7. “The Ascension” (Acts 1)

 

Acts 1

Intro: 

So like 15 years ago – when Erin and were living in Philadelphia and doing grad school, I got this recipe for chili-con-carne.  And when the weather gets a bit colder, a nice bowl of chili is a lovely meal.  This was not your normal every day, easy chili.  It wasn’t like the crock pot chili I make now, which is quick and easy – Good, but nothing to rave about.  

This recipe starts, not with oil and cooking ground beef – it starts with Bacon!   Fry up some bacon – then set it aside.  That’s going in the chili later.  Now take that bacon grease and use that to brown the meat  – oh yeah!!  And we’re not using ground beef, we’re using beef cubes – these chunks of beef cooked low and slow over time result in tender and juicy bites of meat.  

Then we get some onions going – another table spoon of bacon grease – cook up the those onions and add garlic…… then chop up some jalapeno pepper for some heat to the chili and get that simmering too…… Add in the rest of the spices – chili powder, cumin, oregano, thyme.

Then we get everything in the pot – the meat, the bacon, tomatoes, lime juice, sugar, and some water – we bring it all to a simmer and we let it cook for a few hours……  30 mins before time to eat – we add the beans….. get the corn bread ready from the oven

We sit down to take the first bite – Blahhhh – bland……like sort of you can taste things, it was like the Le Croix of chili – a faint, bland chili taste……… What did I forget? 

Salt! Chef Gordon Ramsey would say I committed the cardinal sin of cooking meat – I forgot to salt the meat.  

One ingredient.  I neglected one thing  – Salt – and it affected everything else.  The rest of the flavors were dulled and blunted – it should have been exploding with significant flavor and yet…….because one ingredient was missing it was blaaanhhhhhh……… 

Sometimes Christianity can feel or be perceived by people as —- Blaaaahhhhhh. 

it doesn’t explode with significance – it doesn’t have power and life-altering meaning.  In the first century world it was radical and shocking – it turned the world upside down…… sometimes in our world it seems like just a nice thing to have in our lives if we’re the kind of person that’s “into religion” and that sort of thing.  

What are we missing?

The early church, the Christians in the book of Acts – as they thought and imagined their own story, as they lived together as a community following Jesus – they had an ingredient, they had a piece of the story, and essential piece, that sometimes is missing from how we might think of the story…. And how we think of…. our own story.  

And that essential ingredient, that essential part of the story is – The Ascension of Jesus. 

In the text that was just read – after Jesus gives his final words to the apostles, v. 8, that they are to be his witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”, in v. 9 and 10 we read that Jesus was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight….   And he ascends to heaven. 

You may wonder – what’s so significant about that? 

I’ve known people, throughout my life, some who don’t believe in God, some who do believe in God, but don’t believe in Jesus – they are not Christian – and many of them are lovely people, people I would consider friends.  And like many people in our world, they want to be genuinely open minded.  But sometimes in honest conversations with these people that I’ve had over the years – on the one hand there is an acknowledgment of how they can see good in Christianity.  

So they might say – You know, I see how a belief in God can be good and help people and I know spirituality is important to many – I can see that, I can respect that.  Others may say –  I can see the value in believing God loves us and forgives us and calls us to love others.  

At times someone has said something like – I believe in God too, I mean, look at the world – someone had to make this.  And I think Jesus is great – Big fan of Jesus – his teachings, his example, truly inspiring……. But then they say something like……… “I just don’t think it applies to everyone.  I don’t think everyone needs Jesus. Other people might find spiritual meaning or wisdom in other ways.”  

This may even be honestly where some of you are this morning.  Here’s what I want you to notice.  This way thinking about Jesus and Christianity is primarily about how it is beneficial to us – how it makes us feel, or how it is useful.  

This way of thinking sees Christianity as a way to get spiritual insights, wisdom, spiritual practices, and morality – a way to live – and if that’s all Christianity is – they are right – there a lot of other religions and spiritualities out there.

But there’s something missing.  And the Ascension of Jesus shows us what’s missing.  

Because the Ascension of Jesus points us to a God – who isn’t just a generic spiritual force that we can tap into however we like. Rather it points us to a real person – it points us to a God who gets personally and directly involved in this world – in dirt, and time, and space.  

The Ascension reminds us that the good news of Jesus is a message that is earthy and historical – lived in the world that we live in. 

It draws us to remember that what we’re talking about is the reality that according to this claim – God took on flesh and was born into this world.  That Jesus Christ who was fully God and fully man – grew up and lived in the world we live.  

When he suffered on the cross – real flesh was pierced, and real blood was spilled.  When he died, his human heart stopped beating.  And on that glorious first Easter morning, when he was raised from the dead, he was raised bodily; he was raised in glory never to die again.  And in the Ascension the glorified, resurrected Jesus – fully God and still fully man ascended into heaven and he’s there right now.  

And this, if we are thinking clearly, changes everything.  

Something decisive has happened that has forever changed history – the story of the world – the story of our lives.  

The last two weeks we’ve said that a central thread of the Biblical Story – that is, the Bible telling us what is the true story of the world and all of our lives  – a central thread is that humanity was made from the very beginning to have this incredibly close and intimate relationship with God – where we all knew God, and all of us trusted God, and we did all of life through that secure bond of love with God our Father.  And from that relationship with God we were meant to rule, to rule like kings – royal children of God.  

But we sinned, we turned our back on God, we didn’t trust him, we didn’t love him, and the result is all the mess and sadness we experience now in this world, broken by sin.  But God in his grace, made a promise, on that same day when sin ruined everything, that he would redeem us and make all things right again.  

But a reoccurring question, throughout the Biblical story is – How? How can we be made right again?  How can we get back what we lost with God?  In various ways again and again the question hangs out there – How can we draw near to God – we who are still sinners?  How can God dwell with us?  Who is able to ascend the mountain and enter into God’s presence? 

And the Ascension of Jesus tells us ……. 

A human being is right now in the presence of God. A decisive turning point in the story of the whole world has happened as human flesh entered the presence of God – As the apostles are looking up, watching as Jesus is taken up to heaven – promises from the OT, like from Psalm 2 and Daniel 7, and Psalm 110 – are beginning to be fulfilled.  

Here is a human being – one with God, brought into the very presence of God – to rule with God.  

And this person – Jesus – the God/man – He represents us. By faith we are united to him, connected to him, in him – we are brought with him, we are lifted up with him into God’s presence.   

You see – this was the heavenly reality – the essential ingredient that the early followers of Jesus had fixed in their minds and hearts.   

(Outline) And Ascension of Jesus is meant to change our lives as well.  It’s meant to be an essential point of reference for our story – that we might live into the story of Acts.  And so this morning, with our remaining time, I’d like us to consider 3 ways the Ascension does this –  And those 3 are – The Presence of Jesus, The Power of Jesus, and the Promise of Jesus. 

Presence of Jesus – 

This might sound strange, because the Ascension seems like the Absence of Jesus – 

In verses 9 and 10 we read that Jesus was lifted up – taken up into heaven – he leaves.  

So how can I say the ascension means the presence of Jesus?  

There’s a scene in the Gospel of John.  John 20 – it is a beautiful scene.  Mary Magdalene – one of the women who followed Jesus, she is at the tomb of Jesus on Easter morning and she’s very upset because Jesus’ body is gone.  And then all of a sudden the resurrected Jesus comes and calls her by name – and do you remember what she does? – She cries out in joy – “Rabbi!” and then she grabs hold of Jesus – 

And you must imagine how tightly she was holding him – she thought Jesus was dead, and now he is alive.  And so she holds on to him like you would, if you lost the most important person in your life and then suddenly had them back – you would hold them tight so that you would never lose them again……. 

Do you remember what Jesus says to her?   “Do not cling to me..”    WHY?  

“Don’t cling to me…….Because I have not yet ascended to the Father – “

Jesus is saying – Mary I know you want to hold on to me so you never lose me again, you want to freeze time and have me close like before I died, but what you don’t understand is when I ascend I will be with you in a greater and more permanent way.  I will be with you and you will be connected to me and no one will be able to sever that connection.  

You see, during his earthly ministry, 2000 years ago, Jesus was present – but that presence was localized.  If Jesus was in Galilee, that meant he wasn’t in Jerusalem.  But when Jesus ascends, he pours out the Holy Spirit – so that those who believe in him and follow him – are always connected to him.  

It is the ascension that triggers this new reality and experience for God’s people – Notice in v. 4-5 that the Spirit is called the promise of the Father – v. 4 the apostles are told to “wait for the promise of the Father.”  And then v. 5 Jesus says – John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Jesus, when he ascends is enthroned as King – And the Father and the Son – send the Spirit – the Spirit is poured out on everyone who believes in Jesus – that we would be forever connected to God, that no matter where we are, or where we go, or what happens – we have God’s presence.   

This is true of every believer in Jesus.  But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing for us to do.  

(ILLUST) You might think of a couple who is married – they have a union that is true and real by virtue of being married, and yet that relationship can become sweeter, and more intimate, and more close over years and years through listening to each other, spending time with each other, making time to laugh and enjoy each other – Or the relationship can feel more stale and distant because life has gotten in the way, the relationship has been neglected, they’ve not sought to listen and connect.  

And there’s a similar dynamic when we’re talking about the presence of Jesus.  While a Christian’s connection to the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit can never be severed, our experience and enjoyment of God’s presence can ebb and flow.  Over the course of our life – we are meant to grow in this relationship and connection to God – We can grow in experiencing his presence and his love.  

And it’s through things like what we’re doing right now.  

• When we set aside time each week to come together – to give our attention and our imagination to God’s word and the good news of Jesus – God is at work shaping our minds, renewing them, re-ordering our lives and priorities according to his word. 
• When we read or listen to the Bible throughout the week and we seek to honestly listen to God and take his word in – God is present and at work in us .  
• When we pray – when we make time to stop, to pause, and acknowledge our need for God, our need for his help, his wisdom, his grace.  When we bring our anxieties and sadness to God – asking for his help.  He meets us and is at work.  
• When we get together for a meal with other Christians and share our lives with each other – pray for each other – love and serve each other in this body – God is present and at work. 
• When we come to the table like we will later in the service and we take hold of God’s promise by faith – God is present. 

The same God, the same Jesus, who poured out the Spirit on the early believers is here, present with us now. 

And he’s not just present – but he is present with POWER – 

The Ascension triggers not just the presence of Jesus, but the Power of Jesus.  

If you look at our text again, Jesus says v. 8  – “You will receive power when the Holy spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses.”  

Now the first century world knew power – the most clear example if you just looked around – was the Roman Empire – but this was a power expressed through violence and brutality to establish a “so called peace.”  

But the power of Jesus is of a whole different order.  When the OT prophets spoke about the Holy Spirit coming, when God’s ancient promises would be fulfilled – this power is the power to bring wholeness.  It’s power to bring real peace.  It’s the kind of power that can cleanse hearts and take people who are hard-hearted toward God and give them new hearts.  It is not a change of correcting some bad behavior, it is a profound and renewal from the inside out.  

It is peace and wholeness and joy in community as people from different backgrounds, different ethnicities, different social status are brought together into one new humanity.  

It is the power of healing and things being made right.  

And this is the power that we see in Acts.  As the Apostles witness to Jesus – as they preach the word of God, the good news of Jesus – Jesus the king is at work drawing people to himself.  

And this too – is happening today.  Though sometimes it might not feel this way – we are in this same story, and the Ascended King is at work in us.  Sometimes that power may not seem as flashy, but it is no less real – 

If you are a Christian, it is because Jesus in his Power called you to himself.   His word pierced your heart – you recognized your sin and need for God – and you recognized God’s abundant mercy in Jesus.  It might have been through a sermon, through a Bible study, through a friend or parent sharing the good news – but however it happened – The Power of Jesus drew you to himself.  

If you step back and take stock of your life – consider the power of Jesus.  Consider what might be decades of Jesus powerfully at work, changing you, helping to you repent of sin, helping you to love, helping you to grow in faith.  

Consider his work in others.  It is amazing the way Jesus sustains and grows us, grows communities of his followers – we come together week in and week out to do these rather simple and non-flashy things….. and yet he is present and powerfully working among us.    

And you know, while it might not always be flashy – sometimes it is big and surprising – A few of you know this – but my father became a Christian 3 years ago, at age 62.  We had many conversations about the gospel over nearly 2 decades – I prayed for him, some seasons more than others – but honestly, I never really thought he would come to believe.  

But in God’s timing – God worked powerfully – God brought the good news of Jesus powerfully into my dad’s life.  Jesus the ascended king brought my dad to believe. 

It’s almost funny, it’s so surprising – my dad used to be the kind of person who would make this stern uninviting face – he’s really good at it – he could make others feel really uncomfortable…. And he kind of liked that he could make people feel uncomfortable – now, he’s a greeter in his church. 

The Power of Jesus. 

Finally – the Promise of Jesus – 

In v. 10 we read – 

“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.”

Jesus ascension means – He is coming back.  

In that time – when a king ascended to the throne – the message would go out to his territory – there is a new king, a new Lord, and you owe your allegiance.  We are in that time – when the message goes out – the first witnesses, the apostles, testified to the truth of Jesus – he really did all these things – he really is the promised king.  We add our witness to the witnesses that have gone before – Jesus is real.  The Scriptures are true.  He is at work in my life.  Come, taste and see that Jesus is real and powerful. 

Jesus’ ascension means he is coming back, and when he does he will do away with all evil, he will set all things right, all will bow and acknowledge him – we will see him face to face and be changed forever.  

That’s the promise we need to live as his people now.  It’s the certainty and assurance we need to keep going, to keep praying, keep ministering – telling others about Jesus, loving others, seeking justice, and living under the reign of our king.  

This promise really helps to orient us.  

The fact that Jesus has not yet returned means that the world and our lives will never be all we long for them to be.  Yes, the king is enthroned and is at work – but he has not returned to make all things new.  

We obviously live in a world where there is still evil and suffering.  Violence, injustice, powerful nations and leaders make a mess of things.  If as we experience these things – we are oriented toward heaven, toward our king – then we will be able to live and serve and speak of our hope, looking to our king who alone can make all things right.  

And this is what we see throughout Acts – Though Jesus is king, and he is present in power working and drawing people to himself, doing amazing things – his people are persecuted, sometimes killed.  Suffering, hardship, and sadness are still very present and very real. 

We need the promise of the ascended Jesus to be this reference point for our story – because we still live in a world broken by sin.  And we all still struggle with sin.  And sometimes life is hard, and sometimes life is very sad.  But promise of our ascended Lord proclaims to us, especially in these moments – brokenness and sadness doesn’t define your life. 

You see, so often – our lives are defined based on what’s going on in our little worlds and stories – but it has no reference point to a larger story outside of us.  So, for example – if you, in your little world and little story are winning, succeeding, you’re healthy, your life is comfortable – GREAT!  Everything is good.  But if you fail, if things go bad, if tragedy strikes or sickness and disease invade your life – if you are hit with suffering – it feels like that’s it….. my life is ruined….. my story has been forever ruined – my story is a tragedy.

But if you are a Christian who has the Ascension of Jesus as a defining reference point in your life – your story…… failure, tragedy, sickness, suffering, and even death does not and cannot define your life – Because of the one who lived, and died, and rose, and ascended – He did this for you – for us. Our story have been forever changed because we belong to him. Our life is kept in Him.  We are safe, secure, loved.  We have one who restores us to God who has opened the way so we can draw near to God.

Jesus ascended – if you believe in him, that means the loving presence of God is always with you, it means God who is present is powerfully working in and through you, even in times when it doesn’t feel that way…. And it means the promise that Jesus will make all things new and bring you finally home is guaranteed and sure.