“THE ASCENSION OF JESUS CHRIST”
Acts 1:9-11
April 14, 2002—FBC, Richland
In one of the Calvin and Hobbes cartoon strips, Calvin and Hobbes are lying under the shade of a tree on a hot summer day. Calvin, the hyperactive little boy, asks, “What if there is no heaven? What if this is all we get?” Hobbes, the tiger answers, “Well, if this is all we get I guess we’ll just have to accept it.” Calvin replies, “Yeah, but if I’m not going to be rewarded for my good deeds, I want to know it now.”
Life after death—immortality—seems to be on everyone’s mind these days. If I were picking a religion today, I would want one that spoke with clarity and authority about life beyond the grave.
Ironically, if you were to take a few months and study the writings of other religions, you would discover that the history of their founders stops abruptly with their death. Like everyone else their bodies wasted away in the grave. What are Confucius, Mohammed (Islam), and Krishna (Hindus) doing now? What are their plans for the future? Not even their most devoted followers know for sure!
The Christian faith is different. The written record of God’s Word and countless eyewitnesses confirm that Jesus Christ was God’s Son. He died on the cross for the sin of the entire human race. God raised Jesus from the dead bodily. These are the facts that set Him apart from every other religious leader in the world. The question remains—can He speak with clarity about life after death? Where is Jesus right now and what is He doing?
A bank in Binghamton, New York sent a floral arrangement to a business that had recently moved into a new building. There was a mix up at the florist, and the card sent with the arrangement read, “With our deepest sympathy.” The florist apologized, but became even more embarrassed when he learned that the floral arrangement sent to a funeral home read, “Congratulations on your new location.”
I have good news for you today. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, He moved to a new location. He ascended to heaven! Furthermore, the Bible records what Jesus is doing now and what His plans are for the future.
Today, we are going to consider the ascension of Jesus Christ and its relevance for our present life and for eternity. Turn in your Bible to Acts 1 and beginning with verse 9 look at the text:
“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them; and they also said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.’” [Acts 1:9-11]
The disciples of Jesus visibly saw Him rise from the ground. The Lord, clothed in His resurrected body, moved from this material world into the spiritual world. His followers were stunned. Two angels appeared to them and told them that Jesus had been taken up into heaven. Life would go on for these disciples, but they would never be the same. The ascension of Jesus Christ changed everything for them and us. Let’s look first at…
I. THE MAJESTY OF THE ASCENDED CHRIST
Have you ever considered what it must have been like when Jesus entered heaven after His death, burial, and resurrection? John’ gospel records a prayer Jesus prayed before He died. Here’s what Jesus prayed, “I glorified Thee on the earth, having accomplished the work which Thou hast given Me to do. And now, glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I had with Thee before the world was.” [Jn. 17:4-5]
Jesus Christ is eternal; He was never created. So, before He came to earth, He existed in spirit form with all the glory of God’s eternal Son. When Jesus was clothed in human flesh, He laid aside His glory in heaven. Now, He would come back to receive His glory!
I want you to get the picture here. Paul tells us, “When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men.” [Eph. 4:8] I believe that Jesus was like a victorious general returning from battle with every Old Testament saint forming His royal entourage. Through the spirit realm, this glorious march made its way to heaven.
David gives us an idea of how heaven prepared for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. He wrote, “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in! Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” [Ps. 24:7-10]
Angels fell to their faces as Jesus came through the gates in royal procession. The Old Testament saints of God gasped at the beauty and glory of heaven. They too must have joined the angels in thunderous praise and worship. The glory that had belonged to Jesus for all of eternity engulfed Him like the royal garment of a king.
Jesus Christ has crossed over death into life. This is the Bible’s report of His majesty in heaven. Is this not the kind of God you would want to serve and love? Let’s look secondly at…
II. THE MASTERY OF THE ASCENDED CHRIST
The Bible is clear about what happened when Jesus arrived in heaven. The description of the writer of Hebrews is breathtaking. Listen to his words, “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 made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” [Heb. 1:3] Mark tells us, “So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.” [Mk. 16:19]
The right hand of God is significant. It is the place of power and preeminence. Jesus who humbled Himself like no one who has ever lived now has been exalted like no other person. Paul’s words give insight here, “These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” [Eph. 1:19-23] Jesus, in His glorified human body, now occupies the throne. He is Lord!
This is the word from the other side of the grave. Jesus Christ has no rival to His power in this world or in the spirit world. He is eternally triumphant and He will reign forever more! Don’t you want to believe in an all-powerful God who is the undisputed King of Kings?
There is one more thing I want you to see. Look at…
III. THE MINISTRY OF THE ASCENDED CHRIST
Okay, we have examined the majesty and the mastery of the ascended Christ. But, the question is, does He have a continuing ministry?
During Jesus’ three-year ministry on earth, His geographical earthly dimension limited him. But, after His ascension to the right hand of the Father, His universal heavenly dimension expanded His ministry. So, exactly what is Jesus doing now?
Jesus closed sin’s account. The writer of Hebrews observes, “And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” [Heb. 10:11-14] If you have believed in Jesus, your sin account has been closed forever! Quit beating yourself up. You have received the righteousness of Christ!
Jesus represents you as a believer before the Father. You might be thinking, “How can I be saved if I continue to sin? Doesn’t sin disqualify my salvation? John spoke to this when He wrote, “My little children, I am writing these to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate before the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but for those of the whole world.” [1 Jn. 2:1-2] When you and I sin, the Lord Jesus presents His blood marks as the payment for our sin. That’s why the writer of Hebrews says, “…He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [Heb. 7:25] True salvation cannot be lost because of Jesus death, resurrection, and continuing ministry before the Father!
Jesus prays for you. Do you ever feel as if life has caved in on you? You don’t know what to do or what to pray. Listen to what Paul wrote, “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.” [Ro. 8:34] Stop and think about this. Jesus Christ, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, is praying for you. He wants you to be a successful. He wants you to finish the race that is set before you. What a prayer partner! This is why the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.” [Heb. 4:16] We have access to the Father. He cares for us and Jesus prays for us. What more could you ask?
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to live within the believer. Jesus told His disciples, “But now I am going to Him who sent Me….But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” [Jn. 16:5,7] If you are a believer, your body has become the temple of the Holy Spirit. He has unlimited power to grant victory, success, freedom, and abundant spiritual fruit to you. What potential you have as a result of this special gift from the ascended Christ.
Finally, Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for you. He told His heartbroken disciples, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 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.” [Jn. 14:1-2] Can you imagine what our Lord is preparing for us? That’s how much He loves you!
Wow! Don’t you want to serve a God who still loves you and ministers to you eternally? Don’t you want to give your heart to a God who has supreme authority and power and wants to make your life better? Friend, that God’s name is Jesus!
CONCLUSION
This life is not all there is. Jesus Christ has spoken with clarity and authority about life after death. He ascended into heaven. He stepped from this world into the next world. Today, we have seen the majesty, the mastery, and the ministry of the ascended Christ.
In the first century, His disciples were changed forever. We should be radically changed ourselves as we:
¨ Respond to the Lordship of Jesus with submission, reverence, and awe. Take into consideration His majesty and mastery as you live your life as a believer. Live for Jesus!
¨ Recognize who you are as a believer. You are a joint heir with Him, and you are seated with Him in heavenly places. You mean everything to Jesus. Look at how His ministry in heaven is geared to you experiencing abundant life. Quit beating yourself up. Lift up your head and live like a child of the King!
¨ Receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Can you think of anyone anywhere who is more qualified to be your God? Go ahead today and turn from your sins and place your faith in Him alone. You won’t be sorry you did, because He will forgive you and launch a ministry on your behalf before the Father.
