I Believe Jesus Ascended Into Heaven

Minister:
Date: AM
Text: Hebrews 9; Lord's Day 18
Psalters: 133, 338, 183, 302
  1. What happened.
    1. Both God and Jesus were active in the ascension – God transported the resurrected Jesus from earth to heaven.
    2. When Jesus ascended a cloud actively received Him out of the sight of the disciples (Acts 1:9).
    3. This change in the location of Jesus marks progress in His exaltation.
      1. At His resurrection Jesus’ humbled (earthly) human nature was changed into an exalted (heavenly) human nature.
      2. The ascension took His heavenly human nature from the earthly realm into the heaven.
  2. The ascended Jesus is active in heaven.
    1.  He ascended because He had completed that portion of the work He came to do on earth (John 17:4; Heb. 9:11,12,24).
    2. Second, He is our advocate with the Father, constantly presenting the evidence of our justification (Heb. 9:11,12,24,28).
    3. Third, He is our Intercessor, constantly praying for blessings to be given to us for our sanctification (Heb. 7:25).
    4. And now He is with His people in a much closer sense.
  3. His ascension brings spiritual benefits to us.
    1. It is a cause of great joy (Rev. 12:10- 12).
    2. He ascended to prepare things (John 14:2 and 7:39; 16:7).
    3. In essence the church ascended with Him (our Head) and sits with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
    4. Practical benefits for us.
      1. The presence of the Spirit of our ascended Lord within each believer makes His presence with us very real (John 14:3).
      2. Concerning our prayers (Belgic Art. 26; Heb. 10:19-22).
      3. As Jesus was other-worldly (between resurrection and ascension), so now we are in this world, but not of it.