Most of us know some if not all of the events that took place after our Lord’s Resurrection. It seems worthwhile to hi-light them in this message. So….let’s read Acts 1:3-11 and unpack the verses.
3 “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
I. We See Him Appearing. Verse 3
a. The Period In Which He Appeared.
There are two “forty” day experiences in the life of our Lord. The first forty day experience is seen at the beginning of his ministry and was a period of temptation.
The second forty day experience follows his resurrection, and was a period of triumph!
b. The People To Whom He Appeared.
The word tells us what our risen Lord was doing during these 40 days following the resurrection.
Verse 3 ……”He presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”
He appeared to the women as they departed from the tomb. Matthew 28:9
“Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him.”
He appeared to ten of the disciples. Thomas was missing. John 20:24
“Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.”
He later appeared to all eleven as they ate. Mark 16:14
“Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.”
He appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. John 21:1-2
“Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee. It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.”
He appeared to Cleopas and another man as they walked on the road to Emmaus. Luke 24:15
“As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them;”
“After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.”
c. The Purpose For Which He Appeared.
1. He gave certainty to his disciples.
2. He gave commandments to his disciples.
3. He gave comfort to his disciples.
I am with you always………
II. We See Him Ascending! Verse 9
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.”
a. He ascended to a position.
Hebrews 10:12 “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,”
Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
Why did the Son of God ascend? He is seated at the right hand of God, and there he intercedes on our behalf. There is only one who serves now as our priest, and that is the ascended Lord!
b. He ascended with a promise.
John 16:7 “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”
The Lord ascended so that we might have the presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling us.
c. He ascended to make preparations.
John 14:2-3“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”
He is making preparations for our arrival.
III. We See Him Approaching! Verse 11
“This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
Our Lord was crucified on the cross for our sins, was buried, was raised after three days, and nights, showed himself alive for 40 days after his resurrection, was received up into heaven……..and one day he’s coming again! The day of his return is approaching! It’s closer now than ever before!
As our Lord ascended they stood gazing up into heaven after him. They looked at him as though it was goodbye, and if they would never see him again. But the angel of God let it be known until them that he was coming again! We have not seen the last of Jesus! He is coming again!
This then begs the question: Are we living a life that says to the world “He Is Coming!”
