The Importance of the Ascension
Acts 1:1-11
1 Timothy 3:1-“And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.”
1. The transition the ascension accomplished
Verse 9
Luke 24:50-51-“And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.”
Luke 24:52-“And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.”
Mark 16:19-“So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.”
Ephesians 4:8-“Therefore He says: ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.”
Psalm 24:7-10-“Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.”
2. The message the ascension sends
Hebrews 9:24-“For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.”
Hebrews 10:10-12-“By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
Acts 2:34-36-“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself: ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’ Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
Romans 14:9-“For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”
Philippians 2:10-“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”
3. The ministry the ascension provides
Hebrews 6:19-20-“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Romans 8:34-“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”