The book of Acts tells us that when Jesus Christ’s work on earth was done, he was taken up into heaven. Was the Ascension of Jesus a historical event or a metaphor for something else? If the Ascension really happened, what is the significance of Christ’s return to the heavenly realm? In what ways would it provide unquenchable hope to the followers of Jesus? Join Pastor Jim for a study of the Ascension of Jesus Christ from Acts 1:9-11.
Sermon Notes
The Ascension of Jesus Christ…
- Was this a historical event or just some kind of a legend/metaphor?
- Where did Jesus go that day?
- Where is Jesus now and what is He doing?
- What is the significance of the Ascension of Jesus Christ?
“Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.”
Romans 8:33-34
“which He (God) brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,” – Ephesians 1:20 “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.”
Colossians 3:1
“And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”
Hebrews 1:3
“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25
“who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.” – 1 Peter 3:22
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;”
1 John 2:1
The Ascension of Jesus Christ means we have:
1. Hope in a victorious Savior
2. The hope of heaven
“God’s beautiful but tantalizing world is too big for us, yet its satisfactions are too small. Since we were made for eternity, the things of time cannot fully and permanently satisfy.”
Derek Kidner
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 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.”
John 14:2-3
3. The hope of Christ’s return
“If you live in the light of Christ’s return each day of your life, it does wonders for your perspective.”
Chuck Swindoll
Hope Beyond the Culture
4. An advocate with the Father
“The early church did not say ‘Look at what the world is coming to! They said, ‘Look at what has come into the world!’”
Carl Henry
“The Lord, by his ascension into heaven, has opened up the access to the heavenly kingdom, which Adam had shut. For having entered it in our flesh, as it were in our name, it follows . . . that we are in a manner seated in heavenly places, not entertaining a mere hope of heaven, but possessing it in our [covenantal] head.”
John Calvin
Institutes of the Christian Religion