MESSAGE NOTES BIG IDEA: Jesus’ followers are filled with joy knowing his ascension completed his earthly mission and signified his enthronement as their heavenly priest and king. APOSTLES CREED On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father and he will come to judge the living and the dead. Luke 24:50-53 (NLT) 50 Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. 53 And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. Five Reasons Jesus’s Ascension Fills You With Life Changing Joy Jesus told us he is . Acts 1:1-3 1 In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. Cultivate a desire to depart and be with Christ. Jesus told us he is . 1:4-7 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. Remind yourself : I’m never alone. Jesus told us he is . 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Seek to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told us he is in . 1:9-11 “After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven…” The ascension enthroned Jesus at the father’s right hand. Hebrews 1:3 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. Revelation 3:21 “I . . . conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne” Psalm 110:1 “The Lord says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.’” The ascension allows Jesus to continue his priestly work for us. Hebrews 4:14 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. Hebrews 8:1 8 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. Romans 8:34 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Hebrews 7:25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. 1 John 2:1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. Take heart and… ...approach God boldly. ...remember that Jesus is presently reigning as king and remains active and engaged in our world and our lives. Jesus told us he is . Acts 1:11 …they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”” The ascended Jesus will return as King and Judge. Join in the Spirit’s mission. Set your sights on the realities of heaven. Colossians 3:1–4 (NLT) “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”