Aug 20, 2017
Acts: Advancing the Gospel
Acts 1:9-26
The Significance of Jesus’ Ascension . . .
Reminds us that He is the exalted Christ who conquered sin and death.
“And being found in human form, He (Jesus) humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him that name that is above every other name . . .” Philippians 2:8-9
“We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.” Romans 6:9
“This Jesus, God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses.” Acts 2:32
Affirms His authority as reigning King over all creation.
“ . . . Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to Him.” 1 Peter 3:22
“ . . . so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11
Points us to the hope of His return as righteous judge and King. (Matthew 25:31-46)
“And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 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.” Acts 1:10-11
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
“ . . . but now He (God) commands all people everywhere to repent, because He has fixed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by a man (Jesus) whom He has appointed; and of this He has given assurance to all by raising Him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31
Points us to the mercy and grace we find as we draw near to Him as our mediator and great high priest.
“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. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
Advances the hope of the gospel, through His people and by His Spirit.
“And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you. But stay in the city (Jerusalem) until you are clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:49
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out My Spirit.” Joel 2:28-29
“ . . . and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.” Acts 2:33
Exalted in Us . . .
We advance the gospel by Christ being exalted in us.
- The Spirit’s work is to exalt Christ in the life of a believer so that the world may know Him.
“’When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me (Jesus), for He will take what is mine and declare it to you.’” John 16:13-14