The Story Continues: Part III - The Ascension

ACTS 1:1-11

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” 

6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Acts 1:1–11). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Introduction:

Do you ever think about that feeling?

• The feeling they must have been feeling that day?

• To have Jesus right there - and then lose him!

• They had Jesus so close - then he was gone!

Jesus, for forty days, had been more alive than ever,  and they were spending so much time with him, then he leaves!

• That's got to be hard!

(Earlier in His ministry) As disciples were following Jesus:

• He's doing what Jesus does -

  • Healing sicknesses

  • Telling Parables

  • Delivering the possessed and oppressed

  • Miracles are happening - 

He looks at them and says:

"You know, you'd be a whole lot better off without me!"

John 16:7-15 

7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. 

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 16:7–15). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

“Jesus didn't come to make your life easier, he came to make your life meaningful”

He would tell them things like:

John 14:12-14

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 14:12–14). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

We have to understand how much better it is this way!

If you read The Book of Hebrews, thats the key idea through the majority of the book - Superior!

• In chapter one, SUPERIOR to angels

• In Chapter three, GREATER than Moses

• In Chapter five, BETTER than the High Priests

• In Chapter seven, SUPERIOR to Melchizedek

• In Chapter eight, a BETTER covenant

• In Chapter Ten, a GREATER sacrifice

• In Chapter 11, he is faith PERFECTED

• In Chapter 12, he is the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith

IT'S JUST BETTER THIS WAY!

Hebrews gives us such a look into the various aspects of the character of Christ:

We're gonna take two passages from Hebrews - notice these THREE things:

Jesus in his Humanity

Jesus as a High Priest

Jesus as the Son of God

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Hebrews 4:14–16). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Hebrew 7:25-28

25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Heb 7:25–27). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Jesus was a man!

1 Timothy 2:5

5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

The New King James Version. (1982). (1 Ti 2:5). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

• Hebrews 4:10 tells us that He was in all points tempted like we are, yet he never sinned.

He was a man. He walked this earth just like you and I - He knows what it is like:

• Nobody truly : “Knows how you feel”

However, Jesus (the man) has lived on both sides: 

• He was a man, and understands the pressure on the outside

• He is your creator and understands all the pressure on the inside

BUT HE WASN'T JUST A MAN

Jesus is our high priest!

• Those passages also tell us that he is our High Priest

  • *If you don't know the OLD TESTAMENT reference, that is the one who would offer a sin offering for the entire nation in the Holiest place of the temple (He was the only person allowed there)

Hebrews 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 

Look at the position of our High Priest currently:

Romans 8:33-34

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 8:33–34). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

So it is Christ, our high priest, who is pleading our case before the throne of God!

He is our advocate and intercessor, taking our need before God. 

Lastly, This one is important:

Jesus is the Son of God!

There is an OLD TESTAMENT concept known as a "Kinsman Redeemer" (Read the OT Book of Ruth)

• In simplest terms:

  • A kinsman redeemer was a relative who had the responsibility to act on behalf of a relative who was in danger, had a need, or somehow had developed a debt they could not pay

In Ruth, the kinsman redeemer is Boaz, who redeems Ruth (consequently, you find them in the geneology of Jesus.

• When I look into my own life, I was born into sin

• I needed somebody who could pay my ransom

• I have a kinsman (the very son of God) who payed for me to go free!

Here's the best part - when he bought me, He brought me into kinship with God!

Here's how we are going to leave it today:

“If  Christ THE MAN has the ability to relate to us and…

Jesus THE HIGH PRIEST  has the assignment of representing us…

It is Jesus THE SON OF GOD who has the authority to redeem you!”