were not to be concerned with knowing the specific times or periods God had set for establishing the kingdom and the critical events involved in its coming. Jesus did not deny the restoration of Israel; instead, He gave the disciples a new perspective. Their concern was no longer to be nationalistic, but rather it would now focus on a mission that would encompass the entire world. They were to bring the light of salvation to both the Jews of Israel and all the Gentile nations (Isa. 49:6). Jesus command to His disciples revealed what they were to do, how they were to accomplish their mission, and where they were to go. As they waited in Jerusalem, they would receive power to be Jesus witnesses. God the Holy Spirit would supply the necessary power to accomplish this task. The disciples would begin witnessing in Jerusalem among their own people and move out from there. Their mission would expand to the province of Judea, then into the non-jewish territory of Samaria, and finally to the ends of the earth. Jesus words in verse 8 give an outline of Christianity s geographic expansion as the Spirit empowered Jesus followers in the Book of Acts, although Acts contains much more than just the account of where the gospel spread. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 85
15 minutes STUDY THE BIBLE Notes Acts 1:9-11 9 After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. 10 While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them. 11 They said, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven. READ: Acts 1:9-11 on page 69 of the PSG. GUIDE: The second paragraph on page 87 of this Leader Guide offers an interesting exploration of the cloud connected to Jesus in these verses. DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 73 of the PSG: Why is it important that Jesus disciples witnessed His ascension? SUMMARIZE: Highlight the key points from page 73 of the PSG, including: ALTERNATE QUESTION: What emotions do you experience when you think about Jesus return? > > Jesus ascension was both visible and physical. This was neither a mirage nor a figment of anyone s imagination. > > No one else has ever ascended from this earth the way Jesus did, and no one is coming back the way He is coming back. He is like no other. He is the distinct and unique message of all creation. > > A day is coming when we will experience a real transformation. This incredible change will occur when Jesus Christ returns for His followers, and we are with Him forever. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 73 of the PSG: How does the promise of Jesus return influence your daily decisions? GUIDE: Refer back to The Point of this session: Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. If time allows, encourage group members to share any final thoughts or questions. 86 SeSSion 7
THE POINT Jesus ascended to heaven but did not leave us alone. Acts 1:9-11 Commentary [Verse 9] The ascension marks the end of Jesus earthly ministry, the end of the 40 day period of the resurrected Lord among His disciples, and serves as the moment of His exaltation to the right hand of the Father. As Peter wrote, Jesus has gone into heaven, He is at God s right hand with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him (1 Peter 3:22; see 1 Tim. 3:16). While the term cloud is used of normal, everyday weather-related phenomena (Luke 12:54), in the New Testament clouds are usually associated with the power and presence of God and/or eschatological events (see Luke 9:28-36; Matt. 24:30). Clouds are associated with the presence and power of God in the Old Testament as well. A few examples include: God led the Israelites out of Egypt going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Ex. 13:21). God appeared to Moses, Aaron, and the Israelites in a cloud that displayed His glory to them (16:10; 19:9; 24:16). When the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle (tent of meeting), a cloud covered the tent (Ex. 40:34 38; Num. 9:15 22). Finally, God s presence appeared above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant in a cloud (Lev. 16:2). [Verses 10-11] The actual ascension of Jesus is detailed in a single verse. The primary focus is not on the event, as significant as that was, but rather on the message of the two heavenly messengers. Just as Jesus had redirected the focus of His disciples previously (Acts 1:7 8), now the two angels redirect the disciples focus away from the miraculous ascension of their Lord with the question, Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? Jesus was gone, into the cloud and out of their sight. The time had come for the disciples to stop gazing at the sky and redirect their attention to the task at hand which Jesus had given them witnessing about all they had seen, culminating in the taking of Jesus into heaven. However, the reality of Jesus ascension serves to give weight to the promise that the angels spoke to the disciples concerning Jesus return. Jesus would return in the same way in which He had gone, in a cloud with power and great glory (Luke 21:27). Jesus promised His disciples that He was going away to prepare a place for them and that He would return for them, to take them to the Father s house (John 14:2-3). The Book of Revelation tells of that glorious day when the body of Christ will gather together with Jesus at the marriage feast of the Lamb (Rev. 19:6-9). It further details Jesus return as conquering King and Ruler over all the nations (vv. 11 16). The promise of Jesus eventual return is as much a fact and reality as was His going into heaven. The Son of God who first came in peace, mercy, and humility to bring salvation will return in righteousness, judgment, and glory. However, in order for that event to come to pass, the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations (Mark 13:10). BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 87
5 minutes LIVE IT OUT Notes GUIDE: Direct group members to page 74 of the PSG. Encourage them to consider the following responses to the truth of Jesus ascension and His eventual return: > > Plug in. Begin each day by asking the Holy Spirit to make Himself known in your life. Pray that He will offer clear directions as you weigh options and make decisions. > > Research. Look through articles, sermons, podcasts, or books in order to broaden your understanding of the Holy Spirit and His role in your life. > > Let go. Our future is in heaven with Jesus. Therefore, choose to let go of something a possession, a grudge, a way of life that keeps you tethered to this world. Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the conclusion from page 74 of the PSG: You don t know what your last words in this life will be. No one does. However, you can know here and now that you re never alone. God Himself His Holy Spirit lives in you! PRAY: On behalf of your group, affirm that you ve heard and accepted Jesus charge to be His witnesses to the world. Ask that God s Spirit would empower you to be active in your role as witnesses this very day. 88 SeSSion 7
My group's prayer requests Additional suggestions for specific groups (women, men, boomers, and singles) are available at BibleStudiesForLife.com/blog. And for free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/BibleStudiesForLife. Afloat and Alone I don t spend a lot of time on boats, but whenever I find myself on the water, I m always a little amazed at the power of the current. It s one of those forces that s always there, no matter how still and pristine a body of water might seem, still churning and moving below the surface. Imagine with me that you re on a boat on one of those clear, warm, early summer days. The clouds are few, and the wind is even less, so you cruise out to the middle of the lake on what seems like a sheet of glass. To continue reading Afloat and Alone from HomeLife magazine, visit BibleStudiesforLife.com/articles. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 89