Sermon Central
-
Ascension Day.
Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 6, 2024 (message contributor)
Summary: Jesus was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
ASCENSION DAY.
Jesus appeared to the eleven, and “upbraided them with their UNBELIEF” because they “BELIEVED NOT” them which had seen Him after He was risen (Mark 16:14; cf. Luke 24:36-43).
The passage fast-forwards to the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; cf. Matthew 28:19; Luke 24:47-48; Acts 1:8).
The writer factors in other details: “he that BELIEVES and is baptised shall be saved; and he that BELIEVES NOT shall be damned” (Mark 16:16; cf. John 3:16; John 3:18; John 3:36).
“And these signs shall follow them that BELIEVE” (Mark 16:17a).
“In my name they will cast out demons &c.” (Mark 16:17-18). Jesus was in no doubt as to His own divine authority, and these things did indeed follow when people did BELIEVE.
They did cast out demons (Acts 8:7; Acts 19:11-12).
They spoke with new tongues (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:45-46; Acts 19:6).
One accidentally picked up a serpent, and survived (Acts 28:3-6).
Drinking any deadly thing and not suffering harm? (cf. Luke 10:19: 'and nothing shall by any means hurt you').
They laid hands on the sick, and they recovered (Acts 28:8; cf. James 5:14-15).
After giving His NOW BELIEVING disciples the terms of the Great Commission, Jesus “was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19). His authority resides there. Our authority emanates from there.
“And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following” (Mark 16:20). The work goes on, and will go on, until the gospel has been preached to all nations; ‘and then shall the end come’ (Matthew 24:14).
