Sermon Tone Analysis

I believe that Jesus ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

This is one of the most remarkable statements in the Apostles’ Creed and it is also one of the most neglected areas of Christian doctrine.

Even though we believe in the ascension of Christ, we tend not to think about it very much, at least when compared to the death and resurrection of our Lord.

We know that Jesus died to redeem us from our sins and that He rose from the dead for our eternal life.

We know that we couldn’t be saved without Good Friday or Easter Sunday.

Where does the Ascension fit in?

The event itself is only briefly mentioned in Mark, Luke and Acts.

By contrast both the crucifixion and the resurrection are described by all four gospel writers in great detail.

And because the event itself is so unusual, it is difficult for us to visualize exactly what happened.

To many people it seems like a P.S. to the main message of the gospel—perhaps a convenient way for Christ to go back to heaven.

But does it really matter today?

And is it essential to our Christian faith?

We believe that Jesus ascended into Heaven.

We believe that He is seated at the right hand of the Father Almighty.

This morning I want you to understand what this next great affirmation of faith means for us today.

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I. HIS ASCENSION AUTHENTICATES HIS DEITY

* /"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."/

(Hebrews 4:14, ESV)

#. three years before His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus was immersed in the River Jordan by John the Baptist to inaugurate His public ministry

#. as He came up out of the waters, we are told that the Holy Spirit – in the form of a dove – settled upon Him, and the audible voice of God proclaimed, /“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”/

#. for the next three years, Jesus would steadily reveal His true nature to the Disciples

#. the testimony of others authenticated his

* John 1:26-29 /"John answered them saying, “I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know.

“It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” . . .

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"/

NASB95

#. what He taught, and how he taught, authenticated His Deity

* ILLUS In John’s Gospel we have an incident that is illuminating for us.

It is during the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

Jesus had come to the feast and there was a buzz all over the city.

People are openly asking the question, “Could this be the Christ?”

Some were absolutely convinced that he was, contending, “When the Christ appears, will he do more signs than this man has done?”

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the most anticipated of annual Feasts for Israel.

For seven days the Israelites presented offerings to the Lord, during which time they lived in huts made from palm fronds and leafy tree branches.

The purpose for living in the booths was to recall the sojourn of the Israelites prior to their taking of the land of Canaan.

Over the course of the week 71 bulls, 15 rams, 105 lambs, and 8 goats were offered as burnt offerings to the Lord.

The culmination of the Festival took place on the last day when a Jewish Priest would draw a pitcher of water from the Pool of Siloam and carry it in a sacred procession to the altar at the Temple.

It was there that the Priest would pour the water from the pool of Siloam at the base of the alter.

This was to signify their faith and hope in the fulfilment of God's promise to pour out the Holy Spirit upon His people.

It was during this highlight of the Feast, that Jesus stood up and cried out “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink."

(John 7:37, ESV).

With that a great debate broke out among the people, Is this the Christ or isn’t it.

The Jewish leaders sought at that point to arrest Jesus.

#. now, I tell you all of that to point your attention to John 7:45-47

* /"The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, who said to them, “Why did you not bring him?”

46The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!”/ (John 7:45-47, ESV)

#. even some of the Jewish leaders – after hearing Jesus teach – began to conclude that He was the Promised One

#.

Jesus authenticated through what and how He taught

#.

His miracles authenticated His Deity

* ILLUS.

Later in John’s Gospel – the tenth chapter – Jesus has another encounter with the Jewish leaders.

We’re told that the some of the Jews have picked up stones and are ready to hurl them at Jesus.

At that point Jesus asks them the question, “I have shown you many good works from the Father [referring to His miracles]; for which of these do you stone me?”

At the end of the conversation Jesus tells them; "Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does.

38But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

(John 10:37-38, NIV)

#.

Jesus tells the Jewish leaders, /“Look, if what I say is not enough to convince you that I am the Son of God, then look at the miracles I’ve done.

They alone should convince you.”/

#. the way He died authenticated His Deity

* Matthew 27:54 /"Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”/ NASB95

#. at the end of three years of ministry, Jesus is arrested, He is put on trial, He is condemned, He is crucified, He is buried, and – praise God – He rises from the dead three days later

#.

He then spends forty additional days on Earth with His disciples providing some last minute instructions and encouragement

#. in spite of all this, the Bible tells us that some still doubted

* /"Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted."/

(Matthew 28:16-17, NIV)

#. was the resurrection true?

#. is Jesus really to Anointed One – the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world?

#. the ascension would dispel any doubts once and for all that Jesus was and is God incarnate

* /"When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them.

51While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.

52Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.

53And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God."/ (Luke 24:50-53, NIV)

#. unlike the resurrection, which no one say as it was actually happening, the disciples actually saw Jesus ascend into heaven

#. it must have been an awe-inspiring sight

#. the verb taken up carries the idea of being lifted straight up into the air

#. this is no parlor trick

#.

David Copperfield is not putting on a show

#. they saw him rise, then they saw him disappear into a cloud, then they didn’t see him at all

#. then they returned to the Temple in Jerusalem and worshiped him

* ILLUS.

That phrase “They worshiped him” is one of the strongest arguments for Jesus’ divinity, and one too seldom noted.

The Jews a were militantly monotheistic culture.

All their lives they had pronounced the Shema, “Here O’ Israel, the Lord they God is One, and you shall Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

(Deuteronomy 6:5, NIV).

To give worship and praise to a mere human was blaspheme and worthy of execution.

That they so willingly and openly gave worship to the risen Christ and accorded praise and honor to One who was also unmistakably and totally human testifies that they were thoroughly convinced of Jesus’ Deity.

#.

His Ascension Authenticates His Deity

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II.

HIS ASCENSION CONSECRATES HIS MINISTRY

#. the Apostles’ Creed not only tells us that Jesus ascended, but it tells us to where He ascended

#.

I believe that Jesus ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father

#. the New Testament uses three words to describe Jesus’ status in Heaven

#.

Exalted

#.

Glorified

#.

Enthroned

#. in the ancient world, when a king wished to honor someone, he offered them a seat at his right hand

#. that seat was the seat of greatest honor

#. it was also a seat of authority that rivaled the authority of the king himself

#. what does it mean to say that our Lord is now seated at the Father's right hand?