Scripture Reading: Acts 1:1–3

Introduction

A. We speak often of the day when Jesus died and the day that He rose again from the dead, but we don’t often consider “the day in which He was taken up” (Acts 1:1).

B. Indeed the disciples would have preferred to keep Jesus with them (Matthew 16:22; John 13:31–37), but He said it was to their advantage that He go (16:7) and that their sorrow would give way to joy (16:20).

Discussion

I. Consider the importance of the day of Christ’s ascension.

A. Peter tells us that Christ’s ascension was fulfillment of a prophecy of David (Acts 2:29–35; cf. Psalm 110:1).

B. Jesus said the ascension was a prerequisite to the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7; Acts 2:17, 33).

C. The ascension was also necessary for the initiation of His eternal kingdom (Acts 2:30–36; Daniel 7:13–14).

D. The ascension also offers assurance of God’s power to exalt us (Ephesians 1:19–23; 2:6–7).

II. One day our Lord is coming again.

A. He is coming “in like manner” as the disciples saw Him go that day (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

B. This is a promise worth celebrating (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 2 Peter 3:12–13).

C. As glorious as this promise is, there are some who have come to doubt it (2 Peter 3:4; cf. Hebrews 10:36–39).

Conclusion

A. As certain as the tomb of Jesus is empty, we can be certain that He is coming again to receive us to Himself (John 14:3).

B. Many seem to live in expectation that God will fail to keep His promises, but we should demonstrate in our manner of life that we really do expect Him to come again one day (2 Peter 3:11, 14).