Christ’s Ascension
John 16:5 “But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 “But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 “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.
Introduction
This morning as we turn our attention to Christ’s Ascension, I want us to take a moment to understand the importance of this event.
Too often, we as the people of God, rush from the Resurrection straight to Pentecost and all but ignore the Ascension. However, if we stop and listen to Scripture what we find is that the blessings of Pentecost are the direct result of the Ascension. In fact, Scripture says that, without the Ascension there would be no Pentecost.
Therefore, this morning I want us to ask two basic questions
· Why is the Ascension so important
· What difference does the Ascension make in my life today
Why is the Ascension So Important?
A] First of all the Ascension underscores the completion of salvation
Hebrews 10:11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD,
B] However at its heart the Ascension is fundamentally a presentation. That is, Christ ascends to heaven in order to present Himself and the new life He accomplished to God. [Notice then the progression: a sacrifice is made, it is deemed acceptable, and then it is presented to God].
Notice the result: the Ascension means that Christ, our all sufficient sacrifice and new life, is continually before God on our behalf. As such, God now responds to His people in light of Christ and His completed work.
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;
Importance: notice the two key ways that God responds to us in light of Christ:
1] The first way that God responds to us in light of Christ’s Sacrifice is by seating Christ (our representative) at the Father’s right hand as King over all creation.
Ephesians 1:20 The Father raised Christ from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, 22 And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
Importance: The Ascension means that our representative, the one who has our interest in mind, who champions our cause, and who bears our human nature is in office and is directing the whole of creation and every detail/event of existence in light of God’s purpose and plan for His people FN#1.
2] The second way that God responds to us in light of Christ’s Sacrifice is by pouring out the Holy Spirit on us. Notice then, on Pentecost God poured out His Holy Spirit to seal and apply the new life of salvation to His people.
Ephesians 1:13 you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Importance: notice at once, the two things accomplished by the Ascension (Christ’s reign and the coming of the Holy Spirit) mean that inside and out Christ is unfolding His salvation and Kingdom on behalf of His people. As such, Salvation and Kingdom are the ultimate deciding factors in all you encounter.
The Significance of the Ascension in Everyday life:
1. The Ascension grounds our daily walk in certain hope- in other words, because the One we are following governs all creation and because the grace that saves us will not fail, we know that faithfulness is never in vain and trusting God will never leave us short.
Romans 10:11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.”
2. The Ascension defines the very heart of our daily work- if the Ascension means that Christ is governing all creation and unfolding His plan for His people, then our mission, our labor, and our everyday lives are a share in the work of that reign (the Ascension then is at the core of our daily life). Our everyday life is a direct sharing/participation/inclusion in Christ’s reign
Matthew 28:18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations,
3. Finally, the Ascension means that the security/certainty of our future, our standing before God, as well as our forgiveness, healing, and victory has already been received, accepted, and seated at God’s right hand.
Colossians 3:1 keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. FN#2
Bottom line: the Ascension is a big deal and a vital part of the salvation that Christ has accomplished for us. As such, the Ascension (inside and out) establishes the definitive context in which the whole of our life takes place. At every turn we share/participate in Christ’s amazing Reign.
Footnotes
1] Consider the following descriptions of Christ’s reign:
Psalm 110:2 The LORD will stretch forth Thy strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Thine enemies.”
Hebrews 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.” For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him.
1 Corinthians 15:25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
Notice at once the picture of Christ’s reign that Scripture provides: Scripture has always promised that Christ’s reign will be a process and an unfolding of the salvation/Kingdom He has fully accomplished. Thus he will reign in the midst of His enemies. In turn, He must reign until He has fully implemented His Father’s Kingdom/salvation. As such, for now, we do not yet see all things in subjection to Him, even though they are and are being governed by His purpose. Not only that, notice the reason for this process and unfolding: think about it, had God blown everything up and immediately implemented the fullness of His Kingdom right after the Resurrection, none of us or any subsequent generations would have been included. Instead, God’s patience points to the lavishness of God’s Kingdom/salvation.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
Notice then the process of Christ’s reign exactly corresponds to the age and mission of the Church. Simply put, God’s patience provides the needed time for our mission, thus graciously allowing us to take part in this portion of Christ’s reign.
2] Over the last few weeks First John has underscored the certainty that is ours in prayer. Therefore, I decided to place this 4th significance of the Ascension in the footnotes to save on sermon time.
The Ascension underwrites the power and effectiveness of prayer- the confidence we have in prayer rests on the fact that Christ our full sacrifice is ever before the Father on our behalf. Not only that, Scripture assures us that Christ is before the Father interceding on your behalf. That is, Christ asks the Father to respond to your cries and needs with the fullness of the new life that He accomplished for you.
Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is He who died (Cross), yes, rather who was raised (Resurrection), who is at the right hand of God (Ascension), who indeed intercedes for us.