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Sermon on the Ascension of the Lord | The Ascension of Christ

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Sermon on the Ascension of the Lord

Sermon on the Ascension of the Lord — Sermon outline by Tom Moore on the purpose and meaning of the ascension of Christ.

INTRODUCTION:

A. In our series of studies on Christ we have had lessons on each of the following topics:

1. Pre-Existence, Virgin Birth, Baptism, Temptations, Miracles, Teaching, Betrayal & Arrest, Trials, Death, Burial, and Resurrection.

2. In this lesson we will look at His Ascension and next Sunday close this series by looking at Christ’s Second Coming

B. Forty days after His resurrection, Jesus assembled with His disciples at the Mount of Olives and, after giving them some final instructions, the text says, “while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

C. Though we often summarize the foundational facts of the gospel as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:1-4), the ascension is another crucial event in God’s scheme of redemption.

DISCUSSION: [ discussion of this sermon on the ascension of the lord ]

A. THE ASCENSION WAS AN ANSWER TO JESUS’ PRAYER

1. John 17:5

2. Philippians 2:6

a. 2 Corinthians 8:9

b. Jesus left all the splendor of Heaven to live as a lowly man upon the earth

3. At His ascension – He returned to His prior glory

B. WITHOUT THE ASCENSION, THE “MYSTERY OF GODLINESS” WOULD BE INCOMPLETE

1. 1 Timothy 3:16

2. A “mystery” in the biblical sense is something previously hidden, but now revealed (in the Bible)

3. “Godliness” is religious piety.

4. Thus, the “mystery of godliness” is that system of religion which God has revealed within His word.

5. Aspects of this “mystery of godliness”

a. God was manifested in the flesh (incarnation)

b. Justified in the Spirit (vindication of His righteousness at the resurrection, by the power of the Holy Spirit)

c. Seen by angels (perhaps heavenly angels who witnessed His triumph; or angels in gen. sense of messengers, i.e. apostles and other witnesses)

d. Preached among the Gentiles (this was Paul’s special mission)

e. Believed on in the world (much positive response to the gospel)

f. Received up in glory (the ascension, with its accompanying exaltation)

C. AT THE ASCENSION JESUS RECEIVED HIS KINGDOM

1. Daniel 7:13-14

a. Daniel foresaw the ascension of Christ to the Father (“Ancient of Days”)

b. He saw that at this time Christ would receive a kingdom

2. Acts 2:30-33 – Peter affirms that Jesus reigns upon David’s throne, being exalted to God’s right hand

D. THE ASCENSION WAS A VICTORY PROCESSION FOR JESUS

1. Ephesians 4:8

2. This a quote from Psalm 68:18, and in this Psalm the king is praised as he returns victorious from battle, displaying his vanquished prisoners, etc.

3. Colossians 2:15 – in the cross (and subsequent resurrection and ascension), Jesus triumphed over all the forces of evil and making “a public spectacle of them”

E. JESUS ASCENDED IN ORDER TO MAKE ATONEMENT

1. Hebrews 9:24

2. Jesus entered into the true Holy of Holies to offer His own blood to God

3. Having finished this priestly work, He “sat down at the right hand of the majesty on high” (Heb. 1:3) NOTE: priests always did their work standing.

F. JESUS ASCENDED TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR US

1. John 14:2-3

2. If we would have that home, we must follow the “way”

a. Jesus is the way – John 14:4-6

b. Just a few hours earlier, Jesus had sent the disciples to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water (Mark 14:13-15).

1) They were to go to the owner of the house, and they would be shown an upper room prepared for Passover.

2) Likewise they (and we) must follow Jesus to the heavenly “upper room” which Jesus is now preparing

3. We are not left “on our own” to find that way . . .

G. JESUS ASCENDED SO THAT HE COULD SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT

1. John 16:5-7

2. The Spirit (the Helper) guided the apostles into “all truth” (John 16:13)

3. That truth is recorded for us on the pages of the NT

4. This allows for no further revelation – if men are receiving direct communication from God today, then the apostles did not receive “all truth.”

H. THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST WILL BE FOLLOWED BY HIS RETURN

1. Acts 1:9-11

2. Remember John 14:3, Jesus said, if (or, since) I go away, I will come again

3. In our next lesson in this series will deal more extensively with the 2nd coming; but for now, let us realize that…

4. Finally in this sermon on the ascension of the Lord…

I. THE ASCENSION OF JESUS PRE-FIGURES OUR OWN ASCENSION TO MEET HIM WHEN HE RETURNS

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

2. The faithful dead will be raised to join the faithful living as they ascend into the clouds to meet the Lord in the air

3. Remember, John 14:2-3, Jesus will take us back to that place He is preparing for us.

CONCLUSION: [ conclusion of this sermon on the ascension of the lord ]

A. Did you realize that the Bible has so much to say about the ascension?

B. Because of the ascension, we may rest assured:

1. That Jesus made full atonement for our sins

2. That He is now reigning as King of kings and Lord of lords

3. That He is preparing a place for us

4. That He will come to take us back to that heavenly home, at which time we will ascend to meet Him.

C. Are you ready for that day?

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