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Home , Acts 5, Ascension of Jesus, Blessing, The Promise (musical)

Outline Notes and References – The blessing of the Ascension of I A Sadler, Chairman – Free Grace Evangelistic Association Reading v 36 - 53 “And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them. And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of , and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at . And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. And he led them out as far as to , and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into . And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing . Amen.” The Cross of At Calvary Jesus was lifted up upon the cross, suffered shame and unspeakable agony. However, through the Lord’s suffering and sacrifice upon the cross the one acceptable offering for sin was made. • “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3 v 14-17) • “And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.” (John 19 v 37) • “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto .” ( v 28) At the death of Jesus the disciples wept ( v 7) and the ungodly mocked. “And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself, and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save.” (Mark 15 v 29-31) However, the disciples sorrow was turned to joy when the Lord Jesus rose from the dead and appeared unto them. “Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24 v 45-47) Exaltation of Jesus Christ At the Ascension the Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven to be glorified. “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right . And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16 v 19 – 20) (Note: This is the true glorious ending of the according to Mark – but many corrupt versions end with v 8 “they were afraid.”) The Psalmist prophecies of the exaltation and triumphal entry into heaven of Jesus – “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” ( v 7) The disciples look up as Jesus ascends into heaven. Jesus is exalted in their sight. It is not Peter, James, John or Mary – not any , Pope or – but it is Christ who ascends and is exalted in the sight of the true of God as the head of the church. “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all 1 principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” (Ephesians 1 v 17-23) Blessing from the Exaltation and Christ 1. Jesus Christ has risen “far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion” (Ephesians 1 v 21) including those with whom we wrestle – “For we wrestle not against flesh and , but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6 v 12) Our victory is secured by the and ascension into heaven of Jesus. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15 v 57-58) 2. Eternal security and deliverance from all evil. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the , who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8 v 32-34) “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7 v 25) 3. The gifts of repentance and forgiveness of sins. “Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” ( v 31) 4. Setting of the captives free – liberty – and all our daily benefits and gifts. The Lord’s presence as Immanuel “God with us” by the . “Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them. Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” (Psalm 68 v 18-19) The word “Selah” means to pause, to think on these things. 5. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit must follow the ascension and glorification of Christ in heaven. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in , and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.” ( v 8-9) “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” (Luke 24 v 49) 6. The callings and gifts in the church, edifying of the body of Christ, growth in grace, unity in the faith and love – all flow from the ascension. “Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all , that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, ; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4 v 8 – 16)

Conclusion Jesus Christ will return in like manner as He ascended. “Ye men of , why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1 v 11) The church and early true believer is to bear witness of Jesus and the Gospel; “ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1 v 8) We are to watch and await His coming. “For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” (Mark 13 v 34-37) 2