Faith In Jesus' Ascension
Minister: |
Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: |
1/19/2014 AM
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Text:
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Hebrews 9;
Lord's Day 18
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Psalters: |
309, 337, 183, 303 |
- The history.
- When Jesus ascended a cloud actively received Him out of the disciples’ sight (Acts 1:9).
- This change of the location of His human nature marks progress in Jesus’ exaltation.
- His human nature had been earthly and humbled, but at His resurrection it became heavenly and exalted.
- The ascension took His heavenly human nature from the earthly realm into the heaven (Heb. 9:24).
- The ascension marks Jesus is the High Priest presenting His perfect sacrifice to the Father.
- In His human nature Jesus began an exalted (heavenly) existence in heaven.
- In heaven Jesus is active.
- First, He is our advocate before the Father (Heb. 9:11,12,24,28).
- He is as a defense lawyer presenting the Judge with the evidence of our justification.
- He presents His sacrificial death to the judgment seat.
- Second, He is our intercessor (Heb. 7:25).
- He pleads on the basis of His perfect work.
- Also He presents our prayers to God perfected.
- Third, He is able to be with us in a much close sense.
- His presence is more real than when He walked with the disciples.
- Now He is with each of the elect on earth, even to the end of the world (Matt. 28:20).
- His ascension brings spiritual benefits to us.
- It is a cause of great joy.
- In essence the church ascended with Him (our Head) and sits with Him in heavenly places (Eph. 2:6).
- Practical benefits for us.
- Our human nature (exalted in Christ) is as a magnet drawing us there (Heb. 6:19,20).
- The presence of the Spirit of our ascended Lord within each believer.
- Concerning our prayers.
- As Jesus was other-worldly, so now those who believe in Christ are in this world, but are not of it.