David Kautt: September 2013

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

God's Time Table - Seven Bible Sticky Notes (Part 2)

Preached at Community Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, September 22, 2013

Acts 1:12-26, “¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. ¹⁵And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ¹⁶“Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.” ¹⁸(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. ¹⁹And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) ²⁰“For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,
And let no one live in it’;

and,

‘Let another take his office.’

²¹“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.” ²³And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Tick… Tick… Tick… God’s time table. Tick… Tick… Tick… God’s time table! Tick… Tick… Tick… So far, in our look at God’s ‘time table’, at what He ordained and intended for the 10-day period between Jesus’ ascension, recorded here in Acts chapter 1, and the Day of Pentecost, as depicted in Acts 2. So far, we have placed 4 ‘Bible Sticky Notes’ on the picture screen of our minds. 4 Bible stick notes that summarize, at least a part of what we read, learn and need to know from this important first chapter of the Book of Acts. Do you remember what they are? Let’s review them quickly, before we move on.

First, there is the sticky note that says, ‘Eleven Waiting’. Since the eleven remaining apostles didn’t have a window into heaven, a way to sort of look over God’s shoulder at His time clock, and since Jesus had said to them, “You must wait…” that’s what they did. They waited, they obeyed Him, just like He wanted, and they waited! Tick… Tick… Tick… Because of God’s schedule, and even more, in order to receive God’s strength, they waited! Speaking of God’s strength and waiting on God’s schedule, ever come across these words before?

Isaiah 40:28-31, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He never grows weary or tired; His understanding is never ending. He gives strength to the weary, and to Him who lacks might He gives power. Even youths grow weary and tired, and young men stumble and fall, but those who WAIT on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and NOTE grow weary, they shall walk and NOT faint!” Waiting on God is not just because of God’s schedule! No! It’s in order to receive His strength!

The eleven waiting. That’s sticky note number one. Then, number two. In Acts 1:13-14, we read about how the eleven, the women, the mother of Jesus and the brothers of Jesus, all 120 of them, were in unison – in Holy Spirit-oneness – praying. We don’t have time to explore it at this point, but believe me, as we progress through our study of the rest of the Book of Acts, you’ll see it! You’ll see that when God’s people pray, when they take the things of earth to the door of heaven, God hears! God responds! God causes hope to be reborn and sins to be forgiven! In unison, the 120 were praying, as they were waiting!

Prayer, humble, surrendered prayer – what a way to align oneself with God’s schedule, and open oneself to receive God’s strength!

Next, we have in Acts 1:15-17, the Brethren Meeting, sticky note #3. The Church, the people of God, we’re not a CLUB, and even though I like to use illustrations from the world of sports, we’re really not a TEAM either. So, what are we? The brethren meeting. My loved ones, we are family! God is our Father, Jesus is our Elder Brother, and the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Jesus, is the One at work in us, who brings us together! The brethren meeting. No! Those are not fighting words, they are FAMILY words, precious, favorite, family words!

Then, one more sticky note from last time - #4, ‘The Scripture Fulfilling’. When it comes to this Book, God’s Book, what one word says it all? It is unbreakable! Heaven and earth shall pass away. Like grass and the flowers of the grass, all flesh, all of us, will wither, fade and fall, but God’s Word, God’s unbreakable word, will never pass away!

Tick… Tick… Tick… Well, that’s what our clocks and watches are doing, aren’t they? And we have a couple more of these Bible sticky notes to post. So, we better get moving, right?

Acts 1:18-19, Bible sticky note #5. Let’s read it again:

Acts 1:18-19, “(Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. ¹⁹And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

The fifth of our Bible sticky notes has these three words written on it: ‘The Traitor’s Sinning.’ I don’t know if you have ever thought of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of our Lord as a sin, but, here it is – Acts 1:18 – Peter calls it ‘iniquity’. So that none of us gets confused, that’s just a fancy word for S-I-N, an old-fashioned word that means UN-righteousness! And notice what else Peter says about the traitor’s sin here. He says that with the wages of it, the 30 pieces of silver Judas received as payment for his dirty deed, He bought a field. Matthew 27:3-10 will give you the details, if you want to look it up. Through the wages of his iniquity, Judas bought a field, his BLOOD MONEY purchased some real estate, the potter’s field, which became a cemetery for foreigners. But, listen, here’s the marvelous thing about all of this: through Judas - the Betrayer bough property with his money – but Jesus, the Betrayed, our Kinsman/Redeemer, bought PEOPLE. He bought you and me with His blood! My loved ones, do you realize what all of that is? That is one of the most amazing examples of the APPARENT victory of a man, an enemy of God, and of Satan, the evil one behind the Betrayer. This is one of THE MOST AMAZING examples of an apparent victory of God’s enemies, turning out, actually, to be GOD’S victory in the end! A victory that, through Christ, you and I can share in, in the end! Praise the Lord! Akel Dama, the Field of Blood. That’s not the end of it, is it? No! The fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins, that cleasning fountain is the end of it!

1) The eleven waiting, 2) were in unison praying, 3) the brethren meeting, 4) the scripture fulfilling, 5) the traitor’s sinning. That’s five of the Seven Bible Sticky Notes from Acts chapter one. Now let’s take a peek at #6. Acts 1:21-22, ‘The Apostles’ Defining’.

Acts 1:21-22, “²¹“Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²²beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Because of the traitor’s sin, because of his failure to REPENT of that sin and to flee to Jesus for forgiveness of that sin; and, because the prophetic Scriptures in Psalm 69 and Psalm 109 HAD to be fulfilled, Judas’ replacement is now up for consideration. And two men, two candidates, if you will, are put forth for consideration.

Now, here’s the key question that relates to this Bible sticky note: ‘Why these two men? Why Joseph Barsabas and Matthias, and not two or three or five or twenty-five other men?’ The apostle’s defining. It all comes back to the DEFINITION; how the term ‘apostle’ is defined. Look again at verses 21 and 22, and say this with me: ‘I could never be an apostles based on this definition.’ What is the definition, found here in the text of Scripture, of an apostle? Number one, he must be a he. And, number two, he must have accompanied the other hand-picked apostles all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among them, beginning from His baptism by John to the day when He ascended back to heaven. I could never be an apostle, not in this sense, at least, and never could you. Why? Because what was required was FIRST-hand testimony. “We need a 12th man to be a witness with us of Jesus’ resurrection,” Peter said. And to be able to give FIRST-hand testimony, guess what? One must have had first-hand experience! Anyone here qualify? I know I don’t!

Nevertheless, wouldn’t it have been neat to have been the one chose to take Judas’ place? Sounds really appealing, doesn’t it? Sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it? Chew on that for a moment, while you look up Matthew chapter 10 with me. Matthew 10 – what’s that chapter all about? Let me give you another sticky note right here for free. Matthew 10 is the ‘Apostle’s Manual’. Everything you always wanted to know about being an Apostle but were afraid to ask, is contained in Matthew 10. Wouldn’t it have been neat to be an apostle? Matthew 10:16 – Jesus said to His Apostles, His ‘sent ones’, “Behold, I am send you out as sheep among wolves…” Verse 17, “you will be handed over to councils and beaten in synagogues.” Verse 18, “you will be brought before kings and governors.” Verse 21, “your brothers, your fathers, your children, they will betray you so that you can be put to death.” Verse 22, “you will be hated by all men for My name’s sake.” … I could go on, but I won’t. Still thinking it would be neat and exciting to be Judas’ replacement?

My friends, to be an Apostle, yes, to replace even the Betrayer, this would not be a life of trips to Six Flags and celebrity appearances on the Tonight Show! No! To be an apostle would have been the most demanding, the most difficult thing that any of these men had ever done! But… Stay with me. This is where this whole thing called Apostleship gets very, very interesting. Remember sticky note #1? The one about the eleven waiting? Why were they told to wait? Acts 1:4 and 8. Jesus told them to wait because God had PROMISED to do something for them, to give Someone to them! “Wait for the promise of the Father… [for when I send Him, when I send My Holy Spirit upon you…] you will receive POWER, divine strength, to do what would otherwise seem impossible!

John 16:33 – Jesus speaking to the eleven said, “In this world, as My witnesses, you will have trouble! But, in Me, you will have peace! So, be of good cheer! For, I have overcome the world!”

Boil it down with me, will you? What is Jesus’ message to His apostles? Trouble is certain! It is! But, listen! SO IS VICTORY! Victory, in the end, for you, My witnesses, is certain. So, don’t worry about what to say when they drag you before kings and councils; My Spirit will give you the words.

Matthew 18:18-20. Trouble is certain, but so is victory! So, don’t worry that your enemies are thinking that they are somehow hiding their hatred of you from God! They can’t hide it! No! He’s known it all along! And, in the end, He will deal with it (Matthew 10:24-26).

You want to be an apostle? Think again – trouble is certain for every ‘sent one’. But, that’s not all. So is victory! So, don’t worry if they kill your body! “Don’t worry if you lose your life for My sake,” Jesus says! “Don’t worry! For in the end, you will save it! In the end, I will confess you before My Father in heaven!

The definition of an apostle. Two words, two seemingly contradictory words: trouble/hardship/persecution, even death for Jesus’ sake. AND, victory! Victory! So, my fellow ‘sent ones’, what? So, preach openly (Matthew 10:7, 27). So, minister generously (Matt. 10:8). So, work trustingly (Matt. 10:9-13). So speak, labor and give fearlessly (Matt. 10:26-31). Why? For Jesus’ sake! Because you know the Risen One. And, best of all, because He, the risen King of kings, knows you!

God's Time Table - Seven Bible Sticky Notes (Part 1)

Preached at Community Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, September 15, 2013

‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,
And let no one live in it’;

and,

‘Let another take his office.’

he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Have you ever wondered why it seems that God takes so long, to act, to move, to do something? And, have you ever wished that just once you could look over God’s shoulder at His calendar, His date-timer, His clock, so as to know when?

This morning, we continue our study of the Book of Acts. And what do we have here? We have the record of how the Church – God’s Church – through the proclamation of the Gospel, began and grew. We have an account of the extension of the influence of God’s Word, spoken AND lived out by the Church. And the Church’s expansion from its birthplace, in Jerusalem, out into the rest of Palestine, Judea, Samaria and Galilee, over into western Asia Minor and Eastern Europe, then finally, all the way to Rome. We have a ‘story’, if you will, of how both the Spirit of Christ and the Word of Christ sustained and motivated Christ’s people, the first Christians, and supplied them not only with a message – God the Father has sent Jesus the Son to save the world – but also gave them power to preach that message. Right up front, this story, this account, this record, has everything to do with a schedule. With God’s timing and time-table for the things He had planned!

Now, before we move one, let me simply ask: do you know the basic details of this time-table, God’s timing of the things that unfold here in Acts chapter 1, and then, over in Acts 2?

In a nutshell, here are the details: Jesus death, burial and resurrection, the events of ‘Passion Week’, Good Friday, the Sabbath, and Resurrection Sunday; between that series of events, located on and around the Jewish Passover celebration and the next major event in God’s time-table, the outpouring of His Spirit on the apostles, how much time elapses? Let me give you a word. Pentecost – ever heard of that word before? Pentecost, it was the next Jewish feast day, on the Jewish calendar, that followed every year, 50 days after Passover. At day 40 of the 50 day period what happened? Jesus ascends back to heavenly glory – we studied that last Lord’s Day. So, where does that put us as we look at this portion of Acts 1? We find ourselves in that 10 day in-between period, looking at the clock and asking God, ‘When?’

Walk down through this passage with me, and let’s see what we learn, what we’ll notice as we go. I don’t know about you, but I like little labels, brief sticky-note-like descriptions of things to help me understand them and especially to help me remember them. Allow me to give you a few of those little sticky note labels.

Acts 1:13 – Label #1, ‘Eleven Waiting’. Notice the Eleven Waiting; Peter, James, John, Andrew… Maybe like you and me, they wish they did have a window into heaven, a way to look over God’s shoulder at His clock. But, since they didn’t, notice what they are doing. They are OBEYING. Yes, I know that that word ‘obeying’ isn’t actually in the text – oh! But, if you’ll remember, the reason they are waiting in Jerusalem, kind of like Jesus going to Jerusalem to suffer, to die and to be raised from the dead. The reason the eleven are there doing that is because THAT is what Jesus told them to do! Acts 1:4, “And being assembled together with His apostles, Jesus commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait…”

Without going into it too far, how much of this thing called being a Christian, LIVING the Christian life, boils down simply to OBEYING, to DOING what Jesus tells us to do? Isn’t that what Lordship is all about? Isn’t that what serving Jesus is all about?

Acts 1:13 – In that 10 day in-between period, the Apostles are told to wait, obediently. And that’s what they do! “Wait!” Jesus says, “Because I told you to wait!” It’s all a part of God’s timing of things! His schedule. But, did you also notice – remember? Acts 1:4, we didn’t read all the verse a minute ago. The REASON for the wait was not just a matter of God’s SCHEDULE as to when the apostles’ work was to begin, more importantly, it was a matter of God’s strength, that they would need God’s strength to do the work! Acts 1:4 – the Promise of the Father was that Jesus’ apostles would be baptized with the Holy Spirit in just a few, short days. Verse 5 – the Promise of the Father, essential to do the work, was the power they would receive when the Holy Spirit came upon them. Acts 1:13, what were the apostles doing in that 10 day in-between period? They were waiting, and they were obeying!

But, then notice with me, verse 14. What does the text tell us about these men as they waited? Sticky note label #2, ‘In Unison Praying’. “These all continued in one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with Jesus’ brothers.” There’s a temptation that comes when God’s people have to wait on Him, did you know that? What temptation is it? The temptation to WASTE the waiting! Take a look again at the history of the children of Israel during Moses’ day and you’ll see what I’m talking about!

When God’s people have to WAIT, because God is working out HIS plan in HIS time, God says, ‘Don’t waste the wait! Pre-pare by pre-PRAYing!’ That’s what the apostles did! And, take a look. That’s also what 3 other groups of people did.

That’s what ‘the women’ did. Ladies, do you realize how much Jesus did for women? He opened the Upper Room Door for them! They were some of His closest friends, some of His most faithful followers! And look where they are. In the upper room with the eleven. No surprises here, right?

But, look at the other two groups Luke mentions were there, waiting, obeying and praying. Acts 1:14 – Marry, Jesus’ mother and, Jesus’ brothers were there also. Like with these other ‘women,’ perhaps it’s no surprise that Mary, Jesus’ mother, was there, with the eleven. After all, she had been there, at the foot of the cross and at the door of the empty tomb. But, what about Jesus’ BROTHERS? What do we find out the last time we read of them, in places like Matthew 12:46ff and John 7:1ff. Where are they, in respect to their relationship with Jesus? At that point, on which side of the fence are they as far as Jesus is concerned?

Do you see it, my friends? Acts 1:14 – This passage is almost unbelievable! Why? Because up until Jesus’ death, burial and especially, His resurrection, Jesus’ brothers are on the others side, the WRONG side of the fence as far as their relationship with Him is concerned. Oh! But, what a difference a resurrection makes! Amen! The Apostles, including doubting Thomas, they are there, in that upper room, waiting AND praying. No real surprise there. And, the women, and Mary, Jesus’ mother are there, too! Again, no surprise! But, what is absolutely stunning, and yet so very in-keeping with the awesome power of the Good News of Jesus, crucified, buried and resurrected, is that Jesus’ formerly skeptical brothers are there, too! Critics, questioners, have you examined the evidence for the claims of Christ and of the gospel? Even Jesus’ brothers were willing to bow the knee and call their Brother, ‘My Lord and my God!’ when they saw Him alive again! How about you? If there’s room for them in the Upper Room, there’s a place for you there, too!

Our time is quickly evaporating, so let me press on with at least a couple more of these two or three word sticky note labels as we walk down through this passage. Verse 13 – the Eleven were waiting. Verse 14 – In unison they were praying. Now, let’s look at verse 15. Acts 1:15 – Sticky note #3: ‘The Brethren Meeting’

Acts 1:15-17, “

The brethren meeting - no longer is the number of the apostles 12, why? Because Judas killed himself. And, no longer is the number 12, because at least a hundred or so others have seen the Lord Jesus alive and have joined themselves with the apostles as they await the promise of God to be fulfilled. The ‘Brethren Meeting’ – I don’t know what those words mean to you. But, you know brothers and sisters, getting together to be with each other, for all I know, you may not like your brothers and sisters, for all I know, you may not HAVE any brothers or sisters. Oh, but listen! The brethren meeting, though those words may not mean anything to you or may even be fightin’ words for you, when it comes to your physical brothers and sisters, listen, in the Church, in the unique ‘family’ where Jesus’ Father is also OUR Father, things are different! God, our Father, intends for things in His family to be much different! Matthew 23:6-12 – Take a look there, will you? What’s different about THIS family, God’s family?

Matthew 23:6-12, “

Verse 8 – What’s different about THIS family, God’s family? There’s really only ONE teacher, Jesus Christ, and we are all brothers. Verse 9 – and, unlike in so many families, in this family, there is only ONE Father, the One who is in heaven. So, what does all of that mean? It means that we are all on an equal plane with each other. We have the same Father and all of us who are in Christ are brothers and sisters. What’s different about this family, God’s family? What’s different about it is that those who truly are a part of it are pursuing the greatness, not of special titles or special seating, but of special, humble service. Serving each other AS brothers and sisters, through Christ-like love! The brethren meeting, like we are today, those words, may they never be fighting words for this family – no! Rather, may they always be some of our FAVORITE words! Something we look forward to and enjoy each Lord’s Day!

So, once again, what are our sticky note labels? #1 – ‘The Eleven Waiting,’ #2 – ‘In Unison Praying,’ and #3 – ‘The Brethren Meeting.’ Allow me to close with one more. And, we’ll look at the rest of these next time. Acts 1:16 and 17, and verse 20. #4 – ‘The Scripture Fulfilling.’

Acts 1:16-17, 20, “

Recognizing the significance of Judas Iscariot’s choices and their consequences, what does Peter declare? Don’t miss this, my loved one. The Scripture Fulfilling – Peter points out that Scripture, the nature of prophetic Scripture, is that it HAS to be fulfilled! The prophetic word of God CANNOT – not might not, but cannot – be broken! Because it is God’s Word, it MUST be fulfilled! Because it is the expression of God’s sovereign will, it must come to pass!

Psalm 119:89 – What does the Bible claim about itself? Do you know anything about that unique chapter in the Book of Psalms? At the exact center of that majestic 176 verse long, 119^th Psalm - the longest chapter in all the Bible – verse 89, God says this about His word, “My word is forever settled in heaven!” Because of the nature of God’s prophetic decrees in places like Psalm 69 and Psalm 109, the passage Peter perceives as being carried out in and through Judas’s actions and their consequences, the things Judas CHOSE to do, HAD to take place – why? Because it had ALREADY been settled in heaven!

So, what difference does that make in our lives? Well, let me ask you this question: according to Scripture, what is going to happen to the created realm, as we now know it? Heaven and earth is going to pass away! All creation is going to pass away to make way for the new heaven and new earth. What about Jesus’ word? It will never pass away! Beloved, say it with me: God’s Word cannot be broken! God’s word CANNOT be broken! It must be, it shall be, fulfilled! So, what difference does that make in our lives? Again, let me ask you a question: what’s going to eventually happen to your body? Isaiah 40:6-8, quoted by Peter, in 1 Peter 1:23-25. “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man is as the flowers of the grass. The grass withers and the flowers of the grass fade and fall, but the word of the Lord, the living and abiding word of God, the imperishable seed by which Christians are born again, that word, God’s word, endures forever! Forever!”

The Scripture Fulfilling, yes, even through the dastardly choices and actions of Judas Iscariot! Here’s the point: the difference that this Word, this eternally-settled-in-the-heavens Word, makes or can make in your life, is all the difference in the world! Why? Because, as Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3-5, by it, by God’s unbreakable, unshakeable word, you can be born again, into a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. You can be born again into an incorruptible, undefiled and unfading inheritance, reserved in heaven for you who, THROUGH faith are kept by God’s power for the final salvation that is about to be revealed in the last time.

God’s unbreakable, unshakeable word, have you received this incorruptible, life-giving seed, that you might be saved? Have you? Now is the time to do so, today is the day to do so.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

What's So Important About the Ascension?

Preached at Community Christian Church

David P. Kautt

Sunday Morning, September 8, 2013

“Acts 1:1-11, “The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given commandments to the apostles whom He had chosen, to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Have you ever wished you could have been there? I mean, we open up this Book, and we read through its pages about seas and rivers being dried up and split open so that God’s people could walk through on dry land. About young boys bringing down 9-foot-tall giants with a sling and a stone… About lepers being healed and multitudes being feed with just a few fish and some bread… We read those things, we imagine what those people and places and events looked like, and we exclaim, “I wish I could have been there! I wish I could have seen it, heard it, felt it…”

The Ascension of Jesus, taking place right before the eyes of Jesus’ friends and apostles, accomplished without the use of hidden ropes or harnesses or cranes. The Ascension of Jesus, that day when He was received up into the glory cloud of God’s heavenly dwelling place, don’t you wish you could have been there?

You know as Christians, Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, new covenant believers, we make a lot of the death, the cross, the crucifixion of Jesus, don’t we? And, we should. And, we make a lot of the burial and especially the resurrection, and resurrection appearances of Jesus, don’t we? And, we should! But, then, at the end of the 40-day period of proving that He is alive, a period of teaching and establishing His followers for the work He intended for them to do, Jesus, all of the sudden, goes away. And perhaps, if we had been there, we would have looked just as longingly, maybe even just as bewilderedly, as those who were there, asking, ‘Why?’ ‘Why did He have to go back? Why did He have to leave?’

The importance of the Ascension of Jesus. Have you ever thought about just how important this event really is? Did you know that, upon His ascension, Jesus returned to glory. He returned to take up and enjoy the majestic glory He received and experienced in heaven, from eternity past!

Philippians 2:6 – God the Son, Jesus Christ, the One who, in eternity past, all the way up to the moment He became human flesh, was in the form of God, the One who was EQUAL with God. Did you know that upon His ascension, Jesus Christ returned to that position of glory status reserved by His Father for Him and Him alone? Jesus, literally only hours before His death, lifts His eyes to heaven, and prays this prayer:

John 17:1-5, “Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, ²as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. ³And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ⁴I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

The ascension of Jesus, why is it such an important event? Because it is at His ascension, upon His being received up into the clouds of heaven, that He is restored to His precious position of glory, at God the Father’s right hand. The ascension of Jesus has everything to do with the glory or glorification of Jesus by all of heaven’s angels.

But, then, building on that, or, maybe we should say, going even further with that theme of glory, you and I need to know that the Ascension of Jesus is important, it HAD to take place, because at His ascension – what is one of the titles this Book ascribes to Him? “King” – He is CROWNED as King. In the words of Paul in Philippians 2:9-11, the ascension of Jesus is not only His exaltation, it is His coronation. “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave to Him the name that is above EVERY name, that at the name of Jesus – what? Every knee shall bow – where? In heave, and on earth, and even under the earth (in that place to which Satan and his wicked minions will be condemned and confined), eternal hell. In all places, everywhere, because Jesus died, was raised and lifted from earth into heaven, He reigns as King!

Take a look sometime at the words, the powerful, prophetic words of Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 along these lines. God the Father, has installed Jesus Christ, His Son - God, the Son – as King and has seated Him at His right hand! And, as Hebrews 1:1-4 puts it, that’s where Jesus is, right now, today!

What’s so important about the ascension of Jesus? To begin with, two very important things have been accomplished, in the past and in heaven, because Jesus Christ has ascended to there. But, what about the here, where we are, and the now? The ascension of Jesus, yes, it is His exaltation, and yes, it is His coronation, there, up there, then, back then and continuing even to today. But, listen, is it also clear to you that it is Jesus’ ascension that opens up the way for Jesus’ gift? The ascension of Jesus unlocks the door for the giving of Jesus’ gift.

Now what gift are we talking about here? Acts 1:4-5, 8 – Jesus’ gift, is not one being given to Him, but it is one given BY Him, first to His apostles and then, one He gives or wants to give to you and me. That gift is the gift of His Spirit. That gift is the gift He imparts when a repentant believer in Jesus is immersed into Jesus for the remission of sins. That gift is a salvation gift, an empowerment gift! And, listen, without that gift, there would be no church birthed on Pentecost and alive and well, even to today, and without that gift there is and will be no evangelization of the world.

The ascension of Jesus is important because at His ascension, Jesus, exalted and installed as King, does something no other king, president, or prime minister has done or ever will be able to do. He gives of Himself, He gives of His Spirit, to all who believe and obey Him! Are you beginning to see just how important it is that Jesus ascended?

The glorification of Jesus, that’s why He had to ascend. The coronation of Jesus, that’s why He had to ascend. The gift, the outpouring of Jesus’ Spirit, first on His apostles, and then on us, as we hear, believe and obey the gospel, that’s why He had to ascend.

And, then, one more. It has so much, so very, very much to do with you and me, here and now. Why did Jesus’ have to ascend? What is it about His ascension that makes it such an important event? Reason number 4: because upon His ascension, God the Son, Jesus Christ, began to minister to His people, to you and me, as our Great High Priest.

Take note of the following passages of Scripture from the Book of Hebrews:

Hebrews 2:16-18, “For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. ¹⁷Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 7:20-25, “And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),

²²by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

²³Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. ²⁴But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. ²⁵Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

The ascension of Jesus, don’t you wish you could have been there? I know I do. But, I wasn’t given that opportunity, and neither were you, so, thank God for what we do have, here in this Book, God’s clear and definitive explanation of the meaning of the ascension of Jesus. Thank God for these passages that teach us what we need to know about the doctrine of Jesus’ ascension. But, before you close your Bibles, let’s ask ourselves one more critical question: ‘What difference does knowing these things about Jesus’ ascension make in my life today, tomorrow, this week, the rest of my life?

Let me give you four or five quick spiritual principles rooted in the fact of Jesus’ ascension, and then, we’ll go home.

1. The ascension, the glorification of Jesus, when does it take place in reference to the cross? Ever been asked that question? When is it that Jesus is glorified, before or after His suffering and death? You know the order of events, don’t you? It’s the cross, then the crown! It’s the groaning, then the glory! It’s the suffering, then the shouting, ‘Hallelujah!’ Beloved, did you know that the same is true and will be true for us? Romans 8 – I love that chapter, don’t you?

Romans 8:16-18, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. ¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

My loved ones, as it was for Christ, so it is for Christians, the order, the flow of events is always, ultimately, the groaning, the pain, the fellowship/sharing of Christ’s suffering, THEN the glory, the gain, the fellowship/sharing of Christ’s exaltation! Does that discourage you? Does that distress you? Don’t be! Why? Because of Romans 8:28: God is working out ALL things, bringing all that takes place in our lives - yes, even the pain, the groaning, the suffering for Jesus’ name’s sake – together, working it all together for the GOOD of those who love Him, for those He has called according to His purpose. No! Don’t be discouraged, but rejoice! Romans 8:29, In foreknowing you in Christ, through the gospel, God also predestined you to be conformed to the image of His Son.

Spiritual principle:

2. The ascension, the coronation of Jesus, what difference does knowing that fact make in our lives, today? Listen closely, and rejoice with me. Because Jesus has been coronated, what does that mean will become of the enemies of God and of the enemies of God’s people? Philippains 2:9-11 – Remember the passage? We looked at it earlier. Rejoice, people of God, rejoice! Because Jesus has been coronated, the enemies of God, all of them, AND the enemies of God’s people, all of them, everywhere, will ultimately bow the knee to Him, and to them, to us! Psalm 110:1 – Right now, Jesus, David the psalmist’s Lord, is seated at God the Father’s right hand – why? Because He awaits the day when God the Father will make all the enemies of Jesus, the Son, His footstool.

The ascension of Jesus, what difference does it make that Jesus was taken into heaven, and poured out His gift, the gift of His Spirit upon His people? Take note, my loved ones. If we are to be the Church God wants us to be, we must remember this! Spirit principle number three drawn from the meaning of Jesus’ ascension is this:

3. God has given His people all the power they need to do the work He requires! Let me say it one more time. Through the outpouring of His gift, the gift of Jesus’ Spirit, God has given His people ALL the power they need to do His work! Confidence in the armor of King Saul, leaning on arms like these arms, loved ones, we will fail! But leaning on the everlasting arms, strengthened by the gift of God, the gift of Christ, we can do ALL things!

The ascension of Jesus, what difference does it make for you and me, here, today, that Jesus is ascended? Our Great High Priest, why is He there, at God’s right hand? Is He there, just to SIT there, twiddling His thumbs, yawning, taking a snooze? No!

Spiritual principle number four:

4. Hebrews 2, 4, 6, 7 and 10, and 1 John 2 – Because Jesus, our great High Priest, IS where He is, guess what? We, the people of God, have an Advocate, we the people of God, have an Anchor for our souls. We, the people of God, have Someone, Someone who has been tempted and tested, just like we are, yet without sin. We have Someone who can come to our AID to help us when WE are tempted and test. And, so, then what do we have in Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest? We have assurance! Full assurance, like no other!

So, where does that leave us? Bottom line – Because Jesus Christ has ascended to glory, been exalted to the name above all names position, has poured out His Spirit so that His gospel might be preached and so that lost sinners might be saved – what? All that has come to pass and is coming to pass – why? So that we can know Jesus Christ, and so that through Him, we – otherwise, helpless, guilty sinners that we are – can know the God of the universe, not just as Creator, but as Father! As Abba Father! And, so that through Jesus Christ, the ascended One, the exalted One, we can see Him and be made like Him!

The ascension of Jesus, oh, the Joy, the comfort, the help and the hope that is yours and mine, because Jesus is where He is!