Last week we only made it through the first half of the message. So……this week, we will continue in Acts 1:9-11and then next week – Part 2.
Here is where we continue the message remembering His appearance to the women, disciples, and many others before His Ascension.
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!”
